Making the decision to enlist in a branch of the United States military will change the life of anyone who chooses the path. However, military personnel who are involved in active duty during a time of war can face a unique map of change in their lives once they return home.

The risk of choosing to serve your country is large, which is why the choice is so honored. It’s important that veterans and those who love them understand the mental health challenges that could arise along the way.

Take a few moments to read through a brief overview of a few of the most common mental health challenges faced by military veterans today.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

It’s very common for military personnel to return home from active duty deployment having seen and experienced some extremely stressful events. Being injured on the battlefield, witnessing a disaster, or suffering a sexual assault can leave an individual in mental shock.

When a person experiences post-traumatic stress disorder, they often face reliving the incident over and over again in their mind. The stress of the mental disorder can cause trouble leading a normal, productive life.

Depression

The trauma and stress that can happen during active duty in times of war can leave soldiers who come home with a lasting depression. Veterans who suffer from PTSD are more likely to also suffer from the pain of depression.

Depression can cause problems with a person’s ability to get quality sleep at night. Lack of sleep only increases the down feelings of someone suffering from depression.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Soldiers who were deployed to serve in the war in Iraq or Afghanistan had a 20 percent chance of coming home with a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs) cause the brain to act and react differently.

Sometimes the challenge is temporary, and some veterans deal with the repercussions of their TBI for the rest of their lives. Living with a TBI can mean an inability to function in mainstream society, causing a long list of challenges along the way.

Drug and alcohol addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction is rampant among military veterans. The transition back into mainstream society isn’t always a simple thing for some soldiers, and drugs/alcohol are a common coping mechanism.

Importance of reaching out

All that being said, it’s important to understand how to reach out for help. There are numerous organizations centered around the assistance of military veterans, you just have to take advantage of the services being offered. There’s no valor in hiding these mental struggles, and asking for help is the first step towards healing the broken parts of your mind.

 

When designing your garden, you need to think about how the space will be used. This will enable you to get maximum use from your garden rather than leaving it to become overgrown. You will be able to adapt your garden to your lifestyle so take into consideration how much time you will have to keep it looking well maintained. This will make your garden become an enjoyable place to be rather than a burden.

Play area

If you have kids, the best way to burn off their energy is by letting them run around outside. When designing the garden, think about space. This is important as it will give your kids more space to play in. In the summer, paddling pools and various other toys and equipment are usually set up outside to be enjoyed in the lovely sunny days so look at storage ideas. This will help keep your garden immaculate all year round. Try to avoid having steps in your garden so you don’t have to worry about your children falling down them. This will give you piece of mind when they are running around and play outside all day.

Country garden

Even if you don’t live in a rural area, you can still make your garden look like a picturesque cottage. By planting wild flowers to attract wildlife to having a perfect striped lawn, there are many ways you can create an idyllic outside space. A lot of country style gardens require a lot of maintenance from constantly pruning plants and hedges to mowing the lawn. To get the best of both worlds, GrassWarehouse do high quality artificial grass which is perfect if you want to minimise garden maintenance so you can spend more time relaxing outside.

Edible garden

Not only is it cheaper to grow your own fruit and vegetables but you get a sense of satisfaction when it comes to harvest. This is the perfect way to utilise your garden if you are looking to become more self sufficient. You can grow an abundance of edible flowers to add colour to your garden so it is just as appealing to look at. To be able to plant crops, you need to check your soil as you might need to add compost to get the perfect growing conditions. If you don’t have a lot of space, you could use raised container beds so you can still have a grassed area.

Perfume garden

Not only are flowers good to look at but they also give off a lovely aroma, so much so, many people like to have a perfume garden. Flowers such as lavender, sweet violets and roses provide different levels of scent which compliment each other. This will make you home inviting and the perfect place to unwind and relax in the sun. If you want to make the most of lovely scented plants, you could grow certain plants for cutting or flowers which can be dried so you can bring the scents into your home.

 

Shakespeare once said that the eyes are the window to the soul. And like the genius that he is, he wasn’t wrong.

Our eyes literally give light to our view of the world and ourselves. Yet, today’s world makes it all too stressful to have sharp, healthy eyes. From carbon polluted air to harsh weather and excess screen time, many of us are doing damage to our sense of sight.

Coupled with the bleak sightedness that comes with old age, it’s almost impossible for anyone to boast of 100% healthy eyes in times like these. All these factors culminate to cause dry eyes, itchiness, and worse still, loss of sight. However, you don’t have to fear these problems if there’s an all-in-one solution.

