Steve Volk's Blog, page 9

Dealing with back pain – when should you see a doctor?

Studies show that 8 in 10 persons are
experiencing back pains at least once a year. Most of the times the pain goes
away if they rest. But if you are dealing with back pain for a long period, and
it doesn’t seem to improve you should seek medical care.  Painkillers are effective in most of the
cases, so you should visit the local pharmacy and ask the specialist to
recommend some medications.

Why do you feel discomfort in your back?

Nerve pain, joint pain and muscle pain are
only some of the factors that lead to backaches. There are also times when back
pains can be a symptom of a more serious health problem like cancer, infection
or fracture in the spine. The last conditions are quite rare and they affect
only a very small number of people.

When should you schedule a consultation?

When you first experience back pains you
should apply ice and warm showers and take come standard pain-relieving
medications. It’s advisable to rest for a while, and this doesn’t mean that you
should lay in the bed all day long. You should stay active but avoid actions
that put a strain on your back.

If the aches are severe for multiple weeks,
and you have difficulties in completing your daily activities, you should
consult a doctor. It’s advisable to schedule a check if your back pain is
associated with fever if the trauma is the cause of the discomfort, if you also
experience the loss of bowel or bladder function, if you have started to lose
weight since you’ve started to feel pains. The specialists from https://rollinghillsmedical.com
state that the patients who have a risk of fractures, infection or cancer in
the spine should always be more cautious, and they should address a specialist
the moment they feel back discomfort.

What specialist should you see?

When an injury or strain is the factor that
led to back pains, it’s advisable to see your primary doctor, they can make
further recommendations. Severe pain accompanied by other symptoms like
tingling in the legs is a sign that you should consult a back doctor. A
professional specialised in nonsurgical treatment can check your state and make
a diagnosis. A chiropractor, physiatrist or orthopaedic physician can assess
your state and identify the causes that lead to this health condition.

According to your health state, the expert
may refer to another professional.

What should you expect during your doctor visit?

On your first doctor visit, the specialist
will check your medical history and perform some examinations to determine the
extent of the condition you are experiencing. They will probably check your
reflexes, strength, tenderness, and sensation.

According to the symptoms you are experiencing,
they can also make provocative tests to try to identify what triggers your
discomfort. Sometimes the doctor is ordering CT scans, an MRI and X-rays to
check for hidden triggers. All the details they get during the consult will
help them determine the condition you are suffering from, and the treatment
that will help you.

Steps to prepare financially for retirement

Think that you are too young to start preparing financially
for your retirement? Think again. After decades of working hard and saving, all
of us want to be able to enjoy our retirement years without having to worry
about financial troubles. Retirement planning and saving is a lifelong process
and it can be both stressing and time-consuming when you don’t know where to
start. Here are the best steps to guide you throughout the process of preparing
financially for retirement.

Calculate your likely retirement income

The very first step that you need to take is to estimate your
predictable income once you have reached retirement. The annual savings, expected
rate of return and current age will have an impact on the monthly retirement
income. If you find out that your possible retirement income will be less than
what you may need to live a carefree retirement, you absolutely need to start
saving more and planning more carefully.

Downsize your debt and maximize your income

Downsizing their debt doesn’t come as the first step to take
to those who want to start planning and saving for their retirement. However,
although it may not seem obvious, downsizing your debt will help you deal with
less financial struggles during your retirement years. if you pay off your debt
while you are still an employee, you will be able to invest your pension in your
hobbies and everyday living expenses. Consider accelerating your mortgage
payments so that the loan will be paid off before you retire. On the other
hand, maximizing your income potential while you are still in the employment
market is another great way to prepare for retirement. The more money you make,
the more money you are able o save and contribute and expect a bigger rate of
return.

Setup a self-managed superannuation fund

More and more people have decided to control their own australian super smsf as part of
their retirement planning. Your self-managed super fund needs to be set up
correctly so that it will be eligible for tax concessions and receiving
contributions. If you want to take advantage of tax strategies, be in control
over your investment decisions and over asset allocation, you should visit this website to find
out more information and ask for professional help.

Continually look for new opportunities to save

The key to saving money is extremely simple, you only have to
spend less than what you make. Even if you are in full-time employment and you
still have a lot of time until you approach your retirement, saving a
considerable amount of money each month is a great way to boost your private
pension income. A huge amount of savings will help you supplement your
retirement income to live a stress-free pension.

If you are asking yourself whether it is too early to start
saving for your retirement, the answer is certainly no. The sooner you start
planning and saving for retirement the fewer financial troubles you will face
during your retirement years.

