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You’ve probably seen the memes and heard the jokes about New Year resolutions. It’s true to a great extent. Making promises to ourselves is easy, but keeping them is difficult. So then, are we doomed to disappointment? Or is there a way we can actually use new year resolutions to make our lives better for good?

In this blog, we share our best tips for making those resolutions stick to help you grow into a better person.

Set just one New Year’s resolution.

Write down your most important and urgent goal.

When you only have one resolution, you’ll find that it’s easier to stick with your plan because no other distractions or things are competing for your attention. You won’t get side-tracked even when other things come up. Also, if something comes up in life (like work or family responsibilities), it’ll be much easier for you to adjust your plans so that all the pieces still fit together into a cohesive whole rather than having multiple things going at once.

An online life coach in Australia can help you with the necessary support and guidance if you are looking for help in creating a life vision and choosing a goal that serves you.

Keep it small, tangible, and measurable.

Don’t try to do too much at once. Keep it small and tangible so that you can accomplish it without feeling overwhelmed by its magnitude. You don’t have to be the best person in the world, and you don’t have to do it all.

In his book Deep Work, Cal Newport suggests attaching ‘lead metrics’ with a goal. So if your goal is to write a book, a lead metric would be the number of words you should aim to write every day to meet the goal at a given deadline.

Rather than assessing your goals by the final outcome, you can proactively predict how things are moving ahead with the help of lead metrics.

Visualise the desired outcome.

If there’s a particular skill or attribute that you’d like to develop or improve in yourself, visualise what it will look like after you achieve it. Visualisation is a powerful technique used to manifest the desired outcome by placing yourself in a future scenario and getting familiar with how it makes you feel.

A life coach in Australia can help you with a guided visualisation exercise so you can get into the habit of doing it on your own.

Build a keystone habit to help you develop your daily routine.

In his New York Times best-seller, Habit, Charles Duhigg talks about the importance of a keystone habit and its ripple effect in creating a new lifestyle.

A keystone habit leads to other habits. For example, if you wake up early every day, it’s easier for you to go to bed early as well. It would also lead you to an early dinner, which, in turn, would have you shut off from work at a given time any evening. If you meditate every day, it becomes easier for you to get into the habit of exercising regularly or eating healthier food options.

Create an accountability system.

Let’s be honest. You may not find the support you need from your friends or family. But it’s not all their fault. They have other things going on for themselves and may not relate to your goals. It’s completely ok.

What you need, though, is an accountability system. If you have a parent, a friend, or a significant other, you can be accountable to, that’d be great. But if you can always try online forums and offline meet-ups with others who have similar goals as yours, that’s not working out. You can schedule time with them to make sure you’re doing what you said you would. You can meet up on certain days at the gym or after work every week and keep each other motivated.

Make sure you have some people in your corner to hype you up.

Schedule time for your goal.

It’s not working out because it’s not getting done.

It’s important to schedule time every day or week, even if it’s just 10 minutes at a time. Setting aside an hour or two every single day is going to be a lot more beneficial than scheduling it all on one day each week.

Use a journal to keep track of your progress and stay motivated.

Use a journal as a tool. Write down your progress. Write down how far you’ve come and how much progress you have made in meeting your goals. This will inspire you to keep going and not give up!

Don’t forget about gratitude.

It’s easy to forget about gratitude in the hustle of our routines, but thinking about things you’re grateful for can make an enormous difference in how you feel.

Gratitude has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mental health, increase positive emotions such as joy and love, increase resilience against trauma or tragedy (like the death of a loved one), boost self-esteem and self-worth, and enhance relationships with others.

To sum up…

In terms of new year’s resolutions, keeping things simple and organized is the most important thing. You can go from “doer” to “master of your life” when you set goals, tackle them with intention and build on the success of each one.

If you are feeling stuck or lost and the coming year has started feeling like just another year, consider seeking help. Working with an online life coach gives you the sounding board you need to sift through the multitude of feelings, biases, and challenges that are a vital part of starting anything new.

Schedule a free session with Quality Mind’s certified life coaches to get the best tools you need to level up your 2023.

In 2019, over nine million deaths across the world were caused by pollution. This figure has remained the same since 2015. The Lancet Planetary Health published a study in May this year that proved how pollution has become a global problem and a threat to the environment and human health.

According to the study, the most affected population are those living in low and middle-income countries, as well as those in countries without exacting programs addressing poor air quality and water and chemical pollution.

The report gave a clear picture of what must be done to prevent pollution from claiming more lives and further destroying the environment. Tackling one issue with targeted action can help reduce or eliminate the other crises. 

One of the suggested actions is the shift from fossil fuels – or petrol and diesel-powered vehicles – to renewable energy. This can help improve air quality and postpone climate change. Currently, indoor and outdoor air pollution is linked to over 6.6 million premature deaths every year around the world – and the numbers continue to rise. Air pollution is responsible for almost 75% of these deaths worldwide.

The report also stressed the need for worldwide action if countries are to meet their goal of minimising the impacts of air pollution on human health, the environment, and economic and social factors.

