Tag: Tips

Self Care

Legendary Lazy Day Essentials

Posted on by Andrea Leblanc

What are your plans for the weekend? Are you looking forward to a lazy day of reading, napping, and eating comfort food? Or are you planning on being productive with chores around the house or running errands? Whatever your plans are this weekend, there is one thing that will be important in either scenario. You need to have everything ready for when you want it. This includes having your favorite snacks on hand, comfortable clothes to lounge around in all day long, and any other items that may come in handy during a lazy day. In this blog post I’m going to share my list of what I would consider must-haves for any lazy day!

Books: One of the best things about a lazy day is that it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on your reading. Whether you’re into fiction, nonfiction, or even magazines and newspapers, make sure you have some good reads ready to go.

Naps: A lazy day isn’t complete without a few good naps! Make sure you have a comfortable spot picked out where you can relax and get some much-needed rest.

Comfort Food: What’s a lazy day without comfort food? Make sure you have your favorite snacks and meals on hand so you can indulge in whatever strikes your fancy.

Entertainment: There’s no need to be bored on a lazy day! Make sure you have plenty of things to keep yourself occupied, whether it’s watching your favorite movies and TV shows, listening to music, or playing games.

Chores: Even if you’re trying to relax on a lazy day, there may be some chores that need to get done. Make sure you have everything you need to take care of them quickly and easily.

Clothes: Some people prefer to wear their ‘lazy day’ clothes all day long, while others like to have a few options on hand so they can change into something more comfortable as the afternoon wears on. Make sure you have plenty of clothing options at your disposal this weekend!

Ready for Anything: The best thing about a lazy day is that you don’t have to do anything! But if something does come up, make sure you’re ready for whatever may happen. Keep your phone charged and with you at all times in case of an emergency or unexpected event.

What are some of the things that will be on your list this weekend? Make sure you have everything you need to make the most of your lazy days!

Self Care

Guide to R&R: Relaxing and Self Care

Posted on by Andrea Leblanc

Is the idea of self care too overwhelming?

It’s not easy to do it all, and take care of everyone you love. But there is a way to get back on track: relaxation. Taking time for yourself will help you focus better and lead to more success in your career or business. You deserve it! In this guide, we’ll walk through steps that will show you how to relax and take care of yourself so that you can feel refreshed and ready for anything life throws at you!

First idea is to read a good book!

There are countless books on the market that can help you relax and de-stress. Whether you’re a fiction or nonfiction fan, there’s sure to be a book out there that will fit your needs. If you don’t feel like reading, consider listening to an audiobook instead!

Second idea: take a bath!

Everyone loves a nice, warm bath after a long day. A soothing bath can help you relax and unwind by taking your cares away for just a little while. Consider adding some scented candles to the mix as well!

The next step is to drink something hot!

Whether it’s tea or coffee – having something hot in your hands helps to calm you down and relax.

Even if it’s a quick drink, hot beverages are always soothing!

Last but not least: get some sleep!

While this step may seem obvious, getting enough sleep is crucial for both mental and physical health. Make sure that you’re going to bed early enough so that you can get a full night’s sleep.

Reading

An Inviting Place to Read: A Reading Nook for Us Bookworms

Posted on by Andrea Leblanc

When you have a favorite book or novel that has been sitting on your nightstand for weeks, do you find yourself not as enthralled by it as before? Does it seem like the book is talking to you from across the room and suddenly reading becomes less enjoyable? It can be difficult to concentrate when there are distractions around us. So, what should we do about this problem? We need somewhere where we feel safe and relaxed so we can enjoy our books! This article will guide readers through how they can create their own secluded reading nook at home.

Gather all your comfortable pillows and blankets and find a space in your home where you can comfortably relax. It is best if this spot has some natural light and isn’t too close to busy areas like the kitchen or living room. Once you have chosen your reading nook, make it cozy by adding pillows, blankets, and even a small lamp for atmosphere. If possible, try to place it in a part of the house that has good airflow, like near an open window or door. The perfect reading spot should be both inviting and comfortable!

Don’t forget to bring in some snacks and drinks to keep you going while you’re lost in your book. Some of our favorite snacks to munch on while reading are trail mix, nuts, and fruit. And for drinks, we love herbal teas and hot chocolate!

Other elements such as music and scented candle s can also help set the mood for your reading nook. If you have a CD player, put on some calm music to listen to while you read. And if you’re looking for something extra special, try lighting a scented candle with a relaxing scent like lavender or vanilla.