Getting started in property investment – what should you know?

Investing
in property is a great opportunity to accumulate wealth or ensure the financial
security of your future through long term residual income. If you currently
find yourself in a position that allows you to go on this path, researching the
entire subject properly and reaching a few conclusions before actually taking
action is recommended. There are a few things you need to focus on, in order to
get started in property investment on the right foot. Here are your must-know
insights:

Set realistic investment
objectives

How much
money can you actually afford to invest? Are you interested in fast growing
capital, or you want to hold the property long term? These are questions you
need to answer from the start, and your future decisions, when buying an investment property, should be based on those answers.
All of the goals you set when starting out should be realistic ones. Taking
into account important aspects, such as economic times, renovation costs and
undoing ownership costs is necessary if you want to make advantageous decisions
for your future as an investor.

Property selection

Property
selection might not seem like such a complicated task at first. However, a
property investment purchase is different from the process of buying a
residence, and there are multiple factors that should be analysed, factors you
might not be entirely familiar with. Those who are just starting out in this
area are usually advised to collaborate with professional advisors who can
provide useful pointers. With an expert by your side, you can be certain you
are spending money on a property type that actually has potential.

Finance structuring
strategy

Finance
structuring is another essential step in your general investment strategy.
There are various details you might not currently know about, but could influence
your status as an investment property owner. Just jumping right in, before
creating an adequate finance structuring plan and doing thorough due diligence
could lead to disastrous outcomes. Whether you seek support in this department
from a specialized company, such as VSMA, or you research everything on your own, take
your time, and tailor your finance structuring strategy to your exact needs and
possibilities.  

Taxation and insurance

Don’t
forget about the taxation and insurance expenses that will arise once you get a
hold of a new property. Keeping up with tax requirements will prevent you from dealing
with inconveniences, and the right insurance policy will protect you against
potential financial losses. Decide on the best approach here, and handle each
implication by the book.

Becoming a
property investor might seems to be quite promising at the time, considering
the financial prospects involved. However, in order to reach success, making advantageous
decisions is crucial, and as a novice, you will need to benefit from a bit of
support. In order to pursue the right course of action, make the most of these
few suggestions. From adopting an appropriate investment strategy with the help
of professionals, to maintaining realistic goals, each one of these guidelines
should be considered from the start.

3 ways to spice up a long-term relationship

It is reassuring to have someone you can always count on.
When you are in a long-term relationship, you do not have to second-guess your
partner’s commitment to you. You can always look to them for backup, no matter
what. However, this is not the best possible thing of being in a long-lasting
relationship. You are with someone that encourages you to be the best version
of yourself every single day. Inevitably, every couple goes through difficult
phases. For example, there are times when the spark will fade a little bit. When
this happens, you have to get back on track and make the other person feel
endless butterflies. If your relationship requires a boost, try one of the
following hacks.

Put down the phone

So, you use your phone several times a day. You do not want
to spend a great deal of time on the device, but it is necessary to check and
respond to emails. When you are together with your other half, put the phone
down. It will do you good to unplug from technology every once in a while. You
cannot spend the entire day without the smartphone, yet you can survive without
it for a few hours. Avoid the temptation of sending texts or signing into your
social media accounts. Now, you have to focus your attention on strengthening
intimacy in your relationship.

Keep it fresh by trying new things

Nobody has the secret to the perfect relationship. Couples
everywhere are trying to make it work. They have understood that a happy and
successful relationship requires a little bit of effort. Trying new things with
your partner can be at the same time fun and rewarding. When was the last time
the two of you did something new? If you cannot answer the question, chances
are that it has been a long time. Use an AUTOBLOW
2+ XT or reimagine your first date. New activities are not only enjoyable,
but also they bring the two of you together. Engage in things to become more
intimate and increase the odds of your relationship succeeding. Create
surprises that will make your significant other happy. It is important to get
out of the routine.

Make yourself look and feel more attractive

It is really nice that you can wear anything when you are
with your significant other. You can pull out the most comfortable piece of
clothing and, generally, wear items that you actually want to wear. After all,
you are not going out any time soon. Your other half may approve of your
choices, but that does not mean that they are excited when they see you hanging
out in your sweatpants. What you wear has a significant impact on the way your
partner perceives you. Your significant other will think that you are beautiful
no matter what. However, you have to make an effort and start dressing up again
for them. You have to make your significant other want you every day. Put
simply, you have to be willing to put in the effort. Wear something different
this weekend. Make yourself look and feel attractive.

