Many people have lost their jobs. Others are trying to figure out how to help their children navigate remote learning. Many have lost a loved one due to this illness. Needless to say, it can be hard to find much fulfillment in life right now. 

Instead, you’re likely feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and perhaps as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to feel like a kid again? 

Thankfully, there are things you can do to unleash a bit of your inner child, let go of some of that stress, and find peace for a moment. Let’s look at a few techniques you can use. 

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1. Dance, Dance, Dance

You’ve probably heard the saying ‘dance like no one’s watching’, right? Well, why not give it a try? 

Most people know that exercise helps to boost endorphins and can give you more energy. Throw yourself a 5-minute dance party in the middle of the day to let go of stress and find some motivation. 

Or, take some time to play! Research the best trampolines and go for an afternoon jump, or dive in the pool at the end of a long day. Whatever you can do to move your body without any agenda other than having fun will help to lower your stress levels. 

2. Appreciate Something Simple

Have you ever noticed that children tend to get excited about the smallest, most insignificant things? 

What would happen if adults adopted that mentality more often? 

Try to appreciate something small and simple at least once a day. Maybe your co-worker brought pastries into the office. Maybe it’s just a sunny day, or maybe it’s raining and you have the opportunity to curl up on your couch with a good book. 

In the craziness of the world, it’s very easy to ignore the small-yet-wonderful things that happen every day. Choose to get excited and show gratitude for those things as often as you can. 

3. Learn to Laugh

While it’s not always easy to find humor in today’s world, laughter is important. Studies have shown that laughing can actually help to reduce stress levels. The saying “laughter is the best medicine” has some truth to it!

Not only can laughter reduce stress, but your body also has a positive physical reaction to it, as well. It relaxes your body, can boost your immune system, and even protect your heart from cardiovascular issues. 

Try to find a reason every day to laugh, and really allow yourself the freedom to do so. The world hasn’t completely lost its humor, and neither should you! While you may not find the same things as funny as a child would, there are certainly things to laugh about on a daily basis, and your mind and body will thank you for it! 

Letting yourself “be a kid again” is one of the best ways to make it through these stressful times. So, be willing to let go, let loose, and laugh more!

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Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay 

If you’re looking for ways to live a fulfilling life but don’t know where to begin then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’re looking to change the way in which you live or you’re conscious that you’re not doing enough to give back, changing your life can be incredibly difficult. Luckily, there are lots of ways in which you can ensure you’re living a happy life. From changing your career to travelling the world, you may be surprised at the changes you can make. With that in mind, here are 5 ways to live a fulfilling life: 

Spend Time With People That Make You Happy

One of the best ways to live a fulfilling life is to ensure you’re spending time with the people that make you happy. Whether this means spending time with your family or regularly seeing your friends, people with the people that make you feel special is a great feeling. If you live far away from them, you may find it beneficial to find virtual ways to be together.  

Do The Things That You Love 

On a similar note, you should also take the time to do the things that you love. Whether this means taking the time to invest in a craft you like or it means learning a musical instrument, your life will change dramatically if you dedicate time to the things that you love. 

Give Back To The Community

Giving back to the community is also a great way to live a fulfilling life. From doing your part to look after the environment to working with charity organisations, there are lots of ways for you to give back. For a guide to giving back to the community, you can visit this site here. 

Find A Job That Allows You To Help Others

Another great way to give back is to find a job that allows you to help others. Whether that’s a job caring for others or a job in education, you may find your perfect role simply by looking at jobs that allow you to give back. For more information about jobs as a carer, you can visit this site here: https://careasone.com/. 

Explore And Travel The World

Finally, exploring and travelling the world is a great way to live a fulfilling life. Although it may not be possible just yet as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as soon as travel is safe again, it’s definitely something you should consider. Whether you travel once or twice a year or you take some time out to visit as many places as you can, you may be surprised at the difference it could make to your life. For tips and tricks when it comes to travelling for an extended period of time, you can visit this site here. 

With lots of ways to live a fulfilling life, you can be sure you’re living your dream every single day. What else could you do? Did we miss anything off of the list? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. 

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Incorporating your travels in your homes décor can be a great way to show off your personality, create a unique space, and remember the good times. Here’s a look at some of the best, and easiest, ways to incorporate your travels into your décor. 

Create a Gallery Wall

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Most people take photos of their food, their friends, and everything that they do throughout the day. Most of their photos aren’t worth showing off. But yours might be. The images that you’ve taken during your travels deserve to be shown off, and they’ll make a great addition to your home. 

