admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

Peak Fertility and Pregnancy

August 29, 2019 by admin

Getting pregnant isn’t necessarily as easy as you would hope and for some people it can be a challenge that makes the efforts you go to to avoid pregnancy when it’s not wanted into a cruel irony. We also tend to see fertility as a black and white issue: either you are fertile or not. In reality, there are many graduations of fertility and even if you stand a low chance of conceiving, you can improve your odds by identifying when you’re at peak fertility in each menstrual cycle and concentrating your attempts to conceive on that period.

What is Peak Fertility?

For women, their effective fertility rises and falls over the length of their menstrual cycle. During their ‘fertile days’ or ‘fertile window’, the average lifespan of an egg after ovulation can overlap with the average lifespan of sperm after ejaculation. During this time you are at peak fertility: you stand the best chance of conceiving. If you don’t know when your fertile window is, your chances of conceiving drop dramatically.

Finding Ovulation

If you want to find your fertile day you need to find out when it’s likely you’re going to ovulate – your ‘ovulation window’.

There are two primary ways of doing this: using test strips that react with your urine in the presence of the hormone that stimulates ovulation, LH (or Luteinising Hormone). You can also chart your basal body temperature: this is the low level your body drops to overnight, during an extended rest. Minute changes at this base level can reveal when you’re going to ovulate.

Modern technology can make BBT tracking more accurate and less difficult. Automated sensors can take temperature readings overnight for more accurate data, and apps can process those into results and predictions, to reduce the risk of error.

Finding Your Fertile Window

With this information in hand, you simply need to plot it on a calendar, along with the dates your period begins. While cycles may vary between women, if yours is regular you can expect to ovulate at the same point in your cycle from month to month. Noting how long ovulation falls after your period begins in one month gives you a good indicator for when it will fall in the next and the next. This can give you the vital insight you need to improve your chances of conceiving when you want to.

Simple Home Improvements That Make a Huge Difference

August 28, 2019 by admin

Source: Unsplash | Sven Brandsma

Even after living in the same place for years, you can still create the feeling of transformation and renewal in your own home. Not everyone can afford to spend loads of money on redecorating their house with the help of professional interior designers and expensive, high-end furniture.

That doesn’t mean however that only a select few people can enjoy the process of transforming their living space. With a clear vision, a distinct style, and plenty of patience, anyone can turn their home into their own personal paradise. Here are a few simple yet hugely effective home improvement ideas to inspire you.

Walls

Everything about the walls in your home will add to the overall feeling that each room evokes. Texture, color and layout all play a huge part in how you interact with your surroundings, even on a deeply subconscious level. This is why it’s so important to choose the appearance of your walls carefully. If you want to feel cozy and safe, opt for warm tones and more pronounced textures such as exposed red brick or patterned wallpaper. For a bright, fresher and more energizing feel, choose light colors and smooth textures.

Fewer walls throughout the floor plan of your home will create a more open and easy flow, whereas having many rooms will add to the sensation of mystery and coziness. Make sure that if you want to combine two or more rooms that you consult a professional who can advise whether or not the walls are load-bearing.

Floors

Similar to the subconscious effect that different looking walls can have on your overall mood and impression of a room, your choice of flooring will also impact you and your home in subtle yet significant ways. Soft, thick carpet turns your home into a designated relaxation zone, while bare wooden boards create a more rustic, practical effect.

Even the difference between small and large tiles can change the way you perceive a room and its purpose, so take care before deciding what to put on your floors.

Windows

Only once you’ve experienced the oppressive mood that comes with sitting in a windowless room, do you appreciate how valuable good windows are for any home. The right windows can make a room brighter, happier and improve the overall insulation of the house. It might seem overly simplistic, but just by conducting a search for “window companies near me”, you will be able to turn your home into a fresher, more invigorating space.

Furniture

One of the most fun parts of improving your home is the opportunity to treat yourself to new furniture. Small pieces such as end tables and mirrors can make just as much of a difference as larger items, such as sofas and bookshelves. Take this as an opportunity to explore new styles and push your imagination. You can take inspiration from interior designers or design your home around your own unique tastes.

