NOVICA - The Place To Go For Handmade Gifts Review & Giveaway

Disclosure:  We received a gift code to purchase items to facilitate our review.  All opinions stated are those of the Shelly's Bits and Pieces family.

One of my favorite things about Christmas is finding unique gifts for my family members.  I like to purchase handmade and one of a kind gifts for them, and that is not always easy.  One of my favorite places to shop is NOVICA.com.  Here is a little more information about them:

We started Novica with a dream to create a better world for artisans because a better world for Artisans is a better world for all. Along the way, we discovered something very important - as artisans around the world succeeded, there was also a visible and profound impact on the communities around them.

You can find gifts from jewelry to clothes, handbags to scarves, and from unique carved items to facemasks!  With so many wonderful items to choose from you can find something for everyone.  My favorite item has to honestly be the beautiful earrings that they have.  I'll tell you more about them later, but I want to tell you about the unique facemasks now.

As lives and livelihoods have changed, we have renewed our belief that a better world begins with simply looking after each other. To make ends meet during COVID times, many artisans turned to handcraft unique face masks. Innovative designs crafted in comfortable fabrics display the amazing fortitude and resilience of artisans as we support each other during these challenging times.

They have so many beautiful ones to choose from.  Here are a few of my favorites.  

I received a gift code to purchase some items to review, and I chose earrings!  They are handmade and are lovely.  They are gifts for my mom, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, and myself!  I love them.

There are so many things to choose from, I want to give one lucky Shelly's Bits & Pieces reader a chance to see for themselves.  Simply tell me what item you like best in the comment section below and you could win a $50 gift code.  This will be a flash giveaway and will end Sunday night, 12/20.  Please make sure I have your email so I can message you if you win!  

Be More Productive As An Entrepreneur At Home

 

If your life goal has been to be your own boss and forge your own path to success, 2021 might be the ideal time for you to pursue this dream. We all know how difficult 2020 has been and the idea of starting fresh at home for a new life is definitely a promising one. 

For the new entrepreneur, the most important thing is to make the most of all of your days and try to be as productive as you can. Today we want to help you be more productive and become a successful entrepreneur at home this year. 

Create a good workspace 

The first task for anyone deciding to work at home is making yourself a space to work which is productive and easy to manage. A home office can be a wonderful thing, and as you try to work from home for the first time it is important to create a space that emulates the feeling of being in an office. Be sure to make a space that is comfortable, practical, and organized. 

When creating your home office be sure to choose a bright part of the house or at least have plenty of bright lights in the room. Be sure to bring comfortable items in the space such as a chair and cushions and even a blanket for winter. Choose your office space carefully so that it is away from the rest of your house so that you don’t get distracted by your pets or children throughout the day while you try to work! 

Separate work and home 

As we mentioned above - it is important to have a workspace and set up away from the rest of your home. We know how tempting it is to wake up, grab a coffee and sit in bed in your pajamas with your laptop - but this is not the most efficient way to work and will not help you to succeed at home. Choose a room away from the main part of your home and once you ‘go to work’ shut the door and pretend you are elsewhere. Being away from your dirty dishes, laundry, and other chores will allow you to focus on work and not keep getting distracted by things around the house. 

Wake up early 

As an entrepreneur you no longer have a boss breathing down your neck every minute of the day making sure you are doing work. While this is amazing, it is also something that can be a challenge. Be sure that you wake up early in the morning so that you have time to get up, eat, and get ready for a productive day working at home. It is important to try and be as productive as you can when working at home and an early start, as well as a big breakfast, will make all the difference to your day. 

Do a workout before work 

One of the hardest things for us to do in our lives is to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. If you have always found it a little bit difficult to stay on track with your fitness it is important for you to consider working out as soon as you wake up. Working out first thing in the morning will allow you to wake your body up and get those muscles moving before you even sit down to start work. If you often feel groggy when you first start working, it will also be a good way to ensure you don’t spend the first hour of your day struggling to start. By doing a workout you’ll release adrenaline and also happy hormones to your brain - and these will kickstart your brain and help you get going with your day as soon as you sit down at your desk. 

Write a list the night before 

If you always find it difficult to get back into the flow of work in the morning, it is a great idea for you to write a to-do list for yourself at the end of the day and leave it somewhere you’ll find it in the morning. By doing this, you will have a clear direction to follow from the moment you wake up and it will help you stay on track with your day. Get going right away and don’t miss the opportunity for some productivity. 

Work when you feel productive 

It is a great idea when working from home to try out some different ways of working to find which one suits you best. In your first week of working at home, you might want to try waking up super early one day, waking up and having breakfast the next, doing a workout before work the next, or even waking up a little later and working in the afternoon/evening. Everyone is unique and we all have our own most productive times of the day. Find yours and stick to this for your routine even if it might not seem like the most ‘normal’ working schedule. As long as you are able to get things done it doesn’t matter what time of the day you decide to work. 

Be flexible 

It is always important for you to be flexible with yourself as an entrepreneur and also be flexible with anyone you decide to hire as part of your team. Modern-day working is all about working when we are at our most productive and as we know this is different for all. Be flexible with your employees and allow them to manage their own time. As long as they do their work and stick to deadlines that is the most important thing. 

Take breaks 

When working from home and managing your own schedule it is very important for you to also input breaks into your day. It can be difficult to manage your time correctly and be productive at home but you mustn’t end up working too much because it will tire you out and will not enable you to work efficiently. Take breaks now and again to refresh your mind and come back to your work with a fresh head. 

Use work scheduling 

It is so important if you are taking on other people in your team remotely that you are able to schedule their working hours efficiently. Be sure to do a comparison of work schedule types and decide which one works for you. Hiring employees to help you with your venture is a big step and you should make sure that even if they are based at home they are able to be productive and stick to deadlines. 

Work to a deadline 

When you work as an entrepreneur for the first time - the biggest change you will notice is that you no longer have a boss. When working in a normal office job it is natural to have your boss looking over your shoulder and keep you on track but when you work for yourself you won’t have this. Be sure to create work deadlines for yourself at home and stick to them for the best work. Ensure to create realistic deadlines for yourself to give you something to work towards. 

Get out of the house 

The most important thing you should do as an entrepreneur working from home is to make sure to get out of the house once in a while. Now that you don’t have a reason to go out to go to work you are much less likely to leave the house at all. However, if you do leave the house and go for a walk or to the shops it will help to refresh your mind as well as improve your mental health.

