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9 Surprising Benefits of Doing Jigsaw Puzzles

Published on February 26, 2021

Jigsaw puzzles are a good way to enhance the brainpower of a child. The use of mathematical puzzles is quite efficient in building a child’s interest in this challenging subject. Students have shown great improvement in their math results by doing jigsaw puzzles. It has proven to improve cognition and visual-spatial reasoning. The exercise of putting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together requires concentration that improves the short-term memory and problem-solving skills of kids. Here are five surprising benefits of doing Jigsaw Puzzles:

1. Improves Memory:

Playing jigsaw puzzles is an especially effective way of improving short-term memory. It can improve short-term memory and increase a child’s performance in studies. Doing a jigsaw puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed, and elevates memory power. When a child picks up a piece of puzzles to join, they have to search among the other pieces for color or shape. For that, they need to visualize the whole image, which they saw when pieces were together. This exercises the part of their brain in charge of storing this information to help maintain and improve short-term memory.

2. Increases IQ:

Doing a logical jigsaw puzzle has the potential of increasing your IQ. As most of the logical puzzles are derived from the field of mathematics, and math is a subject that improves the capability to think critically and solve problems. These logical puzzles are surely an effective activity that can improve kids’ intelligence quotient (IQ).

3. Collaboration and Team-work:

Doing a jigsaw puzzle in a group or as a collaborative activity with other kids promotes team spirit and collaboration in kids. It enables kids to attain a sense of teamwork to contribute to a team’s success positively. Encouraging such skills in kids can benefit them in the long run. These qualities are beneficial for kids in their careers as teamwork and collaboration are essential and valued organizational skills.

4. Mental Exercise:

Doing jigsaw puzzle exercises the whole brain. When a child solves a puzzle, both of their left and right brains collectively work together, increasing cognitive abilities. The two hemispheres of the brain control different functions. The right brain is in charge of creativity and emotions; whereas the left brain deals with logical and methodical things. By engaging your child with puzzles, you can develop both sides of their brain, giving a real mental workout. Exercising the mind also helps prevent cognitive decline.

5. Increases Productivity:

When a child learns math through puzzles and games, they feel happier and less stressed. Playing with puzzles makes it easier for them to focus; with this improved concentration, their productivity skyrockets. These puzzles also promote long term engagement, implying increased productivity and consistency.

Using a jigsaw puzzle gives an exercise to a child’s mind that can help spark imagination and creativity in them. It is useful in increasing both creativity and productivity in children. By encouraging children to do mathematical puzzles, you can deliver complex concepts and fundamental knowledge easily. To find some more interesting activities for your child to learn math, visit www.cuemath.com.

6. People can pay attention to details:

At the time of solving the puzzles, it is very much important for the people to pay proper attention to the details especially in case the pieces are very similar. Hence, this way the people will be able to train their eyes very easily and ensure that they will be able to find out differences between shapes and colours that will allow them to complete the image very easily. Hence, this is considered to be the best possible way of developing different kinds of skills which are very much helpful in every aspect of life, especially at work. Hence, in this way, people will become very detailed, precise because the quality of the work will very easily improve.

7. Improves the problem-solving abilities of the people:

Another very important benefit provided by solving jigsaw puzzles is that people will be having different kinds of abilities to improve their problem-solving skills. People will learn the value of formulating different kinds of theories, testing the hypothesis and changing the perspectives whenever things do not move as per the plan. Hence, these kinds of skills can be easily transferred to work which can make the people highly innovative because they will be based upon critical thinking, better adaptive skills and several other kinds of associated things.

8. People will always have a good mood:

Solving puzzles is considered to be a great way of ensuring that people will be able to have a good mood because it is directly linked with increasing dopamine production. This particular hormone is very much responsible for regulating the mood and optimism among people and it will also affect the learning and memory of the people. This particular hormone will be released whenever people will solve a puzzle which will further make sure that it will encourage people to deal with challenges in life very well and ensure that they are always successful.

9. It will help in decreasing the stress levels:

Another very important point associated with the solving of puzzles is that people will be having a lot of relaxation and in this way, they will be reducing their stress levels because this is directly linked with increasing self-confidence, relieving the stress, lowering down the BP and they will also have the best possible ability to make deeper connections with themselves. The whole process of solving the puzzles comes with different kinds of cognitive and physical benefits for the children.