Clutter

A comfortable, lived-in home is bound to have its fair share of clutter. Toys, books and other miscellany aren’t inherently bad, but when it distracts from the purpose and enjoyment of your home, it’s then time to have a clear out. There are many tidying gurus out there with varying techniques on how to declutter your home. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started:

Focus on one room at a time so as not to become overwhelmed
Donate clothes and items that no longer serve a purpose to you
Allocate a cupboard or drawer in your home for unwanted objects and allow guests to choose and keep anything from this area
For every new object you purchase, get rid of an old, unwanted one (give to charity)

Nature

Invite the outside in, and welcome nature back into your home with potted plants and flowers. If you feel like taking on an exciting project, try creating your own moss wall or indoor vegetable garden.

Spending more time with nature is proven to improve mental health and, if brought inside, also serves to clean the air in your home. Make sure any greenery you purchase is safe as children and pets can sometimes become sick if they ingest certain plants.

Life

Home improvement doesn’t mean changing your home into something sterile and overly designed. A beautiful home is one that invites you to enjoy it and get comfortable in it. While it’s good to declutter every now and then, don’t remove the life and vibrancy from your home.

How to Look After Yourself After a Workplace Injury

August 6, 2019 by admin

Following a workplace injury, particularly an incident resulting in you needing to take extended time off work, it will be necessary to look after yourself; to both recover in body and mind, and to manage your change in circumstances on a more practical level.

This brief how-to guide will give some guidance on taking care of yourself post-injury; physically, mentally, and financially.

Physically

For physical recovery, the most important, and likely the most obvious, thing to do is make sure you follow the guidance and advice given by your medical practitioners.

Make sure you take any medication prescribed and avoid any strenuous activities as advised, such as heavy lifting, or sports
If receiving physiotherapy for injuries sustained, then be sure to complete all home exercises designated to your recovery process
As well as the to-do’s, make sure to abide by the do-not’s, such as avoiding alcohol, certain foods, or smoking, for example. In addition to the physical implications, this can also have legal ramifications, such as driving while on pain medication, following surgery or while incapacitated, voiding motor insurance

As well as following medical advice, it will be necessary to take your injury, and any long-term implications of it, into account when preparing to return to work:

Can you carry out your previous role without causing further injury, if not then a new role should be found or created to allow you to return to work safely
Do not return to work before you are sufficiently recovered enough to do so

This can be challenging to stick to as it can be frustrating to wait, and can also be a cause for anxiety and stress if it is having an impact on your finances.

Mentally

Being injured and restricted is likely to be an upsetting and anxiety-inducing time for you. It adds additional pressures to families and relationships and can have a detrimental effect on your mental wellbeing.

Seek external assistance if you find yourself struggling to cope. Therapy can be a great way to unload your emotions and is not a sign of weakness or failure.
Accept help from family and friends and be sure to communicate. You are not a burden to them, and they want to support you, but they cannot do this if you don’t tell them what you need.
Practice meditation, yoga, or other therapeutic, relaxation techniques. Find time in your schedule to be calm and focus on your breathing to reduce stress levels and boost your mental health.
Stay abreast of your financial circumstances, acknowledge that there may be financial implications to your injury, and seek out support and advice to manage them. Money is a leading cause of stress, and ignoring it will only make it worse.

Financially

As previously mentioned, an injury at work that puts you out of action will inevitably have financial implications for you and your family; there are many things to consider during this time, including:

Compensation – You may be entitled to compensation following a workplace injury, and you should not be hesitant to pursue it. Personal injury solicitors London, Washington, Paris, or wherever you are in the world, are there to help you regain financial control and support you following your accident.
Insurance – You may find that your employers have insurance to cover workplace accidents, you should speak to your employer and discuss your rights. Your own medical insurance cover, if applicable, may also help with any resulting medical bills.
Sick pay – Another one for your employer. Check your contract and see what you are entitled to for time off of work due to a work-related injury.
Budgeting – If you find yourself out of pocket, then it may be necessary to review your household budget while you are off work and reduce non-essentials.
Research other support services – You may be entitled to additional benefits or financial aid. Research what is available in your area and be sure to claim everything you are entitled to. It is what it is there for, and you should not feel guilty using it.
Returning to work – Know your rights for returning to work after sickness or injury. Your employer should consider alternative roles within the business if you are no longer able to carry out your original job. They should make a significant effort to facilitate your return.

Prioritize your recovery and the wellbeing of yourself, your family, and anyone that may be affected by the incident. Getting better is top priority, and this guide provides tips for ensuring that you take care of you and yours.