Now that you have your secluded reading nook set up, all you need to do is grab your favorite book. If there are distractions around you when trying to read (like noise, people, or technology), try putting on some soft music for additional noise cancellation. Then sit back and enjoy your book!

Reading

6 Reasons to Stay Home and Read a Good Book

Posted on by Andrea Leblanc

If you are looking for a way to take your mind off the stresses of life, stay home and read a good book. There are many benefits that come with reading. You can experience different worlds, understand other people’s lives, and gain new perspectives on what you see in everyday life. Reading is also great for stress relief because it allows the reader to escape into an imaginary world where anything is possible! Here are six reasons why staying home and reading a good book will benefit you:

1) It helps decrease anxiety

Staying home and reading a good book is a great way to get rid of your day’s stress. When you lose yourself in the magical world created by an author, it helps decrease anxiety levels because all that matters then is what happens next between the pages of your book!

2) It improves mood

Reading has also been proven to improve your mood. No matter what is bothering you or stressing you out, reading helps take the focus off of everything else and allow yourself to be transported into another world where all that matters are the characters in your book!

3) It stimulates creativity

Staying home and reading a good book stimulates creativity because it allows you to experience different characters, worlds, settings, etc. When you allow yourself to be transported into other places that are not the ones that surround you everyday, your mind is stimulated creatively!

4) It increases knowledge

Staying home and reading a good book increases knowledge because it allows you to gain new perspectives on what you see in everyday life. Whether the problem is a character’s family background, a character’s struggles, or simply how another world works from their perspective when compared with your view of things- when we read about these different views, our own knowledge is increased.

Reading also increases knowledge because it allows us to experience things that we might not get the opportunity to experience in real life, such as flying or becoming a villain!

Staying home and reading a good book can be your escape from everyday stress while helping you gain new perspectives on what you see in everyday life.

5) It has emotional significance

Staying home and reading a good book has emotional significance because it allows you to become attached to the characters in your stories. When we read, we see these other worlds through someone else’s eyes- even if they are not real! These imaginary people that exist only on paper can leave an impact on us emotionally as well as mentally, which is why staying home and reading a good book is so beneficial.

Staying home and reading a good book can help you become attached to the characters in your stories while also helping you escape into another world where anything is possible!

Reading has emotional significance because it allows us to experience different worlds, understand other people’s lives, and gain new perspectives on what we see in everyday life.

6) And finally, it’s fun!

Staying home and reading a good book is just plain fun! It’s the perfect way to relax after a long day, take your mind off of everything else that might have happened during the day, or simply escape into another world where anything is possible. So go ahead- stay in tonight and read a good book instead of venturing out into the big, scary world! You deserve it.

Reading

12 Ways to Finish Your Reading List as a Dog-Sitter

Posted on by Andrea Leblanc

As a dog-sitter, you have more time on your hands than most. You are responsible for taking care of someone’s pet while they are away on vacation or at work. If you want to take full advantage of your free time, here are 12 ways how!

1) Start with the classics

Jane Austen is always a good place to start when it comes to finishing up your reading list.

2) Read something new

If you’re feeling adventurous, try starting with one of these modern novels that were just published this year

3) Pick out some short stories

There is nothing more relaxing than curling up in bed and reading a few short stories before dozing off

4) Make lists

Make sure that you add a few books to your reading list every week. If you find yourself with some extra time, take advantage of it by adding another book or two!

5) Start a book club

This is a great way to read books faster. If you create your own group, make sure that each member reads the same number of pages every week or month. You will be surprised how much you can accomplish when you do something as a group!

6) Get a kindle

If you don’t already have one, invest in getting your own Kindle. It will save you so much time and money on buying books! You can also carry it around with you wherever you go to take advantage of any downtime that may appear during the week.

7) Try audiobooks

If toting around your kindle everywhere is not for you, but are still looking to save time on reading, try getting yourself an audio book. There are many websites where you can rent them and download the files right onto your phone or mp player. You will be surprised how much more quickly these books come into play!

8) Break up your reading

If you are really struggling to find time to read, try breaking it up into smaller chunks. Instead of trying to sit down and finish War and Peace in one day, try splitting the book into 100 page segments so that every time you do have 15 minutes free, open your kindle or eReader! You will be surprised at how quickly you will finish the book!

