If you’re wondering how to stay engaged in retirement, there are many ways to keep your mind and body occupied, from trying new hobbies to meeting new people.

Here are some ways to avoid boredom during your retirement years:

Stay Active

Being physically active is important for both your body and your mind. Joining a local gym or taking community exercise classes can help you stay healthy and meet new people. Many community centers offer yoga and tai chi classes for retirees who want to keep fit.

Walking groups are another excellent option. They let you exercise while socializing, so you can enjoy nature and make friends simultaneously. Exploring local parks or hiking trails can also be an excellent way to relax outdoors.

Learn Something New

Retirement is the perfect time to explore interests you may have set aside while working. Whether interested in painting, woodworking, or learning a language, many classes and workshops are available for retirees.

Online resources are also a great option! There are plenty of websites and platforms with instructional videos and courses. This means you can learn at your own pace and easily fit new hobbies into your schedule. Trying new activities keeps your mind sharp.

Explore Retirement Communities

Retirement homes provide an active lifestyle that meets different interests and needs. These places often offer many activities, including fitness programs and arts and crafts. You can easily find new hobbies or enjoy old ones while spending time with others.

Living in a retirement home does not mean you lose your independence. Many communities have apartments or homes that let you maintain your lifestyle while enjoying group activities. It’s a great way to socialize without the hassle of a larger home.

Many organized events, like movie nights and outings, help you meet new people or try something different without the stress of planning.

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteering is a fulfilling way to give back to your community and can help prevent boredom. Many organizations need volunteers, which can help you connect and feel purposeful. You might help at a food bank, tutor students, or work with animals at a shelter.

Volunteering can also lead to friendships with others who want to help. These meaningful activities can fill your days with purpose and satisfaction during retirement.

Travel and Explore

With plenty of time ahead, think about visiting new places. Travelling doesn’t have to be expensive; you can enjoy weekend trips or day excursions to nearby towns or nature spots. Exploring local attractions can lead to new experiences that larger tourist sites might overlook.

If you enjoy history, visit historical sites or museums. If nature is your passion, take a scenic drive or check out a botanical garden. Whatever you love, finding new and interesting places can boost your sense of adventure and keep boredom away.

Connect with Others

It is important to make and keep friendships during retirement. Keep in touch with old friends and make new ones. Join social clubs, book clubs, or hobby groups to meet people with similar interests. Regular social interactions can keep you engaged and create a strong sense of community.

Plan regular get-togethers with friends or family. These could be simple coffee dates or organized monthly dinner parties. Whatever you choose, these meetings will enrich your social life and help avoid dull moments.

Deep Breathing Exercises

Taking time for mindfulness and self-reflection can improve your mood. Mindfulness helps you appreciate the present and brings calm to your daily life. You can practice mindfulness through meditation, journaling, or even simple deep-breathing exercises to clear your mind and boost your mood.

List things you’re grateful for or set small daily goals. This approach can give you a sense of purpose and excitement about your days, turning ordinary moments into meaningful experiences.

The post Tips for Coping with Boredom in Retirement first appeared on Divine Magazine.

Planning for the unexpected is less about worrying and more about proactive decision-making. You’re not alone in this, and a few simple adjustments can make a significant difference.

Here are some low-risk strategies to manage your money.

Build an Emergency Fund

Every household should have an emergency fund, especially during a recession. This fund acts as a financial cushion that can help you cover unexpected costs without falling into debt. Aim for three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Having that financial buffer reduces stress and allows you to face unforeseen challenges, whether it’s a job loss or a sudden medical expense.

Start small if you need to. Even setting aside a few dollars from each paycheck can make a difference over time. Consider high-yield savings accounts, where your money can earn interest while remaining accessible. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve got savings to fall back on is invaluable.

Consult a Family Office

One of the most beneficial resources during a recession can be a family office. This isn’t solely for the affluent; many families find value in establishing one to manage financial affairs comprehensively. A family office provides personalized services, encompassing investment management, financial planning, tax strategies, and estate planning.

By engaging a family office, individuals can take a holistic view of their finances. They help simplify the management of wealth, enabling families to focus on their priorities without losing sight of their financial health. This approach fosters a proactive mindset during economic downturns, ensuring families are well-prepared to navigate any financial weather.

