5 Simple Mistakes that could Attract Pests to your Home

This is a guest post from Trusted Pest Management, Queensland's #1 most preferred Termite Inspections and Barriers.

Our home is our castle. The last thing we want is our castle invaded by armies of ants, hordes of roaches or gangs of mice. The best way to avoid pest invasions is to ensure you don’t attract them in the first place. So here are 5 simple mistakes you could be making that entice pests into your home.

Creating a Trash Smorgasbord

Trash is a part of everyday life, especially in the kitchen. For convenience sake, most people store their trash indoors and then when it gets full, they empty it into the larger outdoor bins. While this is effective, it may be time to reconsider how long you leave it between outdoor garbage runs. Indoor trashcans, if left for for too long, are encouraging ants, rodents and cockroaches. So make sure you take your rubbish out regularly.

Leaving a Trail Hidden Crumbs

While most of us try to keep the house tidy by vacuuming up crumbs when we spot them, it is important to know that there are often microscopic food particles that we can’t see. Most pests have a more acute sense for these food particles and will be drawn to them. To ensure that these particles don’t build up, it is a good idea to vacuum at least once a week to discourage pests.

Storing Unsealed food in your Pantry

Pantries and food cupboards are common locations for a pest invasion. It only takes one unsealed chip packet or an open box of cereal to tempt pests to come indoors. Ants, mice, rats and cockroaches are scavengers, so unattended food is a welcome meal to them. Ensure all half-finished products are sealed in zip-lock bags or emptied into airtight containers.

Leaving out Standing Water

Believe it or not, ants and other pests are attracted to water sources as well as food. Water sources, such as water left in the sink or glasses or the pet’s water bowl will attract pests if left too long. Always drain water from the sink and empty glasses and consider leaving your pet’s water bowl outside.

Leaving Handprint Invitations

Yes, even the subtle scents within your hands can be enough to attract pests. Ants in particular can pick up even the faintest scent of sugar, fat or fruit. If you leave these handprints on surfaces, ants will come. The best way to prevent this is to wash your hands and to wipe down all countertops and surfaces regularly.
Sometimes even with our best efforts, pests still manage to invade our homes. This can be for a range of reasons. You may live in a pest prone area. The prior occupants of the house may not have been as conscious about pest prevention. Or you may have just left a few crumbs around the house before you went away on holiday. Whatever the reason, if you end up with pests in your home it is best to solve the problem as soon as possible. With over 15 years’ experience, Trusted Pest Management can help you get your pest problems back in control.

5 Important Things to Remember When Buying a Used Car

This is a guest post from Dream Loans, helpers to finance your Dream Car.

Buying a car can be an exciting experience, and a great opportunity to try something new and expand your horizons. When choosing a used car you will want to make sure that you are getting the best that you can for your money, and that you are not buying someone else’s lemon. Here are 5 important things to remember when buy a used car.

Set Your Budget

The first thing you need to do is work out what your budget is, and stick to it. Your budget should be a figure that you can comfortably afford without it leaving you short of money for the rest of the things you need in life. You will also want to factor in how much it will cost for government taxes and other things that the car will need. If you are getting a loan for the car then try and buy a car that is a little under the amount that your loan is for, so that you have some money to fall back on if anything goes wrong. Check out loans from Dreamloans to see what they can do for you.

Research

Before choosing which car you want to buy it is very important to do your research. This means not only checking out how much the make and model is for the year that you want to buy, but also going onto online forums to hear about what other people thought about that particular car. The best people to ask is the people who have driven one, and there will plenty of them talking about their experiences online, you just have to look for it. This research could save you a lot of heartache later down the line and prevent you from making a bad decision.

Check Car History

As well as researching the type of car that you are looking at buying, you also will want to know a bit about the car from the owner of the car in question. Hearing a bit about the cars story will give you a better idea about what sort of car it is, and whether it will go the distance. If a car has a small number of Km’s but has been driving all day every day for the first few years of its life then it might be in a bad way by the time you get to it. Looks can be deceiving!

Get a Mechanic to Check It

Always, always get a mechanic to check the car out before you buy it, and make sure that you know the mechanic and that he/she is on your side. You want them to be able to tell you everything about the car, and it pays to invest in this small cost to make sure that you know what you are buying. There may be things about the car that you can negotiate on to get fixed, or reduce the price.