Create a gallery wall to show lots of your pictures, hanging them, framing your favourites and even getting large prints to make an impression. 

Hang Art from Around the World

Photos aren’t the only things that you can hang to remind yourself of your trips. Buy artwork from around the world, either to show off culture and style, or representations of places that you have been. 

Find Furniture to Match Your Theme

Plain boring furniture like everyone else has might not fit your travel theme. Instead, use Bedroom Furniture Discounts to find pieces that complement your décor. Vintage pieces can look great, light items work well with beachy themes, and more colourful furniture can be a great way to have some fun. 

Use Light Colours

Chances are, many of the items that you bring home from around the world are colourful and bold. Different cultures like to show off with bold prints, clashing colours and plenty of vibrant designs. 

At home, this can seem too much. Keep your walls light, and let your photos and accessories do the talking. 

Buy Accessories Everywhere You go

Get into the habit of buying something for your home, whether it’s artwork, shelves off the beach, soft furnishings or homeware. You don’t have to display them all, all of the time, but it means that your house will always be filled with memories. 

Include Maps

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Maps scream travel. They look great. They’ll help you to plan trips for the future and remind you of where you have been—frame classic vintage maps, as well as more modern pieces for contrast. 

Creative Accessories

Get creative and start making your own accessories with things that you have collected from around the world. 

How You choose to add your travels to your home is up to you. You might want a travel themed room, or smaller touches to create a theme throughout the house. It’s often a good idea to start small and add more every time you get back from a new adventure. 

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Are you torn between the purchase of a swim spa or getting a swimming pool installed? Swimming is a popular form of exercise, and in this post, we are going to provide you with details on the best way to get your swimming fix whenever you need it, including details on the prices of swim spas and swimming pools, and much more. 

First and foremost, the most obvious benefit associated with swim spas over swimming pools is the fact that they are much more compact in their design. This is ideal for those who do not have the luxury of a huge amount of space. You get all of the benefits that are associated with a swimming pool, yet you do so without taking up your entire backyard. 

You can go swimming in a swim spa, but you can also enjoy other exercises as well. Aqua pilates, for example, is very common. You can learn about the benefits of pilates from Openfit for more information on this.

Aside from this, swimming spas are a lot cheaper than swimming pools. A standard one-fibre piece fibreglass pool is going to set you back around $25,000. However, you will be able to find a swim spa for at least half the price of this, if not cheaper. This is not to say you should go for the cheapest swim spa or swimming pool on the market, but it can give you a great indication of the difference. In fact, the price of a swim spa and how much you should really pay for something like this will be explored later in the post.

In addition to this, a lot of people prefer swim spas because of the added features they come with. You can find split-units, which feature a hot tub at one end of the swim spa. This is ideal for relaxation and recovery after your workout. Swimming pools do not offer the hot tub and relaxation features that you get with a swim spa, which are not only beneficial in terms of unwinding, but also recovery from injuries and boosting blood circulation.

How To Find The Best Swim Spa For You

There are many reasons why you may want to invest in a swim spa, not only do they provide an exceptional workout, but their jetting systems can relieve pain and boost circulation too. Read on to discover the various steps to take to find the best swim spa for you.

The first thing you need to do is find the spot in your home or garden where the swim spa is going to be placed, and measure it. You need to determine how much size you are going to have available and shop within this. It is also advisable to set yourself a budget from the offset. Swim spas can differ in price dramatically, and thus by giving yourself a price limit you will be able to shop more efficiently. 

You then need to decide on the best type of swim spa for you. You have three options to choose from – a jet swim spa, a propeller-driven swim spa, and a paddlewheel swim spa. The former is ideal if you are a casual swimmer while a propeller-driven swim spa is ideal for all swimming strokes and thus the preferred choice of serious swimmers. You should also select a brand with a good reputation in the industry, such as Master Spas or the Michael Phelps range. Finally, assess the running costs and the efficiency of the swim spa to ensure it is something you are going to be able to afford to run.

Reputation First, Price Second

Swim spas vary in price dramatically, with some going for as much as $50,000! Thus, when you find cheap swim spas online, it can be very tempting to dive straight in and make the purchase. However, you need to be mindful that things can often be too good to be true, which is why checking out the reputation of the manufacturer and retailer first is always advised. 

