Taking proper safety precautions should be at the top of your list when planning a vacation. This is something that many travelers neglect. These same travelers end up falling victim to pickpockets or worse.

You can’t trust that you’ll be safe on vacation if you don’t take the time to learn how to keep yourself safe on vacation. However, you’re on the right track since you’re here reading this travel safety article. 

This travel safety tip guide will help you in knowing how to protect your belongings, how to avoid getting mugged, and more. Continue reading to learn about our top tips for vacation safety so you can confidently enjoy your travels. 

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

If you’re looking for how to keep yourself safe on vacation, our top travel safety tip is to stay aware of your surroundings. Most theft occurs when the victim is distracted or not paying attention.

For example, pickpockets are quick and skilled. If you’re not paying attention, you will have fallen victim long before you even realize it. 

Another common method among thieves is to jump you at the ATM. If you are using an ATM, take a moment to assess your surroundings.

Make sure no one is standing too close to you and check for any signs that the ATM has been tampered with. If you notice any of the above issues, move on to a different ATM or try again later. This is a good method to use if you’re looking at how to avoid getting mugged.

Keep Your Belongings Close

Know how to protect your belongings when you travel by keeping them close. It’s easy for thieves to cut a purse strap or pickpocket in busy areas or on public transportation.

This is why we recommend keeping your purses and bags facing front. If you have a backpack, wear it on your chest instead of your back. Or put it on your lap instead of underneath your seat. 

If you have a good visual of your belongings or they’re in your line of sight, you are less likely to become a target for theft. Even in less busy areas, it’s good to keep things where you can see them. 

Leave Your Valuables Somewhere Safe

Avoid carrying your valuables with you. Most hotels and hostels offer some form of safe to use or rent. It gives you extra peace of mind in case something does go wrong. 

If you only carry lower value items with you or necessary items, there’s only so much you can lose in the unfortunate event that you do get pickpocketed. 

Keep Your Cash Hidden

Keeping your cash hidden is another important travel safety tip because it keeps you from becoming an obvious target. Many travelers make the mistake of carrying large amounts of cash with them. 

They also make the mistake of pulling out large wads of cash or an overstuffed wallet when buying something. Anyone watching can see you have cash and someone could easily snatch it out of your hands. 

To avoid this, carry only small amounts of cash on you. If you absolutely need to carry cash, keep most of it hidden. Some travelers recommend using a cash belt or a fanny pack hidden under their clothes.

You can transfer money out of your belt or travel pouch as needed when you’re in private (like in the restroom or in your hotel room). That way no one knows how much cash you have or where you keep it. 

Avoid Carrying Expensive Accessories

If you want to know how to keep yourself safe on vacation, consider leaving your expensive accessories at home. While you can leave items in the hotel or hostel safe, you should ask yourself if you really need to bring certain items at all.

For example, many people use expensive wireless headphones or earbuds to listen to music or talk on the phone. However, these can make you a target, especially if you’re traveling in certain regions.

In these cases, we recommend using cheap headphones. Better yet, avoid using them altogether so you’re staying alert. It might not be as much fun as listening to your favorite music, but it’ll keep you from losing your hard-earned gear. 

You can also check out this blog on the AquaVault FlexSafe portable travel safe. It’s a great option for storing your valuables while you travel. 

Keep Copies of Your Documents

Using these travel safety tips will help you stay safe during your travels. Even so, there are certain precautions you should take such as keeping copies of all of your documents. 

If you’re traveling to a foreign country, keep a copy of your passport, any tickets, insurance, and travel itinerary. You should keep paper copies of these documents somewhere secure (though separate from the originals). You should also leave copies (digital or physical) with someone you trust.

This is a reliable method in case your passport or wallet gets stolen. It gives authorities some way to confirm your identity. 

Invest in Travel Insurance

With the COVID-19 pandemic, many travel destinations are requiring travel insurance. However, even if they don’t require it, it’s not something you should go without. 

Travel insurance is more than just helping with medical expenses in case you’re injured or become ill (both of which are huge bonuses, too). It also can help you access accommodation if you miss your flight or if you fall victim to theft. We suggest never traveling without it for vacation safety.

Put This Travel Safety Tip Guide to Use

Staying safe while on vacation is all about staying alert and making smart choices, which you can do by following this travel safety tip guide. Don’t carry expensive belongings if you don’t need them. Also, be aware of who is around you and what they can see.

Avoid showing off how much cash you have with you. Keeping your belongings where you can easily see and protect them will help with this. By following these vacation safety tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation with the peace of mind that you’re prepared. 