Make Sure Paperwork is in Order

Its really important to make sure that all the paperwork for the car is in order before you hand over the cash. This will ensure that you don’t have an experience with a dodgy person, and keeps you safe!

5 Things That Will Make Your Home More Fun for Your Child

This is a guest post from Super A-Mart, who commenced trading in 1970 and has since grown to be Australia’s largest discount furniture and bedding retailer.


Having a family changes your life forever. Perhaps it should also change your home décor as you now have some little people who need to feel like the house belongs to them too. Creating a kid- friendly environment, where children can be independent and busy, is good for the children. It’s good for adults too as they can go about their routine without continual interruptions from children who need help to do everything from reaching a toy to making a snack.

Kid-Sized Furniture

While most parents will fit out the child’s bedroom with child-sized furniture the rest of the house will usually be dominated with adult-sized things. Kids feel much more at home in a house where the rooms include furniture that is suited to their size and capabilities. Having a kid-sized couch for example, will give kids a sense of pride and they will have a special space to seat their friends when they visit. It will also stop parents worrying about children spilling something on their expensive lounge. Have a look at http://www.superamart.com.au/ to find some kid-friendly furniture.

Kitchen Fun

Most kids love to cook and enjoy spending time in the kitchen helping the adults to make meals. Creating a kid-friendly kitchen will encourage your children to get involved in meal preparation. They will learn lots of handy skills and feel important.

You can set up your kitchen to create more independence for your children too. Place their breakfast cereal and approved snack food on the lower shelves of the pantry. Also have a shelf for your child’s dishes and plates, one they can easily reach. Buy a small stool that helps them reach the bench tops. Assign a bottom shelf of the refrigerator for their exclusive use and fill it with juices, cheese and other healthy snacks.

Dressing

Lower the rods in your kids’ cupboards so they can reach their clothing easily. Being able to choose clothes themselves will make them feel grown up. Add a space for dress up clothes and any fun costumes they have. If you can’t alter the rod, then pop a small stool into the bottom of the cupboard.

Entertainment at Their Level

Create special areas for kids’ fun. Don’t just relegate books and toys to their rooms. Add their books to the lower shelves of your family bookcase. Install some low shelves in the living room where they can have some of their toys and games. This will make them feel like the room belongs to them too.

Cleaning Fun

With privilege comes responsibility, so as well as setting up the house to incorporate the needs of your children, you should also expect them to help with the cleaning of that space. Cleaning up should not be seen as a chore as this will teach kids to feel negative about housework in later life. Make it fun. Give them their own cleaning tools: plastic spray bottles, a microfiber cloth and a special little duster.

How to Tap into the Hidden Job Market

This is a guest post from Just Digital People, a bunch of Digital minded folks based in Brisbane.


Finding a new job is not always easy and many hours can be spent looking through online advertisements, meeting HR consultants and reading newspapers looking for that dream job. What you may not be aware of though is that there is a huge ‘hidden’ job market – in fact a massive percentage of jobs are never advertised traditionally and form what is part of the ‘hidden’ market of jobs that you will need to go out and find for yourself.

Networking is a massive part of tapping into the hidden job market. The old saying – “it’s not what you know but who you know” can be very true. Keeping in contact with former workers and colleagues, industry professionals is just part of it. Another way to do so is to join industry groups and associations, sign up for their newsletters, attend their member functions and talk to fellow members about what you are looking for and what you can do. Make sure you are checking out the HR professional websites who often have online newsletters and blogs about upcoming trends, and what is happening in different industries – many specialise in particular fields, such as Just Digital People so it is wise to keep up to date with clients they are talking about and trends they discuss.

Cold calling could also be part of tapping into the hidden job market. If you have identified your core strengths and the type of job that you are really looking for, think about the companies that employ those types of people and make a list of the ones in your local area. Sit down somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed and ring them directly. Ask them initially if they have a designated Human Resources section that handles job applicants and resumes and perhaps prepare a little speech of what you are looking for and why you have rung them. They may ask you to send them a resume to put on file so make sure you have one up to date and ready to send them to immediately as punctuality is important and you want them to think you are eager to be considered.

