A Guide to Going to the Gym During Covid-19

A Guide to Going to the Gym During Covid-19 (Photo by William Choquette from Pexels)

We get it, exercising at home can be tough. It’s hard to find motivation at home and when you do, you often have to modify your practice because of space or noise restrictions. Thankfully, after months of gyms being closed, many are finally starting to re-open with limited capacity. While measures are likely in place at your gym to keep people safe, you should also think carefully about what you can do personally to eliminate as much risk as possible. Grab a pair of men’s or women’s supportive sneakers and follow the checklist below to ensure maximum safety for you and those around you at the gym.

Consider Your Risk Level:

According to the CDC, those most at risk of developing severe symptoms of Covid-19 are people who are 65 years old and older and anyone with health conditions. If you fall into either of these groups, it is recommended that you avoid going to gyms while Covid-19 is still at large. While gyms should take precautions like cleaning equipment frequently and taking everyone’s temperature upon arrival, there is still a chance that you could contract the virus.

Avoid Big Group Classes:

Instead of jumping back into crowded classes at the gym, opt for solo practices or classes of small groups with less movement. For example, you should avoid a jam-packed hot yoga class in favor of a small, eight person or less Yin yoga class. Swap an organized cycling class for an hour of solo cycling indoors or biking outdoors.

A Guide to Going to the Gym During Covid-19 (Photo by Tim Mossholder from Pexels)

Abide by the Six Foot Rule:

If your gym is following CDC guidelines, they should have separated equipment and blocked off machines so that people exercising are always at least six feet away from each other. Make sure you follow this six foot guideline anytime you are in a public place, especially while at the gym.

Wear a Mask When Possible:

Many gyms aren’t requiring a mask while you are exercising, as it makes it more difficult to breathe. However, at least when you are coming and going at the gym or doing a low intensity exercise, you should wear a mask. 

A Guide to Going to the Gym During Covid-19 (Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Pexels)

Consider Exercising Outdoors:

There is an alternative to working out in your home that doesn’t involve going to the gym. Slip on a pair of women’s or men’s supportive sneakers and head outdoors for your exercise; whether to run, bike, or do a circuit routine. Even going for a vigorous walk or swim can break up the monotony of working indoors all day long and keep you feeling active and healthy. The bonus is that you can also soak up the sun and get a dose of Vitamin D, which helps ward off viruses by keeping your immune system strong.

Related Stories:

• Shh! At-Home Workout Tips To Not Disturb the Neighbors
• 3 Celeb Workout Plans Which Will Motivate You Today
• Do Not Disturb: How to Exercise Quietly at Home
• UK: 5 Types Of Exercise To Do In Manchester [Infographic]

#JTalksLive explores Media in Crisis: Can Journalism Survive - and Thrive - in this Year of Challenge?

The Canadian Journalism Foundation's Oct. 29th J-Talks Live webcast will feature S. Mitra Kalita, senior vice president for news, opinion and programming for CNN Digital, and Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, on the challenges facing journalism. (image via Canadian Journalism Foundation)

In a year of unprecedented challenges, the Canadian Journalism Foundation's (CJF) next J-Talks Live virtual event will explore what it will take for journalism to survive in this new reality. 

The free webcast takes place on Thursday, October 29 at 1 p.m. EDT.

• The featured guests are S. Mitra Kalita, senior vice-president for news, opinion and programming for CNN Digital, and Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. They will be in conversation with host Anna Maria Tremonti, also the host of the CBC podcast More.

"We are delighted to welcome Rasmus and Mitra to our CJF J-Talks to share their insights, knowledge and experience on the future of journalism in a troubling time," says CJF chair Kathy English, currently a journalism fellow at the Reuters Institute. "We know that journalism around the world faces multiple and multifaceted crises—exacerbated by this global pandemic—and that this is a critical time to examine how news organizations can move forward to serve the public's growing need for quality journalism."