How to Spend Your Free Time During the Pandemic

 

Image Source

2020 has been an odd year. The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic has had countless knock-on effects on our day to day lives. From health concerns to financial concerns to sheer boredom. Now, we can definitely help you to tackle the latter. Now, many of us have fewer things we can do right now due to government restrictions and guidelines that have been implemented to slow the spread of the virus around the world. Many of us can’t mix households. Many of us are now working from home. Many of us are having to isolate in our homes for extended periods of time if we exhibit any symptoms. So, let us give you a few suggestions on how to spend your time so that you’re still doing things you enjoy in spite of the pandemic!

Find Blogs and Podcasts You Enjoy

Nowadays, we’re pretty lucky that there’s a world of free content out there that can be easily accessed from our phones, laptops, or computers, as long as we have some sort of internet connection. This means that during times like now, when money can be a little tight and there’s not much we can do outside our homes, we can still easily occupy ourselves without worrying about how we’re going to pay the bills or whether we’re going to come into contact with strangers while we do the things we enjoy. Some of the most popular and widely tuned into free content out there tend to be blogs and podcasts. Blogs provide free reading material and think pieces on a matter of topics, or specialism into specific industries and fields. You can be entertained by them. You can see yourself learning a lot. You can start to think about things you haven’t thought of before. Look into areas you’re interested in and find relevant blogs for content that will entertain you. If you’re into performing arts, for example, check out Travis Preston CalArts blog. Podcasts can provide you with all of the same things that a blog can but tend to be a little more easy listening. Again, scout out podcasts specializing in the things you’re interested in!

Find a Hobby

Many people are finding all sorts of new hobbies and interests throughout this pandemic. Sure, your new hobby is unlikely to get you out of the house or have a particularly social element to it. But there are countless things you can still do under new restrictions and our new way of living. You could get into baking. You could pick up arts and crafts projects like knitting, embroidery, or painting. You could learn a new language with learning apps. The possibilities really are endless. All you need to do is sit down and think of things you enjoy doing and then take them a little more seriously. Then, go for it. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back! Nobody is perfect at anything at first. You just need a little trial, error, and experimentation. Then, practice will get you along the way!

These are just a few suggestions for things to do during the pandemic. Hopefully, they’ll help to occupy some of your time and alleviate a little boredom!

Finding Reasons To Get Outdoors In 2020

 This year has certainly been an odd one. Aside from making everyone’s life that little bit extra stressful, it’s also seen a lot of us spending a lot more time indoors than we usually might, and more than we might like to. If you’re being prudent, you might not be getting out for your usual gatherings and events, so what opportunities should you take to get out there instead?

Picture - Pixabay License

Move those legs

There’s nothing to stop you from getting up and taking a walk even if you’re in a state of lockdown. Quarantine is designed to keep you from other people, but most places with lockdown rules still allow for people to be outside if it’s for recreation or fitness purposes. If you’re going out for chores, then instead of taking the car everywhere, you can take the more scenic route, or you can use walking apps to find nice routes near you, too.

Take care of the garden

Since you’re spending more time in your home, why not make use of it to add a little curb appeal, as well? Getting into gardening for beginners, you can start to learn about the day-to-day maintenance and planting choices that allow you to create a gorgeous exterior for your home. Not only can be a great way to get out into the sun and to take your mind off things, it can be good for property values, too. Even if you only have something like a single balcony, you can create a mini-garden to tend to each day.

Hit the water

If you live near any bodies of freshwater, then there should be nothing to stop you from taking advantage of them. Fishing has tremendous health benefits, aside from getting you out of the home, even if you’re bringing beginners fishing kits. It’s great for your core, heart, and lungs, it gets you more than your fair share of vitamin D (so be sure to take necessary precautions to protect against UV rays), and it can help you shake off a lot of the day-to-day stress we’re all experiencing a little more of.

Create your own zen den

You don’t need to get too far away from home to enjoy a little relaxation, however, nor do you necessarily need the excuse of getting active to get outside. Creating your own relaxing space in the garden or on the porch might not necessitate that you get your hands dirty or show off your green thumb. Creating a well lit, comfortable space, with the right furniture and some means to privacy can give you the perfect place to enjoy some respite in the great outdoors, a perfect place for reading, meditation, or any other means or chilling out that you might like.

Just because a lot of us are being more careful about not getting out around other people doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t still take the time to enjoy the outdoors. A new hobby or “ritual” to get you outdoors could just be what your mind, body, and spirit needs.

Four tips for hosting a large scale event

 From weddings to birthday parties, business events to charity auctions, most people have an occasion in their life when they have to host a large scale event. If you are unaccustomed to organizing events, however, to begin with, such a large gathering could overwhelm you, with the result being that what should be a joyous occasion becomes stressful and unenjoyable. To help you out, here are four tips for hosting a large scale event. 

Find an appropriate venue

If your event is catered towards a large number of people, you will have to find a venue that is capable of comfortably hosting large groups. The activities planned for your event will also have an impact on the venue you choose. For instance, if you are planning on a sit-down meal then find a venue with a kitchen. For live music or an auction, you might want somewhere with a stage and sound equipment. Or, if you are planning on ending your event with a disco, choose a venue with a dance floor. 

Organize catering

Most events include some sort of refreshment and if alcohol is involved it is especially pertinent to offer food so that guests are not drinking on an empty stomach. You might decide to hold a formal sit down dinner, provide a buffet for guests to help themselves, or have waiting staff circulating among guests to offer nibbles. When preparing food for a large scale event, it is a good idea to order ingredients from a wholesaler local to your event, such as wholesalers in Cape Town. Ordering high-quality ingredients wholesale can help to keep costs down when catering for a large number of people. 

Provide a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages 

Drinks are essential to a successful event, providing a fun and relaxing way for guests to socialize and mingle. You might like to provide a complimentary drink on arrival, for instance, a glass of Prosecco or champagne, and have waiting staff circulating among your guests to top up their glasses when they are running low. Although alcoholic drinks such as wine and beer are ubiquitous choices for events, ensure that you also provide a good choice of non-alcoholic options as well for guests who either don’t drink alcohol or who are driving. 

Entertainment

Most events include some form of entertainment, whether that is a post-wedding disco, a live band for a birthday, or a celebrity guest conducting a charity auction. You might, however, decide to offer something a bit more unusual as entertainment for your event. You could, for instance, wow guests with circus-themed entertainment such as gymnasts and magicians performing magic tricks. Or, to bring a bit of comedy and give your guests a giggle, why not hire a celebrity impersonator?