Seeking out a mentor is another great way to tap into the hidden job market. Whether it be someone you have worked with or know personally or someone you aspire to be like, tracking them down and asking them if they would mentor you could be a great approach. In a lot of cases, many people are flattered that someone else thinks their skills and personality are worthy of acting as a mentor to someone else and if their work schedule allows for it, they will happily take on a mentoring role. This can help you develop particular skills as well as widening the circle of contact you have. Make sure it is a win win situation for your mentor though and that you make efforts to help out your mentor in any way you can or show your gratitude for what they are doing for you. It is unlikely they will recommend you to colleagues if they don’t think you are professional or grateful for their help.

How to Stand Out in front of your Co-Workers

This is a guest post from HBA Learning Centres, a Registered Training Organisation first registered in 1989, where training is their largest business and people their biggest asset.


In a competitive corporate environment with high expectations, it can be difficult to stand out. Although it requires hard work and dedication, standing out from your co-workers is an important part in obtaining a promotion. Here are some guidelines that will help you excel.

Be the Best at What You Do

This may come as a surprise, but in most professions being the best in your department is rarely about innate talent. A CEO once told me that the employees he looks for are “10% talent and 90% perspiration.” If you put enough effort in, you will stand out from your colleagues. The most important step of being the best is knowing the most. Consider formal training courses and check this out, or subscribe to industry publications or magazines. Either way, make sure you’re up to date with the newest ideas and techniques. Have a passion for what you do (you can train yourself into it) and it will seep through to everything you do. This adds that little bit of extra dedication that’s almost like a personal brand. Being the best also means being innovate and constructive. Instead of tearing apart existing solutions, try offering new ideas and alternatives you co-workers may not know about or think of.

Be Accountable

Your co-workers may be reliable, but you need to take responsibility to the next level by being accountable. Being reliable is an essential prerequisite for this. Meet your deadlines, and if you volunteer for a task make sure it’s completed. Be organized, and be able to explain your system of organization to your manager. If you want to stand out however, you need to go beyond this. Do things without being asked. If you notice an opportunity to complete a task before your manager directs you, you will stand out. Be personally accountable for your work. If something goes wrong or there’s a mistake fix it quickly and effectively. Don’t palm the situation off to someone else now it has become more difficult. But don’t take on more than you can handle – if you can’t made your deadlines, you’re bound to make a negative impression.

Know the Business

If you want to move up the ladder at your current workplace, make sure you know it inside and out. Knowing your own department is essential, but given the current trend of cross-area promotions, knowing other departments is just as necessary, and can give you an edge. Know specifics rather than just general ideas. Exactly how much profit did the company make last year? How did that compare to previous years? Few people have the dedication to know the numbers. Knowing your company ethos and motto can also be useful, although fortunately unlike Japan you won’t be required to chant it on a daily basis. But just as important as the facts and figures of your workplace are the people who compose it. Establish good relationships with your coworkers and manager. Try to get to know them. If you superiors see you get along well with colleagues, they are more likely to consider you for a managerial role.

5 Property Hotspots in Australia in 2014

This is a guest post from BOQ, one of Australia’s leading regional banks.

Never buy an investment property without doing proper research. Of course, there are always the regional boom towns that ebb and flow according to the current state of the mining industry. Each capital city usually has an expected growth area and there are regional areas in each State of Australia that point to future growth in 2014. You can sign up for online hot spot reports which can give you an invaluable insight into hotspot trends throughout Australia.

Brisbane

Brisbane has grown considerably in the last few years. Transport has been given a boost with cross- city tunnels and dedicated bus links which have helped to move the flow of traffic around the city, rather than through the city centre. Northern suburbs such as Kelvin Grove, the Grange and Newmarket are expected to perform well because of their close proximity to the city. Further out, houses are still very affordable on the Redcliffe Peninsula. The Peninsula will be given a transport boost in the near future, with the approval of a rail link to the city. On the outskirts of Brisbane, look towards growth in Toowoomba and Ipswich.

Regional Australia

Situated on the Victorian/NSW border, Albury and Wodonga are regional towns to watch. Bendigo is another predicted Victorian hotspot. The townships of Dubbo and Narrabri are likely to experience growth and the Western Queensland towns of Cloncurry and Miles are also expected to follow this path.