While the public’s concern about toxic air and its health impacts is increasing, the same cannot be said of the needed funding and attention on international air pollution levels. Local governments have produced campaigns and zero-emission goals, but not all countries are involved. There is still a lot of work to be done. 

Air pollution has adverse impacts on human health and general well-being. Studies – both old and current – have consistently shown how toxic air aggravates health issues such as cognitive intelligence, mental health-related problems, respiratory illnesses, and cardiovascular diseases. 

Global Alliance on Health and Pollution’s Richard Fuller said it is important for countries to help each other because pollution crosses international borders. Countries with significantly high toxic air levels need to address the issue by finding the source and stopping it. 

Why diesel emissions are dangerous

The UK is one of the highly advanced countries with cities and towns affected by high levels of toxic air emissions. The primary source for these pollutants is road transport, specifically diesel emissions. This is why the 2015 Dieselgate scandal and the carmakers involved in it continue to attract the attention of authorities and campaigners.

In September 2015, the Volkswagen Group received a Notice of Violation from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board. It detailed how the carmaker violated emissions regulations when they installed defeat devices used to cheat emissions in Audi and Volkswagen diesel vehicles that were sold in the American market. The VW Group had to recall hundreds of thousands of affected vehicles – and they continue to do so even now. 

Other carmakers followed in the footsteps of the VW Group. Mercedes-Benz, Vauxhall, and BMW are only three of the many manufacturers that authorities in the US, Europe, and the UK have identified as companies that sold diesel vehicles equipped with defeat devices.

A defeat device is highly illegal and dangerous because it can detect when a vehicle is brought into a lab for testing. Once testing commences, the device automatically reduces emissions levels to within the World Health Organization’s (WHO) mandated limits. As such, the vehicle appears eco-friendly during testing conditions. However, once it is out on real roads, the vehicle reverts to releasing exceedingly high volumes of nitrogen oxide or NOx, a group of gases that can destroy lives and damage the environment.

NOx contains nitric acid or NO and nitrogen dioxide or NO2. It is responsible for producing smog and acid rain. It reacts with other elements to form the pollutant ground-level ozone, which weakens and damages vegetation.

As mentioned earlier, pollution affects a person’s mental health and cognitive intelligence. Once exposed to NOx emissions, a person’s mental health issues are triggered, and this can lead to more frequent episodes of depression and anxiety.

Additionally, a weakened cognitive intelligence can increase a person’s risk of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.

Breathing in nitrogen oxide emissions can cause life-threatening health impacts, including breathing difficulties and lung problems, emphysema, asphyxiation, and laryngospasm (spasm of the vocal cords). As already mentioned, toxic emissions can lead to certain cancers, heart problems, respiratory illnesses, and premature death.

The Volkswagen Group, Mercedes, BMW, Vauxhall, and all the other carmakers that deceived customers with their use of defeat devices are responsible for exposing hundreds of thousands (or maybe even millions) of unknowing drivers to NOx emissions and their life-changing impacts. They should be brought to court through an emissions claim and affected car owners should be compensated for the inconvenience and dangers they were exposed to.

Should I start my diesel claim?

If you think your vehicle is equipped with a defeat device, you should work with emissions experts and start a diesel claim against your carmaker. First off, however, you need to visit the ClaimExperts.co.uk website to get all the information you need to verify your eligibility to make a claim. Only then will you be able to proceed to the actual claims process.

A Firearm Buying Guide for Women

With gun purchase activity on the rise, we’re seeing people of all races, religions, and political persuasions buy guns for the first time. In particular, we’re seeing the rise of handgun purchases. And one of the fastest-growing segments of this market is female gun ownership. 

A Rise in Female Gun Ownership

In 2005, just 13 percent of women in the United States owned a gun. Today, that number is somewhere north of 23 percent. That amounts to a 77 percent rise in female gun ownership over the last decade and a half. 

This rise in female gun ownership can be traced to several factors. For example, there’s been a 43.5 percent increase in female hunters over recent years. An estimated 5.4 million American women have also taken up regular target shooting. But when you really look at the heart of the matter, it’s clear that societal unrest, uncertainty, and self-defense are the top reasons for owning a gun.

5 Tips for Women Gun Buyers

While the numbers are increasing, women are still a gun-owning minority in the United States. And as the numbers rise, it’s imperative that we no longer assume all gun buyers are men. Just as men have unique needs for firearms, women do as well. Here are a few helpful tips for first-time women gun buyers to consider:

• Start With the Gun’s Intended Use

Begin with the gun’s intended use. This includes:

• Purpose. Firearms can be used for hunting, competitive shooting, casual target practice, or self-defense. What purpose are you buying a gun for?
• Storage. When it comes to self-defense, some guns are ideal for home defense and others are better for concealed carry. Home defense guns tend to be larger and more powerful, while concealed carry firearms have a smaller print and are designed to be easily hidden.

Once you figure out the gun’s intended use, you can progress through additional layers of the decision-making process until you find the perfect option.