The most important thing to remember when hosting a large scale event is to be flexible and prepared for unexpected complications, and try to enjoy the festivities as much as possible.

How Can You Work Out When Broke?

Image Credit

You have always signed up for gym membership and have access to fancy workout equipment. Unfortunately, the pandemic came, and everyone had to stay away from public spaces. Perhaps your income was also affected, and you realize that you can't keep up with the membership anymore.

 You’re here because you don't know how you can get the best fitness program on a budget. The truth is you don’t need an expensive gym membership to have a workout regime. Use these few ideas to keep you going when you're broke. 

Join a Workout Group

Bring your friends or neighbors together and form an exercise group where you can meet twice or thrice a week. Use free resources in the neighborhood to keep your sessions fun and enjoyable.

 The local park, community pool, or high school track are places where you can work out without paying a dime. It’ll be a lot more fun if you and your friends can go for coffee afterward. 

Check Out Discount Sites

New gyms that are trying to attract new members usually offer great deals on discount sites. If you’re lucky, you could sign up at only 20% of the usual monthly membership cost. However, this will mostly depend on how flexible you are in the type of gym you can join.

Alternatively, look for donation-based classes. These are usually community gym classes that come with drop-in costs, and sometimes they're entirely free. Most of them revolve around yoga, but they may be located away from the city.

Buy Multi-Use Equipment

Your next best option is to use your membership fee to buy multi-use fitness equipment. Some popular options include: 

An exercise ball

You can use it to support your body during weight training activities and cardio exercise. When not working out, you can sit on the ball when working on your computer or watching TV. Most will cost you anything between $20 and $50.

Multi-Station Home Gym

These can be quite expensive but will save you a lot in the long run. They also let you work out the whole body since they have a variety of exercises. You’ll need up to $500 for a complete set.

Cardio Machines

Cardio machines may seem like luxury items but having them at home saves you the monthly membership fees. Your whole family can also use them, which is an extended benefit altogether.

Use Free Exercise Resources

Exercise doesn’t have to be expensive. If you look at the right places, you can get some useful resources like http://steelsupplements.com/ to inform your workout regime. Most have free information and workout programs you can use at home. 

Final Thoughts

Lack of money shouldn't be a reason for you to shelve your workout goals. If you were used to working in a gym setting, it's time to readjust to incorporate a less expensive program. Your options are diverse, including buying home gym equipment or joining discount gyms.

 Whatever option you settle for, ensure you remain committed to your workout routine. You might eventually find out that gym membership is an expense you never needed. Besides, the non-gym arrangement works better, is less costly, and is more flexible.

10 Ways To Save Money And Still Have Fun

 When it comes to saving money, your first thought might not be ‘fun’ — but saving money doesn’t always have to be hard. Whether you’re saving for a new car or a new house, you may as well take the time to enjoy the process — it could take a while. So, knuckle down, tighten your belts, and get ready to enjoy yourself in the process. Here are 10 ways you can save money, and still have fun. 

Pexels

1. Set your goal 

Even if you’re not saving for a specific something, it can be really useful to set yourself a goal. So, that could be becoming more fiscally secure by the end of the year, or saving enough money for a mortgage on your first house. Having a goal makes the whole saving process so much easier. Try picking up a calendar and writing down what you’d like to achieve on that date — this keeps you accountable, and you can track your progress. 

2. Track your spending 

Now you’ve got a goal, it’s time to see where your hard-earned cash is going. You can track your spending on an app, or simply by keeping a note or spreadsheet. You’ll have to be strict with yourself, you’re only cheating yourself out of money if you miss off some of your expenses. Knowledge is certainly power when it comes to your own personal finances. 

3. Budget, budget, budget 

So, you have your goal, and you’re tracking your spending. Next comes budgeting. This word isn’t the most appealing, but it does not have to mean the end of tun. By working out your monthly outgoings, and the amount you would like to save each month, you can set your budget. Organize how much money you will allow for things like food, transport, and fitness. When you have all the essentials out of the way, put aside a pot for things that make you happy. That could be the occasional cinema trip, money to buy a new outfit, or simply to go for dinner with your friends. 

4. Plan in advance 

Cutting down your spending while enjoying yourself means planning, so while you may have to say goodbye to a certain amount of spontaneity, you can still have a good time. There will be times when you’ve got to put down more money than usual one month — be it car insurance or line rental — so be conscious of when they are and plan accordingly, so you’re not naught out. If you’ve got a holiday coming up, make sure you know exactly how much money you’ll need to save to make it work with your plan to save money. 

5. Cut down on those little extras 

That daily latte won’t be the difference between buying your first property or not, but you’ll be amazed at how much money you can save. So, keep an eye on the little things. Try switching to packed lunches rather than cafe lunches, and consider walking some or all of your way to work to cut down on transportation costs, or get a better phone deal. It may seem counter-intuitive, but buying in bulk (and spending a little more money upfront) can save you loads in the future. Try going to a wholesale retailer or membership club, and pick up bulk items to save you money in the long run. 

6. Embrace technology 

Every year, more technology is released that can save time and energy. And that includes personal finance software. It can help you to figure out your finances, and make the path to saving money that little bit easier. So, choose from an app, or a website like Pigly.Com, and relax in the knowledge that you understand your money.  

7. Put savings away carefully 

So, you’ve gone to all the effort, know where are you putting your money? Find the best savings account you can that will let you accrue interest if possible. This can be easier said than done, so ask friends and family what they do with their savings. Additionally, doing your own research (online and in the bank) can help you make your decision. 

8. Enjoy the great outdoors

A walk in the park or along the coast is free, beautiful, and very good for you. Embrace the great outdoors in your plan to save, and you’ll be richer in many ways. Connecting to earth is a great way to spend your time, and you’ll really notice a difference in your physical and mental health. Plus, going for a walk with friends is a great way to socialize, and it doesn’t cost anything.

Pexels

9. Sign up for loyalty cards 

Picking up loyalty cards for your favorite shops means that you can build up points when you do shop. Often, there will be other perks like vouchers or early access to sales — all of which can save you money. You could also consider choosing a credit card from a retailer; they often have perks that will mean you’re rewarded for spending your money with them. Not bad, huh? 