The Internet is the best place to start; you should be able to locate all of the information you need. You should assess the company’s website, and you should ask your friends or family members if they are able to recommend anywhere. It is also recommended that you read the feedback that has been left by previous clients. You should also assess the company’s delivery policy to make sure the swim spa can be delivered to you and installed, if necessary, at a reasonable rate. 

Aside from this, ensuring the swim spa is covered by a good warranty is simply a must. A one-year warranty is simply not enough for an investment like this. A good warranty, for example, would be something like three years on labor and parts, five years on acrylic surface, and a ten years structural warranty. 

Furthermore, some swim spa owners also choose to invest in home warranty plans for additional peace of mind. In short, a home warranty plan can help to cover the cost of any repairs to pool or spa equipment in your home.

Consequently, researching a few different home warranty plan providers in your area is strongly recommended. For example, if you live in Utah and if you are thinking about investing in a home warranty Utah based warranty providers like First American can provide further advice about which type of warranty might be best for you.

In addition to this, you are advised to take a look at the amount of experience the company has. People often feel a lot safer using the services of a business that has been in operation for a while as opposed to one that is just starting out.

Swim Spas Price Considerations

A swim spa is like a mini swimming pool and a hot tub in one. It provides you with an incredible workout and ultimate relaxation all in one. If you take a look online, you will see that they vary in price from around $15,000 to $50,000. You are not advised to consider any spas that are priced lower than this, as it is likely that they are only going to cost you more money in the long run. Not only is it probably that your swim spa won’t last as long and thus you will have to spend money on replacements and repairs, but it is also likely that your swim spa will be more expensive to run. 

Some of the pricier swim spas are more costly to begin with because they are efficient, and, therefore, they are going to save you a considerable amount of money in the long run. This is something you always need to keep in mind when shopping. You also need to assess the quality of the spa, which should involve doing your research and reading customer feedback, as well as the features of the swim spa. This will give you a good indication as to whether you are getting a fair price.

The Swim Spa Range Of The Most Decorated Olympian

Swimming is one of the most popular forms of exercise, which is why swim spas are so popular. They provide an excellent workout and their compact design means they can easily be installed in any home. One range of swim spas you should most definitely consider is the Michael Phelps swim spas selection. Read on to find out more.

Michael Phelps is an American competition swimmer, although you probably don’t need us to tell you that! He is the most decorated Olympian of all time. He holds 22 medals, all of which he achieved during three Olympic games. He also holds the record for the most gold medals, coming in at 18. If that wasn’t enough, second place only has nine medals. He also holds world records in the 400-meter individual medley, the 200-meter butterfly, and the 100-meter butterfly. Thus, if someone knows about swimming, it is Phelps! This is why it is incredibly exciting that he has developed his own range of swim spas with the assistance of his coach. This gives you the opportunity to train like the athlete himself.

 The swim spas are designed with the ultimate swimming experience in mind, which is why they are all propeller-driven swim spas. This creates a deep and strong current and it ensures that turbulence is virtually non-existent. If it is good enough for Michael, it is certainly good enough for us!

To conclude, a swim spa can be a good way for you to ensure you get the exercise you require while at home. There are many benefits associated with them, but you do need to choose with care to make certain that the swim spa you select is right for you. Consider everything that has been discussed above and it should help you on your quest to make an investment that makes sense for your property and your needs. Remember, a swim spa can double up as a hot tub too, so consider this while you are shopping.

So, when all you want to do is curl up and ignore the world outside, what are you supposed to do about making the right, healthy decisions for you? It’s much more comfortable to stay where you are, compared to making a change that’s good but hard, and it’s why this post is here to help. 

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Know They’re Going to Be Hard

Sure, it probably won’t feel good in the moment or for hours after. So all in all, brace yourself. The right decisions take effort, commitment, and discipline. And you might need to work on all of these. 

Find Someone Who Can Help You Fight

Another thing you can do, when everything is going wrong, is to reach out and ask for the help you need, and that takes some bravery. For example, putting yourself out there to connect with a top criminal defense attorney could be the hardest thing you’ve ever done, but it needs to be done! And of course, a lawyer is the kind of professional who knows what they’re doing you’re looking for, but they can’t help you if you don’t reach out, and they won’t be able to make a difference without your say so! 

It’s important to know your strengths and weaknesses right now, and what you’re capable of doing yourself. It’s a hard life, but it’s not a lonely one, and sometimes you need other people in your life to help make the right decisions when you’re feeling compromised. 