For more thrifty tips and tricks to use on your next vacation, head to our Travel and Vacation section.

Air conditioning accounts for about 17% of a typical US home’s yearly electricity bill. So, if you pay $1,500 a year for electricity, $255 of that is for your air conditioner electricity bill alone.

That’s already a lot, but if you have an inefficient AC, you could end up paying even more. Especially this 2021, considering the projected hikes in residential electricity rates. The US EIA forecasts prices to go up to 13.50 cents per kilowatt-hour this 2021 from last year’s 13.20 cents.

That doesn’t mean you should just accept your high bills, though. However, you first need to know the link between a high electric bill and air conditioner issues. This way, you can take steps that will let you keep using your AC for less.

This guide will discuss how your AC may be costing you more than necessary and what you can do about it, so be sure to read on.

1. Clogged AC Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter protects your cooling equipment from airborne contaminants. It captures solid particles like dust, dirt, debris, pet dander, and shed skin. Without the filter, your AC’s interior components will develop layers of residue.

Residue, in turn, can have insulating properties. As a result, your air conditioner will have a hard time doing its job of cooling indoor air. It has to work harder, and this “overtime” can spike your electricity bills.

A dirt-clogged AC filter also has impaired airflow, so too little air can get into the system. Since there’s less air for it to cool, it’ll take longer for the equipment to lower the indoor temperature. The longer this goes on, the more energy it uses, and thus, the higher your electricity bills.

Changing your filter once every one to three months can help keep your entire AC clean and efficient.

2. Grimy AC Grilles and Vents

Air goes in and out of your air conditioner via the equipment’s grilles and vents. Like the filter, these parts can also get clogged with residue over time. They may also get blocked by furniture or even plants.

Your grilles and vents are among the easiest AC components to clean, as most are visible. You can simply vacuum these once or twice a month to remove dust and dirt build-up. Be sure no furniture or indoor plants obstruct their airflow, either.

3. Dirty Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is a cold loop of metal inside your air conditioner’s indoor unit. It remains cold because cold liquid refrigerant runs through it. It also needs to stay cold because it’s this part of your AC where warm air turns into cool, comforting air.

If the evaporator coil is all grimy, it can’t cool the air properly. Again, that’s because of residue, which serves as a barrier between the warm air and the cold metal.

Replacing the filter as needed prevents excessive residue build-up on the evaporator coil. However, it’s still best to have your AC professionally cleaned and tuned up at least once a year. This way, the licensed AC tech can give your entire air conditioner a deep cleaning job.

4. Dusty Condenser Coil

Aside from the evaporator coil, your AC also has a condenser coil. This one is hot, though, unlike the evaporator coil.

It’s in the condenser coil where refrigerant gas turns into liquid. From there, the liquid refrigerant moves to the evaporator coil.

Because the condenser coil is hot, it needs a fan to help prevent it from overheating. That’s what the condenser fan does: blow air against the coil. The hot air then moves out of the AC and into the outdoor air.

Dust build-up can keep the heat trapped within the condenser coil. If the coil gets too hot, so can the liquid refrigerant. If the chemical gets hotter than necessary, it can take a longer time to become cold enough.

That can then result in a prolonged AC cooling cycle. The longer the cycle is, the more energy the equipment uses. You’ll then find this excessive energy use reflected on your higher electricity bill.

Pre-seasonal AC maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent condenser problems. The HVAC tech will clean this part of your AC alongside the evaporator coil.

5. Old Age

If your air conditioner is about 10 years old, it’s likely an energy vampire. Replacing it with a modern, energy-efficient unit can save you 20% to 40% on your AC electricity bill.

However, you can save even more if you invest in an Energy-Star rated air conditioner model. These are the most energy-efficient, government-approved air conditioners in the market.

Not all HVAC contractors carry Energy-Star AC units, though, and neither do they have the training to do so. So, as advised by this article on Walrathhvac.com, be sure to ask if a contractor works with Energy Star ACs. This way, they can help you choose the best energy-efficient model for your cooling needs.

6. Leaky Ducts

Another link between a broken air conditioner and a high electric bill is the duct system. Damaged ducts can contribute to inconsistent hot and cold spots all over your home. Worse, leaks in air ducts can waste up to 40% of heating and cooling energy.

Your yearly AC maintenance will reveal duct problems that require repairs ASAP. Be sure to get these fixed right away, as you don’t want your comfort, health, and wallet to suffer.

Time To Reduce Your Sky-High Air Conditioner Electricity Bill

As you can see, there are at least half a dozen ways your air conditioner electricity bill can go through the roof. However, so long as you maintain your air conditioner, a lower electric bill is attainable. If your AC is too old, though, it may be time to get an Energy-Star replacement.