In addition to the pandemic, the reckoning over race and gender representation in newsrooms, the polarized political environment, growing public mistrust of institutions including journalism, declining ad revenues and diverted audience attention all challenge media organizations to adapt, and to do so quickly.

Kalita, based in New York City, leads CNN's national news desk and efforts to share its journalism across an array of platforms. She was previously managing editor for editorial strategy at the Los Angeles Times, where she innovated new forms of storytelling and increased audience engagement, including hiring a correspondent to cover "Black Twitter."

In addition to his director role, Nielsen is a professor of political communication at the University of Oxford. He was previously director of research at the Reuters Institute and editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Press/Politics. He has done extensive research on journalism, U.S. politics and various forms of activism.

• This free virtual event is part of the CJF's J-Talks program, which explores pressing journalistic issues.

• DATE: Thursday, October 29, 2020, 1 p.m. EDT. / 10 a.m. PDT. (Register now)

About The Canadian Journalism Foundation:

Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation promotes, celebrates and facilitates excellence in journalism. The foundation runs a prestigious awards and fellowships program featuring an industry gala where news leaders, journalists and corporate Canada gather to celebrate outstanding journalistic achievement and the value of professional journalism. Through monthly J-Talks, a public speakers' series, the CJF facilitates dialogue among journalists, business people, academics and students about the role of the media in Canadian society and the ongoing challenges for media in the digital era. The foundation also fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research.

• The CJF thanks the generosity of J-Talks series sponsor BMO Financial Group. 
• Cision is the exclusive distribution partner of the CJF.

SOURCE:: Canadian Journalism Foundation

#TrustedJournalism Campaign Launched to Help Slow Spread of Disinformation on Social Media Among Older Adults Ahead of US Elections

#TrustedJournalism Campaign Launched to Help Slow Spread of Disinformation on Social Media Among Older Adults Ahead of US Elections

The Trusted Journalism Partnership, a coalition of nonpartisan academic and media organizations, today launched a public information campaign focusing on people aged 65 and over, encouraging them to take a reflective pause and consider whether a news story is true or not before sharing it on social media.

The campaign is based on research at Princeton and New York universities analyzing people's online behaviors in the final weeks of the 2016 elections:

• One quarter of all Americans visited a website masquerading as a legitimate news organization, but was in fact peddling false claims.
• The largest source of this internet traffic came from Facebook.
• While most people did not share the misleading information, Facebook users 65-and-over posted seven times as many articles from such websites, compared with adults under 29.

#TrustedJournalism Campaign Launched to Help Slow Spread of Disinformation on Social Media Among Older Adults Ahead of US Elections

"We want to help people sort fact from fiction at a time when they are bombarded with disinformation," said Dan Shelley, executive director and COO at the Radio Television Digital News Association, one of the participating organizations. "Our campaign is a critical reminder that fact-based journalism is different from other types of media. Legitimate news organizations hold themselves to high standards of transparency and accuracy. "

The PSA campaign, which provides 15-, 30- and 90-second videos, highlights the Trust Project's 8 Trust Indicators to help people evaluate the source of a news story and determine its validity.

"Our 8 Trust Indicators provide an easy checklist for making decisions about what news comes from reputable news organizations and what might be intentionally misleading or just plain wrong," said Sally Lehrman, Trust Project founder and CEO, and a member of the Trusted Journalism Partnership.

To reach older Americans with its message, the Trusted Journalism Partnership is advertising on Facebook, the most popular social media platform among seniors.

"Technology has dramatically altered the way we consume information. But one thing has not changed: the difference between the truth and a lie," said Akhtar Badshah, distinguished practitioner, University of Washington Evans School and founder of Accelerating Social Transformation. "We are giving people the tools to help them discern the difference."

The campaign invites people to take three simple steps to support a healthy democracy: 

1. Share the campaign
2. Learn the Trust Indicators 
3. Sign a pledge to share only trusted journalism and curtail the spread of disinformation. 

The campaign includes a social media toolkit and a collection of resources.