Conclusion:

If you’re finding it challenging to keep your child focused in his studies, then jigsaw is a sure-shot way to keep them meaningfully engaged and focused. Doing jigsaw puzzles help to keep kids away from screens and to stay focused on their studies. Giving short breaks for doing a puzzle can reset their brain to perform better in studies. Many online math classes use puzzles and similar games in their curriculum to develop kids’ math skills. It is also a great way to make studies enjoyable. By playing with puzzles, kids feel refreshed to start with studies.

Can You Use Nootropics For Depression And Anxiety

Published on January 25, 2021

Health

If you take a look around you, you’ll see that most of us live a fast-paced life. After all, we do commute to work every day, we have more and more tasks to perform at the office, and most of us do work longer hours than usual. Besides this, we all have immediate access to the Internet by using our smartphones, which can only increase our workload.

When you combine all of the aforementioned things together, you’ll have the perfect ground for tension accumulation, which can lead to other conditions including anxiety and depression. This is why you may be wondering – could I consume nootropics for dealing with these conditions? Fortunately, this is exactly what we’ll discuss today, so let’s first take a look at what these products are:

Nootropics: Explained

At the moment, you might be feeling the waves of depression coming along or you might be feeling completely stressed out and anxious. If so, you must know that you’re not alone. However, if you don’t like the idea of taking some pharmaceuticals that were synthetically manufactured, you could always turn to alternative medicine, including nootropics.

Nootropics or ‘memory supplements’ are products that could help your brain function better. Now, they won’t only help you with your retention and memory, but they can also assist you in dealing with other things, including your motivation and focus on the tasks ahead. If you want to read more about this alternative medicine option, check out https://www.ijest.org.nootropics.

It’s pretty obvious that consuming these products can help our minds function better, however, do they really help people who are dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression? To put it simply, they could help with these conditions, however, they won’t treat them, instead, they’ll simply influence other things that will help you feel alleviated and better.

So, What Do They Help With And How Can it Help My Depression?

As we mentioned, memory supplements won’t help you with treating depression, nor anxiety, but since they’ll influence other things, they could help you with improving your mood and performance, which can result in you feeling better and less blue. The things these products could help you with include:

Better Mental Performance – though you may not realize this, your brain is always producing new cells, restoring itself, and changing in response to your learning new things. When you consume them, you’ll be able to help your brain regenerate, mostly because they’ll serve as growth promoters.

Improved Focus And Motivation – when it comes to consuming these supplements, people often choose them in order to support their performance, no matter if it’s for school or work. When you consume it, you’ll be able to focus better while completing the tasks ahead of you.

Improved Mood – a lot of people opt for consuming these products because it can positively affect their mood, which means that it could alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, tension, and stress. Hence, although it won’t treat these conditions, it’ll help you with alleviating the symptoms.

Better Retention And Memory – if you look at the history of these products, you’ll see that they have been used for a really long time for improving retention and memory. This means that you could use them for improving your short- and long-term memory and retention. Additionally, it’ll help you with expressing your memories clearly and without any hindrances.

Easier Learning Process – more and more individuals are looking for methods for improving their performance, and one of the things they often choose to use is nootropics. Since they’ll impact your energy and improve your attention and concentration, the learning process will be easier for you.

What Type Should I Opt For?

There are really two categories that you could opt from, however, before you can purchase the product, you must ensure that you speak to your doctor. By doing so, they’ll tell you whether or not you can take them, but more importantly, they’ll know which type you’ll be required to take. The types you could choose from include:

Prescription

Your physician might prescribe you a memory supplement in order to aid with your psychological state. Some of the most commonly prescribed products include modafinil, Adderall, Ritalin, and Axura. Though these can be effective when treating specific medical conditions, you should never take them without a prescription from your doctor.

Natural

On the other hand, there are natural products that you could choose to buy, all of which will help you with your brain function. For starters, there is the all-time favorite, caffeine. This means that drinking coffee or beverages that contain caffeine could help you with improving your mental state.

L-theanine is basically an amino acid that can be found in both green and black tea, but you could also take products that contain this amino acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most studied and used brain supplements and they could be found in fish oil and meat. Besides helping you with depression and anxiety, it’s one of the most essential compounds for our brain health, which is why you must ensure that you include it in your diet. Remember, there are various options on the market, which is why you must ensure that you choose one that is suitable for your needs.

Why Do I Need to Speak With My Doctor?

Before we conclude this article, it’s important that you know why you might need to speak with your doctor before taking these supplements. No matter if you want to consume synthetic or natural products, you should definitely speak with your physician before consuming them if you’re already on some medication.