How to earn passive income as a student

The thought of making money while you are studying seems impossible.
You aspire to do something great with your life and you do not want to get a
job. This will not leave you enough time to study or do anything else, for that
matter. There is nothing that you would like more than to complete the MDU4004
application and taking advantage of the practical shadowing experience. The
truth is that studying and working full time is not an option. The good news is
that you can make money. More specifically, you can earn passive income. Are
you interested in this topic of conversation? If the answer is yes, continue
reading.

Open an e-commerce shop

It is not possible to make money while you sleep. No, but you
can earn a steady cash flow without too much difficulty. Here is an idea: open
an online shop. Besides the fact that you have global access, you can manage
your business from just about everywhere. Setting up an e-commerce business is
simpler than you think. All you have to do is find a suitable product, create a
website for it and start marketing. Sure, you do not have all the time in the
world, as you have to go to class and do assignments, but you can surely set
aside some time for this. Once you are online, you will wish that you started
earlier. In the beginning, you will not have any idea what you are doing. Yet,
with time, you will become a real businessperson.

Write, write, write

The writing that is required in college is highly different
from the writing that is required for marketing purposes. Nevertheless, if you
are good with words, you can manage to write successful articles. Writing is
yet another great way to earn passive income. Writing is a competency that is
useful in any area of activity. If you are more into literature, write short
stories or book reviews. It is essential to do something that you like, but do
not ignore the fact that marketing brings in loads of cash. Determine how much
free time you have and start writing. This is one of the most entertaining ways
of making money.

Rent your things

The things that are in your possession can make you money. If
you rent them out, you will not have to worry about money. You can, for
instance, rent your dorm room when you are away for the weekend. If you go to
visit your family, find a tenant. It is not necessary to make the matter legal.
If the campus allows it, that is even better. Companies like Uber make a lot of
money by offering rental options. If you are willing to rent your car for the
day, you can make passive income. Okay, maybe the idea of handing over the car
keys to someone you barely know is not tempting at all. Become a chauffeur.
This way, you will not have to worry about your precious automobile.

Becoming the star student

Attending university is the next step after high school. Statistics
say that pursuing higher education increases earning potential and offers
better job security. It does not matter why you decided to apply. What matters
is that you become the best. It is important to have good grades and have your
achievements recognized by everyone. Being a student is one thing. Being the
best student is another. You have to make an effort. If you are determined to
make it in university, you will have to learn how to manage in the competitive
environment. The following tips will surely come in handy.

Take part in class discussions

Teachers are facilitators in the sense that they enable the
acquisition of knowledge and skills. Therefore, professors encourage students
to speak up in class. If there is a discussion going on about the strain of
steel and aluminum, make sure to participate. It is not enough to sit and
listen if you are taking an introductory course to solid mechanics like TAM
251. Star students voice their opinions and make teachers proud of them.
The discussions are accessible, so you should not be afraid of making yourself
heard. You do not have to dominate the discussion. However, it is a good idea
to be active during the course.

Share the reading workload

In university, the reading materials are hard. What is more,
you are not able to pick and choose. The readings are assigned to each and
every student, meaning that they are mandatory. Since you are paying, it is not
possible to neglect your studies. Okay, maybe you were not planning to. But you
did not think about sharing the reading workload with your colleagues. Consider
being generous for a change. Do not let those piles of papers sit on the desk
for too long. Get in touch with friends and try to come up with a reading
schedule. You will be able to exchange notes and opinions, which is important
to say the least.

Meet with your teacher      

Professors are available to students. Educators are more
than willing to offer additional explanations and help students get on the road
to academic success. you might want to arrange a meeting with your teacher. If
you study solid mechanics, you will definitely need the help. Young people with
a keen interest in solid mechanics are always welcomed. You will be able to
solve your most pressing challenges. Spending time with your teacher does not
make you an annoying student. You are not receiving preferential treatment. What
you are simply doing is making proof of initiative and interest.

Meditate

If you really want to be the star student, you should start
meditating. Surprising as it may seem, meditation is helpful. Meditation will
improve your life and your academic performance. meditating eliminates anxiety,
makes it possible for you to relax, and do better in university. It is
important to practice mindfulness, deep breathing, and work on your poses. You
will not regret it.

The Best Fashion Advice of All Times Every Stylish Woman Should Know

Fashion
trends are constantly changing. Some come and make a big impression of winning
the heart of any fashion lover, and some disappear from the fashion world just
as fast as they have appeared. However, there are some top secrets when it
comes to stylish looks that are immortal and have become a must. Every woman’s
goal is to look fabulous and turn heads her way no matter the occasion. Here
are the best fashion tips of all times that will make a difference to your
look.