9) Take your time

Do not rush to finish a book just because you want to. Reading is supposed to be relaxing, so make sure that every minute counts when you are reading! If it takes an extra few days or even weeks for any one of these books, who cares? You will feel much better about yourself once the last page has been turned and you can start on your next book!

10) Read your favorite author

This one is pretty self explanatory. Do not be scared to reread old favorites!

11) Pick up a non-fiction book

The more you read, the better reader you will become and these skills can easily transition into any other type of reading material like magazines or newspapers.

12) Don’t stop once summer comes

Pick up a few books before summer starts so that you can take advantage of free time where you would otherwise be at work or doing the same old things.

Reading

How I Relax and Read With My Dog

Posted on by Andrea Leblanc

“I’m going to relax and read with my dog!” I told myself as I grabbed the book off of the shelf. As I walked into the living room, my furry friend was waiting for me on his favorite chair. He wagged his tail when he saw me enter the room, eager to spend some time together. “Hey there buddy,” I said as he jumped up onto my lap. My day had been long so it felt good to have a break from everything else that was happening in life that moment – this is how you should relax and read with your dog!

Reading involves snacks , of course

When I’m reading, I make sure I have snacks by my side and some for my dog too! If you want to relax and read with your dog, snacks are a must. I have often found myself thinking about how nice it would be if my pup could eat the same thing as me while we’re relaxing together! Lucky for us both – they can! Most of my favorite books include some type of snack, so why not share them? After all, your pup deserves a treat just as much as you do.

My dog loves it when I read to him!

Reading is a great way for us to bond and relax together. If you have never tried reading out loud or if your dog has shown no interest in books before – don’t worry about it ! Every animal is different so what your dog might not like could be the next pup’s favorite. Give it a try and see what happens! If you’re nervous about reading out loud because you don’t know how to pronounce certain words, try using an e-reader or audiobook so that two of you can enjoy the story together .

Snuggling up with my furry friend

My dog is always by my side when I’m reading. There’s nothing better than cuddling up with a pup while you’re enjoying your favorite book, am I right? As long as the weather is nice , of course! Sitting outside on a warm day and relaxing together can be just what we both need after a stressful day. Fall is my favorite time of year – the leaves changing, the weather cooling down and all of the new books that are being released.

Reading together in a comfy spot

Relaxing with your dog can be done anywhere! We’ve enjoyed reading for hours on end wherever we choose to sit in order to relax . Snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and snacks is one of our favorite spots to read together. If your pup likes being outside, sharing a quiet spot in the yard or even reading under the stars can be an amazing experience that you both will enjoy .

Whenever I get overwhelmed from everything going on , it’s nice to take some time for myself and read. It’s a great way to relax and your pup will love being by your side the entire time!

Reading

Ways to Read Books More Easily

Posted on by Andrea Leblanc

People are always asking me different ways to read books more. One of the ways they ask is through a library. I have nothing against libraries. In fact, I think they are wonderful. A library allows people to take their books out of the stacks and onto the shelves. But, with so many people wanting to take their books on portable devices, a library has gotten impractical.

So, what is a better alternative? Well, I think one option should be considered. That option is doing something different during your free time. By doing so, you can prepare yourself for reading a particular book on a specific day. This not only keeps you more current with new titles, but also helps you to have an actual library that you visit.

Another of the ways to read books more is to get an audio book. These books can be listened to while driving, doing chores, or just plain relaxing. Some titles that you can find that will make this easier include Easy Reader, Good Reading Audio, or Scribe.

Another option you have is setting up a routine. What I mean by this is that you do something during your free time that you will do consistently. Something that will remind you to read a particular book. This could be setting up the coffee maker before you get out of bed, drinking some coffee before you go to work, or even reading for a couple hours straight before you go to sleep.

The first step in preparing for reading is being familiar with the type of material you want to read. Then, you can decide on the format you would like to use. If you are reading an audio book, you will need to make sure it is recorded in the audio book format. You can go to the library and get some free audio books to help you get started or you can borrow some from your friends.

Lastly, if you are looking for ways to read books more easily, you should consider setting up your library in the library. A lot of people are unfamiliar with the actual layout of libraries so setting up a bookshelf can seem daunting. But it is actually quite easy once you get the hang of it. Once you have a bookshelf set up, you should think about organizing other things in the library so you don’t have to walk all over the place searching for the right book. You will be able to find the book you are looking for in literally no time.