Some can easily cause the medicine you’re taking to have no effects on your body, which means that they won’t work for you – and this can be life-threatening if you’re, for example, taking medicine for high blood pressure. So, before you take any of these brain supplements, talk with your physician.

Conclusion

Although nootropics won’t help you with treating depression, anxiety, and stress, they could easily influence your overall mood, learning abilities, as well as brain performance, which means that they might help you with alleviating the daunting symptoms you might be feeling.

So, now that you’re aware of what nootropics could help and assist you with, you might not want to lose any more of your time. Instead, if you determined that you might want to try these brain supplements, open up your browser, and start searching for a product that might help you with your condition and performance.

How to Get Rid of Stress

Published on November 30, 2020

Health

In light of the pandemic, several people are developing severe anxiety and stress. Aside from the recent health crisis that’s happening, several causes lead to stress and anxiety. Gladly, there are also several methods on how a person can get rid of stress. You can use these tips to manage your stress and anxiety.

Do Regular Exercise

Experts encourage people to exercise regularly to relieve stress. Studies have proven how regular exercise is an effective method to combat stress. Even during a pandemic, health practitioners encourage people to do home workouts or exercise. Some states allow the public to go for a walk or jog at the park with physical distancing precautions.

You might think an exercise is a contradictory option, but putting your body through physical stress can help relieve mental stress. People who religiously exercise are less likely to experience stress and anxiety. Why?

Exercise lowers the stress hormones which helps improve your mood. Moreover, it helps improve your sleep quality. Thus, create an exercise routine or activity that you enjoy.

Reduce Caffeine Intake

Unfortunately, if you are a coffee lover, you have to reduce your intake. Caffeine is found in tea, chocolate, coffee, and energy drinks. If you have a high dose of caffeine, it will increase your anxiety and stress level.

Each person has a different caffeine threshold, it is best to minimize the intake before you feel anxious or jittery. Although experts say coffee in moderation is healthy, it is not for everyone. Thus, in general, do not drink too much coffee or any beverage with high caffeine content.

Spend More Time with Friends and Family

At stressful times, the social support you receive from your friends and family can help you go through these difficulties. If you are part of a network, you have a sense of belongingness and self-worth. Strong social ties will help you get through stressful times and lowers your risk of anxiety.

You can always talk about it with your friends, family, or someone you are comfortable with. Nothing beats the reassuring voice from your friends and family when you are under a lot of stress. Their comfort and reassurance bring positivity to your life.

Meditate, Spend Time with Yourself

Sometimes, the friend you need is yourself. You are your friend. Talk to yourself. No one knows yourself more than you.

For a start, you do not sound crazy. You only have to talk to yourself about why you are stressed out. There are several options to spend time with yourself. Meditate and write down the things you are stressed about. Moreover, do not overlook the gratitude you receive from family and friends.

However, if you feel overwhelmed by a stressful situation, you can take a break and listen to relaxing music. Listening to calm songs will give out a positive effect on your brain and body. It can lower your blood pressure and hormones that are linked to stress.

Get Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep is one of the key factors to stress and anxiety. You can easily lose sleep if you are anxious and stressed. If you constantly put yourself in a few hours of sleep, it will cause exhaustion to your brain and body, and it might get worse over time.

Thus, always ensure to have the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep. If you are having a hard time sleeping, dim the lights, and relax before giving yourself a good night’s sleep. Sleep and relaxation are the greatest stress reliever.

Take Deep Breaths

Telling someone to take a deep breath when having panic attacks sound cliché. However, it holds genuine acts. The consciousness of deliberate breathing during meditation will help relieve stress.

Taking deep breaths will only cost you three to five minutes of your time. Sit on the most comfortable chair. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply. Concentrate on the expansion of your lungs and chest when you deep breathe.

Shallow breathing will cause stress, that’s why always do long deep breaths. It will help oxygenate your blood and clear your mind.

Do Household Chores

According to Liox Laundry, some people experience stress and anxiety due to their environment. If you have a messy home or room, your mind is most likely full of clutter– for short, if your house is a mess, your mind is a mess too.

You might dislike decluttering, cleaning, or doing laundry. However, studies suggest that doing mere household chores will help you release stress. Doing household chores will facilitate organization, and you might apply it to your life.

Although some find laundry a tedious task some enjoy and find doing laundry relaxing. The smell of fresh linen and cleanliness of their clothes relieves their stress. However, the idea of laundry is certainly unappealing, there’s a lot of work to put through. You can either hire a maid service, call a laundry pickup and delivery service, or head over to the laundromat yourself.

