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It’s 9.36pm on Sunday night, Monday is creeping up on you and you know that Saturday is officially not coming back. You’ve set your alarm clock, and you’re already tired for the week ahead. I think we can all agree that we’re in need of some top tips to help us love Mondays again.

1. Don’t just live for the weekends

Plan your week ahead so that you’ve got things to look forward to. Maybe take up a hobby or go meet some friends. Whatever it is you decide, make sure you carry on living your life throughout the week.

2. Get a good rest, but get up early

As tempting as it is to hit snooze, having a consistent sleep schedule all week will help you feel more rested come Monday morning. In a recent poll 30.5% told us that they do not feel well rested, whilst 47.2% said that they sometimes felt well rested. Only 22.3% told us that they typically do feel well rested. Try sticking to a regular sleep schedule, get up early and start as you mean to go on – it’ll work wonders I promise.

3. Don’t skip breakfast

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Make sure you give yourself that extra time in the morning to have a nutritional breakfast.

4. Get pumped with some of your favourite tunes

Create a brand new Monday playlist. Listening to your favourite song on the way to work or on the way to the gym can make all the difference to your mood.

5.Try to get in some exercise

If you’re anything like me, you’ll feel like you need to burn off all that junk you consumed over the weekend. Starting the week with a small work out routine is a great way to boost your endorphins and make you feel good about yourself. There’s a reason why you should never miss a Monday workout.

6. Dress to impress

Sometimes one of the best ‘pick-me-ups’ is to get up and get dressed up in something that makes you feel good about yourself. Feeling comfortable and confident can help you face the world, whatever day of the week it is.

7. Make someone’s day

Random acts of kindness go a long way. And it’s surprisingly easy to do, we just need to remember that we’re all human and we could all do more to make others happy. Take a look at these 9 simple ways to make someone’s day. You’d be surprised at how good it feels.

Whatever you do to get yourself through Monday, make it awesome and most of all, enjoy it.

How do you get through Monday? We’d love to hear your tips and tricks. Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Sources

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/daffnee-cohen/monday_b_5669462.html

https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/10-ways-to-make-your-monday-morning-better/

http://www.chatelaine.com/health/monday-morning-blues-13-ways-to-help-you-get-through-it/

Whether you're looking to make some money fast, or you're after something a little more long-term, there are certainly lots of ways you can make some extra cash. Have a read of our 7 fun and easy ways to make money online to give you some inspiration.

1. Selling on Amazon and Etsy
   A simple way to enter the world of online selling is to leverage the power of using third party websites. Sites like Amazon and Etsy are brilliant platforms to start with. Millions of people around the world visit these sites ready to spend money – so it’s a no brainer really. Etsy have produced a ‘Beginner’s Guide to Selling on Etsy’ for those you who are eager to get up and running as soon as possible. Amazon have done something similar on their site to show you how easy it really is.

2. Sell or recycle old technology
   See how much money you can get for your old mobile phones, CD players and tablets. Even broken devices can earn you a little extra, so don’t forget about that beloved smashed iPhone you’re still holding on to. Sites like Music Magpie and Mazumamobile.com are popular companies to use if you’re wanting to declutter and earn yourself some extra cash.

3. Take online surveys
   This is probably one of the easiest, and most fun ways of earning a little extra income. Viewsbank is an online community where you can share and exchange your opinions on the topics that matter to you. It is a social forum where you get paid to complete surveys, projects and mystery shopping assignments on a range of subjects and industries. For more information on how it works and to get involved, take a look at the FAQs here.

4. Test websites & apps
   Do you love website development and user testing? Maybe it’s time to turn pro and test websites and new app launches for fun (and money). There are lots of sites and companies needing your testing skills. Sites like Tester Work will pay you to take part in testing projects.

5. Online freelancing
   Perhaps you’re a wordsmith or you enjoy managing social media accounts? Maybe you'd like to put those graphic design skills to practice? Either way, there are so many freelance opportunities out there that’ll be well worth your time. A quick Google search will give you some of the most popular sites that allow you to showcase your expertise and meet like-minded people.

6. Competitions
   So, there are no guarantees that you’ll win every time, but there is a growing community of so-called ‘compers’ in the UK, who consistently make up to £50,000 a year through entering all sorts of competitions. Why not take a look at Compers News which is a successful UK competitions magazine and has been running since 1913! But if you prefer something on a smaller scale, then Viewsbank might be the place to win. We hold competitions on Facebook five days a week – so there are plenty of opportunities for you to win big.

7. Sell old clothes on eBay
   When it comes to getting rid of old clothes, eBay is everyone’s favourite. It’s a sure way to get rid of that old sleeveless jacket and turn it into cash. Just like Amazon and Etsy, you can find all the information you need to help you get started when it comes to selling on eBay.

Whatever method works for you, we'd love to find out.

Do you make money in your spare time? Do you have any tips to offer? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, we’d love to hear from you.