Staying True to Yourself

And speaking of knowing yourself, you’re going to need to stay true to yourself when everything else seems to be going wrong. Don’t let yourself fall into uncharacteristic holes, full of behaviours and actions you’d never dream of doing in a million years. Don’t let yourself swelter away without putting up a fight, especially if you’re someone who’s taken on the world before and has come out the other side stronger. 

Making the right decisions, when everything else in your life is going wrong, is a concept you’ll have to face sooner or later. So gather up the courage, reach out when you need to, and always stay true to the kind of person that you are.

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One of the main reasons that road tripping has become so popular - be it in a car, RV or caravan - is because of the flexibility that the trip type offers, putting you in control of your own journey. Of course, the next big reason that road trips have become so popular is the fact that there are no luggage limitations when you’re driving yourself, allowing you to pack whatever you want and need. 

Of course, just because you’re in a position to fill your vehicle up with whatever you want, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t limit yourself in terms of what you take. After all, you don’t want to overpack and take items that you don’t need, do you? 

Photo source: Pixabay

To help you to determine some of the road trip essentials below is a guide to the ins and outs of packing mindfully for your next trip! 

Get your personal packing right 

The first thing that you need to focus on is your own packing and how to get that right - the last thing that you want to do is forget one of your essential items. It’s often best to create a list of everything that you want to take away with you, and then tick items off your list as you go. When you’re packing your essentials, take the time to think about all of the little extras that you might want to pack to make your time away more enjoyable. 

For instance, if you’re packing a swimsuit, then you might also want to pack belly button jewelry from Urban Body Jewelry, for instance. Or, if you’re packing a pretty evening outfit, you might want to pack some jewelry to go with your outfit. Make sure that you don’t forget anything by ticking everything off your list as you pack. 

Think about essentials for everyone 

When it comes to packing items that everyone can use and enjoy, think carefully about what is needed most. You don’t want to over pack, but you also don’t want to under pack and end up being without everything that you need, do you? That’s why it’s a good idea to take the time to think carefully about what would make your trip more enjoyable. 

Often, it’s the little things like packing lots of cosy blankets and making sure that plenty of board games have been packed is all it takes. To make sure that you don’t forget anything, consider making a tick list where you tick items off as you pack them. 

The fact is that packing for a road trip is never an easy task as there’s always so much to think about. However, the key to success is making sure that you are organised in regards to how you prepare for your next trip. 

But, the unfortunate downside to that idea is COVID-19. If you planned to travel the world, strict quarantine measures would make such an experience untenable. However, that doesn’t mean you can go out and explore different places!

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Many people travel the world, but they seldom take the time to experience different parts of their home countries. As someone that lives in the United States, you’ll have noticed that there’s quite a lot of land to explore in the country.

There is plenty to see and do, and many opportunities to make new friends and experiences in the USA. That's despite what’s going on in the world with COVID-19. If you’ve recently retired and are itching to do some traveling, this handy guide is for you!

This blog post isn’t about where you should visit in the country. It’s more to do with helping you prepare and plan for your travels. The result is you'll have a joyous, unforgettable, and delightful time as you traverse the country. Here's what you need to know:

1. Buy an RV that best suits your needs

Even if money is no object, having your own accommodation on wheels makes more sense than other options open to you. For example, hotels can be expensive, and you may not get a room due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Putting up and taking down tents can be cumbersome, especially when the weather isn’t in your favor. And you may not wish to stay with friends and family across the country, as it might make you feel you can’t go exploring on your own terms.

That's why it makes sense to buy a recreational vehicle or "RV" for short. An RV will have all the creature comforts you require on your travels, such as a comfortable bed, cooking facilities, and a bathroom that you don't have to share with strangers on a campsite!

2. Have your RV checked for roadworthiness

It doesn’t matter whether the RV you buy is new or secondhand. In either case, it makes perfect sense to have a thorough roadworthiness check done on it. Doing so means you won’t have to worry about it breaking down, especially in a rural area.

Even with new RVs, there can sometimes be manufacturing defects that aren’t always detected by motorhome dealers. Be sure to have your RV checked by a trusted mechanic that provides you with a comprehensive inspection report.

3. Pack emergency items for your trip

Let’s face it: no-one can predict any problems you may encounter as you drive across the country. That’s why it pays to pack some items in your RV that you can use for emergencies. For example, a first-aid kit and spare water bottles and food are a good start.