Sydney

Sydney has limited available land, especially in the inner city which is governed by height restrictions. Properties are always needed in city areas to support workers. Established blue chip suburbs such as Bondi Beach, Kirribilli, Cremorne and Balmain are all popular areas with easy access to the city but also housing an abundance of cafes and shops and giving commuters easy access to ferry services. Keep an eye on the suburbs of Blacktown, Rouse Hill and Liverpool where you can still buy affordable houses. These suburbs are currently going through a transition with infrastructure and the building of residential developments.

The Northern Territory

Keep an eye on the real estate growth in the northern suburb of Millner. Situated just 10 kilometres from Darwin city, this suburb has experienced major growth in recent times.

Melbourne

Properties in the western suburb of Sunshine and the bayside suburbs of Frankston and Epping are all attractive to buyers because there are still affordable houses to be bought and new planning and transport infrastructure in Sunshine will make it much easier for commuters.

With your hotspot property research done, it’s time to think about finance. Homeloans also need research. There are many options available in this area and one loan to consider is BOQ Clear Path Home Loan. Whether you are purchasing a property to live in or as an investment, you may be more comfortable purchasing a ‘hotspot’ property in an area you are familiar with.

Fun Weekend Activities for the Kids

This is a guest post from Alliance Pool Stores, a group of more than 100+ independent businesses all around Australia who aim to offer the best quality swimming pool and spa equipment and the best price.


Weekends can present us parents with a real challenge when it comes to keeping kids entertained. Rather than letting the computer, TV or games console take the helm, it’s great to be able to turn weekends into family bonding time, but you need fun activities at the ready to get kids involved and excited. Here are a few fun ideas to get you out of the house and engaging with your kids.

Beach Trip

Kids love the beach, and what better budget-friendly way to entertain them for the day and tucker them out by sunset? It’s an outdoor playground with a vast array of activities to enjoy. They can swim, build sandcastles, collect shells, chase seagulls, race up the shore, try skim boarding, fly a kite, play Frisbee, have a match of beach cricket, the list goes on. Just remember to slip, slop, slap and only ever take your child swimming between the flags, while you supervise. Finish the day with an icy pole and your kids will be in heaven.

Pool Party

If you’re feeling up to it, how about arranging a pool party for your kids and their friends? It’s a great way to cool off in the heat and there are lots of great pool games you can organise for the kids to play. You can even give prizes and encourage the kids in swimming races or other fun little competitions and games. You can make a non-alcoholic punch to keep them hydrated and serve some healthy but delicious snacks to keep them fuelled for the day of play. Visit http:// www.alliancepoolstores.com.au/ first to make sure your pool is in top condition before it’s taken over by the youngsters – you don’t want stinging eyes or murky water!

Fishing

Kids love the challenge of fishing; it’s so exciting to finally reel in a fish after so many nibbles. Plus it’s a lovely way to get the kids outdoors and into nature, and a good opportunity to teach them all sorts of things about the wildlife, the ocean, river systems, marine life etc. You can even get child-sized rods in funky colours. Don’t forget to bring your tape measure and throw in any fish that are under size.

Paddle Boarding

More and more kids are getting into paddle boarding. It’s a great way to explore the water and improve balance, plus it’s lots of fun. Getting outdoors and into the sunshine is an ideal way to spend a weekend and paddle-boarding offers a fun new challenge to master while they take in the natural world around them and enjoy the wildlife.

Galleries and Museums

A trip to an art gallery or museum is great for kids to excite the senses and learn new and fascinating things. Most museums and galleries have specific content and exhibits just for kids, which often include fun interactive activities to engage youngsters in the learning process and get their creative juices flowing. Dinosaurs are always a big hit, and science exhibits for kids are often eye-opening and intriguing.

If you find something your kids really love perhaps you’ll end up with a family hobby rather than just a once-off weekend activity. Finding something the whole family can enjoy together is a great joy and can bring families closer together, so this weekend start the search for your new family pastime and give one of these great ideas a go.

Finance, Laptops, Renting and burning your Nads

It's cute isn't it, having a child learning new words.

"Computer!  Daddy on computer" says my boy.

WHAM WHAM WHAM!

Yeah, that's him, whacking my laptop keys as hard as he can.  One day he will send an email on my behalf something along the lines of "Dear John, thanks for getting in touch with me.  I really would like to hk;sfd;hhs hasdf;h sa;h watch iggle piggle.  watch peppa pig. "

Quality.  Top notch professionalism right there HAHA!

