It’s good to be busy, but when does it become too much? We all try to fill our hours with as many things as possible and between work, family, and our social lives, we’re all at risk of doing too much. It may not seem obvious at first, but there are some subtle signs that you should look out for to help you realize when it’s time to slow down at work. Looking after your health is important and if you start to experience any of the following, it may be time for you to take a break from work and focus on your wellbeing.
You’re irrationally angry towards others
We all get irritated or angry from occasionally but if you usually have a calm and happy demeanor and start getting angry at others for no reason, you may find that you’re sleep deprived. Your crankiness may not even manifest in direct anger towards others; it could even be getting irritable at someone’s actions or talking about their faults incessantly to others. There are many health benefits of sleep, and if you find yourself regularly missing out on your recommended 8 hours, it’s time to make some changes to your lifestyle.
You’re distracted
Everyone gets distracted from time to time, but starting to forget things on a regular basis can start to be a concern. Being distracted while driving because your mind was somewhere else can be dangerous to you and others and is a sign that you have too much on your mind. Smaller distractions like forgetting things on your groceries list can be remedied through better planning and making lists, but if you do start to get concerned about your memory, you should speak to your doctor to rule out anything more serious. Sometimes a busy day at work is all it takes to help your mind to wander, so perhaps it’s time you booked a day off or took a vacation to help you de-stress and get back on track.
You’re feeling run down
When you’re overtired or stressed your immune system could take a hit, leaving you susceptible to many illnesses and viruses. If you feel like you’ve been suffering from a cold for weeks or you’re feeling a lack of energy, it may be time to slow things down. You should book an appointment with your doctor for an overall health check, in case your low immunity is caused by something else. You can also use practical tips to increase your energy levels easily. Remember that a lack of energy and persistent bouts of illness could be a sign of serious illness and you should keep an eye out for family and friends who might be suffering these sorts of symptoms.
Slowing down and getting help
If you’re starting to notice changes in your behavior or that you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, then it’s time to ask for help. It may be just a simple case of offloading your concerns to a family member or friend or speaking to work about taking a break or sharing some of your responsibilities. Find some relaxing hobbies that you can enjoy after work that will help take your mind off things – cycling is an excellent way to increase your fitness and can help you to de-stress too.
If you suspect that your condition is medically related, you should book an appointment to see a medical professional as soon as possible. Some possible illnesses can show few obvious symptoms, especially some work-related illnesses. If the worst does happen and you find yourself battling a serious illness caused by work, make sure you get the right help. By making sure that you call the right lawyer if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other condition, you could ease the pressure on your finances while you take a break.
If you feel that work is the main cause of your issues and that you need to take a break, it may be time to reassess your career. Some lines of work are more stressful than others and if you’ve reached a point where it’s getting too much – there’s nothing wrong with giving something else a try.
Nothing is more important than your health, and if work is impacting yours for any reason, it’s time to make a change. Be honest with yourself and find ways of maintaining that all-important work/life balance and keeping yourself fit and healthy.
FTC Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
Just when I was looking for a good movie to watch, Bubbling With Elegance and Grace gets the opportunity to review the movie Altar Egos.
The movie will be released on DVD on Tuesday, September 5th; but had a chance to view the film before its release.
Desperate to see their church grow, Pastor John (Robert Amaya, MOM’S NIGHT OUT, COURAGEOUS) and wife Betsy (Erin Bethea, FIREPROOF) do the unthinkable and change their church Christmas pageant. The idea causes a great discontent in the church members, leading the pastor to take desperate measures to win back the people. The movie also stars Victoria Jackson (SNL) and Sallie Watchisn.
Altar Egos – image courtesy of LEV3L Digital
Pastor John inherited the church after his father who had been the pastor passed away. The congregation watches his every move and constantly compares him to his father. They are resistant to change and anything that Pastor John wants to do. They want to keep the heritage and tradition; but Pastor John wants to take the church in a new direction.
Here’s the movie trailer below:
Sharing some teaser photos of some memorable moments.
Pastor John played by Robert Amaya – image courtesy of LEV3L Digital
Line Dancing – image courtesy of LEV3L Digital
Definitely not giving away these scenes because they are too special.
Family – image courtesy of LEV3L Digital
ALTAR EGOS is wonderful movie that the entire family will enjoy. The movie touches on the power of forgiveness and how love can prevail even when it doesn’t seem possible. It truly shows the heart of Jesus when you can love the unlovable and reconcile with those who have hurt you.
Scripture references “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NIV). “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT).
I don’t want to give away too much of the storyline because my hubby and I want you to see this movie for yourself. In partnership with LEV3L Digital, you have a chance to win your own copy of the movie on DVD.
Giveaway: (1) Winner will receive 1 physical DVD of the movie Altar Egos
To Enter: Please leave a comment on this post about why you want to want to watch this movie.
One winner will be selected at random.