Looking for more ways to save and thrift up while keeping your home comfy and healthy? Check out our other informative posts for more hacks like this then!

Are you asking yourself, “What is self care?”

Many people are suffering from mental health issues nowadays. In fact, nearly one in five adults in the United States report suffering from a mental health problem. And self care is an important part of finding a way to work through these problems.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go through what self-care is and why it’s super important for your life.

What Is Self Care?

Self care is actually a wide-encompassing concept. Essentially, self care is anything you do to keep yourself happy and healthy. This can range from the obvious to things that are specific to you and your needs. Self care helps you prevent illness and maintain your health.

Self care can benefit your mental health, physical health, or emotional health  — it’s not limited to just what keeps you physically healthy. 

Of course, access to self care isn’t equally available to us all. Socioeconomic factors can play a significant role in how able people are able to follow a self care routine. People with disabilities may find it harder and more complicated to practice self care, since they have different needs that may need to be met in different ways.

Women also tend to have less time to practice self care than men. And of course, people of color face different and more significant barriers when trying to practice self care.

So, when considering your self care options, it’s important to consider your life positionality and what space in your life you have. Take a break, and don’t overdo it. 

Examples of Self Care

Since self care is hard to define, you may be confused about what constitutes self care. Some examples of practices that could be part of a self care routine include:

• Exercising regularly, stretching properly, and eating a healthy diet
• Drink plenty of water
• Brush your teeth, shower, and perform other hygiene practices
• Make regular appointments at your doctor, dentist, eye doctor, and whatever other medical professionals you need
• Watch a movie or a television show
• Meditation and breathing exercises
• Take a long, relaxing bubble bath
• Take an afternoon nap
• Write in a journal or diary
• Try out artistic practices, like drawing, painting, or knitting
• Read a book
• Go for a walk or otherwise spend some time outdoors
• Play an instrument, or listen to music
• Spend time with your friends, loved ones, or pets
• Reorganize your home or office

If these don’t sound right to you, they may just not be to your taste. You’ll have to experiment to find a self care routine that works for you. You can use this self care guide to learn more about self care.

Self Care Health Benefits

The health benefits of a good self care routine cannot be underestimated. A self care routine helps you manage your stress anxiety, so you’ll perform better at your job and do better in your personal life.

Overall, self care makes you a more productive person. Self care improves your relationships, too — when you feel better, you interact with other people in a more positive way.

And, reducing your stress levels will help your immune system, so you’ll be less sick less often. Since self care helps you reset, it can improve cognitive functions like memory, information processing, and critical thinking.

If you suffer from a chronic illness, practicing self care can help you feel better on an everyday basis. Self care can help you fight off insomnia, which helps you sleep better. Practicing self care can help you feel less tired, which will decrease how fatigued you feel on a day-to-day basis.

If you struggle with poor self-esteem and body image, practicing self care can help improve how you feel. 

Self Care Tips

If you’re having trouble starting a self care routine, there are actions you can take. Use one of the many calendar apps out there (or a physical calendar or daily planner) to block off time each day to practice self care, and set reminders so that you don’t forget.

You should also start small when starting a self care routine. If you just throw yourself in the deep end, you’re more likely to fail quickly. Pick something you think you can stick with, and once you’ve made that a habit, start building yourself up.

And, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. That will just give you more stress and anxiety. If at first you don’t succeed at following a self care routine, take a deep breath and try again.

Be thoughtful and careful when creating a self care plan. Think about what will fit into your lifestyle, and what you need most out of your new self care routine. That will help you prioritize, so you can start improving how you feel more quickly. 

If something in your self care routine just isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to drop it. Doing something that doesn’t benefit your mental and physical health just because you said you would is never worth it. 

Get Started With Self Care Today

It’s not as demanding as you think to add self care to your schedule. So now what you know the answers to “What is self care?”, what are you waiting for? Start creating your self care plan so you can begin your wellness journey. 

Are you hunting for more health and wellness advice? We’ve got you covered. Check out some of the other articles on this website today.

Ever wondered about the symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

If your hormones are perfectly balanced, the better you’ll function mentally, emotionally, and physically. Hormones help keep your body running much more smoothly. Without proper balance, you may feel certain signs in your body. 

In this guide, you’ll learn more about what is hormonal imbalance and signs you need to watch out for.

1. Trouble Losing Weight or Weight Gain 

Hormonal imbalance in women can induce weight gain, including an underactive thyroid. Throughout menopause, women get fat because of metabolism decline. Hormone disorders, such as Cushing syndrome, can make you overweight. 