Planning the perfect vacation: A guide

July 30, 2019 by admin

Source: Unsplash | Connally Morris

Planning a vacation has never been easier, especially due to the range of technology and online resources that you have at your disposal. However, do you know where to start planning?

Your first priority should always be to think about what your travel budget is. After all, even if you only go somewhere for a day or two, you will still need to book a place to stay, pay for gas or pay for public transport.

You need to think about where you want to go in the first place, and when you can realistically take time off. The considerations above, among others, will be outlined below.

Your budget

The most crucial component of your travel budget is how realistic it is. You no doubt have other payments and responsibilities that you need to account for too..

That being said, you can still cut back on additional costs for items that you want but never genuinely need. Doing so will help you save money faster for your future travels.

Think about the destination

Choosing the best possible travel destination is often one of the hardest parts. When you take a look at a map, the sky is the limit with how many places you can visit.

However, this is another scenario where you need to be realistic about where you can or can’t go. Most importantly, what is the cost of getting to your destination, and how much money will you need per day in order to stay there for a while?

Finding the right accommodation

The next important consideration is finding your accommodation. You will most likely be spending most of your day walking in order to see as much as you possibly can, and that is why it is crucial you get a good night’s sleep.

Depending on where you are going, always book accommodation in advance. Most importantly, reserve a place where you know you will be comfortable.

No matter where you go, you will always find comfortable and luxurious hotels that fit your needs. Robin Hood’s Bay hotel in North Yorkshire, for example, is close to points of interest in North Yorkshire, and most importantly, offers exceptional facilities.

Taking time off

The next question that you will need to ask yourself is when you can take time off work.

It is equally important that your coworkers are properly prepped for your departure, particularly if you hold a higher role in the organisation. You don’t want your vacation to cause any panic or frenzy back in the office, all of which you will have to deal with when you finally return!

Now that you know how to plan your upcoming vacation, when was the last time that you went on one in the first place? If it has been too long that you can barely remember, you know that it’s time to start thinking about your next trip. After all, the sooner you start thinking about it and planning, the sooner you can start saving money for it.

Die grinder vs air Dremel: Which should you buy?

July 27, 2019 by admin

Source: Wikipedia

Die grinders and air Dremels are both rotary tools that are used to do many different tasks at home. If you are an artist and are looking to complete tasks that involve sanding, polishing, grinding, carving and sharpening; both of these tools are going to serve you best. However, there are still some diffferences and it is important to consider which the best tool amongst the two is. The choice of the right tool depends on both the size and type of projects that you want to complete. For you to decide between die grinder vs air dremel, you need to consider the following.

Power types

Both Dremel and die grinders use different sources of power. However, it is important to note that the die grinder is more powerful than the Dremel. Therefore, if you are having heavy projects, you are good to go with the die grinder but if you have small projects, you can just do with the Dremel. In the beginning, Dremels were considered as rotary tools but die grinders as other types of tools. However, this came to change as both tools are now rotary tools.

Size differences

Both air Dremels and die grinders come in different sizes. However, it is imperative to note that die grinders are much larger than air Dremels. Therefore, if you are looking to operate in tight corners, you should opt for air Dremels as they take a more compact size and design. This means that they can fit in small spaces such as shelves, ceiling, cupboards and the area behind the sink. On the other hand, if you will be handling tasks that do not involve tight spaces, you are free to go with a die grinder.

The different speeds

Another difference between the two tools is the speed of the motor. The Dremel is considered as the faster tool among the two as it comes with a speed that tops 35000 rpm. This provides a broad range that can enable you to work on different types of materials and projects. On the other hand, die grinders have a maximum speed of 25000 rpm. If you are looking for a broad range, you should choose the Dremel.

How they dissipate heat

Heat is a major challenge when it comes to rotary tools. If it accumulates, it can cause the motor to go bad. Therefore, the best rotary tool should be able to dissipate heat with ease. When considering the best tool between the Dremel and the die grinder, it is important to consider this feature. This is especially when you will be using the product for a long time. Therefore, for long and heavy projects, the die grinder is the best option as it has better heat removal methods.

Conclusion:

From the above review, we have seen that both the die grinder and Dremel have many differences. But generally, die grinders are seen as perfect for big projects while Dremels are fine for smaller jobs.