Rain Renewal Eye Drops is an innovative eye formula that combats dry eyes, redness, and the common issues that come with unhealthy eyes. With Rain Renewal Eye Drops as your eye guard, you can effectively spend maximum screen time without any discomfort.

Rain Renewal Eye Drops have been flying off shelves, even in your local stores due to its numerous benefits. Here’s why the product is the name on every lip, and every eye.

The Buzz of a screen-addictive world

No thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all brought the buzz of the workplace to our homes. Remote work means we spend more time behind our phones and personal computers, not forgetting our regular binge-watching of TV shows.

All these factors make us more vulnerable to eye infections and dry eyes. Thankfully, there are enough Rain Renewal Eye Drops to go around.

Instant Relief

Eye problems can throw you into sharp panic mode and discomfort. But the Rain Renewal Eye Drops work effectively to clear off your dry eyes before you can say Jack Robinson. This instant relief is one reason people are on a buying spree for Rain Renewal Eye Drops.

No preservatives. Simply Natural

No one wants those eye drops that contain concocted artificial preservatives that can even do more damage to your body. Thankfully, Rain Renewal Eye Drops contain cutting-edge clinical innovation that is preservatives-free and entirely natural.

Scientific Approval

Rain Renewal Eye Drops are selling out fast because of the authority that backs them up. Top scientists and highly placed agencies approve the product. These recommendations that Rain Renewal Eye Drops enjoy makes it the top choice for anyone who battles dry or red eyes and several challenges.

Routine-Free Usage

The Rain Renewal Eye Drops is not one product you’ll need to draw up a usage timetable for. Far from that. In fact, the product allows you to use it as often as you want.

Not forgetting that it gives instant relief on every usage. So, it’s not surprising that the drops are in high demand.

100% Safety

Safety is the word that best describes the Rain Renewal Eye Drops. It is made from the finest natural ingredients and comes with no side effects thus making it suitable for daily use.

Quite amazingly, the product is so safe that it poses no harm when you swallow (it’s not advised that you do this, though). Regardless, you get the drill – the Rain Renewal Eye Drops gives you top-notch quality eye protection without any threats to your health.

You Might Also Enjoy:

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There is a reason why drinking and driving is a criminal offense. If you are not careful enough, you might be charged for criminal activity. Most drivers make excuses for consuming only a little bit of alcohol, but reports showing more than 50% of the road accidents are DUI accidents. Hence, DUI offenses shouldn’t be taken lightly.

If you are an individual who gets easily tempted to sit behind the driving wheel after consuming alcohol or refuse to hand over the keys after imbibing, you might consider the following reason why you should start doing that.

According to a DUI lawyer in Marietta GA, you might face the following consequences if you do not follow the rules.

You Could Go To Jail

Nobody likes to think of them staying a night in jail. However, if you are a part of DUI offensive activity, you might stay more than just a night in jail. Once you are inside the jail, no matter what you say, people will have bad rumpus about you, and social life will take a hit.

If you are drinking and driving, you are actually inviting these things into your life. In the worst-case scenario, if you hit someone and injure someone or kill someone, criminal charges might be filed against you. So, be very vigilant of your activity while you are driving.

Your Insurance Premium Could Increase

If you are caught by the officer driving while drinking, do not get shocked if your insurance premium is increased. Yes, you read it correctly. This activity increases the premium of your insurances. The reason is simple; the insurance policy takes the driver’s risk factor in the insurance compensation. And if you are drinking while driving, the risks are certainly higher.

If you are caught drinking while driving, your insurance company will likely categorize your insurance with high risks and will charge a hefty premium to cover your insurance.

You Might Lose Your Job Or Driving License

Some states are very strict with road safety rules and regulations. The policies are so strict that some states even terminate the employees for drinking while driving. Revocation of the personal license is just the common practice.

This situation becomes even direr if you are one of the respected citizens in the society. This not only tarnishes your name and reputation but also hampers your business.

For instance, police officers, lawyers, nurses can be at risk of losing their jobs and canceled certificates.

You Might Accrue A Criminal Record

Drinking and driving is a punishable offense, and in some states, it is even seen as a criminal offense. So, if you are caught driving while drinking, your information will be displayed on criminal records. This record can hamper your future job opportunities.

If you want to revoke the criminal record, the fighting against the criminal charges is costly, and your future limits itself if you are convicted. You will require a criminal lawyer to fight for you, it is recommended to get the local lawyer as they know the laws more appropriately like if you are living in New York city then choose Lawyer Bronx or Lawyer Staten Island, as the local lawyer will be able to help you more efficiently.