You might also wish to consider carrying a fire extinguisher, a booster pack for flat batteries, and a solar charging system for electronics like mobile phones. Of course, it also makes sense to pack plenty of clothes for use in hot and cold weather conditions.

4. Get your health insurance in order

If you or your spouse/life partner become injured during your travels, you might need a trip to the hospital or a doctor. Keeping that in mind, it's a good idea to have an appropriate health insurance cover in place for you both.

You can learn about health insurance from TrueCoverage to find out what types of insurance cover are appropriate for your travels. Getting your health insurance in order before you travel will give you peace of mind knowing that you aren’t liable for huge healthcare costs.

5. Let loved ones know where you are

It makes sense to keep those closest to you informed of where you are in the country if you run into any problems. That doesn't necessarily mean you have to call your kids every day, of course!

There are many ways you can let those closest to you know of your movements. For instance, you could “check-in” to places using Facebook or an app like Swarm. You might even wish to document your tour on a blog (either a public or private one).

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6. Don’t rush

The aim of touring the United States in an RV is to immerse yourself in new experiences, settings, and even make new friends along the way. You can’t do that properly if you don’t spend some quality time at each new destination.

When you rush your visits to new locations, it can add much-unwanted stress and anxiety during your road trip. There's no reason why you can't spend several days at each point of interest in your itinerary.

7. Stock up on long-life foods and drinks

There will undoubtedly be times where you and your traveling companion will treat yourselves to meals at places where you visit. For the most part, however, you’ll be cooking your own meals in your RV.

As you can appreciate, foods and drinks with short shelf lives will spoil quicker than long-life ones. It’s for that reason you should consider stocking up on long-life items, such as canned goods.

You can always buy fresh produce at places you visit and cook them along with your long-life foods. But, if you end up in a remote location with no nearby grocery stores, for example, you’ll still have food you can consume in your RV.

8. Create a rough itinerary

The notion of pointing to a random place on a road map might seem great at the time. But, it can make your journeys stressful, especially if those "random" locations are unsuitable for visiting or inaccessible in an RV.

That’s why you’d be better off creating a rough itinerary of your trip before you both hit the road in your home on wheels. You might be wondering why a “rough” itinerary is better than a more precise one?

Well, the answer is simple: you won’t feel like you have to adhere to strict dates or times. That’s because you might wish to visit some places longer than others. But, you won’t know that until you arrive at those destinations.

Creating a rough itinerary before you both travel the United States also gives you an idea of the best times of year to visit. For example, some places might be inaccessible due to snow, or closed if you visit out of the tourist season.

Take a look at the RoadTrippers website to help you plan a rough itinerary.

9. Invest in paper maps

These days, most explorers use electronic devices like their smartphones to help them navigate to new locations. There’s no denying they are time-saving tools to use on any road trip. But, you should never depend on them for a few reasons.

Firstly, satellite navigation can sometimes lead you to places that are either inaccessible or don’t exist anymore. Secondly, GPS might not work properly in certain locations, and so you could find yourself stranded in an unfamiliar area.

If you keep some paper maps in your RV, you can refer to them in case technology lets you down. The great thing about old-fashioned paper maps is you can use them whenever you want, and you don’t need GPS or power to use them!

10. Become a AAA member

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a new or secondhand RV on the road. What’s important is knowing that you can get assistance if something happens to it while you’re traveling across the U.S.

The AAA isn’t just useful if your RV breaks down or you get a flat tire. Did you know that AAA members also get discounts on all kinds of things such as hotels and restaurants? It’s worth joining them if you aren’t already a member.

AAA membership can also provide you with discounts for various tourist attractions, so you could save even more money on your travels.

11. Invest in a decent camera

When you’re both traveling across the country and visiting all kinds of wonderful locations, you’ll want to take some photos of your travels. Sure, you could use your smartphone camera - but you have to remember they are mobile phones, not “proper” cameras.

If you want to capture the best moments of your road trip across America, it would be wise to invest in a decent camera. One that’s great at taking close-up shots as well as photos of far-away objects.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a digital SLR camera, for example. These days, there are plenty of mid-range to premium digital “point and shoot” style cameras on offer.

Final thoughts

Going on a road trip across America is an exciting thing to do for anyone. Now that you’re retired, you have the luxury of taking more time than most visiting the nation’s attractions and hidden gems.

Traveling the country in an RV makes perfect sense. But, it’s worth keeping in mind the above tips before you start your journey.

Good luck - and don’t forget to have fun!

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