Cut Unnecessary Expenses

Now is the perfect time to take a good look at your spending habits. Go through your regular expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. This isn’t about depriving yourself; it’s simply about making smarter choices. Are subscriptions collecting dust? Could you dine out less frequently? Trim the fat off your budget, and redirect those funds towards more essential expenses or savings.

Creating a budget can be beneficial. Break down your expenses into categories to see where your money goes. Use this information to prioritize your spending. It’s surprising how small changes can accumulate into significant savings over time, allowing you to maintain financial stability during uncertain times.

Consider Low-Risk Investments

When facing a recession, your instincts may tell you to pull out of the market altogether. However, there are low-risk investment avenues worth considering. Bonds, treasury securities, and money market funds can provide opportunities to grow your wealth with less volatility.

These investments may not deliver astronomical returns, but they offer a stable return profile. Additionally, they preserve your capital more effectively than riskier assets. It’s about playing it safe while still ensuring your money works for you. Consult with a financial advisor to tailor an investment plan that aligns with your risk tolerance and financial goals.

Stay Informed About Your Money

Knowledge is your ally during a recession. Staying informed about economic trends and financial news can help you make better decisions. Reading articles, subscribing to financial newsletters, or joining discussion groups can give you insights into market conditions and investment opportunities.

Understanding your financial position means knowing what adjustments may be necessary. You’ll be in a better position to identify potential risks and opportunities, which can help prevent panic-driven decisions. The more you know, the better prepared you are to weather financial storms.

Diversify Your Income Streams

Innovative thinking can turn your passions into extra revenue streams. Consider freelance work, part-time gigs, or starting a small business based on your skills or hobbies. Diversifying your income not only helps buffer against job loss but also creates additional opportunities.

It’s empowering to take control of your financial future, and finding ways to increase your income is a proactive step. Start small—maybe create an online course, sell handmade goods, or offer consulting services. Each additional stream of income can go straight into your savings or investments, providing you more financial security.

Reevaluate Your Financial Goals

During economic shifts, it’s vital to reassess your financial goals. They may need to be adjusted based on your current situation. Focus on what matters most during recession-driven uncertainty. Consider setting short-term achievable goals in addition to your long-term objectives.

Whether it’s saving for a home, setting up a retirement account, or planning a family vacation, rerouting your financial navigation can keep you motivated. Reassessing your goals helps you stay aligned with your values and reminds you of the bigger picture, even when times are tough.

When economic conditions tighten, remember that there are effective strategies to ensure your financial safety. From budgeting to engaging a family office, your proactive measures can make a real impact. Adopting low-risk strategies reinforces your financial foundation, empowering you to face challenges with confidence. If there’s one thing to remember, it’s that you have the tools—now is the time to put them into practice.

The post Low-Risk Strategies to Manage Your Money During a Recession first appeared on Divine Magazine.

Let’s explore how a family can pay off mortgages.

Start with a Family Budget

Creating a strong family budget is important for paying off your mortgage. Start by listing all how money comes in and what you spend it on, like your mortgage, utilities, groceries, and other expenses.

Once you see where the money goes, look for ways to save. Spending less on dining out or entertainment can help put more towards the mortgage principal. Including everyone in the family in budget talks is useful. It builds a shared sense of duty and keeps everyone aligned with the financial plan.

Work with a Mortgage Broker

A mortgage broker can help you pay off your mortgage sooner. They know much about the mortgage market and can find options that suit your family’s needs.

For example, they can help you look into refinancing to get a lower interest rate or a shorter loan term. They might suggest strategies like switching to bi-weekly payments or making lump-sum payments.

What makes mortgage brokers different is their ability to give personalized advice. They understand that every family’s finances are unique and adjust their recommendations accordingly. With their help, you can save time, lower costs, and feel confident about your choices.

Make Extra Payments

Making extra payments is a simple way to pay off your mortgage faster. This reduces the principal, which means you’ll owe less overall and pay less interest over time.

Little actions, like rounding up your monthly payment or using part of a tax refund, can make a difference. Some families opt for one extra mortgage payment every year, which can trim several years off the loan. Check with your lender to ensure that extra payments go toward the principal and that there are no penalties for paying early.

Refinance for Better Terms

Refinancing can be an excellent way for families to manage their mortgages more efficiently. Getting a lower interest rate or choosing a shorter loan term could save money.