• Click here to help spread the word about misinformation and the critical need for sharing trusted journalism

The Videos:

The  8 Trust Indicator Cards:

Trust Indicator #1

Trust Indicator #2

Trust Indicator #3

Trust Indicator #4

Trust Indicator #5

Trust Indicator #6

Trust Indicator #7

Trust Indicator #8

SOURCE: The Trust Project

Shh! At-Home Workout Tips To Not Disturb the Neighbors

Shh! At-Home Workout Tips To Not Disturb the Neighbors (Photo by Elly Fairytale from Pexels)

With paper thin walls, apartment living can be a real bore sometimes. No playing piano at midnight, singing in the shower, or Hiit class will go unheard by the occupants below you. As we’ve been spending so much time at home this year because of the pandemic, keeping quiet all the time has been especially difficult.

Still, there are little workarounds that we all must do to avoid becoming the most hated tenant in the building. Exercising in particular presents a challenge, but there are plenty of modifications that will allow you to move around quietly. Grab your mens or womens supportive sneakers and try these tips for a whisper-soft workout at home.

Try Bodyweight Exercises, Rather than Lifting Weights

Lifting weights, especially with a weight bench, can be very noisy. All that clanking when you put the weights down might start to annoy your neighbors, so skip the weights and opt for bodyweight exercises instead. An online mat class, like Pilates or yoga, uses only your own body to develop long, lean muscles. If you are going to use weights, try some free weights that are coated in rubber to muffle the sound of the metal.

Skip the Jumping Exercises

If you are going to do a Hiit or other cardio class, modify the exercises by taking out the ones where you are jumping. Avoid burpees, doing quiet burpees that step through the positions instead. These will still be effective without making a ton of noise.

Use a Chair or a Wall

You don’t need anything to get a killer workout at home, but having a sturdy chair to do exercises with can be a help. You can get a full workout done, targeting your arms, legs, and core just by using a chair. According to healthline.com, tricep dips using a chair are the most effective exercise to target the muscles on the backs of your upper arms. You can also do wall sits and pushups agains the wall without making any noise.

Skip the Machinery and Head Outdoors

A treadmill or stationary bike can be great, but they can also be loud. Plus, they take up a lot of space and are costly. Instead, why not head outside for your workouts? All you need is a pair of womens or mens supportive sneakers and you’re ready to run. You’ll get the benefit of fresh air while making sure not to disturb the neighbors. Exercising outside can be done much more safely than in an enclosed space like a gym.

Shh! At-Home Workout Tips To Not Disturb the Neighbors (Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels)

MUSE Going Strong with Its 2021 Creative, Design and Photography Awards

2021 MUSE Creative, Design, and Photography Awards: Calling For Entries Now!

The International Awards Associate (IAA) returns with two of its annual award programs, the MUSE Creative and Design Awards. "We intend to stay true to our vision," Kenjo Ong, CEO of IAA, said. "We are grateful that we can continue to be a platform for talents to showcase themselves."

The MUSE Creative and Design Awards are IAA's flagship of their award programs, among others such as the MUSE Hotel Awards, Vega Digital Awards, and NYX Awards.

With MUSE's theme being "Conquer Change" for 2021, entrants would need to bring their best and show that their works can withstand the test of time. 

• The competitions will begin accepting entries from October 15, 2020 until February 25, 2021. 
• Results will be announced in Spring 2021.

The MUSE Creative Awards are aimed at creatives of varying industries, from graphic designers, typographers, business owners, freelancers, students, videographers, content managers, web designers, and mobile app developers.

• For competition rules and entry forms, visit museaward.com 

The MUSE Design Awards caters to professionals in architecture, interior design, lighting design, fashion design, product and packaging design, furniture design, transportation, and conceptual design.

• For competition rules and entry forms, visit design.museaward.com 

The awards have been faithfully honoring promising talents, and it will continue to do so alongside its newly announced sister award, the MUSE Photography Awards. It caters to photographers worldwide, with entrants choosing from categories such as Architecture, Black and White, Fine Art, Mobile Photography, and more.