You Could Injure Pedestrian

According to the report made by Marietta DUI Lawyer, hundreds of children are killed by drivers who drink and drive. If we see these numbers as a whole most accidents that happen on the roads are due to the negligence of the drivers.

Once you become a part of a road accident and are caught driving under the influence, you might be charged for criminal cases.

Take Away

The easiest way to avoid all the mentioned above is simple: never drink and drive. Keeping yourself away from drinking is even best. However, if you cannot do that, drink only when you know you will not drive.

We hope that this article was helpful and shed light on the consequences of DUI offenses.

Wedding photography has gone beyond taking pre-meditated shots on the wedding day. With social media, lots of creativity is demanded from photographers. With clients making beautiful, mind-blowing, and sometimes eccentric demands, it is certain that these trends will remain—or at most, develop into more trends.

David Koonar, one of Canada’s foremost photographers—and one who has taken lots of wedding shoots, gave us insights into photography trends that are popular in Canada.

Pre-Wedding Shoots

Maybe ten years ago, the pre-wedding shoot was not the trend; today, everything has changed, and couples are willing to spend more than 20% of their wedding budget on photoshoots alone.

I have had clients demand to take their pre-wedding shoots in more than seven locations in Canada. Sometimes, clients will pay to fly me outside Canada for a pre-wedding shoot.

It’s a beautiful trend, and it makes for a pretty interesting and mind-blowing photo album. Couples in Canada no longer want the mundane experience, no! They want something evergreen and everlasting, and if it means that they spend ridiculous amounts of money on pre-wedding photoshoots—it is worth it.

 

These are the moments you’ll want to capture!https://t.co/JO0UsL5D9y

— David Koonar (@DavidKoonarLens) December 4, 2020

Drone Photography

Drone photography is expensive—and is used mainly in Hollywood movies for Hollywood big-budget movies. However—and apparently, Canadians have caught up with the drone trend. Why? Because aerial shots are usually breathtaking.

With a drone, a photographer can capture broader moments. For example, if your wedding will be held outdoors, a drone will help you capture the whole wedding area, the guests, bride, groom, cake, and every other part of the wedding.

It is a wedding investment worth every dime, and Canadian couples are not shy about exploring their main days with drones.

Candid Photography

Arranged photography is still popular; however, the beauty of pictures is in the moments—and you cannot act a moment, can you? Candid photography means allowing your photographer to capture emotions—not just pictures.

Emotions like happiness, joy, fun, love cannot really be captured in the studio. When I shoot candid moments, I spend a lot of time with my clients—outdoor. I let them be, and then I capture their moments, chemistry, playful arguments, playful fights, and more.

It’s always a rewarding time for my clients and myself, and we always come up with an extensive catalog of memorable pictures.

Destination Wedding Photography

Churches and town halls are cool—except they are not so cool. Destination wedding photography is a trend in Canada, and of course, we have lots of beautiful backdrops in our country. A significant number of couples now feel convenient taking their guests halfway around the country for a wedding.

Same-Day Edits are Not a Thing

Of course, as a trend grows, other trends fizzle out. There was a time photographer was required to take pictures and then quickly edit them and turn them into slideshows—all before the wedding is over. Today, Canadian couples have seen the folly in such demands. We spend more time capturing more moments at the wedding after-party. If a couple wants a slide show, candid photography and pre-wedding shoots will always provide a decent number of pictures that can be used.

Read Next: 5 (Inexpensive) Cameras New Photographers Will Love

 

 

Online shopping involves the buying of goods and services over the internet using a mobile app or web. For instance, online apps allow one to order online goods and have them delivered to their destinations. A customer can browse and identify the goods available, select what they require, and make orders online. Online shopping enables the customers to browse a range of products and services, view the photos of products and their prices, including information features of the specific product of interest, such as the phone model if it is a Tecno or Infinix and its features. Below is detailed information you might need before engaging in online shopping.

Advantages of online shopping

Time-saving

Shopping online saves time and money since one has to browse through the internet and make orders compared to taking your time and looking for the goods in need, which is time-consuming and expensive. From one market place to another, wholesale to another, bargaining product prices are tiresome and expensive. Products sold online have discounts made, making them cheaper. Deliveries are also made right on your doorstep, and a variety of goods and services can be ordered online, ranging from food supplies, machinery, electronics, books, clothing, bedding, etc.