Even if it means paying more each month, the savings over time might be worth it. Speak with your mortgage broker to see if this is the right choice for your family.

Create a Side Hustle

If your family is open to trying new ways to make money, starting a side job could help with mortgage payments. Whether freelancing, selling homemade items, or offering local services, there are plenty of ways to earn extra cash beyond your primary job.

Get the family involved and turn the side job into a team effort. From setting up a small online shop to joining local events, the extra money can help you pay off your mortgage faster.

Apply Lump-Sum Payments

Think about using extra money, like a bonus, inheritance, or tax refund, to pay down your mortgage. These one-time payments can lower what you owe and shorten how long you have to repay it. Talk with your family to decide how to spend the money. Make sure everyone agrees that reducing mortgage debt is important.

Switch to Bi-Weekly Payments

Switching to bi-weekly payments can help you pay off your mortgage faster. Instead of a single monthly fee, you divide it twice and pay every two weeks. This adds up to 26 monthly payments, which equals 13 full payments annually.

The extra payment reduces your principal, so you’ll pay less interest over time. Many lenders offer this option, so check with yours to see if you can change it. It’s a straightforward way to save money in the long run without big upfront costs.

Explore Offset Accounts

Offset accounts are useful for families wanting to reduce mortgage interest while still having their savings within reach. This bank account connects to your mortgage, and the money in it reduces your owe, which means you pay less interest.

For example, if you have a $300,000 mortgage and $20,000 in your offset account, you’ll only pay interest on $280,000. This can help lower your mortgage costs while keeping your savings accessible when needed. Talk to your lender or mortgage broker about how an offset account can simplify managing your family finances.

The post A Family’s Guide to Paying Off Mortgages first appeared on Divine Magazine.

Here are some tips on how to enjoy life after addiction:

Create New Routines and Habits

Creating a new routine is crucial for a balanced life after addiction. Without the old habits linked to substance use, many people find it helpful to form positive habits that benefit their physical and mental well-being. This might involve exercising, reading, or trying a new hobby such as cooking or painting.

A daily plan with these activities can offer a sense of predictability and purpose. Healthy routines keep you grounded. They help manage stress and keep your focus on your goals. Little habits can create a sense of control and help maintain stability in your life.

Reconnect with Family and Friends

Healthy relationships are crucial to enjoying life after addiction. Rebuilding trust and reconnecting with loved ones takes time, but it’s worth it. Being around positive people encourages you and shows you how important supportive connections are.

Friends and family can provide companionship and help keep you on track with your goals. They celebrate your achievements and offer support during tough times. Talking openly with your loved ones strengthens these relationships, making it easier to rely on them when you need a boost.

Engage in Hobbies and New Interests

Trying out new hobbies is a great part of recovery. Finding activities that bring happiness and fulfilment can help fill the void left by addiction. Think about trying something you’ve always found interesting, like hiking, photography, or writing. These activities let you express yourself and enjoy new successes.

Being active in hobbies is also good for your well-being. It provides a creative way to reduce stress and connects you with new groups who share your interests. Discovering interests outside your past habits is a smart way to build a satisfying life that’s yours to create.

Addiction Treatment Centres

For many, staying connected to addiction treatment centres or other support groups is an essential part of enjoying life after addiction. These centres provide a safe space to discuss ongoing challenges and celebrate progress without judgment. They offer resources that can help you stay grounded and remind you of your progress.

Addiction treatment centres also provide access to therapy, support groups, and expert guidance, which can be valuable in maintaining your path. If you ever need additional support, these centres can be a lifeline, providing assistance that’s only a phone call or visit away. Embracing the help they offer can reinforce your commitment to a healthier life.

Prioritize Physical and Mental Health

Taking care of your physical and mental health is crucial for building a meaningful life after overcoming addiction. Adding activities like yoga, running, or just walking in nature helps lift your mood, ease stress, and enhance overall well-being. Physical health directly affects mental clarity and can lead to a positive mindset.

Paying attention to mental health is just as important. Some ways to support mental well-being are practicing mindfulness, getting therapy, or spending time in nature. Understanding your mental health needs and seeking professional help when necessary can make a big difference in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Set Meaningful Goals for the Future

Setting big and small goals can guide you and give your life meaning. Whether you want to travel, move up in your career, or do volunteer work, these dreams provide you with something positive to strive for. Goals help you picture the future you desire and remind you why you’ve chosen a path of health and personal growth.