So, I have been contacted by the guys at Flexirent and asked to talk about laptop rental.  I figure, you lovely readers could use my advice with my actual experience in renting laptops.  I know it's back to school time of year and plenty of people need laptops for their kid's schooling.

Man, it's a different time and age, laptops at school.  The only thing I had close to a laptop in school was Chris, the 100kg teenager who would sit on me like I were a human bean bag. Yeah, he thought it was really funny...

Ahh but I digress with odd childhood memories.

If you're thinking of renting a laptop this year or down the track, for whatever reason, here are a few tips that are worthy advice.

Finance

Renting is great if you don't want to fork out a wad of cash upfront, especially with technology changing so drastically with the newest gadgets required often around 2 years after purchase, that you're likely to want a new one after just 2 years.

You pay a few dollars a week, which is fantastic if living on a week to week budget or only required for a short period of time.

Renting can actually save you money and time in certain circumstances, similar to how a mobile phone contract works.

If your product requires fixing, you can take it back to whom you rented it from, saving money on fixes.  You may even receive a loan laptop whilst yours is being fixed.  Purchasing doesn't give assurances for errors like viruses, so you're on your own if that occurs.

You can pay for an item how you want too (weekly, monthly etc) and don't forget if you are renting for business purposes, your costs can be fully tax deductible!

You can rent to buy, which is probably the big tick with renting.  A great option for many students juggling school and work to pay for tuition.

Research

What do you want a laptop for?  Movies, games, school? They can be fantastic these days for all three, but if you want graphic intensive games with big RAM requirements (the computer bits that make things work faster), you'd want to get yourself a desktop PC instead.

Furniture

It is great being able to lay on the couch or in bed and just rest a laptop as per it's namesake, upon your lap and browse the net or whatever.  Remember though, it's not fantastic for your posture if you're wanting to use it for long periods of time.

Not to mention your nuts.  I'm not saying that you are crazy here, that you are "nuts", I'm talking to the guys.  Your man parts.  The laptop probably has the worst name for a device because you really shouldn't use it on your lap.

Unless you live in the States guys and you enjoy your chestnuts on a red hot, open fire, you'd want to make sure that you'd got a study desk to utilise or kitchen table to give yourself a better chance of having future children.

Those things can get hot, so keep furniture in mind for where you will spend the most time using your laptop.


Before I do any more privates jokes, to summarize, the best tip I can give is talk to the renting companies or go through their terms via their websites. They are the experts and have all the advice for why renting can be a good choice.

My personal experience with renting laptops is that it is pretty good.  Problems fixed without hassle, laptop upgraded to new one when required.  But renting companies have different policies, terms and conditions, so check with them prior to renting for how everything will work with your rental.

Just don't tell let naughty kids whack them too much, like mine does.  Those inquisitive buggers won't help when your explain why you keyboard no longer works.

Good luck renters!

- tork

Put me in a boat, send me to fish and drink like one.

Hey folks, it's been a busy year for me.  I honestly forget when I set aside time for myself and just did nothing for a while.

My boy is almost three.  He doesn't understand yet that listening to Dad is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.  Ahh, how I look forward to a 13 year old lad, sitting inside a smelly bedroom and being quiet for a while.

(By 13 I will probably wish he'd be two again!)

Been doing a bit of day dreaming lately.  Missing the good ol' times of hanging out down the pubs and clubs like I used to do, or going away without worrying about whether a sleeping cot is able to fit into my tiny car boot.

It's all part of the package though and I'm looking forward to doing all the things I used to do with a grown adult son instead.

One thing I really miss doing though is fishing.  I hardly got the chance to do it before being a dad, but sitting off the end of a jetty with my two year just isn't on the cards yet.

Give it a few years until he learns water safety just a bit better.

I would love to own a boat one day (here comes the day dreaming again), taking a big mother of a boat out of boat storage and heading north along the coast, whacking it into a piece of ocean not normally seen by beach goers.

Pottering out to sea in the boat, which is more than likely called something like "Slice of Life" or maybe my usual silly like "It's a Floater".

Dropping in a line with an ice cold tinnie in reach, probably catching nothing but a cold, but not really caring at all.

Man, that sounds bloody good.