• Entries will be open from October 15, 2020 until July 15, 2021. 
• For competition rules and entry forms, visit musephotographyawards.com

Entries can be submitted as individuals or teams, regardless of location or nationality. A small fee will be charged for administrative purposes. Entries are assessed by an international panel of distinguished judges.

MUSE Awards: Evolution of MUSE Statuettes | 2021 MUSE Statuette Unveiled!

The newly designed MUSE statuette enhances the original design and features the iconic MUSE figure. Exquisitely detailed, it is dressed with either pearl white, gold, or silver, symbolizing ingenuity and imagination.

About The International Awards Associate:

IAA is an international group of award-winning industry professionals. "We believe that more individuals will be nurtured and surface over the coming years," Ong said. "I am looking forward to be blown away by extraordinary talents standing above the rest and conquering this ever-changing industry."

SOURCE: International Awards Associate (IAA)

4 Tips To Follow When Driving A Truck This Winter

4 Tips To Follow When Driving A Truck This Winter (Photo by Seb Creativo on Unsplash)

Winter is approaching and driving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) during this time of year can be extremely dangerous, especially when the temperatures plummet and the roads can be icy. No matter how long you have been driving a HGV, it’s important for you to brush up on your driving knowledge to ensure you are prepared for a long journey that will get you to your destination as safely as possible. This post will look at four tips to follow when driving a truck this winter. 

Make sure you are well-rested

The winter months can affect everyone and leave you feeling more tired and sluggish than usual. As a truck driver, it’s essential that you get plenty of rest to avoid a potential accident on the road. The daily limit for driving a truck is 9 hours which includes a 45-minute break every 4.5 hours. Try to sleep as long as you possibly can to avoid exhaustion and remember to read up on tacho rules as there are some that all operators and drivers need to be aware of.

Drive slowly and carefully

Winter conditions can include heavy rainfall, wind, fog, ice, and snow so you must drive extra carefully. There will be times when you will need to drive slowly and take extra precaution on the roads. By slowing down, this will give you more time to react should you need to. Even the most experienced drivers still need to be careful on the roads in winter because bad weather can mean poor visibility or slippery roads. Remember to keep a safe distance from other vehicles around you for your safety as well as the safety of others on the road. If you are taking medication make sure you read the possible side effects that could also affect your driving ability.

Pack a winter emergency kit

Breakdowns and delays increase during winter, so it’s best to be prepared by packing a winter emergency kit. If you find yourself stranded, some items you may need to assist you during this time include a high-vis jacket to ensure you are visible to other drivers, a flashlight, jump cables, de-icer and scraper, and a shovel with sand and salt to grit the road. Other important items to pack are extra clothes, a blanket, and some food and water in case you are stranded for a long period.

Make sure your vehicle is prepared

Driving in the winter can be unpredictable so try to prepare your truck as best as you can. It’s advised that your tank should be half full at minimum before setting off on any journey. Ensure that your windows and mirrors are clean, as well as your lights and that they are working and visible. Before you set off make sure the heater works, check your defroster, top up the washer fluid, and check that your tyre pressure meets the legal requirement. 

It’s important that you plan your journey and to make sure that you and your vehicle are as best prepared for the trip as you can be.

4 Tips To Follow When Driving A Truck This Winter (Photo by Cris Tagupa on Unsplash)

4 Key Steps to Design a Strategic Life Apple Style

You probably have at least one Apple product in your home. Or if you don’t have one, you know someone who does. Apple has become shorthand for ubiquitous, sustainable success and instant recognizability.

Apple has a small stable of products that they do exceptionally well. They are focused and strategic in their product development and marketing. And their big not-so-secret weapon? They invent something and then keep refining it. 

• This approach to innovation and incremental change is something you can easily adapt to your own life. Here’s how.