If you wish to launder at the laundry shop yourself, you will find yourself reflecting on some decisions you have made in your life. You might not notice it but you are meditating while waiting for your clothes. Doing household chores while simultaneously meditating is satisfying.

Final Thoughts

Stress is an unavoidable circumstance. No matter how small a thing maybe, there’s a greater chance that it will ignore you. Learn how to get rid of stress as the earliest possible. Untreated stress and anxiety may lead to serious physical and mental health problems.

Some of the suggested tips can provide immediate relief. However, with the circumstances and lifestyle changes, exercise and deep breathing approaches are likely overlooked. Do not be afraid to try out other strategies. You might find one approach that fits your style.

Even though stress is unavoidable, it is manageable. With a few relevant strategies and patience, you can reduce your stress– whether it is from your family or at the workplace. Do not try to hide your struggles. Face them and get rid of them!

5 Reasons You Should Buy An Outdoor Pool Table

Published on October 1, 2020

House

Getting an outdoor pool table might be more beneficial than originally thought. Although this certainly isn’t the type of activity you’ll be doing outside, we would like to say otherwise.

For many people around the world, pool is the best way to pass the time. Some play it as a hobby while others are more serious about it. But it goes without saying that this can be an excellent source of entertainment all year round.

But, unlike an indoor pool table, we would like to argue about getting an outdoor one.

So, with all that said, here are our 5 reasons why you should buy it.

1. Excellent For Social Occasions

Pool is quite possible the best way to socialize. Family members and friends will want to come over and play a game of pool. But an outdoor table is even better for the occasion.

Getting one means you can enjoy a nice barbeque whilst playing pool with your friends. Simply said, there isn’t a better way to socialize.

2. Practicing is Easy

It’s safe to say that you need maneuvering space whenever playing pool. By having lots of space to hit your shots, you are making sure that the practice time doesn’t go to waste.

And this is exactly where an outdoor pool table comes into play. Since you will be putting it in the yard or on the terrace, you will have plenty of space to maneuver.

Experts have suggested that there isn’t a better way to become better at the game.

3. Fun For the Whole Family

Getting a pool table is not only a great gift for the entire family, but it also helps bring you together. Whenever you feel as you need to spend more time with each other, then simply call for a game of pool.

And since you’ll be placing the table outside, it calls for a nice day time activity where you can make some hot dogs, listen to music, and have fun playing the game.

4. It’s a Lifetime Investment

Very few people say this but an outdoor pool table is an investment that will last you your entire life. While some are drastically more expensive than others, you can get one for a fraction of the price and still be able to play the game with little to no effort.

Outdoor pool tables are also quite different than indoor tables, and they’re made to be more durable and withstanding of the elements. So, to help you decide on the best one, why not go here and read about the best outdoor pool tables.

5. The Outside Is Better For You

The whole thing of having such a table is that you get to play it outside. This can be a double edge sword as you’ll only be able to do it in certain conditions.

It’s safe to say that you won’t be able to play during rain or snow if you don’t have the table somewhere where the elements can’t get to it.

But when it’s sunny and the weather is nice, then there isn’t a better activity to enjoy yourself. This is not only a boost to your mental health but also your physical. While playing a game, you will drastically feel less stressed and less anxious.

Tips For Buying an Outdoor Pool

Now that we’ve told you why you should do it, let us tell you the things you should look out for.

· Weight

Outdoor pool tables are not heavy at all. While some can be quite bulky and heavy, you should never buy one of those and instead look for something that weighs less.

That’s because you will need to constantly move it around the yard to find the best spots. Also, it will work in your favor to bring it inside when the weather isn’t perfect for playing.

This isn’t possible if you buy a classic billiard table as they can weigh up to hundreds of pounds.

·Maneuverability

When we say that you need to move the thing across the yard and even bring it inside, we actually mean it.

To help out with this, you will need to examine how maneuverable each unit is. Some units come with foldable legs that make moving the thing very easy and convenient.

Others can have their legs unscrewed and you’ll only need to transport the base.

·Size

Size is always disputed within the industry as outdoor pool tables tend to be smaller than the usual size. While these are intended for much bigger spaces, it’s the fact that they don’t cost anything like their indoor counterparts that makes them so good.

But if the thing would cost less, then there is certainly something that we’re missing. And missing indeed we are. Outdoor pool tables, depending on which one you get, tend to be smaller in size.

This isn’t a problem as you can quickly adjust your game to any size of the table.