10. Get hosting 

Hosting friends and family at your own home is a great way to save money while you’re saving money. You can control the costs, by planning out if you’ll be providing food, and relying on the kindness of guests to bring bottles of wines (which aren’t always budget-friendly!). So, if you’re planning to meet some girlfriends at the weekend, why don’t you invite them over for a movie night at yours? Get some popcorn, find a movie on Netflix, and enjoy yourselves for next to nothing. 

Hopefully, this list has given you some inspiration on how to save money whilst enjoying yourself at the same time. It’s all about setting a goal and keeping a positive mental attitude along the way. 

Six Ways To Achieve The Big Things You Want In Life

 Every single person is brought up with the fact that they need to have a plan in life. It’s a stressful thing to put on a child, but when you go through school and then to education beyond that everyone always asks you whether you want big things in life. They ask if you want a future and what you want to do with that future. You also get told that you have to make choices by a certain age, so when you hit 25 and you haven't bought a house or got married or traveled the world, you feel like an instant failure.

Here’s the thing: there is no set time to do anything in life. There are no rules written to say that you have to have all of your goals met by 30, and there is no right way to do things. Of course, you have goals - and those are likely to be big goals - and achieving them can absolutely happen. However, they happen in your own time. There is no need to panic about the way that your life is panning out. In fact, you should feel proud of getting this far (well done you!). You want to achieve the goals that you have written out for yourself, and the good news is that you can do it. You will find victory in your achievements if you work hard for it; no matter what that goal may be. 

So, with this in mind, let’s look at six ways you can achieve the biggest things that you want in your life.

Image source: Pexels

Know You Can Do It

If you have big goals, such as achieving a degree or building a great career the first thing that you need to let go of is self-doubt. You are able to achieve anything you want to in life, but you need to be clear about what you want and how you can create a pathway to get what you want. If you want to buy a house, you CAN buy one if you organize your finances with MortgageCalculator.Org and you learn the best pathway to get it. A house is a big deal, but there is nothing that means that it’s off-limits for you. If you have something in mind, put it in your future and reach for it with both hands. It’s in your behavior and the way that you think will help you to achieve the things that you want. You have to know that you can do it and have some self-confidence!

Prepare To Fall Down

Sometimes, the reason people fail is because they believe that getting what they want will be easy - and they then realize that it’s not easy at all! Nothing in life is easy but that doesn't mean that it’s not achievable. You do not have to compromise on the things that you want in life, but you do need to realize and prepare yourself for boulders in the road. You will be on what you think is a straight path and then a rock from the sky falls and blocks your way. It doesn't mean that you're a failure - it just means that you are going to have to work out how to accept the fall. And then you get back up. Pain teaches you everything, but if you stay on the floor, that’s where failure in hitting your goals occurs. The key is not staying down on the floor and waiting for life to consume you. It’s to get back up and keep trying and pushing back to achieve the things that you really want. 

Be Your Own Inspiration

You may look up to people in your life to find inspiration, but where better to look for inspiration than in the mirror? You are the person you want to be, and while you may not have all of the big things that you want right now, it doesn't mean that you won’t have them. Build your own confidence and build your own inspiration by looking at yourself and wanting the things that you want. If you want to achieve a specific career, make your own dreams come true, and figure out how to get that career under your belt. You can inspire yourself simply by believing in the way that you do things and the way that you feel about yourself. Your strength and determination are going to propel you forward, and this can make you feel fantastic. Setting an example for yourself is a huge deal!

Image Source: Pexels

Don’t Dream: Plan

Those things that you want in life are currently dreams. You daydream about the house, the career, the family, the travel you want, and if you believe that these are things you can have it’s time to plant them. How do you want to go about getting that career you dream of? Do you have a map with pins of all the places that you want to visit? You can have all of these ideas, but you need a plan to make them come to life. You need to keep your mind focused on your goals and know that you are making changes and moves to ensure that your dreams become reality.

Do Something Different

All of your dreams may be the same as many other people with big goals in life. So, choose to add something different in there, too. Perhaps you want to break a world record in something, or you want to climb a mountain one day. No matter what you do, you should choose to go against the grain and do something different in your life, too.

Stay Flexible

You can achieve anything you want in life, but it’s not always going to be easy. Be ever-changing and flexible, expect change, and expect things to be different from what you imagined. The more you anticipate change, the more you will adapt to it when it happens. You have to always plan to get what you want and be flexible in how you achieve it.

Butterfly Box Review #yourbutterflybox #butterflybox #faithsubscriptionbox #christiansubscriptionbox

Disclosure:  I received a Butterfly Box at no charge to facilitate my honest review.  All opinions stated are honest and my own.  

During times like these, all of us can use a pick me up.  I know that I am not the only one who has been stressed and needing some time to myself.  I have always found that when I take some me time and connect with God, things become more bearable and problems that once seemed huge now looked manageable.  

I was recently offered the opportunity to review the Butterfly Box.  The box I received had a journal, a bracelet, a book, and 2 tea drops.  I was very pleased.  I love writing in a journal and this one is absolutely beautiful.  The information below my photo will tell you about the boxes.

DESCRIPTION:

Life is busy, and it can be hard to find the time each day to connect with Christ. Butterfly Box is here to help! We thoughtfully curate a themed box each month to help reclaim those quiet moments with God, build your intimacy with Christ, and live out your faith in the world around you! 

Each month's box is designed to illustrate a biblical theme and encourage spiritual growth.

5 to 6 items such as jewelry, artwork, books, decor, personal pampering items, faith sharing cards and other specialty items

All items are carefully chosen and undergo a rigorous selection process

Products are faith-based or support small Christian businesses.

As you can see from the images, the boxes are wonderful and are filled with inspiring items.  I did not have prior experiences with subscription boxes, but this is one that I would love to be receiving every month.  You can learn more about the Butterfly Box by checking them out by clicking HERE.  If you want to start a subscription, you can use the following code to save some money. Code:  WELCOME10

They also are holding a giveaway right now where you can enter to win a 6-month subscription. Simply click on the image below to enter.

 

Stay Healthy and Happy This Winter

 

Pexels - CCO Licence

Winter is always a tough time for general health and wellbeing. A lot of people end up getting more colds and viruses than they do at other times of the year, and many individuals suffer mental health issues relating to the drop in sunlight. This winter, we also have the coronavirus pandemic to deal with, which means that it’s even more important that we all do whatever we can to stay happy and healthy as the nights grow longer and the weather takes a colder turn.