Remember, goals don’t need to be huge; even small wins matter. Every goal you reach strengthens your commitment to a brighter future and shows that each step forward is important. Focusing on your achievements can keep you motivated as you go along.

Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness

Finding happiness in the small moments of life can be rewarding. When you practise gratitude, you begin to appreciate what you have rather than focus on what’s missing, which makes you feel happier. Meditation and deep breathing help you get the most out of each day.

Mindfulness is particularly helpful when you’re stressed or tempted. Staying grounded and in the moment allows you to handle these situations and keep your goals in sight. Embracing gratitude can shift your viewpoint and help you enjoy each day more fully.

The post How to Enjoy Life After Addiction first appeared on Divine Magazine.

Any additional seating should not be in the way. Here are some ideas on how to add more seating to a small living room.

Form a circular design

You want your living room seating to be naturally aimed toward each other. This way, conversations can be had a lot easier. Some living rooms may create more intimate conversation areas with paired seating and little nooks.

We don’t recommend this in a small living room because they simply don’t have the space. Always face seating to each other.

Have an upholstered coffee table

In place of a traditional hard coffee table, an upholstered bench can provide additional seating when you need it. When you need it as a table, setting up a tray provides a hard surface for beverages and whatever else you need to lay down. Alternatively, you can also convert a wooden dining table for this purpose. It provides a stylish, unique look to your room.

As seating, an upholstered coffee table functions similar to an ottoman and allows guests to talk to others while still being able to get up with ease and move around.

Add poufs to your living room

Poufs are a sort of bean bag, slightly more sophisticated and handy in their design. They’re lightweight, so you can put them in a closet when they’re not in use.

Pull them out when you need them, and you’ll have some very comfortable seats to enjoy at your access. Pets love them, too, if you have a cat or dog looking for a seat to call their own.

Keep a set of quality-made folding chairs

While folding chairs are not very fancy, they’re easy to set up, use, and remove. If you have a closet where you’re living, folding chairs may be the optimal choice to add seating to a small living room.

If you know you only need extra seating once in a while, a sleekly-designed folding chair set is exactly what you want to grab.

Replace your couch with a sectional

If you have a couch and loveseat, consider getting rid of it and tapping into the space-saving charm of a sectional. The right sectional is configured to fit into the layout of any room and provides lots of seating.

Couches can be bulky and oversized – though not always – for a small living room. A sectional has covered you, and they’re available in all sizes. Browse a furniture store for various couches that match your style.

Add a thin freestanding bench

A bench will add extra seating to your small living room in a very simple and straightforward way. You can push them up against the wall and have seating available whenever needed.

You may also wish to buy two or three benches if you have the space and use them on the perimeter. When a bench is not used for sitting, it offers plenty of areas to put whatever you need on it.

Opt for a futon instead of a couch

A futon is a space-saving alternative to a couch. When a futon folds out into a bed, it provides plenty of areas for people to sit. A futon can be a great choice if you’re having an intimate gathering or with close friends. Also, they’re often more affordable than your average couch or sofa.

Flip-down wall-mounted seating

Wall-mounted seating is another amazing option when you have limited space. When you need wall-mounted seating, you flip down the individual seats or bench, and it’s ready. When you’re done, flip up your seating, and suddenly, this extra seating is completely out of the way without any hassle.

Store small seats under a coffee table

Consider having some stools, or small seats tucked away if you have a tall coffee table or end tables under unused space. When you need them, slide them out; when you don’t, they’re completely out of the way. Any type of hidden seating is a smart move for smaller living rooms.

Hanging seats for awkward areas

Some living rooms are in living spaces designed a little funky. There could be curves, triangular perimeter cuts, or twists and turns that aren’t typical for a living room. It is difficult to include a couch, sectional, or anything similar.

For these awkward spaces, ceiling-mounted hanging seats are a major space saver and help create a very easy, relaxed atmosphere.

Use ottomans with hidden storage

Ottomans are easy to move around the room. They’re also a versatile storage solution. They’re perfect for small living rooms and can be set up against a wall so that they are entirely tucked away until you need them for sitting.

Furthermore, you can also set up an ottoman in front of your flat screen without obscuring the view.