·Price

Price is for many people a deal-breaker. If a unit costs more, then probably you won’t get it as no one wants to spend thousands of dollars.

But cheaper models sell like hot pie. As we’ve mentioned it several times now, an outdoor model is generally used for socializing between friends and family members.

Thus, no one will really pay the same price for an outdoor unit as you would for an indoor. Price can be very subjective as certain units are definitely better than others.

But if there is one thing we’ve learned is to always do extensive research and find the unit that works best for your budget.

·Durability

We said that outdoor units vary in quality and that people rarely break the bank for one. But durability is one thing that has to be taken into consideration.

Sure, the thing might cost a fraction of what a billiard table costs, but you still don’t want to be paying for poor quality and have the thing break down the moment you set your arm on it.

Thus, durability is an important factor that has to be taken into consideration.

The Mental Health Implications of COVID-19

Published on September 11, 2020January 11, 2021

Health

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to enormous repercussions for people around the world. This Excel spreadsheet from Simple Sheets will help you see the impact by country.

There are so many worries and fears that people have. There are health concerns, and then there are the financial consequences that have come with economic shutdowns.

There are also the people on the front lines of the pandemic, including first responders and medical professionals who are grappling with an unknown virus.

According to Darras Law, while we are learning more about coronavirus and the treatments seem to be getting better, and deaths appear to be declining, the mental health effects might last far beyond 2020 for many people.

From job loss to isolation, it’s important to be aware of your own mental health and to check in with the people you love.

Everyone Reacts to Stress Differently

You may feel like you’re much more stressed than others around you about coronavirus or its effects. That’s normal, and people react to stress differently.

People also have different levels of fear in different situations. What may seem incredibly overwhelming for one person may not be as anxiety-producing for someone else.

Some of the people who may have the strongest reactions to the stress of COVID-19 include:

People who are considered high-risk to develop severe illness if they contract COVID-19, such as older people or people with certain underlying health conditions.
Children and teens.
Health care providers and other frontline workers.
Essential workers.
People with existing mental health concerns.
Individuals with a substance use disorder.
Someone who’s lost their job or experienced major employment changes.
People who live alone and are socially isolated.

If you have a pre-existing mental health condition or a substance use disorder, you may be especially vulnerable to the effects of stress such as what’s stemming from the crisis situation created by coronavirus. It’s important that you’re aware of your risk factors so you can take steps to care for yourself.

What’s Normal and What’s Not?

Again, stress is a normal reaction to certain things in life, and of course, a pandemic would qualify as a stressful situation. It’s imperative that you do give yourself some understanding if you’re experiencing stress but you also have to be able to recognize when things you’re experiencing or feeling might go beyond what’s considered “normal.”

If you have ongoing feelings of sadness or helplessness that aren’t situational and don’t go away, it could be a red flag. If you’re experiencing symptoms like problems concentrating, body aches, or changes in appetite, and these symptoms last for several days in a row, it may go beyond stress. Also if your symptoms are causing problems in your functionality in your daily life, it may not be considered just normal stress.

Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19

If you’re struggling during COVID-19, there are things you can do to take care of yourself and perhaps help your mental health.

Self-care is important for everyone right now.

Make sure that you have a good sleep routine and schedule and that you get plenty of sleep each night.

Regularly exercise because movement can help boost your mood and reduce anxiety. If you can find an activity you can safely and comfortably do outside, even better. Getting sunlight is good for your mental health and it’s also an important part of your physical health because it provides vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to worse COVID outcomes.

Don’t give into the temptation to cope with stress by eating unhealthy foods, such as refined sugar and packaged items.

Be careful about your consumption of alcohol because it can make mental health symptoms worse.

Also, aim to limit your screen time. Whether it’s a TV, your phone, or a computer, too much time in front of a screen is going to breed more anxiety and also keep you from engaging in more healthy activities.

If you can turn off the news, you’re likely going to see some big improvements in your mental health just from taking that one step. Constant news about COVID-19 and other things going on in the world right now is incredibly stressful. Social media can expose you to conflict and false information as well.

Know what your triggers are and actively work to avoid them.

For example, if you’re constantly refreshing the COVID death counter on your computer, then you’re triggering yourself over and over again.

Keep a journal for a week where you write down the situations that make you feel most anxious or depressed. After that week is up, look over them and start to identify those patterns that could be your triggers.

Work on training your brain to avoid them and break the loop.

We don’t even realize that sometimes we become addicted to bad news or things that trigger us.