Keep it Simple

Steve Jobs made a strategic decision to keep Apple’s focus tight. He simplified their product lines down to four computers.

You can easily simplify your life right now by eliminating the elements that waste your time and resources. Start by cutting down or cutting out TV and video games, which are both low-return uses of your time.

Then think of how you can downsize your resources from switching to a smaller car, a smaller house, de-cluttering, to not buying more stuff you don’t need. Free up time by shopping in bulk and batch cooking.

Learn to Iterate

Any psychologist will tell you that small, incremental lifestyle changes are much more successful than the big sort that tries to change everything at once. Think of how successful most New Year’s resolutions are.

Make a commitment to a significant life change, like early retirement or budgeting for more vacations. You can make a series of small changes, like switching from an-on-the-way-to-work coffee to having one at home. Then add in complementary changes, like cutting down on takeout, downgrading your subscriptions and buying a smaller car. Small iterations compound over time and can make a massive impact on your life.

Be curious

One of Apple’s big successes is its research and development capacity. They are committed to not missing an opportunity to learn and grow and improve over time.

Stay ahead of the pack by being curious, by always being open to learning and change, looking for new opportunities, tweaking your goals, and always staying committed to improvement.

Being Okay with Imperfection.

One of Apple’s mottos is ‘just ship’ meaning that they don’t wait to get a product absolutely perfect before they launch it into the world.

Being okay with imperfection doesn’t mean you just leave it there and turn out low-quality work. It means you keep hustling. You give it your best shot, get it out, and then make improvements. You keep moving, keep thinking, keep improving.

Tips To Get Into Film & TV Production

Tips To Get Into Film & TV Production (Photo by Terje Sollie from Pexels)

There are lots of ways to get into film and tv production, beyond just being an actor. However, when it comes to people’s knowledge of what’s available, it can often be limited if you’ve not yet entered the professional world of film and tv. With that being said, if you’re looking at a career in this industry, then here are some helpful tips to get you started.

Make Content

Content is an important element to film and television production. It’s a good idea to look at what you want to do in terms of the roles, but firstly, it’s all about creating content. Whether you’re a performer, you want to help with the actual filming or you’d prefer to do lighting or script work, it’s important to put those passions into actual content. It’s good to have evidence of your work and to start creating a portfolio so that you can eventually get it out there when it’s needed. There is a lot of competition that comes with film and television production in all aspects of the roles available. With that in mind, you want to be putting yourself up there with the best of the best, and having evidence of your work is essential.

Explore What Roles Are Out There

There are lots of different roles in the industry, and until you start exploring them, you probably only know the bare minimum that is typically known to most of us who watch television and film in general. There’s, in fact, a whole host of jobs that you might not even be aware of like nationwide film fixers who source the equipment for film productions or those who do location scouting. There’s a lot of different areas to explore, and so it’s important to look at what’s available and what you might find useful.

Start Networking

Networking is an essential part of the industry because it’s not necessarily always about what you know but who you know too. That can be the key to getting yourself those opportunities and in front of the people that are influential. Whether you’re going to organized events put on by industry leaders in film and television or simply reaching out to those online, every bit of networking is crucial. You never know who might be able to give you that leg up that you need.

Consider Studying

Studying is something that might be worth exploring when it comes to the film and television industry. It’s not 100% necessary to do so, but it might give you that knowledge needed and the experience that some will want you to have. There are plenty of schools and influential organizations that you could sign up or apply to. There would be fees for some of them, whilst others might be free opportunities. It’s good to take advantage of any institution that may be able to help you get to where you want to be.

Getting into film and television is certainly something exciting, so use these tips to help you get there.

Tips To Get Into Film & TV Production (Photo by Fox from Pexels)

How To Be More Mindful About the Medication You Take

A transparent coffee cup with colourful pills on gray background. (Photo by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash)

When it comes to illnesses, it’s common for us to rely on our doctor for most things. We’ll book an appointment, we’ll speak to a medical professional and we’ll get a diagnosis. From there, we’ll usually be given a mixture of different drugs and medication to help improve our situation. That’s probably the most common approach when it comes to solving any issues with our body.