With that in mind, here are a few simple things you can do to boost your health this coming winter:

Practice social distancing

It may not be ideal, but practicing social distancing as far as is practically possible will be really important this winter. It will help to slow the spread of coronavirus and other illnesses such as winter colds and flu for the whole population, and it will also lower your own personal risk of getting sick too.

Wear a mask

Face masks are here to stay and that is no bad thing in the wintertime. Again, they will help to slow the spread of a whole host of bugs and viruses that could make you feel very unwell. Wear one whenever you’re likely to come into close contact with other people and help to protect us all.

Wash your hands

Washing your hands regularly is another simple measure you can take to cut down your chances of getting colds, flu, or coronavirus this winter. As well as washing after using the bathroom and before meals, try to wah each time you come into contact with other people, touch objects outside of your home or...well you know the drill.

Pexels - CCO Licence

Take a vitamin D supplement

If you live in a part of the world that doesn’t see much sunlight in the heart of winter, it’s a really good idea to supplement your vitamin D intake with a high-quality vitamin pill. Vitamin D deficiency is a really big issue in winter and it can cause a range of health conditions including Seasonal Affective Disorder which can be terrible for mental health, fatigue, muscle pain, and even an increased risk of brittle or broken bones, which isn’t ideal in winter when conditions can get icy and slips and trips are more likely to occur.

Boost your fruit and vegetable intake

Eating more fruit and vegetables is important for your health at all times of the year, but particularly so in wintertime when having a decent immune system is even more important for fighting off those winter bugs. Ideally, you should aim to eat between 7 and 9 portions of fruit and vegetable each day, maximizing the number of different nutrients you take in. leafy greens and red or purple fruits and veg are particularly rich in immune-boosting vitamins and minerals, but anything is better than nothing, so it’s fine to have your favorites as long as you are eating a variety.

Pexels - CCO Licence

Get out and walk

Walking may not seem like the ideal winter pastime, but it’s a great way to get a little exercise, plenty of fresh air, and hopefully, a little sun which will help with boosting vitamin D levels, maintaining good physical health, and boosting your mental health too, In fact, walking has been shown to be one of the best things you can do for your mental health, especially if you walk in nature. It calms your nervous system, reduces anxieties, and helps you to feel more positive about life in general. A daily walk really is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Reach out to others

With the coronavirus pandemic still affecting us all and the cold weather that winter brings, it could be tempting to lock yourself indoors and hide away from the world, but that isn’t going to do your mental health much good. We all need social connection to feel happy, healthy, and content, so this winter, make time for other people, even if you are only able to video call them. Make covid-safe plans to see friends and family over the holidays, join in regular Zoom chats and online quizzes, talk to your counselor, or do whatever you need to do to have some meaningful connection with other human beings.

Get vaccinated

Getting the flu vaccination, if you are able to do so, is probably a good idea this winter, even if you haven’t bothered before. Getting sick right now really isn’t ideal (not that it ever is) due to the coronavirus pandemic and the extra strain that hospitals and healthcare professionals are under. The flu shot is cheap, effective, and will mean that you have one less thing to worry about healthwise.

Pexels - CCO Licence

Eat more omega-3

Eating foods that contain omega-3, such as oily fish, nuts, and seeds, or taking an omega-3 supplement is a good idea if you’re prone to seasonal depression in the wintertime. Not only will it boost your brain health and improve your mood, but it’s also great at tackling inflammation, which could be good if the cold tends to affect your joints, making them stiffer and more painful than usual.

Be careful when you’re out and about

If the place where you live tends to see a lot of extreme weather in the winter, it’s really important that you take whatever safety measures you can when you’re out and about. Whether that means having a winter inspection for your car or ensuring that you wear the best footwear to avoid slipping in the ice, make sure you are as safe as you can be. Accidents are more likely to happen when the poor winter weather and darker nights are a factor5 and right now, the last thing you need is a broken bone and a stay in hospital.

You should make looking after your health a priority this winter due to everything that’s going on in the world, and because you deserve to have the best possible holiday season you can manage in 2020. Stay safe out there.

4 Quick Tips to Make Moving Less Stressful

 Research has shown that most people think moving is more stressful than going through a divorce. And yet, most people end up moving several times throughout their lives. It’s simply a part of life whether you’re relocating for a job, need a bigger place, or you want to be closer to family. 

We’ve talked before about some of the struggles with moving, like making a move with kids. But, what can you do to make the experience better for everyone, and have to deal with less stress through the entire process? 

Let’s look at a few tips that can make moving more manageable and less stressful for the whole family. 

Pexels

1. Don’t Rush

One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving is not giving themselves enough time. Moving isn’t a decision to take lightly, so make sure you plan it out in advance as much as possible. 

When you don’t feel rushed to pack boxes, sell your current home, go house hunting, or move your vehicle across the country, you’re less likely to become overwhelmed by stress. Go at your own pace, and you’ll end up feeling much happier. 

2. Start Small

If you don’t want to feel overwhelmed by your endless “to-do” list when it comes to moving, start with the smallest things first. Looking at a big project like packing a whole room or filling up a moving van can contribute to your stress levels. 

Instead, break down the things you need to do into smaller, manageable goals. You’ll feel less overwhelmed, more motivated, and before long you will be able to move on to those larger tasks easily. 

3. Ask For Help

Whether you work with professional movers or you get your friends and family to help you, moving isn’t something you should do on your own. It is a long, hard process. You might be surprised at how happy and willing the people in your life are to help you out! So, it isn’t the time to be tough and stubborn when you’re moving. Don’t be afraid to ask for help to make the process go faster. 

4. Take Care of Yourself

When you’re moving, you might not be focusing on your overall health and wellbeing. But, self-care is incredibly important during a move to avoid feeling burnt out and stressed. 

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night, eating well during the day, and finding time to do things you enjoy even when you’re knee-deep in the moving process. By actively taking care of yourself, you’ll have more energy to get things done, you’ll feel less fatigued, and you will be able to stay focused on your to-do list without feeling bogged down by it. 

Moving might always be a somewhat stressful experience. But, it doesn’t have to completely overwhelm you. Keep these tips in mind, whether you’re moving on your own or with your family, and you’ll be able to enjoy a much more relaxed, positive experience as you start on the next chapter of your life.