2. Low Sex Drive and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Low estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone correlate with lowered libido in men and women. It is ubiquitous after age 50, when estrogen and testosterone production weakens.

Estrogen is one of the main hormones controlling a woman’s menstrual period. A reduction in the production of hormones can result in: 

• Hot flashes
• Unpredictable
• Sore intercourse
• Irregular periods that are too short or too long 
• Infertility
• Heavy or painful periods
• Mood swings

Consider testosterone as part of your hormonal imbalance treatment. It can improve your libido as well as boost your mood and energy levels.

3. Skin and Hair Changes

An unexpected increase in acne is one simple means to see if you have a hormonal imbalance. If your body produces too many androgens, sebum can increase your pores and let a pimple out. 

The condition of your hair is also related to your hormones. Thyroid irregularities may make brittle nails, thinning hair, dry hair, or skin. Parathyroid, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism disorder can also cause hair loss.

4. Constant Fatigue

Everybody is weary at times. Though with a healthy diet, adequate rest, and hydration, you will recover fast.

If you look out for yourself and still feel weak, have a hormonal imbalance test. Hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue are common causes of fatigue.

Fatigue is a well-known symptom that may have many possible sources. Low progesterone makes it difficult to sleep, and too much progesterone makes you feel tired. A more simple hormonal imbalance that induces fatigue is hypothyroidism. 

This ailment is easy to distinguish with a blood test. If your levels are low, you can take medicine to make your levels back up to the norm. 

5. Insomnia and Poor-Quality Sleep

Insomnia is a hypothalamic axis dysfunction, your basic stress reaction system. This is where your endocrine system and nervous system mix. It’s capable of controlling the circadian rhythm by releasing hormones.

Melatonin also acts on the brain area that contains our circadian rhythm. A failure to sweat melatonin may result in trouble falling asleep. Also, if your cortisol levels are too high, you may have difficulty falling asleep at night.

Want to know more about hormone imbalance? Read more information here. 

Watch Out for Hormonal Imbalance Signs

Hormonal imbalance can affect your sleep, hair, skin, weight, and so on. Simple steps to support your hormones are to eat anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fats. Get enough sleep and use supplements to fill in any nutritional deficiency. 

If you want to know more about hormonal imbalance symptoms, check out our other guides. 

Risk is a prevalent concern across all sorts of industries.

There’s always a threat that some sort of unexpected incident could lead to loss. However, there are certain industries that have to face high levels of risk. The healthcare industry is, without a doubt, one of them.

Not all risks can be avoided completely, however, any serious healthcare business can practice risk management to mitigate the damage these unexpected outcomes might provoke.

Why practice risk management when running a healthcare business? Read on and we’ll walk you through the major benefits. 

Understanding Risk Management

What is the process of risk management and how might it be applied to your healthcare practice? When a business undergoes risk management, it takes time to analyze the practices it has in place and how they might serve to protect the enterprise against potential loss.

During this analysis, new procedures and practices might be considered to help further mitigate the risks involved in day-to-day business practices.

What might some of the risks be when it comes to the health care industry? It depends on the type of work that your business does, of course. However, faulty and malfunctioning equipment, medical malpractice concerns, and sanitation and health hazards would be some of the most common.

Managing these risks would be necessary in order to keep costs down and ensure that there is not too much risk of loss at your business. You don’t want anyone to compromise their health or for your practice to lose money.

Benefits of Risk Management

There are few industries where risk management will hold as much importance as it does in the health care industry. It goes without saying that when working in a field that literally deals with life and death, the stakes can be quite high.

However, let’s hone in on the business side of things.

If you’re concerned about the health of your business, failure to prepare for risks will leave you vulnerable. Malpractice premiums have gone through the roof over the past few decades, meaning failure to anticipate this risk could cripple you financially.

Many hospitals and large healthcare facilities now hire risk managers whose sole job is to plan for the worst. There is a wide swath of practices and procedures you could put into practice to avoid loss.

You could employ a fitness for duty test for your team, for one, and ensure you’re providing workers ready to give quality care. You can implement a rigorous maintenance schedule for your equipment and take extra steps to improve sanitation practices at your property.

The steps you’ll take for your business will depend on the kind of work that you do, however, any and all businesses should practice proper risk management.

Risk in the Medical Industry

It’s safe to safe that dealing with risk in the medical industry is a big concern. If you weren’t convinced already, the above information can help to demonstrate the many reasons why you might want to consider a strong risk management strategy.

Need more business advice and information? Keep scrolling our blog for more.