From January 13, both online and offline shops have been banned from charging anyone an extra payment for debit or credit card payments, as opposed to cash.

The new rule follows an EU directive and will prevent any card surcharging for paying by debit or credit cards, PayPal and ApplePay in the UK.

Companies are no longer allowed to charge shoppers up to 20% more for purchases just for paying with plastic.

A survey conducted for Consumer Intelligence by Viewsbank, revealed that shoppers are still being charged extra fees for using credit and debit cards since the introduction of new EU laws.

The research found that 14% of shoppers had been charged an additional fee for using a credit card to pay online or in stores.

The survey also revealed that shoppers are being hit with a range of alternative fees under different names, with 21% reported being charged a booking fee for using a credit card since the new rules came into effect.

Meanwhile, 13% had been asked to pay a transaction fee in the past month, and 13% had been asked to pay an administration charge.

Around 60% of those questioned said they had not been charged.

For the full press release click here, or take a look at Consumer Intelligence’s latest article here.

Have you been charged a credit card fee since the change in law? Tell us about it in the comments section. 

As we look toward warmer weather, many of us also gear up for the annual spring clean of our living spaces and our lives! It can be incredibly important for us to declutter, air out, and clean-up, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

When we begin to think about airing out and cleaning up, we can also think of the impact our methods and tools this cleaning will have on our long-term health as well as the environment we find ourselves in.

This week we’ve got National Longevity Day, National Yoga Day, and National Thinking Day so we’ve got some of our very best tips on hand to keep healthy and fit this year- and we want to hear from you too!

There are many aspects to our health that need to be considered in equal measure. Health is not solely about how often we go to the gym or how many green smoothies we drink. Our wellbeing is much more extensive and inclusive, which can be both wonderful and overwhelming.

Our mental and emotional health are often the later to be considered, as they can oftentimes be less apparent when paid less attention, but they are no less important.

Here are some seemingly simple ways to maintain a healthy balance.

1. Having a few minutes of focused presence each day. We can often get too caught up in what is coming next that we completely overlook what is happening right now. Focusing a few minutes on the here and now can help us to balance out stress levels and boost gratitude!

2. Making a list of our strengths. We are all fantastic at many things. Listing these attributes out and stating them aloud can really focus our energy into supporting ourselves in what we want.

3. Moving our bodies (in ways that make us happy!) We are individuals, and much like our personalities, our bodies are not all the same. While some of us may truly love sweating in our in the gym, others need a walk outdoors, swimming, yoga, or even rock-climbing. Finding what makes us happy while being active can be a real gamechanger.

4. Drinking more water. Did you know that by the time we’re thirsty, we are already dehydrated? Most of us do not drink nearly enough water and we don’t realise it until it’s too late. Our bodies are made up of over 50% water. Let’s help ourselves run more effectively and drink up!

5. Finding one area we can improve. Whether it’s eating less meat, going for a longer walk, or drinking less alcohol, focusing on just one area we would like to improve upon at a time can lessen the chances of feeling overwhelmed and increase our likelihood of success in the long-run!

Share your very best healthy lifestyle tips and tricks here!

Happy motivating!

Sam

Photo by Israel Egío on Unsplash

What does Valentine’s Day really mean? A critic might say that it is only a day for couples to spend more money to show superficial tokens of their love. While this may be true for some, Valentine’s Day can carry great opportunity, if we let it!

Greeting Card Holiday or more than that? While many of us think Valentine’s Day is a recently made-up holiday, it actually has its roots in ancient Roman tradition, stemming from stories of Saint Valentine, who wrote a letter to the woman he loved on the day he died, signed “your Valentine.” Eventually, the saint’s memory was mixed in with a Roman holiday, Lupercalia, when the church decided to turn this festival into a Christian holiday to be celebrated as well.

The day is typically known as a celebration for couples in love. However, over recent years, more and more people have recognised the fact that love comes in many different vessels.

All types of love deserve to be celebrated on this day! So, here are a few ways for everyone to celebrate this week.

1. Get some furry cuddles! We’re talking about going to a dog park, getting some tea in a cat cafe, or even “borrow” someone else’s pet for a few hours! Release some extra endorphins and share the love with a furry friend.

2. Volunteer: Share some love where it’s needed. Even if you’re feeling a bit lonely this Valentine’s Day, it is important for us to remember how fortunate we are and that there are always others who could use our help every now and again.

3. Celebrate “Galentine’s Day” on February 13th: A day for ladies to celebrate other ladies! We all know we could use one another’s love and support a little more often.

4. Draw it: Physically mapping out each meaningful relationship in our lives can help us to see how truly surrounded we are by love in its many forms- and show us that we have many reasons to celebrate!

5. Practice more self-love. True self love is unconditional care and acceptance for ourselves, no matter where we are in our lives. There are hundreds of ways we can all work on this every single day. What is one that you could start on this week?