The post How to Add More Seating to A Small Living Room first appeared on Divine Magazine.

While a pulled muscle can be painful and disruptive to your usual routine, most of the time, treatment for a muscle strain can be undertaken at home. You should see your doctor if your symptoms worsen or you experience tingling or numbness. Most people, especially physically active ones, will eventually pull a muscle. You can reduce your chances of experiencing muscle strain by stretching daily and warming up properly before exercise.

Keep reading to learn more about strained muscles and what you can do if it happens.

Symptoms of a Strained Muscle

Most people, especially those participating in sports, have experienced strained muscles. Pulling a muscle can be pretty painful; the area can be hurt even at rest. The most common symptoms of a strain are pain or tenderness, bruising, muscle weakness and reduced range of motion.

If you hear a popping or snapping sound when the injury occurs, if there is excessive swelling, or if you can’t walk, you should head to your local emergency department. However, the following protocol can treat most mild strains at home.

See a Physiotherapist

If you are not experiencing an improvement in symptoms three days post-injury, a visit to a physiotherapist is warranted. A physiotherapist will assess your injured muscle and develop a treatment and recovery plan. They can create an appropriate rehabilitation and exercise plan to help you restore strength and range of motion.

Physiotherapy can also help with pain relief and treatments to accelerate your recuperation process. If appropriate, they may offer manual therapy like massage and stretching techniques to relieve tension and pain in the muscles surrounding the injury.

Rest

Rest is of utmost importance when recovering from an injury. It’s crucial to avoid using your strained muscle as much as possible. You don’t want to avoid physical activity altogether, but certainly stay away from activity that causes discomfort, pain, or further swelling.

Elevate the injury above your heart whenever possible, especially at night while you sleep. And speaking of sleep, ensure you get your eight hours in since our bodies use this time to repair and recover. You should rest the injured area for 2-3 days for mild to moderate muscle strains. A severe strain, on the other hand, may require up to 2 weeks of recovery.

Ice and Heat

After sustaining a strain, icing the affected area is the first thing you want to do. Ice will constrict the surrounding blood vessels, inhibiting inflammation in the area. Cooling the area for 20 minutes is most effective, with at least 30 minutes between icing sessions. Heat can also play a role in helping the body heal from a muscle strain, especially after the first three days post-injury. Heat should be used similarly to ice, for 15-20 minutes at a time with a rest of half an hour.

Sometimes it is recommended to use ice and heat together, especially if you are still experiencing inflammation several days out from the injury. For the best results, you must ice for 20 minutes and follow with 15 minutes of heat. Alternating like this creates a pumping mechanism in the blood vessels that pushes the inflammation away from the affected muscle.

Compression

Wrapping the injured area with a tensor bandage will help bring the swelling down. While treating a strained muscle, we want to get as much blood flowing to the injury as possible. By utilizing compression, we can increase the blood flow to the area, bringing in oxygen, nutrients, and white blood cells. These all work together to encourage the muscle to heal.

Compression can also help to squeeze out inflammation and reduce swelling. Be cautious not to wrap the bandage too tightly; if the area becomes numb or the pain increases, you should immediately loosen the bandage and rewrap it.

Over-the-Counter Medication

An anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling. If you cannot take this medication, acetaminophen can be an alternative. It will help with pain relief but not with inflammation.

Consume Adequate Protein

While recovering from a muscle strain, eating protein-rich foods is essential. Consuming protein will minimize potential muscle loss you might otherwise experience while not as active as usual. Focus on your protein intake once you start moving again to rebuild the injured muscle. Lean meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds are all great protein sources.

The post How to Help a Strained Muscle first appeared on Divine Magazine.

If you drastically change how you eat, don’t think you can’t make it tasty. Healthy doesn’t mean boring. There are many ways to add flavour, from spices to low-fat or low-calorie alternatives, switching to healthier oils such as olive oil, adding more ingredients in dishes, pulling from vegetables more often and keeping things interesting to taste.

Fortunately, there are many ways to eat without compromising your diet plan and keeping your appetite at bay. Check out these ten healthy food ideas for weight loss.

Idea #1: Eat at home

Firstly, if you want to eat healthier and incur weight loss, great advice is to stop eating out. When we eat out, at restaurants and the like, few of us choose the healthiest or most low-calorie option on the menu. We want what we crave and will eat more than we need. By eating at home, you control what and how much you eat.