4 Ways to Make Yourself Happy Every Day

 

https://unsplash.com/photos/6ypOmTNK2FA

We all want to be happy, but this is easier said than done, mostly because everybody has different definitions of happiness. For some, it’s all about making money and living comfortably, whereas others might prefer the type of joy that experiences bring. Of course, these ideas are not easy to get immediately, and if you want to ensure you feel happy every day, you need to think smaller. 

Do Something Nice For You

A lot of people spend time trying to do things for others as a way to make them happy. While this is an admirable trait, you can’t focus solely on other people to find your happiness. You need to look at yourself, too. 

So how can you be nice to yourself? You can consider little things, like treating yourself to your favorite coffee in the morning rather than going for a simple Americano or Latte. Besides this, think about small wins that improve your mood, such as watching your favorite TV show or finishing the book you’ve been stuck on for months. 

Pick Your Battles 

Everyone will need to deal with negative people at some point in their lives, which can have a detrimental effect on our happiness. While you can’t make other people friendly to you, it is still possible to pick your battles so that any confrontation does not ruin your day. 

You can usually tell when someone will be demanding from the beginning, so if you recognize these traits in a customer or even a friend, try to be the bigger person so you will refuse to allow it to get to you. 

Help Someone Else 

Helping other people will immediately improve your mood. It’s a fantastic feeling when you assist someone, whether it’s holding the door open for them or helping them pack their groceries into the trunk. However, you might not get the chance to do this every day. 

A career where you’re responsible for helping others is a superb option to experience that rush daily. You can consider jobs in the medical field, such as occupational therapy, that you can find out more about to see if it’s right for you. Other occupations include teaching or conservation work, but you can also volunteer if you’re happy with your current job. 

Put Health First 

Living a busy life means you often forget about your health. You feel too busy to go to the gym, head outside for a run or walk, or even eat a healthy meal. However, the more you focus on your health, the happier you will be. 

By doing so, you’ll have more energy, and your positivity will shine through. Putting health first also means you won’t worry about potential health issues, which will reduce stress and anxiety so you can live your life with fewer worries. 

Happy Times

Everyone finds happiness in different ways, but with these tips, you should achieve the fundamentals of happiness. From here, you’ll be able to look at other, more long-term things that make you happy, and you’ll always find something that brings a smile to your face.

These Tips will Help you to Create your Own Relaxing Space

If you want to make sure that you have the most relaxing space in your home, then you have come to the right place. This guide will help you to make sure that you are making the most out of your space and that you are also able to unwind effectively after a long day.

Define your Space

Your meditation area should ultimately be a place that is off-limits and quiet to everybody else. When you are in your calming space, your spouse, your kids, and your friends should all know better than to come to you. Your space also needs to be void from any distractions and it also needs to be away from any high-traffic areas. If you know that you don’t have something like a spare bedroom available, then try and look for another space that you can convert. This could be an attic, a patio, or even a corner in the basement. Your space should be personal, and when you have your space, you can then focus on making it the best that it can be.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Zero Distractions

Your space should be free from any phones. You should also make sure that there are no smartphones, tablets, or anything else either. At the end of the day, this is a time for you to ponder, reflect, and even journal if you want. You don’t need any distractions when you are trying to recharge, as this is your zen space only. If you find that doing something helps you to relax then there is nothing wrong with this at all. Get some puzzle books or even try your hand at sudoku. Click to learn more about that.

Lighting

Your meditation space should really be a place where you can ultimately feel comfortable. If you know that you enjoy having natural light in your space, then try and choose a place where there is a window as this will help you to have the best experience. If you know that you much prefer dimly lit areas then try and find somewhere you can achieve this setting. Adding candles or other forms of light can also add atmosphere, so keep that in mind.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can be a fantastic way for you to try and promote relaxation. Essential oils really are all the rage these days, so look into ones such as lavender, peppermint, orange, and more. These are all very soothing and calming. It will also bring your zen zone to life.

Add some Music

There’s something special about music. Music gives your happy hormones a boost and it is also ideal if you want to try and drown out some background noise while you meditate. Instrumental music or even white noise apps are all ideal here as it will help you to revitalize your soul. You don’t need an app to play music if you don’t want, as you can easily go onto YouTube and look up sounds such as thunder, birds chirping, or anything else of the sort.

6 Top Tips to Pick a Magical Bedroom Design

 

Photo by Terry Magallanes from Pexels

https://www.pexels.com/photo/bedroom-2631746/

Your bedroom should be your private getaway from everything happening in the world and the craziness of everyday life. Redesigning this essential space for yourself is not the least challenging project, but it is undoubtedly one of the most important ones. Indeed, it started to seem like the current travel restrictions and social distancing measures will not leave us anytime soon. 

So, preparing for a winter of safe isolation, self-love, deep relaxation, and comfort is essential. If you are currently looking for inspiration for your upcoming bedroom redesign, here are six simple steps to give you a headstart on your project. 

Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism is not a new trend or mindset, but it seems to have been becoming more popular in recent years. Indeed, we all look up at the classy, clean-looking, sophisticated interiors of Scandinavian bedrooms! Luckily, the subtle colors, the natural elements, and the simple yet elegant design of this style are easily re-creatable. 

By embracing minimalism, you can spend less on your bedroom's redesign and enjoy a deeper feeling of freedom. Indeed, this movement allows you to concentrate your colic on a few high-quality furniture items that matter to you and make you happy. At the same time, you can do something amazing by not buying in the fast-fashion trends that are so harmful to the environment!

Pick a Design That Makes It Easier to Clean

Clutter and disorganization is the number-one enemy of productivity and relaxation. Indeed, it has been seen that our brain has to work twice as hard to cut out the distractions in the background and focus on what matters. However, when it comes down to finding a little relaxation in your own bedroom, clutter can work against you. Indeed, it can raise stress levels and cause you to remain more alert than you would want to!

Picking a simple design with just a few high-quality, stylish furniture pieces can help you create a room that is easy to clean and enjoy. Of course, since you will be investing in just a limited number of items or a set, finding out more information and asking for a professional designer's help might be a solution to consider. 

Bring Nature In With Thoughtful Details

Living a step closer to nature can be an excellent way to look after your physical and mental wellbeing. Indeed, it encourages us all to be more active, healthy, and relaxed in our daily lives. Yet, we all tend to spend the majority of our lives indoors, either at home or at our workplace. During the last few months, this has become evident!