Well, I would rather catch something, so in this day dream I catch a whopper salmon that makes all the Fishmongers jealous!  Yeah, brilliant!

Hmmm, if only I was any good at scaling fish.

I hope my boy will like fishing.  Taking a boat out by myself does sound nice and relaxing, but I think I'd enjoy it much more if the wee lad decided he'd like to come too.

Anyway, it's all a pipe dream.  I think I'd need a decent lotto win to nab the boat of my dreams, or I could find myself a sugar mummy to buy me one!

Best idea I've had all night.. maybe.

Would love to hear your fishing stories if you have any good tales.  Drop me a line (Get it? Man I'm funny).

- tork

5 Ways To Reduce Bacteria In The Gym

My wife loves the gym, with the drop off to creche giving her the free time she needs to drop off a crazy son and relieve her stress (towards a gym bag and not me). Here are tips for you other Mum and Dad gym users in a guest post from AMC Commercial Cleaning, a fully Australian owned and operated company with commercial cleaning experience of over 25 years.


Look over to the cardio section, the man on the treadmill is involuntarily competing in a wet t-shirt competition. Rivers of sweat flowing from every pore, he is seasoning the equipment with his bodily salts. Touch anything within a two metre radius of his machine, and you are contaminated. Naturally, you select the treadmill furthest away from the human waterfall. Feeling safely distanced from the perspiring behemoth, you select your level, speed and start warming up. Out of the corner of your eye you see a dried sweat droplet on the handle. There’s no guarantee you are safe. You can never know who came before you. Thankfully, there are some measures you can take to minimise your bacteria exposure.

Clean your Mitts

Washing your hands. It’s not a difficult skill, no one is going to list it on their resume. Despite this, there is always someone who walks out of the bathroom without cleansing their dirty toilet hands. They could have lifted the barbell you just curled, touched the rowing machine you warmed up on, or worse, smothered their germs over the yoga mat you are cooling down on. Giving your hands a thorough scrub before and after your session is a non- negotiable.

Wipe it Down

Each piece of equipment holds a new danger. Has anyone sneezed on it? Did someone try to sweat out their flu all over this machine? Did anyone with a nasty cough involuntarily spread their contamination? Ease your mind and use disinfectant wipes to rid the equipment of germs. The gym signs ask all patrons to wipe down equipment with their towel, but how will that save you when they wiped down their sweaty brow first?

BYO

When going to a restaurant with a questionable wine list, you BYO. Apply the same principle at the gym. Feel at ease knowing that your towel is freshly washed, your yoga mat is disinfected and your water is filtered through a squeaky clean tank. Your immune system will thank you for your preparation.

Strip Off

Not everything is better marinaded. You won’t appear more delicious by soaking in your sweaty juices, so strip off immediately post-workout. If you are braving the communal gym showers, avoid that floating tinea by ensuring you bring appropriate footwear. If you are deterred by the long shower line, quickly refresh your skin with some baby wipes. It might not be a shower, but it’s a step up from remaining salty, sticky and stinky.

Cover Up

Save your bruss build or bikini bod for the beach. While you may be confident in your skin, don’t leave your clothes at home. While exposing flesh may increase your chances of scoring a date, you’ll be more likely to contract a sickness. Decrease the surface area available for contamination by wearing a t-shirt instead of a singlet, or long pants instead of booty shorts.

The gym is a minefield of germs. Follow these tips for a bacteria free visit! For more tips and tricks, check out this website.

5 Benefits Of Riding A Bike To Work

This is a guest post from 99 Bikes, providers of bikes and cycling related items.

© Photographer: Colleen Braun | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Riding a bike to work not only costs less than driving a car; it also improves your heath by giving you more energy, increasing your endorphins, and motivates you for the day’s work. Because 99 Bikes understands the importance of having a healthy lifestyle while maintaining the practicality that suits your everyday needs, they have created a list of five benefits of riding a bike to work.

It Makes You Feel Happier

Riding a bike generates self-esteem and confidence, and the time spent outdoors will increase your position outlook on your work. With the combination of sunlight and endorphins, you’ll be able to sleep better, reducing insomnia and other sleep disorders that may affect your work.

You Will Live Longer!