Idea #2: Portion control

An important part of healthy eating for weight loss is controlling portions. A portion shouldn’t exceed a plate’s worth of food for a single meal. Approximately half of that plate should be vegetables as well.

If you’re still hungry after a plate, wait about an hour to see if your appetite settles before getting more food. Set the timer even. This is a fine strategy to eat less.

Idea #3: Add a healthy twist to your food

Another healthy food idea for weight loss is to opt for a healthier twist on your favourites. For example, pizza you’d normally eat can be prepared at home with zucchini or cauliflower as the crust. That can save you a ton of calories and still allow you to eat pizza. Look for similar alternatives to your favourite dishes that blend in many of the same tastes.

Idea #4: Make homemade protein bars

Protein bars are costly, but you can make them at home. You can make many recipes, from peanut and oat bars to cherry pie bars, chocolate-cashew protein bars, etc. Protein is a major component of any weight loss plan as it feeds the appetite and is a building block for muscles.

Idea #5: Make spicy soups

Soups are a fun, filling way to play with tastes and get some very healthy meals. A simple noodle soup, something with rice, or a super easy basic soup recipe are great places to start. Customize according to the tastes you like.

You don’t necessarily need to eat things you don’t like. However, you can find many easy-to-make soup recipes that can lead to weight loss when eaten carefully according to portion size.

Idea #6: Pre-plan with meal delivery services

Pre-planning meals is the best way to keep calories down, eat healthily, and lose weight. Food preparation is everything, but not all of us have the time. Healthy meal delivery services are a solid alternative, easy to arrange and can be delivered to your front door. Select a meal delivery service with healthy, weight loss-friendly options.

Idea #7: Be careful eating carbs

Our bodies need carbs for energy, but too many will convert to weight. Be very careful eating carbs in things like pasta and rice. Although these are cheap, filling meals, too much of these will cut down on how much weight you lose. It’s also deceptive because overeating these foods is quite common due to how carb-dense the dishes are.

Idea #8: Eat plant-based foods

You don’t have to eat plant-based or go vegetarian to lose weight. Not at all. However, plant-based alternatives are often less in calories. Some more processed plant-based foods – i.e. Impossible Burger or Beyond Meat – can be calorie-dense and highly processed and don’t necessarily equate to a healthier choice.

Idea #9: Don’t skip breakfast

Breakfast is an important meal for weight loss. As important as any other. You’ve woken up after essentially fasting during sleep. You need to get food in your tummy.

People who skip breakfast are more likely to overeat later in the day. They end up starving themselves in the interim. Have a medium-to-large breakfast with some protein, some veggies, and a small number of carbs.

Idea #10: Pre-make salads and have leftovers ready

Pre-make healthy salads and keep them in the fridge for snacks. When cooking meals on the stove or in the oven, cook a little extra and set it aside for leftovers for the next day or next few days. When you have these things ready, you always have a meal ready and can plan your scheduled eating ahead of time and are less likely to eat unhealthily.

The post 10 Healthy Food Ideas for Weight Loss first appeared on Divine Magazine.

Here is what a business leader does in a corporation to make their organization thrive.

1. They Set Goals

A corporation needs goals at all times. A goal provides direction. A business leader knows what goal to aim for, likely knows what goal to follow after they achieve the goal in front of them, and knows how to coordinate the corporation’s efforts to achieve said objectives.

2. They Delegate

A business leader cannot do it all. With the help of leadership development programs like TEC Canada, they learn crucial delegation skills. They need to be able to macro-manage and delegate tasks to team members with the right skill set to deliver the right performance for the organization.

3. They Provide Feedback

A business leader reinforces quality standards as they work with workers within a corporation. A leader in this role should be able to provide feedback and direction, make corrections, and have the authority to supervise and guide work.

4. They Are Motivators

A business leader motivates their team to believe in and work for a common goal. It requires communication skills to relay the goal to the team and the charisma to get team members behind the objective.

5. They Make Other Leaders

The best business leaders make other leaders in leading a corporation. They build up those around them, provide advancement and opportunity, and move the right people into positions to strengthen the company.