So, one of the few ways to regain that strong connection with nature is to bring it indoors! You can easily do so by introducing house plants and natural elements in your bedroom, such as wooden furniture, natural fibers, and neutral colors that remind you of nature. 

Invest in High-Quality Linens

Redesigning a bedroom is all about introducing details that can enhance its comfort. And, nothing is ever as comfortable and pleasant on our skin as luxurious, high-quality linen! These can create a unique look for your bed and can save you from skin irritation and other conditions. Investing in a linen set that is a little more sophisticated can pay you back in higher sleep quality and better rest! If you are not an expert, you can use one general rule: avoid anything that has synthetic fibers and opt for a thread count above 150!

Put an Accent on Exclusive Lighting

Lighting is essential in your room, especially because you are more likely to spend time there at nighttime or during rainy afternoons! Wo, whether you prefer to read, listen to music, or watch your favorite Netflix show here, you will need lighting. However, the lighting system's aim in your room should not be the one to light up the room entirely. 

Indeed, this might add strain to your eyes and make the whole room feel uncomfortable and not relaxing. Instead, add several task lights next to your bed and the room's entrance. Plus, you might consider adding light points in the corners where you need it the most, such as around the mirror or next to the wardrobe. If you can opt for dimmable light and natural light temperature, you will be able to enjoy the best results!

Keep Distractions Out

Your bedroom should be a personal and private retreat for you and your other half. Keeping all tech, gadgets, and distractions out can help you relax and enjoy the things you don't have time for during the day. For example, decide to keep your TV only in the living room and, if possible, keep your phone out too!

5 Tips to Declutter Your Home and Get Back the Space

 

Does it feel like your home is getting smaller and smaller with each passing day? Would you swear the walls must be closing in because what once felt like a spacious space now feels tight and completely unorganized? Of course, your home isn’t shrinking, but your feelings of not having enough space are also completely legitimate. The answer could actually be very simple – the clutter has taken over.

Clutter is something that tends to build slowly and over time, so you don’t really notice it at the moment. Instead, it spreads and eventually takes over your entire home and before you know it, you feel as though you’ve got no room to store things and move about. Not to worry, as we’ve got five simple ways to go ahead and declutter your home.

Take Things One Room at a Time

The first tip is to create a decluttering plan if you will. Rather than tackle the whole house at once, which is overwhelming and frankly unorganized, you want to take things one room at a time. Tell yourself this is going to be a process and it’s going to take time. 

By decluttering one room at a time, you’ll probably feel less overwhelmed, you’ll do a more thorough job, and you can spread it out over a few weeks to make it less tiring.

Make Three Piles for Each Room You Declutter

Once you are ready to tackle the first room, you'll want to begin by creating three piles. These piles should be labeled ‘keep’, ‘give away/sell’, or ‘throw-away’. This will help you to sort out what’s staying in the house and what’s leaving. 

Be Honest with Yourself as You Sort Through Items

One of the toughest parts about decluttering is being honest with yourself. It’s much easier to just keep everything, as parting with items isn’t exactly easy. It can be helpful to ask yourself the last time you wore or used the item, if it serves a specific and important purpose, and if you will even miss it.

Ensure Everything Has a Proper Place

As you start to put items away after you have finished sorting, the goal should be to find a proper place for everything. Nothing should be sitting out without a home. If the item doesn’t have a proper place you will either need more storage, or you may need to get rid of that item.

Rent a Storage Unit

If you simply cannot make enough space in your home but you're not willing to permanently part with items, you may want to look into storage unit options to store your extra stuff. All your belongings will be kept safe and secure, there’s no need to sell or give away items, and you can then start to make real substantial space in your home again.

Enjoy a Spacious Feeling Home

Creating space in your home and decluttering requires a certain degree of cutthroat thinking. It’s not always hard to get rid of items but keep your end goal in mind - creating a more livable and more organized space.

Keeping Yourself And Your Home Safe In And Out Of The Home

 When it comes to our safety, it should be one of our top priorities. But yet, many of us don’t do all that we can to ensure that we keep ourselves safe in and out of the home. There are a few things that you can do such as using technology or even just changing some of your habits and routines that can help improve your safety. With that in mind, here is what to think about when it comes to keeping yourself and your home safe.   

Image source - pixabay - cco license

Keeping yourself safe 

We can’t always just stay at home, and so we need to understand that there are ways that we can keep ourselves safe when we venture out. Be that to work, or to go out socially or somewhere new. It is always important for you to inform somebody of where you are going. A parent, partner, or friend. Letting them know your plans means that if something should go wrong, there is a starting point. You might also want to use technology to keep you safe such as having applications on your home, and there are others online that can help you to utilize monitoring applications for iPhone or Android. It may sound crazy, but we live in a world where it can be unpredictable, so arming yourself with the best possible defense that can work in the background can help you to feel safer when out and about. Social media is also good for things like this as it can help you to keep a track of where you go, but you also want to keep yourself safe online such as not announcing things like an empty home for example because you are on holiday. Improving your privacy settings can help you to feel safer online. 

Keeping your home safe 

Just as you want to keep yourself safe you also need to ensure that you keep your home safe and secure. When you are there and when you are away from it. This is when you could look at an upgraded alarm system. There are alarms out there now that have dedicated applications on your phone and can even inform local law enforcement should there be a problem. You could also look at adding cameras inside and outside of your home as an added measure. Both these things can be seen as a warning for opportunists. Another thing to factor in would be fences, new windows and doors, and extra upgraded locks. The more you invest in the security of your home, the safer you will feel. After all, it is likely to not only be your biggest ex[ense, but it is the home of some of your most prized possessions. Insurance policies can be handy to help secure your home and the contents within it, should anything happen. Insurance policies that you have can be pricey, but priceless when you need them the most. 

Let’s hope that these tips help you to keep yourself and your home safe.

Use Your Imagination to Make Life More Interesting

 

Pixabay CC0 License

It would probably be fair to say that everyone would prefer their life to be interesting and exciting, rather than dull and boring. It’s not as if most people daydream about being uninspired, after all.

Of course, if you feel that your life isn’t exactly as much of an interesting adventure as you would like it to be, it might not be totally self-evident how to go about changing things.

So, here are some suggestions on how to use your imagination to make your life more interesting.