We then put ourselves into a negative emotional spiral. If you can be more mindful and create a replacement for yourself when you find that you want to engage in these triggering behaviors, it can help your mental health.

Get Help If You Need It

By recognizing red flags and warning signs, you may be positioned to get help for yourself if you need it. It’s important to be proactive about seeking help when it comes to your mental health because otherwise the condition can worsen.

There are many options available to you.

One option is to seek support from the people in your life.

You might also reach out to someone who’s part of your faith community.

If your employer has an assistance program, they can provide you with a referral to a mental health profession.

There are organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that can put you in contact with service providers and programs.

You can also talk to your primary care doctor and talk about what your options could be.

What’s most important through all of this is that you realize you aren’t alone. Be compassionate with yourself, and do what you need to do to stay mentally healthy.

Top 5 Game Testing Tricks

Published on September 1, 2020September 18, 2020

Games

One of the most important elements of the game development life cycle is game testing. With the recent developments in the industry, according to NEIT, being a video game designer pays itself off. When you see someone outside of the studio actually sitting and playing, you can better understand if your game is user-friendly, easy to use, and with attractive mechanics. These are not questions you want to answer after the game is released to the general public. As such, the data collected from game testing can be a valuable tool in reducing risk and ensuring the best chance for your game to be successful.

However, there are many methods for testing games that may fail, so it is important to create a process in which you feel confident and make improvements over time. Here are 5 game testing tricks that may prove useful to your team:

1. Hire specific players

When designing a playtest, you need to be very familiar with the types of players the game is suitable for. While your game may appeal to a wider audience, “design for all” is wrong. Most likely, adults won’t be interested in simple adventure games, while complex strategies might be too complicated for the younger players. PlayStation and iPhone games provide different experiences and require different skill sets. It is better to hire players who already know how to use a specific device. We found it helpful to identify the identity of the target audience, for example, “Jane, 25-34, has an iPhone,” and try to recruit players who fit that description exactly. Consider the following aspects:

How old is your target audience?
Target audience: men, women or divided?
What device or platform will your game run?
Does your game assume that the player has some prior knowledge?

Of course, it can be tricky to find and hire game testers that exactly match your objective role. Some online communities (such as those associated with your game) may have players who want to be able to visit your office and share their feedback with you. But even though his biggest fans want to help, they tend to know and interact with his game better than normal players.

2. Test before you test

Before the testers arrive, allow time for all team members participating in the game test for a software testing company to complete the test. Testing through QAwerk can ensure that everything goes smoothly as issues are resolved early and the entire team stays on the same page.

Start checking the player’s experience when you enter the house. When you enter or find the login form, your game tester will be happy to welcome you. Every detail is important and can create comfort.

It may have a state-of-the-art usability lab and tons of updates, but it doesn’t matter if the building’s front door is locked or not! Are all your techniques normal? Test your speakers, mouse, keyboard, and the Internet. You don’t want to call IT while testing the game because you forgot to install the necessary plugins to run the game.

3. Reduce stress

The game testing concept is still new to some game developers. For an ordinary person, this is completely strange. Game testers may not be sure what will happen, and uncertainty can negatively affect test results. Make your game testers comfortable so they can focus on the game and you get the best feedback. During the test, be sure to tell the facilitator that it is different from the game.

The testers should understand that this activity can’t be the same as playing at home: the game is not perfect yet and it can have many issues. It is essential to explain to the participants that such work might not be what they imagined it to look like — it can get frustrating and even boring. Testing is a job, not just entertainment.

It is also useful to record the trials of other teams in the game for later review. Since most people don’t play video games in front of laptops and cameras, we’ve found it important for gamers to easily look at these items and explain why they help. Players often walk into our office not knowing what will happen, but they only understand what a playtest is and why we are playing a game.

4. Rock the Survey

After players are done playing, they almost always want to ask them a few questions. Try to predict these questions in advance and include them in the questionnaire to collect the same data set for each game tester. If you have spontaneous follow-up questions, you can ask them after completing the questionnaire. Serious and targeted surveys can make it easier to share your game test results with your team. Focus on solving the game testing problem directly.

Feedback is one of the main outcomes of the game testing process. Be consistent with it and: divide the questions into different categories, try to think of every aspect of the game that should be evaluated. It is also important to be realistic — don’t omit the parts that you think are not problematic and should not cause any issues. Remember that the fresh eye notices the least apparent things.

5. Analyze in Aggregate

After testing the game, you will receive survey results and feedback from many different game testers and watchers. Quickly collect data and share it with your team without the need for analysis or conclusions.