Be sure to share your favourite Valentine’s Day ideas, memories, tips, or wishes today! We could all use a little more love in our lives, this week and every week.

Happy sharing the love,

Sam

It tends to feel a bit more grey, cold, and even a bit more dreary when we get into the beginning of February. After the winter holiday and new-years spike in excitement, we can often feel a dragging in our energy, our motivation, and even our patience coming into February.

While many of us did not know Veganuary existed until this month, this new “holiday” has definitely brought many discussions, disagreements, and conversations with it.

Each day that we wake up, we have the opportunity to take advantage of the day before us, or not. How we feel about ourselves, our lives, and what lies ahead can make all the difference in whether we move forward with positivity or negativity. So, let’s choose the former in this year more often than not and see how far it takes us!

How can we begin to do more in order to feel 'accomplished' this year?  
 

1. Defining what “accomplished” means to us, personally. Success and accomplishments mean completely different things to each and every one of us. When we sit down and allow ourselves to define these terms according to our own values and lives, we can more clearly understand how our own defintion may differ to those of our family, friends, and loved ones.

2. Ensuring that our goals truly serve us. Looking at our goals from an outside perspective and asking ourselves why we have chosen the goals we have can help us to understand whether our ambitions are truly for ourselves or if they are driven by outside forces. Digging a bit deeper can help to clarify where our intentions truly lie: are they to serve our growth or to serve the wishes of others?

3. Taking note of the “little” things. Whether it’s doing the dishes or clearing out your email inbox, these small tasks can help to declutter our minds and set us up for success. It’s important we remember to show ourselves gratitude, no matter how small the task may seem.

4. Taking a look back. Whether it be to last week or ten years ago, remembering how far we’ve come and how much we’ve changed, learned, and grown can help us to understand where we find ourselves now a little bit better.

5. Being kind to ourselves. When we feel we haven’t accomplished what we set out to or that we’ve fallen short, it can be easy to beat ourselves up. Instead of pushing ourselves down, we must remember that we can be our very best cheerleader, inspiration, and motivation. We know ourselves best and we should love ourselves the hardest. Being kind to ourselves in moments of negativity can help us get there.

Share your ideas of what success and achievement mean for you this year, and even how you will get there! We can’t wait to hear from you!

Happy sharing!

Sam

Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash

We can’t believe it’s already mid-January! With this new year still in its beginning stages, we think it’s the perfect opportunity to set ourselves up for success later on. One of the things most of us struggle with nowadays is how stressful our lives can be.

No matter how careful we may be, stress is an inherent part of life, for each of us. While low levels of stress can be helpful and expected, most modern lives are now filled with higher and higher rates of stress. This can not only be uncomfortable, but stress can have serious mental and physical consequences.

So, this year, let’s set our sights on tackling our stress levels, one day at a time.

1. Breaking the momentum. When we find ourselves particularly stressed-out, it can really help to completely change the environment or situation we find ourselves in. Taking a walk outside, watching a funny video, or even leaving to get a cup of tea can help to shift our minds into a different state, allowing us space to come up with even better solutions and reactions.

2. Identifying the main problems. It is not uncommon for us to have many points of stress throughout our days. If we can begin to focus on the primary causes of stress, we can begin to put techniques in place to change our response to these triggers.

3. Breathe. We know, it can sound cliche, but it really does work. Taking deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, deeper each time sends a message to our brains that we are safe and that it is time to calm down.

4. Trying some adaptogens (and other natural remedies.) These herbs support the body’s adrenal functions, while helping to lower our response to the stress hormone, cortisol. While these herbs are natural and can be beneficial on many levels, they are used medicinally and should ideally be taken in consultation with a doctor.

5. Finding some outside help. There are numerous ways to find counseling, therapy, and any other type of support we might need when our stress, anxiety, or problems seem a bit too big to face alone. Be sure to talk to a GP if you’re in need of some extra support.

6. Use the 4 As: Avoid, Alter, Adapt, and Accept. Learning how to say no to things we don’t need, making changes to the behaviour that does not help us, practicing gratitude, and accepting what we cannot change are only a few of the techniques to use in this framework that can make all the difference!

7. Tuning in to our bodies. Taking a few minutes each day to be still and focus on how our bodies are feeling can help us to make note of any habits that might need changing to make us feel better. This can remind us to get some more sleep, eat a few more veggies, move our bodies more, and to let our bodies relax more. Listening to our bodies can help us to change how we feel and how we live our lives.

There are many ways to reduce our stress levels and it is important to remember that what works for one body many not work for another. So, having patience with ourselves and finding what works for our individual lives is key! Trying to create more stress-free moments in our lives is a great way of showing ourselves love in this new year.

Be sure to share your tips, tricks, and any stress-free goals for 2018 in the comments below! We can’t wait to hear your voices and share more with you, each day.

Happy sharing,

Sam

Photo by Andrew Loke on Unsplash