Always have the classic fashion items in your closet

As mentioned
before, the fashion world has a few trends that will always be amazing. Classic
items such as leather jacket, an elegant black dress, white t-shirt, and denim
items are a must for any woman to have in her closet. No matter the occasion
that you are dressing for, those classic items are perfect choices if you match
them with the right shoes and accessories. If you wish for an elegant look a
pair of high heels can do magic with a black dress. On the other hand, a pair
of boots also perfectly match with a black dress if you wish a more comfortable
yet dynamic look.

Complete your look with accessories

Accessories
are a must to complete any outfit that you are planning to wear. Depending on
your outfit, you can choose between a wide range of accessories. If you wish
for an elegant style, your best choice can be vintage jewellery. Yet, if you are
planning to wear a comfortable, yet stylish outfit, a pair of earrings and a
watch could complete your look perfectly.

Always dress for the occasion

The number
one look that any woman needs to know is to always dress for the occasion. If
you wish to match perfectly with the scenario of the event, make sure you do
some research about it before choosing your outfit. This way you will avoid
overdressing or not dressing elegant enough for the event that you are going to
attend. Remember to make a difference when you need to put your high heels on
or your sneakers.

Find colors that suit you

If you have
ever wondered why some colours look great on you and others do not, you need to
know it is because of your skin tone. Depending on our skin tone and hair colour,
we all have specific colours that suit us the best. To ensure that every outfit
you wear will be amazing, you should try filling your wardrobe with the colours
that flatter you.

Wear your outfit with confidence

There is
nothing more important for a woman to look good than to feel good about
herself. Every woman has a different style. So, you should never compare
yourself with others but just be confident in your own style. The best way to
make your outfit look amazing when you walk inside a room is to be confident
about it. If you feel good wearing it, it will also make you look amazing.

Mommy-and-Me workouts that will help you lose weight rapidly

Becoming a mother means giving up almost all of
your free time. As a new mom, you will spend hours and hours each day with your
children. Because pregnancies come with a few extra kilos, women need to invest
at least one hour each day into exercising.
That is pretty tricky considering how much time your child requires from you.
One way to combine both of these activities would be following a Mommy-and-Me
workout. This type of workout involves holding your baby while you perform the exercises.
Follow these tips to lose weight while spending time with your little one:

Warm-up

First of all, you should only start working out
once you have your doctor’s approval. Depending on how long it has passed since
you gave birth, you may or may not be able to work
out just yet. If you are allowed to workout, only choose exercises that
are easy to medium to perform. Always perform a warm-up before the workout.

Insist on your arms and shoulders, as you will
hold your baby and they might get sore very quickly. It is also important to
perform the exercises correctly to protect your spine and back muscles. Be
careful – Mommy-and-Me exercises can only be performed with children who are
able to hold their heads up. It is recommended to perform such workouts with
children over 3-4 months old.

Dancing workouts

If you want to start with a light workout that
is also relaxing and fun for the baby, you can try a dancing workout. Dancing
workouts are cardio ones and they involve all muscles in the body. Your goal is
to sweat as much as possible while
holding your baby in your arms. Dancing elevates your mood while soothing your baby. To also use your arms during the
workout, you can wear a front carrier. Choose your favorite music and have fun
while burning some calories. You might find more information about fun
exercises to try with your child on this complete
parenting blog, called Pink Mole.

Use your baby’s weight

If you are fully ready to workout and you want
to target certain areas of your body, you can perform certain exercises that
will definitely get you sore. Holding your baby will represent the weight you
carry, just as in the case of dumbbells. Pay tremendous attention to your
posture so that you don’t hurt your back. 

Curl-ups

Curl-ups are great for sculpting your abs. Lie
down on your mat with your knees up and bent. Place your little one on your
belly and hold him with your hands. Lift your head, neck, and shoulders as you curl towards your child.
Do this slowly and repeatedly.

Walking
lunges

To target your entire legs and buttocks, you
should perform walking lunges. They are performed just the way regular ones
are, the only difference being that you hold your baby close to your chest. Keep
your back straight and bend your front leg at 90 degrees. Continue walking
around the house, bending your legs and you will definitely feel sore in the
morning. 