After collecting the data, don’t forget! Identify the problems found in your playtest and prioritize the next step. The data you collect while testing a game, including everything from a player’s emotional state to the number of unsuccessful attempts to press a button, can always help you draw conclusions and develop action items for your team. If your data is not accurate, consider reviewing the playtest structure and the next survey.

The amount of data might seem overwhelming. Each player has something to say, and their observations might be drastically diverse. Take your time to analyze the information properly or delegate the task to a separate specialist. Remember that this feedback is the whole point of testing, and it is the key to making your product better.

Incredible Tips to Help You Take Care of Your Skin

Published on August 6, 2020

Beauty/Health

Your skin requires proper care and treatment. But often, people concentrate more on either their faces or hairs and therefore, spend less time caring for the skin. If you properly take care of your skin, it will glow and this will improve your self-esteem. Everyone wants to have smooth and clear skin, but you can easily achieve that by applying correct strategies. This article gives you some of the incredible tips that can help you take care of your skin to make it healthy and glowing. Continue reading to explore these tips.

1. Drink a lot of water

Drinking adequate water is one of the simplest ways you can take care of your skin. If you don’t take enough water to quench your thirst, you will get dehydrated. Additionally, if you don’t take water frequently the condition of your skin tone may deteriorate.

When you fail to drink plenty of water, your body absorbs the moisture from your skin for it to fulfill its functional duties. And because of this, the skin becomes dry and is left with tiny contorts and small spots.

2. Select lotions and products carefully

When you want to purchase lotions, you should consider your skin’s condition and complexion. Bad lotions can affect your skin and give it many dark spots and bumps. You should also know the ingredients that a lotion possesses.

Try to avoid brands that have toxic chemicals such as Propylene glycol and Sodium lauryl sulfate. These toxic chemicals can enter your bloodstream through the skin and cause severe problems which may eventually result in cancer. So when choosing a cream or oil, choose one that is suitable for the type of your skin. There are also products such as Delfinaskin, which can be used on both dry and sensitive skin.

3. Eat a healthy and balanced diet

Your diet also has an effect on your skin’s appearance. Eating fruits and vegetables regularly can enhance your skin’s appearance. Try to avoid tobacco, as well. The reason why fruits and vegetables are good for the body is because they are full of nutrients and antioxidants. They are also full of water, which is very crucial. Also, taking foods that are rich in Vitamin C is ideal for your body. Fruits such as bananas, strawberries, etc. are known to contain high amounts of vitamin C, D, or E which are necessary for healthy skin.

4. Moisturize your skin regularly

Moisturizers tend to keep the upper layer of the skin cells well hydrated and they seal in moisture, as well. Moisturizers can also attract moisture, keep hold of it, and soften the spaces between the skin cells. Dermatologists recommend that when moisturizing, you should:

Not over-wash your face because it can destroy the oily layer of the skin, causing dryness
Use warm water when washing your face
Avoid using harsh soaps as they can harm your skin
Moisturize immediately after bathing
Use body-friendly creams and ointments.

5. Exfoliate your skin

You should get rid of the dead cells layering on your skin’s surface. The dead cells act like a barrier that prevents crucial products like vitamins and lotions from moving underneath the skin, slowing down the road to having a gorgeous skin. There are several methods you can use to wipe out dark spots- you can use an enzyme or an acid-based cleanser. Remember to exfoliate before applying any lotion.

6. Get enough sleep

Through sufficient sleep, you can boost your mental and physical condition. Proper sleep also affects your usual appearance. If you don’t sleep properly, tiny wrinkles may start forming under your eyes. Normally, adults should sleep for at least 8 hours while teenagers should sleep for 8-10 hours. Make sure to get adequate sleep if you haven’t.

7. Protect your skin against the sun rays

It is no secret that the sun rays can really harm the skin. Exposing your skin to too much sun can cause age spots, wrinkles, etc. It can also increase the risk of getting cancer of the skin. That’s why dermatologists advice people to avoid too much sun.

When going out on a sunny day, use sunscreen. The sunscreen will protect your skin against sun damage and protect it against skin cancer. Proper clothing like a wide-brimmed hat and woven long-sleeved shirt can also protect your skin when you are out in the sun.

8. Quit smoking

Smoking can make your skin appear pale and old. It can also make you develop wrinkles. Smoking narrows the blood vessels in upper skin layers, which decreases the blood flow. This will make the skin look dull. It also takes away the nutrients and oxygen that are vital for your skin health.