Informative and reviewable

Shopping online enables the buyer to review various products and their prices and compare their models before selecting the best choice. Online stores can describe each product for sale with photos of the product and its features to easily access the product. They also provide mediums to reach them when there are questions about the transactions via emails or phone calls. In online ordering, the customer should access the internet where the products are displayed; otherwise, without internet access, one cannot do online shopping.

Things to be careful while online shopping

Fear of fraud

Due to increased technology levels, there are more cases of fraud recorded. Hackers might break into the website of online stores and steal the customers’ names and addresses and convince the buyers to buy goods and pay them. Some hack into the buyer’s accounts and steal money, which is very disadvantageous. Also, products with defects can be delivered to the buyer, which is a significant loss. The buyers are advised to use strong passwords and stick with well-known stores to reduce fraud risk. Also being wise is the key to success in any of these fields, don’t fret just have the tips with you and safety will always be there.

Lack of full cost disclosure

Lack of disclosure of the full cost of the product price and delivery cost can be problematic. Shipping problems and delays during deliveries can be a problem too for the buyers. What if there is damage to products such as breakage? It might be hard to know. Hence, check the product once you receive it for any damages. If it is damaged, return it before the date.

Online shopping is more convenient as it can be accessed because it is available 24hours and time-saving. Buyers should have internet access to make online ordering. Also, they should have a valid payment method to complete the transaction when an order has been made.

 

Any time you make a website, your goal should be to make it stand out from the competition as much as possible. It’s important to find a balance between design and functionality, all while keeping in mind that it needs to be original.

So, how do you stand out from other websites and make yours as original as possible? Take a look at some of the best tips for making your site as unique as it can be.

Focus on Layout

One of the first things that you should do is focus on how to layout your page so that it’s obviously different from other pages. It can be fun coming up with original ways to structure your page so that you can’t possibly confuse it with any other business. However, it’s also important not to get too carried away in your attempts to be memorable.

It’s easy to make your page overly busy and complicated, which can, in turn, cause slow loading times and frustrated customers.

Consistent Branding

When people land on your website, they should see your logo and know right away where they are based on your logo. Choose a color scheme that matches your logo and goes with the look and feel that you’re looking to achieve.

When branding your company, it’s important to consider what kind of demographic you’re looking to sell to. The success of your branding will be determined by how well you aim it towards your target market. Certain groups of people will respond much better to certain branding tactics than others. Make sure you know who you’re trying to sell to!

Distinct Graphics

If you want to blend in with all of the other websites out there, then using stock images is the way to do it. However, if you want to make an original impression on your audience, then you should use original images that give your page a fresh perspective.

Your page will look much more professional if you have dynamic and professional photos rather than generic stock images. Make your page distinct by going the extra mile with imagery.

Original Fonts

Fonts play a huge role in your website. It’s important that you choose one that matches your branding, while also being easy to read. There are many cases where websites try to choose lettering that stands out, only to find that it actually deters from what it should be doing.

Don’t get so caught up in choosing the perfect font that you wind up distracting your page visitors.

By focusing on combining all of the right elements and not getting so wrapped up in being original that you lose sight of functionality, your website should meet with great success!

 

A survey of 2,000 people showed that since the lockdown began, a lot of people used more energy in their homes than before. The study also suggests that there might be a rise in bills by 37%, which would increase the average price of energy bills by 32.31 euros per month or 387 euros per year.

A lot of people now stay at home while those who are working from their house has also increased. Therefore, it is an excellent time to look at how you can get to reduce your energy bills and opt-in for smart energy consumption. If you’re a student, thesisgeek.com can also help you save a lot of money thanks to their rates and discounts.

There is also an opportunity for your house to be greener as you get to save a lot of money when you re-evaluate your energy provider.

Five Ways to Reduce your Home Energy Bills during the Lockdown

There are several things that you can do to reduce the amount of money you spend on energy. It would also help you leave a greener life. Some of the ways you can improve are;

1. Let your appliance be as efficient as possible

When your freezers and fridges are on, you can save energy by putting off all other electrical appliances in your home. Your microwave, dishwasher, tumble dryer, washing machine, and the electric oven will always eat up electricity if they are all on at the same time. Pick up the habit of turning off your electronics appliances when they are not in use to save energy and money.

2. Defrost your freezer

Building up frost in your freezer means the appliance works harder. Therefore, it would use a lot of energy to keep your food cold. When you defrost your fridge, it will make it work less and use less energy to keep your food cold.

3. Keeping your freezer and fridge full

When you keep your fridge and freezer full, it uses less energy as the food would regulate the temperature. You can fill up your fridge and freezer with jugs and bowls of water rather than buying goods just for the sake of this purpose.