Imagine and visualise the biggest, boldest, and most over-the-top positive scenarios you can from time to time – it can help to make you more daring and outgoing in general

One of the great benefits of reading heroic fiction, and watching over the top and heroic films, is that it helps to put you in the mindset of imagining and visualising the seemingly impossible.

It’s a really good mental exercise, from time to time, to simply imagine and visualise the biggest, boldest, and most over-the-top positive scenarios you possibly can. This isn’t necessarily because you should try and achieve those things (although maybe you should), but because it can help to expand your sense of what’s possible, and what’s worth contemplating.

Even just having these powerful and uplifting images in your mind from time to time, can serve to make you indirectly more daring and outgoing, in general. Suffice to say, that will inevitably make your life more interesting.

Set yourself uplifting goals, and imagine things working out for you as well as they possibly can, to keep yourself optimistic and motivated

Setting yourself uplifting goals that you genuinely care about, and imagining things working out for you as well as they possibly can with regards those goals, can work wonders in driving up your baseline levels of optimism and motivation.

Whether you are interested in implementing an ambitious wine cellar design into your dream home, or whether you are simply looking to get into good shape, regularly imagining things working out for you – as you continue to strive towards your goals – can go a long way towards counteracting the common tendency to be overly nervous and pessimistic with regards to such things.

Life is naturally more interesting and exciting when you are optimistic and driven to keep moving forward towards lofty aims.

Imagine alternate ways you could have approached past scenarios, to give you insight into the possibilities available in future

We all have regrets from time to time, and find ourselves looking back on the way we handled particular situations with the uncomfortable sense that we’ve done a pretty bad job, all things considered.

Spend a bit of time imagining alternate ways you could have approached past scenarios, and the different outcomes that might have arisen as a result.

Not only can this make you more effective going forward, but it can also grant you some very interesting insights into your own behaviour patterns, and the potential you have to approach things differently.

The Coolest Neighborhoods in San Diego

San Diego is the second-largest city in all of California, and this makes it a diverse settlement with very different and interesting districts. There are places that are hip, places that are party-centric, and places that have more culture. San Diego has it all, but here are the best neighborhoods for tourists and locals to hang out in and explore. 

Little Italy 

Little Italy is now the cultural hub of Downtown San Diego and is famous for its excellent restaurants and authentic Mediterranean shops. Formerly a fishing village, it is now an area with a proud heritage, which can be seen in full at the bustling Mercato Market, that’s open every Saturday from 8am to 2pm. The area also hosts several Italian-themed festivals, which celebrate the unique personality and identity of the Italian people who live here. San Diego’s Little Italy is a bustling and welcoming neighborhood that is unlike any other in the entire city. 

Old Town 

The Old Town is an area of San Diego that is steeped in history and interest and is said to be the birthplace of California as it was the state’s first official settlement built back in 1769 by Spanish settlers. The area is littered with awesome museums, historic buildings, and exhibits, with the historic park being a particular highlight of the neighborhood. 

The area also contains a fantastic collection of preserved Victorian houses, as well as the apparently haunted Whaley House, which is a good destination for thrill-seekers and believers of the paranormal. Of course, the Old Town also has its modern charms, such as some delicious restaurants and the Barra Barra Saloon, home of the best $6 margarita in the entire town. 

Hillcrest

Hillcrest is a very significant location in San Diego as it is the most LGBTQ-friendly district in the entire city, and has been the site of the annual Pride parade since the 1970s. It’s a very accepting district with lots of cool events going on. There are brilliant food venues here too, including awesome bakeries, delicious restaurants, and the vibrant and colorful, Urban Mo’s, which can be described as a gay burger joint. The area is also the home of San Diego Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with some of the world’s most mesmerizing creatures. 

Pacific Beach 

Pacific beach is tucked away between La Jolla and Mission Beach and is a youthful and active oceanside neighborhood. It’s a stunning location within the city as it boasts spectacular coastlines as well as a buzzing nightlife scene, which is emphasized along the rambunctious Garnet Avenue. Here, you can get your groove on and party with a wide variety of locals who range from many of the city’s demographics that make it such a great and diverse place. The neighborhood is also home to the Crystal Pier Hotel, which takes the form of several charming bungalows that date back all the way to the 1930s. This hotel can be found on the pier and boasts amazing seaside views.

How to Best Look After Your Car

Cars need to be well looked after, otherwise, they could eventually fall into disarray. Neglecting your vehicle can quickly turn a quality automobile into a piece of junk, as it can rack up issues and costly faults over time, and not to mention how dirty and damaged the aesthetics can get if it’s not properly protected. 

Looking after your car does not have to be hard though, as all it takes to do so is a few jobs, everyone, once and a while to keep it in good condition. Here are a few ways on how to do that. 

Clean it Once a Month 

For a lot of people, their car is an extension of themselves, it represents you in some way, meaning those that see it can reveal the type of person you are. Having a scruffy and grubby car inside and out can be off-putting, not to mention that making sure it’s clean can also make it a lot more comfortable. 

When cleaning the interior, be sure to pick out any leftover takeout boxes, or bottles that might have been discarded in there, as well as vacuum the carpet and the cracks between the seats. For a deeper clean, you can also anti-bac the dashboard and polish it, providing it’s wooden. 

For the exterior, soap and water work just fine, but to help give it a nice shine and polished gleam, be sure to add some car wash fluid into your water solution. Scrubbing a car clean might be a little bit of work, but it’ll be worth it and turn it into a vehicle you can be proud of again. 

Shelter it in a Garage 

If you are lucky enough to have a home with a garage, then be sure to use that privilege and keep it stored in there when it’s not in use. A garage will protect your car from the elements, meaning it won’t be at risk from harmful weather which can damage the paint, as well as droppings from birds and other animals which can also cause harm.

For those that do not have a garage, there are other ways to keep it protected too. You can get a cover for your car, however, these are a bit of a hassle to put on each time you park up. A better solution is a bespoke portable garage, as these provide the same sturdiness of a brick shelter and can be erected anywhere. 

Care for Your Tires

Tires are one of the essential parts of the car, and if there’s a fault with them it can lead to issues such as instability, poor gas mileage, and the dangerous prospect of unreliable breaks. To help make sure that they’re in good condition, check their pressure at the start of every large drive, and if it needs a pump up, then do it because that will help prevent problems building up. 

It’s also a clever idea to rotate your tires every 7,500 miles, meaning that you should change them from one side to the other. This allows the tires to wear out more evenly, improving their longevity before you have to fork out for costly replacements.