Deadline for Entry: Sunday, September 3rd at Midnight (CST)
Winner will be announced: Monday, September 4th, at 12p.m. (CST)
Much success to you! And stay tuned!
FTC Disclaimer:
LEV3L Digital provided Bubbling With Elegance and Grace with the opportunity to view this movie prior to its release. In exchange for writing this review and hosting the giveaway, we will receive our own DVD copy of the movie. All opinions of the movie are our own. We received no monetary compensation.
As soon as our parents start to reach a certain age, it’s all too easy to worry about their ailing health and fragility. So, there is no wonder that most people do all that they can to care for their elderly parents. However, if you do not live close to your parents, you might find that you start worrying about not being there for them. The distance could make it very difficult for you to help and support your parents, and you might struggle to get to them if there is ever an emergency. However, there are some things you can do to care for your parents from afar. Here are some tips.
Mommy Bernice.
Discuss The Situation With Your Siblings If some of your siblings still live close to your parents, you should have a meeting with them to discuss the situation. One of your siblings might agree to take charge of your parents’ care schedule. As long as you know that your siblings have a good handle on things, you will be able to have more peace of mind while you are living away.
Arrange For In-Home Care If your parents are still well enough to look after themselves in their own home, you might still want to arrange for some at home care agencies to call in to see them from time to time. That way, you know that there is always someone going into their home on a regular basis to ensure that they are OK. This also means that you parents will have a regular companion who they can chat with, which is especially important if one of your parents lives on their own.
Collect Important Contact Information Even though you don’t live close to your parents, you should still make the effort to collect all of the usual important contact details for people who can help them. This should include phone numbers for their regular doctor, caregiver, and insurance company. It’s also a good idea to have the number for a neighbor or nearby friend who can quickly check in on your parents if you ever have reason to be worried.
Keep In Touch Just because you can’t visit your parents regularly, there is no reason not to keep in contact! Calling them every other day gives them something to look forward to, and it will also calm your mind as you will be able to hear that they are well. It’s also worth using Skype and Facetime to keep in touch so that you can see as well as hear them!
Have An Emergency Plan You always need to have an emergency plan in case anything goes wrong. This should include the quickest way for you to travel to your parents. You might also want to start saving for an emergency fund so that you can cover expensive airfare or train travel.
As you can see, caring for your elderly parents from afar doesn’t have to be too difficult. Keep these tips handy so that you always know your best options!
FTC Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
If you are like me, sometimes you don’t want to carry a large wallet or heavy handbag everywhere you go. I enjoy my large handbags; but there is a time and a place for them. Sometimes you just want a compact wallet that will carry just the essentials, your ID, some cash and the necessary credit cards. Thanks to a collaboration with KINZD, I am sharing a review of a women’s leather wallet and men’s cork money clip. These accessories are ideal for anyone on the go who does not want to be keeping a hold of that large handbag.
The Kinzd wallet stays closed with a button snap. The card space is more than some large wallets have inside.
This Kinzd wallet is RFID protected, it can go into your larger handbag for extra security if you do not have an RFID wallet. ● RFID Blocking Wallet: Keeps your vital information Secure. BE SAFE and Effective, Protect Identity Data from Electronic Pick pocketing; Blocking RFID scanners and readers from Scanning your Information. ● Compact Design& Full Capacity: Roomy enough for fitting plenty of cards, change and some bills, Coins, keep them well organized. With Good Metal Zippers, it works fine, better than others plastic zipper. ● With Wrist Strap, great to take with you or slip into a small purse.
This wallet is perfect for going to the movies, shopping, grabbing a bit to eat and not wanting to carry a lot with you. Also, reiterating the bonus of added RFID protection.
● New Updated Material : Eco-friendly Red Wine Cork Fabric Leather Wallet, looks Classical and Fashionable for gentlemen and ladies. Measures: 4.3″ x 2.8″ x 0.1″ (11cm x 7.1cm x 0.3cm).
● 6 Card Slots: 1 clear ID Display Window for credit and debit card , 3 separate slots to hold credit and debit cards, 1 Change pocket,1 Strong Magnetic Money Clip.
● Powerful Magnetism: With 4pcs Strong Magnets, can Hold Plenty of cashes and cards; better than normal ones which is Only 2pcs Magnets.
● RFID Blocking Wallet: Keeps your vital information in cards from being stolen. Does Block 13.56 MHz Frequency (Credit or debit cards, driver license and ID cards). Does NOT Block 125 KHz frequency.
● Minimalist & Slim, Perfect fit in Front Pocket, Good Choose to replace bulky wallet. The wallet ID card slot of new wallet will be slightly tight first time, after used it for few weeks, you will feel more easy to put and take the used cards from slot.