6. They Are Responsive

A part of communicating with the team working with a business leader is being responsive to the corporation’s needs. As individuals bring questions, concerns, ideas, and suggestions, a business leader must respond, sort through the information, and produce action.

7. They Think In The Moment

Sometimes, a corporation is taken off its trajectory. Things happen. A business leader must react and think quickly to make the right moves. A part of leading a corporation is acting quickly, thinking at the moment, and being able to manage fellow management-level stakeholders doing the same.

8. They Are The Authority

Occasionally, a business leader must make unpopular decisions, act as the authority, be tough, and lay down the law. This requires the intelligence to know when to act and what to do in handling difficult situations, sometimes more personal in design than business-related.

9. They Are Not Always Right

A business leader does not always have the best idea and is not always the smartest in the room, but they know who is. They are willing to consider others’ input, encourage others to provide ideas, and are flexible and rational in considering how another party may be right.

10. They Seek Out Innovation

Innovation helps to propel a corporation forward. It can give them a competitive edge just like it can a new direction. Business leaders are just as concerned about tomorrow’s success as today’s and actively seeking new ideas.

11. They Choose Their Own Risk

Not every leader has to take big risks. That said, a business leader has to be aware of the risk, have a strategy to manage risk and pick and choose where risk must be taken. Risk cannot be reckless. It must be calculated and, more often than not, must pay off for the corporation to make it worthwhile.

12. They Seek To Optimize The Culture

A business leader sets the tone for company culture. They not only want to establish a culture but optimize it over time. They’re not afraid of implementing new ideas and changing how things are done to positively impact their organization.

13. They Work With Other Managers

Other managers and officers surround a business leader in a mid-to-large corporation. They must manage those personalities, bring different visions together, and ensure collaboration among everyone.

14. They Reinforce The Importance Of Hard Work

All team members look to their business leaders to set the tone for what’s expected of them. A business leader is a hard worker that others can relate to. They are not afraid to lead by example, are loyal to their team members, and will work alongside them occasionally and in part to reinforce why they are the leaders.

15. They Improve Corporation Vulnerabilities

Business leaders know their corporation’s strengths, weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and shortcomings. They are willing to introduce solutions and identify opportunities to improve a corporation’s vulnerabilities to achieve a better all-around organization.

The post What Does a Business Leader Do In a Corporation? first appeared on Divine Magazine.

You can do a few pest control techniques to help convince spiders to spin their webs away from your house. If you are tired of cleaning webs constantly, learn how to prevent spider webs outside your house with these simple tips.

1. Clean your yard and the outside of your house

Spiders love clutter, and they love areas where bugs feel comfortable. To prevent them from building webs on your walls, under the roof of your porch, on your patio furniture or near your outdoor lights, clean everything, and do it regularly.

Get rid of junk, piles of dead leaves, and anything that could attract insects and spiders.

By keeping your house clean, you’re also preventing spiders from laying their eggs and making your spider web problem even worse.

2. Keep garbage cans away from your house

You should also consider keeping your garbage cans at least a few feet away from the exterior walls of your house. Garbage and compost attract flies, and where there are flies, spiders will want to make themselves at home.

Ensure your garbage cans have tight lids that stay closed when you want them to. If the lids keep falling off, your garbage could attract more flies and spiders.

3. Turn off the lights to repel insects

Once again, anything that attracts flies will attract spiders. You can’t blame them for spinning their webs near your exterior lights since this is where their food likes to hang out when it gets dark outside.

Turning off your outdoor lights at night is a good idea to prevent spider webs outside your house.

However, keeping your lights turned off all night long could, unfortunately, attract people with bad intentions. Connect your outdoor lights to a motion sensor to make a compromise and keep your peace of mind.

They will stay turned off to keep insects and spiders away, but they will turn on whenever someone approaches your house.

4. Get rid of spider webs and eggs as soon as you notice them

It could take a moment for spiders to understand that building their webs around your house is not a good idea. Ensure you eliminate any spider webs you see to discourage them from building new ones.

You also need to get rid of spider eggs before they can hatch.

Did you know a spider’s egg sac could contain as many as 1,000 eggs, depending on the species? You don’t want them to become babies and invade your home. Since egg sacs are usually wrapped in a little spider silk pouch, clean out anything that looks like this as quickly as possible.