A 4-step guide on how to plan a successful business event

If you want to plan a successful
business event, you need to tackle each task long before the big date. There
are so many details that you can miss, so many people that you can forget
adding on the guest list and so many obstacles that you can encounter along the
way. These are the reasons why you should read about the steps that are
absolutely necessary for any business event organizer out there. Of course,
there is more information waiting for you in other sources, but this should be
relevant enough to use as a starting point in your business event planning journey.
Here’s what you should know:

Setting event goals and objectives – the Master Plan

The very first step in the
process is represented by setting goals and objectives. All business events
have at least one specific goal that they need to reach. All the details
related to the purpose of this event and the manners in which the goals are
meant to be obtained should be included in a Master Plan. This plan also
gathers together relevant information such as cost estimates for different
sorts of expenses that are included in the organization of the business event,
as well as the time and date for it.

A good Master Plan is a key to create a successful business event
that people enjoy. If you don’t believe you have the expertise to create one,
you should contact agencies which are able to do that within days. More
information about this topic can be found at https://www.mandreel.com/indonesia-pr-agency-jakarta/.

Administration, logistics, and
promotion

This is probably the most
complicated step of them all. Administrating all the resources that are
available for the business event, ensuring logistics solutions and promoting
the event are the tasks involved in this step. By skipping one of these or ignoring
its importance, the event might not reach its goals. Administrating the
resources involves setting an amount for the registration fees that you impose,
setting up an online registration platform for all people that may be interested
in participating and so on.

The logistics solutions have to
do with location, permits, insurance, and
security, while publicity has to do with creating draft programs, creating a buzz in the online environment and launching a
marketing campaign. Again, these are tasks that can always be tackled by a team
of specialists such as the one you can check out at https://www.mandreel.com/indonesia-event-organizer-management-planner-jakarta/.

Checking everything twice

Everything you do at this moment
will have to be verified a week or two prior to
the event. This must be done because you won’t notice if anything is missing
from the scheme if you don’t pay attention to it specifically. During this
step, you will confirm attending, ensure that all items are in place, ensure
registration, promo items, gifts and so on.

Follow-up letters

Finally, this is a step that is
often ignored by most people when they organize an event and it has to do with
checking out what people believe about the event once it was over. This sort of
feedback will help you organize better events in the future and it will also
give your guests a good impression. Never skip the follow-up step if you want
your guests to come to your next business event as well.

Nick Haque talks about the dining etiquette rules you need to follow

It is not every day that you get the chance to dine out, so
you might as well take advantage of it. You are hungry anyway and there is no
reason to slave in the kitchen. There are quite a few outstanding places to eat
from which you can choose, just so you know. Fine dining restaurants may not
all be the same but they do have one thing in common: they cater to upscale
clientele and provide high quality cuisine.

It is true that dining out has become more casual, yet that
does not mean that you can do what you like. It is important to behave in an
appropriate way. Individuals like Nick Haque do their best to offer first-class
delicacies and you have to be on your best behavior. Eating out is a tricky
business. Fortunately, Nick Haque will teach you how to be a polite guest.
Please continue reading to learn how to master the art of dining.

Turn off your cell phone  

So, you want to experience contemporary
Japanese dining. As you can imagine, you are not the only one. Lots and
lots of people have a passion for Japanese cuisine, as it is incredibly
delicious and so dissimilar to what they have eaten. The amount of individuals
willing to dine out is impressive. It is not acceptable to ruin everybody
else’s meal. In this sense, it is necessary to keep your cell phone turned off.

Mobile phones should be banned from restaurants, but they
are not, regrettably. Noise ruins the hospitality. Understand that it is rude
to talk on the phone or text when you are in a fine dining establishment.
Others should be able to enjoy their meals. It is impossible to do that when
someone is having a loud conversation. Make sure that others do not lose their
appetite because of you.

Avoid talking with your mouth full

Have you ever been guilty of talking with your mouth full?
If the answer is yes, you should be ashamed of yourself. Besides the fact that
you can get food onto your listener’s face, it is downright rude. Wait before
swallowing and say what you have to say. There is no rush. And nobody wants to
see your food. Remember that you are in an exquisite place.

Know what utensils to use

Let us say that you are spending the evening at Koi. You are
keen to enjoy Western flavors and booked your reservation in advance to ensure
that your spot is guaranteed. However, when you get there, you realize that you
do not know how to use the utensils. In this case, the chopsticks. You cannot
seem to balance them on your fingers. Eating with chopsticks is not that
difficult and using them incorrectly demonstrates bad manners.

Maybe you are not dining out at a restaurant that serves
Japanese dishes. It does not matter. You have to become familiar with the
utensils. Keep in mind that it is necessary to start from the outside and work
your way to the inside. Do not use them for gesturing.