• Take Size Into Consideration

The gun’s physical size is important. Because women tend to have smaller hands than men, larger guns can be uncomfortable to hold (and may result in decreased accuracy and performance). Compact handguns, on the other hand (like a .380), are perfect for comfortably storing and shooting.

• Set Your Budget

Whether you’re comfortable spending $200 or $2,000, there are options in every price range. By setting your budget early on, you can intentionally guide the shopping process and avoid wasting time looking at guns outside your budget.

• Account for Safety Features

Most first-time handgun buyers don’t give as much attention to safety features as they should. But if this is your very first handgun, it’s imperative that you take safety seriously.

Every handgun comes with a different type of safety feature. Some feature manual safety switches. Others have trigger or grip safeties that can only be disengaged when the hand/finger is placed in a “ready to fire” position. And while all mechanical devices have the potential to fail, having one of these features on a gun significantly decreases the chances of a deadly accident occurring.

• Be Careful Who You Listen To

Every gun owner has an opinion on which gun you should and shouldn’t buy. But do you want to know the truth? Most of the advice you get from friends and loved ones is going to be pretty poor advice. 

With some exceptions, the average person is simply recounting their own subjective experience with a particular gun. They might like the way the gun looks and use that as justification that you should purchase the same one. Or they might not like the way a gun feels, which leads them to believe it’s a terrible gun. But subjective metrics like this really don’t matter. At the end of the day, look and feel are in the eye of the holder. Block out the noise and consider the factors that actually matter. 

Adding it All Up

If you’ve never purchased a gun before, the process can be slightly intimidating. But once you understand the facts and know some of the basic terminology, you’ll be much better equipped to make a sound purchase decision.

Children’s health is an essential consideration for any family. For his reason, finding the best medical care for children can be a tough task. Having a trusted pediatrician to look after a child throughout their childhood makes life comfortable. However, various situations might force caregivers to look for new pediatricians. The most common situation is when the family moves into a new neighborhood or city. First-time parents are also faced with the task of identifying the ideal medical caregivers for their child. This is the main reason one of the most searched phrases by parents is “pediatrics near me.”

How To Find A Pediatrician

There are several ways to get a qualified pediatrician. These include;

• Asking for recommendations-Recommendations are useful for individuals moving to new cities or new first-time parents. Asking for recommendations from neighbors or older parents guarantees one a reputable pediatrician. One can get recommendations in many forms. These include social media platforms with people of the same interest. Through such platforms, one can get reviews of the best pediatricians available in their region.
• Visiting medical institutions-Medical institutions offer a wide range of services. Some medical institutions are equipped to provide pediatric services. Visiting such hospitals allow individuals to meet pediatricians that could take care of their children for a longer time. Reputable institutions usually hire the best pediatricians to maintain excellent services for their patients.
• Checking online platforms and print media-thanks to the internet, accessing medical services has been made easier. Individuals can ask for directions and recommendations for medical service providers at their comfort. Online publications and advertisements by medical service providers are a perfect place to find pediatricians. The advantage of checking online platforms and print media is that they provide reviews by other patients. Individuals can use the reviews to tell how good certain pediatricians are. By searching phrases like “pediatrics near me” you will get recommendations of available institutions.

Although the above-named methods can help one find a pediatrician, they do not guarantee quality services. Several factors can be used to tell whether a pediatrician is skilled or not. These factors include;

Transparency at Work

One can tell how good a pediatrician is by assessing their behavior at work. Good pediatricians practice with utmost honesty when handling patients. A good pediatrician will always explain to the parents why they recommend certain treatments. This helps the parents understand the risks that their child might be exposed to.

Pricing of Services

Although medical institutions target to make profits, good pediatricians should not solely focus on the money they receive from treatment. Unscrupulous pediatricians tend to overprice their services, making it hard for individuals to access medical care. In some cases, such pediatricians might recommend expensive treatment for minor complications. Letting them handle children is risky as they are focused on what they get more than the recovery of the patient.

Skills and equipment

Parents should watch the pediatricians while they work on their children. This helps them tell whether the pediatrician is qualified or not. Leaving children alone with unqualified pediatricians puts their lives at risk. A good pediatrician should have the necessary equipment to carry out tests and treatment procedures. Some pediatricians use outdated equipment that might harm the child during a test or treatment. Socialization skills are essential for pediatricians. A social pediatrician can make children comfortable during medical appointments. This is essential for the recovery of children.

Institution of Practice

Pediatricians are usually attached to medical institutions. However, some open private clinics after attaining experience as employees of medical institutions. One can tell how good a pediatrician is by checking medical institutions to which they are attached. Renowned medical institutions are associated with skilled pediatricians that maintain their reputation. If a pediatrician runs a private clinic, one should check their previous employment record.

Although one can easily find a pediatrician in the current world, it is important that one understand the importance of prevention. Children should be protected from elements that might cause infections. Additionally, caregivers should seek medical attention once their children develop certain symptoms. This prevents the spread of infections that could adversely affect the child’s health.

Treatment could be expensive. Therefore one should always be prepared by having a medical cover for their children. This prevents financial constraints when financing treatments and consultations in case of an infection.