5. Spray a mixture of vinegar and water

If you have been thinking about using some sort of pesticide to repel spiders, you should try to make your repellant. All you need is a spray bottle, white vinegar, and water.

Pour equal parts of vinegar and water inside the bottle, and mix well. You can then spray the areas where spiders usually build their webs while avoiding varnished surfaces to be sure your mixture will not damage them.

The smell of vinegar should repel spiders and convince them to settle elsewhere.

6. Use cinnamon sticks or essential oil

Strong scents easily repulse spiders, so you could use cinnamon sticks to prevent them from building their webs outside your house.

Simply place cinnamon sticks wherever you tend to find spider webs.

You could also add a few drops of cinnamon essential oil inside a spray bottle full of water and spray this mixture around your house.

7. Mix mint essential oil with water

The mint essential oil can also be used to repel spiders. Add a few drops to a water spray bottle, and spray on areas where spiders like to build webs.

Alternatively, you could plant mint in some areas around your house to naturally repel spiders who don’t like this strong fragrance.

8. Use a cobweb eliminator

If spiders are being stubborn, you could buy a product called a cobweb eliminator. It makes it impossible for webs to adhere to surfaces, and the effect usually lasts about one full month.

Remove spider webs and spray the product on the area using a cobweb eliminator. Spiders will leave since they won’t be able to build their webs anymore.

The post How to Prevent Spider Webs Outside a House first appeared on Divine Magazine.

We know the difficulty of choosing the right window covering, as many options exist. You will want to consider how factors like privacy, light control, style, and budget come into play when deciding on a window-covering solution. The good news is that plenty of creative and functional options are available to meet your needs!

Whether you want to let in plenty of natural light or create a cozy and private space, we have got all of the suggestions you may need! Discover some of the best window covering options that expand beyond traditional curtains.

1. Window film

If you are not too concerned with blocking sunlight (because we all want to be able to sleep in sometimes), window film may be a good solution for you. Window film is an adhesive material that sticks to your windows and provides privacy without blocking out natural light.

This is a great option to maintain your view, as it can blur the window without completely obstructing the view. Window film comes in various patterns and colours, so you can choose a style that complements your decor!

2. Specific types of glass

You do not have to limit yourself to choosing the windows’ coverings. You can change the specific type of glass in the window itself. If you want to maintain your view while adding privacy, like with the window film above, frosted glass can be a great option.

This glass has a textured surface that diffuses light and blurs objects, making it difficult to see inside your home. On the other hand, stained glass is a magnificent way to add colour and texture to your windows. This type of glass is made by adding metallic salts during manufacturing, creating various colours and patterns!

3. Blinds

Blinds are one of those classics we adore because they can provide privacy and light control while offering a variety of styles suited to your lifestyle. One of the reasons we love blinds is that they provide excellent control over light and privacy. You can easily adjust the slats to let in just the right amount of light or block out unwanted views from outside.

This makes blinds a great option for bedrooms, bathrooms, and any other room where privacy is a concern. Moreover, you can choose from various materials, including wood, vinyl, and aluminum, so you will never run out of options. Vertical blinds are popular for sliding glass doors, while horizontal blinds are great for standard windows!

4. Shades

One of the less talked about options, window shades, are another popular type of window covering that offers many benefits to your home. They are typically made of a single piece of fabric or material that can be rolled or folded to expose the window and then unrolled or unfolded to cover it. You could consider the roller shade, made of a single piece of fabric that rolls up onto a metal or plastic tube at the top of the window.

Roller shades can be made from various materials, including blackout fabrics, sheer fabrics, and natural materials like bamboo or wood. Another option you may want to look into is the cellular shade, a honeycomb shade. These shades are made of cells that trap air, providing excellent insulation for your windows. Cellular shades are available in various colours and opacities, making them a versatile and stylish window covering option.

5. Plants

Yes, unexpected, but yes, they work just as well. This will be a great option if you want a natural way to cover your windows, as they can provide some greenery and livelihood within your place! You can hang plants in front of your windows or place potted plants on your windowsill if you are looking to consider this option.

What we love about this one is that you can choose any plant of your liking: from a bouquet of roses to a slew of green vines. This is a great way to provide privacy and add a decorative touch to your space. Another helpful addition: plants can also help purify the air in your home! Fresh air, here you come.

The post How to Cover Windows Without Curtains first appeared on Divine Magazine.