The money clip can be placed inside a suit jacket or in the front pocket of your trousers. The magnet is strong, your money is not going anywhere. My hubby thought it was stylish and compact and could even go in a larger wallet if it needed too. After carrying the wallet for a few weeks it softened and did not feel tight. He will be using the wallet when he does not want the bulk that a traditional wallet can give a suit pocket or pants pocket.
We both give the wallets a thumbs up. If you need a compact wallet that can fit in your handbag, and then pulled out and used on its own, I suggest trying the KINZD wallet. The wallet is well-built and will work for you. And, if a gentlemen needs a compact minimalistic wallet that is discreet and provides security this is just right for them.
FTC Disclaimer:
Kinzd provided Bubbling With Elegance And Grace with these two wallets in exchange for this review. All opinions are our own. We did not receive any monetary compensation for writing this review.
*Praying for the people in Texas effected by Hurricane Harvey.*
Summer may be almost up, but what’s stopping you from going away in September? It may be traditionally out-of-season, but almost all tourist destinations are open for business. The weather is usually still hot and there are less screaming kids about because they’ve all gone back to school. On top of these reasons to go away in September is the fact that it may be cheaper. That said, even at a lower rate, a few weeks isn’t long to save up holiday funds. And once it gets to October you are taking a risk with the weather. But don’t worry, you can still get creative and score yourself that last minute vacation break you deserve. Here are a few tips to fund your trip.
Who wants a road trip to Colorado?
Have a long weekend away A full week may be pushing the boat out a little bit. A long weekend away (say, Friday to Monday?) ould still give you that time away that you need whilst costing very little. You won’t have to book as much time off work either, which could be handy for those that have already booked a lot of holiday this year.
Take advantage of last minute deals – but be wary Booking a couple days before can get you amazing deals. This is largely because few people are able to simply pac up and go without giving their work a few weeks’ notice and taking care of other responsibilities. The trick is to book off some time a few weeks ahead and let your destination be a surprise until a few days beforehand.
Look specifically for all inclusive last minute deals. Some packages may seem as if they include a lot on the surface but upon closer inspection you may realise certain things are missing such as transfers or baggage costs. A holiday company may then try to sell these to you on top, which could bring the price up – making it less of a deal. Don’t let holiday brokers talk you into buying these extras without adding up the total cost and then comparing that to other holiday deals.
Try a staycation You don’t have to jet off abroad for a vacation. You may not even need to jump state. You may be able to drive away to a destination nearby for a couple days. This will cut out the expense of flights and transfers/hire car costs. Of course, you may be hedging your bets with the weather, so consider this risk.
Visit non-traditional holiday locations There are places around the world that you wouldn’t automatically think of for a vacation, but could in fact be the perfect sunny getaway – and very cheap. When looking afar to Asia, forget Bali and big Thai hotspots and think places like Cambodia and Vietnam instead. Swap out the usual Caribbean destination for Latin American countries such as Guatemala, Honduras and Ecuador. Forgo the European classics such as France, Spain and Italy for more off the beaten track Eastern European countries like Romania, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. All of these countries still have traditional tourist hotspots if you’re not looking for wild travelling, so you can still relax.
Break up flights Quite often, having a stop-gap can save you money on flights. Most people avoid breaking up the flight due to the added stress on the journey. However, when you consider the fact that it could save you hundreds, it can be worth it. Be wary of stop gaps that are too short, sometimes longer is better in case the first flight is delayed. You may even be able to stay overnight and fit in a new destination en route.
Go camping For those that aren’t averse to staying in a tent, camping is the easiest way to save money on accommodation. In a hot country, it doesn’t have to be the rainy ordeal you may commonly associate it with. There are also glamping sites in which the tent is already set up for you. These tents may even have proper beds, heating and electrical sockets for charging up your gear, whilst still costing very little compared to a hotel.
Consider a loan There’s no shame in taking out a loan in order to pay for a holiday. If you see a great holiday deal but aren’t able to pay for it straight away, why not look into payday loans that could allow you to pay there and then. This could prevent the risk of such a deal disappearing a couple weeks down the line. Most emergency loans will have interest, but you could still make up the costs by being able to secure a cheap deal early rather than paying extra later.
Sell your clutter On the topic of making money in order to pay for a last minute holiday, why not sell a few items you no longer need. This is an easy and immediate way of gaining some extra funds that could allow you to jet off somewhere hot. Buy and sell Facebook pages and sites like Gumtree are a great way to sell locally online without having to pay added postage charges. There may also be flea markets and auctions in your area that you can sell your stuff at.
Make money from odd jobs online If your current job isn’t paying enough to make up the necessary funds in a few weeks, why not try doing a few odd jobs on the side to pay for that last minute vacation. The likes of Fiverr allow you to get paid for offering skills to people online. This could be providing a digital skill such as photoshopping an image for someone or building a website. Alternatively, you may be able to make money writing blog pieces. Other odd jobs that don’t require any specific skillset include filling in surveys and donating hair, but don’t expect to earn too much from these.
FTC Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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