However, a lot of people feel like this approach can make you overly reliant on your doctor. While most people only visit their doctor for serious issues, some would visit their physician for something as basic as a headache or aches in their body. While it’s never a bad idea to be cautious, there is a point where you need to step back and ask yourself if you really need your doctor for so many things.

Not only can it save you time and effort, but it might be more effective to have some kind of remedy at home ready for when you have a headache or if you experience aches. As the saying goes, prevention is the best type of treatment. If you focus on improving your health in a holistic fashion, you’ll typically have a much healthier body that can actively avoid developing illnesses and other troubling conditions.

So how do you take a more mindful approach to the medication you take?

Understanding the side effects of medication

Did you know that most medication comes with side effects? Some medication might cause minor drowsiness, headaches or even vomiting. However, on the more serious side of things, some medication can actually make you see hallucinations or even cause hearing loss. Prescription drugs are incredibly powerful because they’re designed to be effective at dealing with the problem they’re made for. However, it also means they can affect other parts of your body with unintentional consequences.

These side effects can range from being incredibly dangerous to relatively minor. Whatever the case is, it’s important that you understand the different levels of side effects and the ones associated with any medication you’re taking. In fact, some people might find that they feel depressed or even anxious after taking certain types of medication. Others might feel that their health was better before taking some medication. In some cases, taking medication might be the trigger that causes you to feel more tired and weak due to the way it works on your body.

Some situations will be unavoidable, especially if you’re dealing with a pressing condition that requires you to take powerful drugs. However, if it can be avoided, it’s never a bad idea to look for alternative treatments. You may want to first let your doctor know about the side effects and how it’s affecting your body. They may have alternatives for you that might be slightly less effective at dealing with your condition, but it’ll be better in the long run since it doesn’t take a huge toll on your body.

Understanding that there are usually always alternatives available

It’s a good idea to be more mindful about the alternatives available to you. With so much research being put into alternate forms of medicine, it’s a good idea to do your own research and look for testimonials from others that have suffered similar conditions to you.

For example, CBD is one of the more popular forms of alternative medicine that has grown significantly over the past few years. Most people associate CBD with marijuana or cannabis because it’s derived from the plant. When these two terms are mentioned, people might link CBD with weed and its psychoactive properties. However, this isn’t the case. CBD is a compound that has seen a lot of positive research in recent years. It has been shown to reduce pain in some patients and it can even help with anxiety and depression. In some cases, studies have shown that it can reduce the effect of seizures and even soothe certain cancer symptoms.

A CBD dosage calculator is a great tool to use if you decide to start using CBD. It can be taken in a number of different ways, so it’s important to know how much you should be using for your particular symptoms or use case. Of course, before you use any kind of alternative medicine, it’s vital that you speak to your doctor and have them perform a health check to confirm that it’s suitable for your needs. If you try to use too many different alternative remedies, you might find that it does more harm to your body than good. You also don’t want to waste money on snake oil that others are pushing into your hands. It’s a good idea to get a professional opinion first.

How To Be More Mindful About the Medication You Take (Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash)

Natural remedies are plentiful and can give you more control

Natural remedies can give you more control over your body and what you put into it. Many people listen to doctors without a second thought. Considering they’re healthcare specialists, this is usually fine because they’re looking out for your wellbeing. However, you may find that you want a bit more control over what you put in your body.

In a case like this, natural remedies can be an effective alternative. For instance, taking supplements and switching your diet around can be a great way to avoid or cope with certain conditions in the body. However, you should still be taking professional advice whenever possible so that you don’t make your situation worse.