4. Make use of the warm weather

You can take advantage of the warm weather and dry your clothes outdoors. If you don’t have space outside your house, you can make use of a tumble dryer. You can also throw your clothes into a dry towel, which is a great way to absorb excess damp. This method also makes it possible for the appliance to be used for half of the regular time.

5. Switch your energy providers

You can also consider switching over to another energy provider. Or even have solar panels installed on your home to produce your own energy usage. To learn more about solar energy, click here.

6. Cultivate some green habits

You can do your environment and your health good by cultivating some green habits, even when you are just home.

7. Start getting green-fingered

You can save a lot of money. Be kind to your environment and also be less wasteful with activities such as composting and growing your vegetables.

8. Shop locally

You can also reduce your use of transport by shopping locally. You can also use the opportunity to support some local businesses. A lot of local grocers offer veg and fruit boxes, which is less wasteful and cheaper than the multipacks from supermarkets.

9. Wardrobe shopping

Fast fashion is one of the significant sources of pollution. As the lockdown eases, you can be more eco-conscious about your shopping decisions, or you can get a new skill and learn how to customize and sew your clothes.

10. Travel with a clear conscience

Cycling and walking, instead of driving, is a good habit of keeping up after the lockdown. If you rely on cars to move around, you can consider switching over to an electric vehicle that would help you save money and keep the carbon emission low.

11. Cut down on your use of plastics

Stop using plastics within your house. These plastics may include your cleaning products. You can also cut down on the use of takeaways and coffee cups. These actions would make a significant impact on the world.

Cutting down on your energy bills and making use of greener methods will help keep the environment safer for you. You can start by following the tips that we provided above.

Buying a life insurance is not just a fad anymore, but rather is a financial need. A life insurance policy can help protect your family financially when you’re not there to help them. However, when buying a life insurance policy, you may easily be swayed away with temptations to buy just about any policy, given that it costs you a mere fraction of your income.

This approach may work for a while but is not advisable in the long run. Perhaps, insurance policies, especially life insurance policies should be chosen carefully before paying the premium.

This may sound vaguely described, but there’s a simple and effective way to do that. Here are 5 questions that you should ask to help you make the right choice.

1. Why Do You Need A Life Insurance?

The reason to buy life insurance might seem as simple as securing the financial future, but there’s a lot more to it. Simply putting, a life insurance policy can help you provide an additional cover for your debts. It can also help you leave behind an inheritance for your future generations. The reason you should be asking this question is to ensure the right term for your insurance policy. To put this into perspective, covering financial obligations can simply be done with permanent life insurance, whereas, for obligations to your business partners or lenders, a term policy can offer an immediate solution.

2. What Are Your Options?

It needs no saying that the market is full of a myriad of insurance policies. It is up to you to decide which one is more suitable for you. But, of course, to make this decision you need to know the options that are available for your needs, particularly. For example, if you need the best life insurance for seniors, you must look for no-medical policies. Similarly, if you’re looking for life insurance at a very young age, say in your twenties, it is best that you look for long-term options such as permanent life insurance. Knowing your options will make your decision more convenient and you can be more flexible in your choices.

3. What Happens When You Die Early?

Well, this is something that most of the policyholders find difficult to decide. Your insurance policy is liable to pay the beneficiary whom you nominate in your policy, in case you die. However, there are certain discrepancies that your insurer doesn’t want you to know. There are certain scenarios when the cause of your death could decide the payout or whether there should be any. On the other hand, some policies also do not offer any payout, if the insurer does not die throughout the term of the policy. You should clearly enquire about these scenarios with your insurance company and understand the possible outcomes.

4. What If You Need To Upgrade Your Current Policy?

Most of the insurance companies would be glad to know that you are planning to upgrade your policy. After all, an upgraded policy means higher premium payments, which also means more revenue for the insurance company. However, when upgrading your current policy, you must enquire about the premiums that you’ve been paying until now. Would it be adjusted with the new policy, or would you have to start over again from scratch?

5. From Where Should You Buy Your Policy?

This is perhaps one of the most crucial questions that you must ask to yourself. Ideally, you should only be consulting with licensed insurers. You should ask about the experience of the insurance agent and then only proceed with searching for your policy options. It needs no saying that you can explore the internet, or ask your friends for reference about the best insurance companies they know about. And subsequently, if they can share the contact details to help you.

With these simple yet intuitive questions, you can have the answer that you seek- buying the right life insurance policy.