That’s right! Not only does riding a bike to work make you feel better emotionally, it has been proven to physically improve your fitness levels and contribute towards a longer, healthier life. Riding as little as 32 kilometres a week can cut your risk of heart disease in half. Cycling also accelerates your breathing and heart rate, which helps to stimulate your intestinal muscles that will not only keep you from feeling bloated, but can also protect your body from bowel cancer.

It’s Cheaper Than Driving

Riding a bike to work is not only beneficial to your body and self-esteem, but also to your wallet. Imagine the money you can save otherwise spent on fuel and snacks for the car! The only costs involved in riding a bike to work is regular maintenance, however that’s nothing compared to the money you will spend on car maintenance.

You’ll Lose Weight!

It’s no surprise that riding a bike to work as opposed to driving will increase your weight loss. Your body’s metabolic rate will begin to change after only a few days, and soon after that you will become fitter, and be able to exert more energy, allowing you to get to work much faster. By riding just 25 kilometres, you can lose up to 800 calories, the equivalent of six bananas or six cans of coke. Think of the amazing health benefits that come with riding a bike instead of driving a car!

It’s Good For The Planet

Regardless of whether or not you are interested in the effect cars are to the ecosystem, it’s still amazing to learn that it takes only five percent of the materials used to make a car to manufacture a bike, and that bikes can also travel three times faster than walking. This all adds up to creating a less polluted environment, and with more people on bikes, there’s less congestion for potential car accidents. It’s a proven fact that riding your bike to work instead of driving your car is extremely beneficial towards your health and wellbeing. With the physical, financial, and environmental benefits, why wouldn’t you chose to ride instead of drive?

Check out www.99bikes.com.au/ bikes/road-bikes, and start riding to work today!

Wake up! 5 disadvantages of over sleeping

This is a guest post from Latex Mattress Australia, provides restful and rejuvenating sleep by supplying the ultimate healthy sleeping solution.

© Photographer: Eun Jin Ping Audrey | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Too often, we hear of the effects sleep deprivation has on our bodies. Everybody from your doctor and the magazine columnist, to your family, friends and even your overly nosy neighbour stresses over what a good night’s sleep can do wonders for your soul. While an uninterrupted solid eight hours can help your mind heal the stresses from the daily grind, too much of a good thing can unleash a myriad of serious health problems. Instead of feeling refreshed after twelve hours of sleep, a little sluggishness is the least of your worries. Here are five minor and major health issues linked to oversleeping.

Depression

While depression is usually correlated with lack of sleep, the National Sleep Foundation also states that getting too much shuteye makes depression much worse. So far, their evidence suggests that over fifteen percent of people with depressive illness, in particular those with bipolar disorder, have a tendency to oversleep. As if dealing with mental illness wasn’t hard enough, lying in bed for an extra few hours makes the recovery phase harder to manage.

Back Pain

There was a time when back pain patients were sentenced to a week long life of bed rest to assist recovery. However lying in the one position for too long actually aides your back pain killing your ability to properly mend. While you are dealing with back pain, you might also need to restrain your exercise regime or assess the quality of your mattress. If you’ve been lying on the same bit of foam for more than seven years, you may need to pay Latex Mattresses Australia a visit.

Diabetes

A US study conducted at the Boston University School of Medicine set out to determine the effects sleep has on the likelihood of developing diabetes. Of the 9,000 people who volunteered for the study, researchers found that the ones who slept longer than nine hours a night were 50% more susceptible to developing diabetes over the people who slept seven hours. More research needs to be conducted to verify the physiological link between long bouts of sleep and diabetes, but the conductors are hinting that oversleeping is indicative of underlying medical conditions like obesity that attribute to diabetes.

Hypersomnia

People who suffer from inadequate and interrupted sleep, work night shifts, take medication or consume different types of medication are vulnerable to hypersomnia. In a nutshell, hypersomnia is excessive sleepiness from oversleeping and feeling tired throughout the day. Check in with your doctor if this is happening regularly as hypersomnia has been connected to brain tumours and sleep apnoea.

Headaches

© Photographer: Tracie Koziura | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Sleeping in till midday on the weekend? You might be suffering from a nasty headache even though you didn’t drink the night before. Researchers believe that irregular sleeping patterns can affect the brains neurotransmitters and serotonin levels, giving you an annoying pang in the head.

Remember, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for any reasons why you are under or over sleeping at night.