However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid regular medicine

Despite the direction of this post, you should never actively avoid regular medicine if you’re facing some kind of serious illness or issue with your health. You have to make sure that you’re communicating with your doctor to ensure your health doesn’t suffer negative consequences. If they feel that an alternative remedy can be a good option to help you avoid the side effects of certain drugs, then they’ll let you know and help you transition to a different treatment. However, if they believe the best course of action is a standard form of medication, then it’s usually best to listen to them.

Superhero Captain Compassion Empowers Kids to Prevent Race-Based Bullying [Video Included]

Superhero Captain Compassion Empowers Kids to Prevent Race-Based Bullying

This October, Committee for Children launches its third annual Captain Compassion campaign to teach kids how to use their bystander power to put a stop to bullying.

After this summer's protests over racial discrimination and police brutality, many families and educators are seeking resources to help teach children the value of diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities. 

According to the United States Department of Education, although Black students make up 15 percent of student enrollment nationwide, 35 percent of Black students report being bullied or harassed on the basis of their race—more than any other racial group. Research also shows that one in five students report seeing hate-related graffiti at school. 

In response, bullying prevention superhero Captain Compassion and sidekick Kid Kinder are back to empower kids and adults to use their bystander power and provide guidance on how to recognize, report, and refuse race-based bullying.

Activate Your Power to Prevent Bullying. Visit CaptainCompassion.org!

"Children of color are especially vulnerable right now," says bullying prevention expert and campaign spokesperson Dr. Jasmine Williams. "With COVID-19 disproportionately impacting minority communities and with social media both elevating imagery of police brutality and providing a platform to target youth with hateful words and images, now is the time to empower our nation's youth to value diversity, activate their bystander power, and prioritize preventing bullying and harassment."

Captain Compassion has the power to inspire others to be kind and respectful in challenging situations. In this year's comics, she guides Kid Kinder after he's bullied in an online video game because of his race. Written in collaboration with Mahogany L. Browne, the author of Woke Baby, the story shows children and adults the impact of race-based bullying and how they can use their bystander power to address it.

CaptainCompassion.org, provides families and educators with free, approachable, and research-based bullying prevention tips and tactics, including engaging comics, a Decoder Wheel activity for kids, videos, downloadable posters, and more

Superhero Captain Compassion Empowers Kids to Prevent Race-Based Bullying

• To read the comics, download the Decoder Wheel, and learn how you can activate your bystander power to prevent bullying, visit CaptainCompassion.org.

About Committee for Children:

Committee for Children is a global nonprofit that has championed the safety and well-being of children through bullying prevention, child protection, and social-emotional learning (SEL) for more than 40 years. 

With a history of action and influence, we're known as a leader in social-emotional education and a force in advocacy, research, and innovation in the field. We take a comprehensive approach to SEL, promoting social-emotional well-being from birth to early adulthood—supporting not just classrooms, but entire communities. 

As our programs transform the lives of more than 16.5 million children per year, we rise to meet societal challenges to ensure children everywhere can thrive. 

Learn more at cfchildren.org.

The Video:

SOURCE: Committee for Children

What is SEO and How Can It Help Your Business?

What is SEO and How Can It Help Your Business? (Photo by Designecologist from Pexels)

If you run a business, you will know that your website is key to driving customers and peaking people’s interests. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, even more people began shopping online due to quarantine - a user-friendly, well designed online presence for your business has never been more essential than now. Yet building a good website is not enough any more; thanks to the algorithms of search engines like Google, your site might be a great site, but fall to the bottom of the search list.

How do search engine algorithms work?

Search engine algorithms are the result of years of research, coding and data collection. It would take pages and pages to explain the ins and outs of how they function, but here are the basics:

• The more a website is clicked on, the further up the list it goes. Did you ever wonder why, if you search a basic item like a dustpan and brush into Google, the first sites listed are the giant corporations like Amazon? This is because they are the most clicked-on sites, so Google’s algorithm bumps them up the ladder. The algorithm uses the number of clicks and follow-throughs used on a site to determine how important it is, and ranks it accordingly in the list.

• Keywords matter. A search engine algorithm determines what category of search your website should come under by assessing the keywords involved. For example, if you run a blog about floristry, ‘floristry’ is not the only word people will search to find you. It could be ‘flower arranging’ or ‘how to make flowers look pretty in a vase.’ With the right keywords, Google can associate many different searches with your blog, thereby bumping it up the list.

How does SEO come into this?

You might be thinking, how does SEO come into all this? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, and is essentially a set of tools and techniques which help Google assign your website to greater importance, and therefore rank it highly on more searches. This means that, if you sell a product which is also sold by thousands of other retailers, your site will be one of the first to be found on Google. It can increase footfall, help spread awareness of your brand and boost profits too.

How does SEO work?

Getting SEO right means including the right keywords; backlinks, which help connect your site with other relevant sites and increase traffic; and, crucially, help footfall to your website without paying advertisers or bankrupting yourself on marketing strategies.

If you aren’t sure how SEO works, it is advisable to contact an SEO Agency who specialise in helping websites achieve more clicks based on search engine results. It could be by featuring blogs on your page which contain keywords and backlinks, or through more advanced SEO tools such as hyperlinks.

Building a website is one task; getting people to click on it is another. Maximise your chances with an SEO strategy and help your business achieve even greater things.

Signs You Need Healthier Personal Boundaries

Signs You Need Healthier Personal Boundaries (Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels)

You have boundaries, but they don’t seem to be working. You still feel like people are taking unfair advantage of you. Your self-esteem is taking constant hits, and the criticism is unending. What gives?

Chances are you need to take a hard look at your boundaries. Perhaps the ones that used to work, don’t anymore because you aren’t the same person. Or it’s time for a tune-up so that you can not only strengthen the boundaries you have but make them healthier at the same time.

What are (some of) the warning signs that your boundaries need work?

• When someone bullies you, and you stay silent.

• You agree to things you don’t agree with (such as political opinions) to avoid ‘rocking the boat.’

• You suffer from guilt anytime you do something for yourself. 

• You feel invisible.

• You constantly say ‘yes’ even when you want to say ‘no’ when people ask you to do things.

• You’re the one who does all the giving in your relationships.

• You give your time to people who don’t deserve it. 

• When someone is in your personal space, you don’t say anything, despite how uncomfortable you feel. 

• You don’t speak up when the joke isn’t funny - and it’s at your expense. 

• People bully you, but you do nothing about it. 

• You’re always playing the victim. 
  
  
• People take you for granted. 

• You worry all the time about what people think of you. 

• When someone tells you to ‘do something for yourself’ you have no idea what to do. 

• You over-share when talking to others about yourself. 

• You take on other people’s guilt as though that will absolve them somehow. 

• You’re in a career that was chosen for you, rather than in one that you want to do (such as working in a family business you had no desire to be part of). 

• You don’t speak up when someone touches you physically even though you don’t want to be touched. 

• You wind up in relationships with controlling individuals. 

• You see yourself as the ‘sacrifice.’ 

• You feel like people won’t like you if you don’t do things for them. 

• You use actions as currency with people by doing things in hopes that they will someday do something for you in return (that day never comes, does it?) 

• You tend to manipulate people to get your needs met 

• Reading this list is making you uncomfortable because you’ve already recognized more than one thing on it that sounds like you.
  

It is a daunting list.

The good news is, there is room for you to change. Remember, boundaries are always a good idea. Making sure that the boundaries are healthy is crucial to your development into the individual you’ve always been meant to become. 

Signs You Need Healthier Personal Boundaries (Photo by Naveen Annam from Pexels)

• By checking your boundaries periodically, you will likely see places that need work. But you’ll also see where you can do things to keep them strong and healthy enough to serve you going forward. 

It might seem like a lot of effort on your part, but in the end, don’t you think you’re worth it? With that in mind, it’s time to get down to work. You’ve got this!

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• 5 Memorable Bullies From The Big Screen