Smoking also damages collagen and elastin [the fibres that makes the skin strong and elastic]. The constant facial expression you make while smoking; for instance, pursing your lips when inhaling or squinting your eyes to exhale smoke, can cause wrinkles. Moreover, smoking can also make you develop skin cancer. So if you want to protect your skin, the best thing is to stop smoking.

9. Look for ways to manage stress

The majority of people don’t know this fact, but high levels of stress can cause skin problems such as itchy skin, hair loss, hand rashes, forehead acne, and many other skin issues. Various studies have proved that stress boosts sebum production. Sebum is the oily substance that clogs pores.

Managing or decreasing your level of stress can significantly enhance your skin appearance by making it smoother and clearer. Some of the techniques you can use to manage or reduce stress include practicing yoga or meditation.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read some of the ways you can take care of your skin, we hope that you implement them and make it healthy and glowing. Remember the above tips shouldn’t be just practiced one in a while; you should incorporate them in your skincare regimen.

5 Questions You Need to Ask Before Hiring a Medical Lawyer

Published on May 22, 2020May 26, 2020

Lawyer

The health department of the United States of America has come a long way since the 1980s and 1990s, but even today there is the possibility for problems to arise when you go for a checkup or to talk with your doctor. Unfortunately, this happens because the countries health department constantly pushes hospitals, doctors and other medical staff to work harder.

This kind of stress and constant pressure from the government can make even the greatest doctors make a simple mistake like prescribing the wrong drug or giving the wrong advice to the patient. While most of the time these little mistakes do not have such an impact on people’s lives, there can be situations where a wrong medical judgment may lead to more serious problems for the patient.

If you have found yourself in this kind of situation, you have probably started looking for a lawyer who might help you with this kind of problem. The lawyer that will be able to help you with this issue should have a lot more experience in this area or more specifically, medical malpractice.

Considering just how many lawyers are out there that are offering their services to the people in need, it is very difficult to find the right one. Fortunately, we have made this article that will help you is exactly that. With these questions that we are going to list you will definitely find the right medical lawyer for your situation.

Have you ever dealt with the case similar to mine?

This may be the single most important question that you can ask a lawyer to determine whether he or she is the right person for the job. It is no secret that experience is one of the most important things when it comes to dealing with a case that is on trial, this is why it is very important that you find someone that has been introduced to cases that are similar to yours.

So, if you have found a contender to be your attorney, you have got to ask them whether they have dealt with the situation that is comparable to yours.

Can I see some proof?

Assuming that the attorney answered that they do indeed have experience in medical malpractice than they probably need some documentation to use as proof to show that they have actually worked a case similar to yours. There’s nothing wrong about asking for files that they should always have at hand.

If the attorney ever shows some signs that they don’t actually want to show you their history of documents then that is a red flag. It is basically a sign that you should start looking for someone else that may be able to help you with your legal problem.

How long have you have been an attorney?

Another very important thing that you have to consider before hiring anyone to help you with this legal issue, you have with your doctor or with the hospital is to determine whether that person is familiar enough with the law.

Even if they do have previous experiences and have dealt with cases that are very similar to what is happening to you right now, it is still vital that they have years of experience of being an attorney. Because it’s not just about understanding the wrongdoings of the doctor or the hospital, it is about their ability to communicate with the hospital, Judge, and jury to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

This is why I personally recommend that everyone that has any kind of legal issue, should first question the attorney about his or her experience with their job. If you’re looking for a medical lawyer in Florida and with a lot of experience, you should check out thelawcenter.com.

How much is this going to cost me?

Naturally, it is going to be very important for you just how much money you’re going to spend with this legal problem. The entire point is not just about you proving the hospital that you are the person who has been wronged, you also deserve to be paid back for all of your troubles. Spending thousands of dollars on a lawyer just to get a settlement that is worth just a couple hundred dollars does not make a lot of sense.

This is why you should look for someone who will have reasonable fees and will provide you with the best possible legal support that you can get for that money. Of course, you shouldn’t just look for the cheapest possible lawyer, but you also shouldn’t pay a ridiculous amount of money while getting the same quality of legal representation.

Will this go to court?

Not every case that is related to medical malpractice goes to court. In fact, most of them get settled out of court. Naturally, dealing with this kind of issue is always better without having to work with the judge, go on trial, etc.

Unfortunately, sometimes you just can control what is going to happen and you will have to face the hospital in court. An attorney that has had experience with cases just like yours will know whether it will be going to court or not as soon as he or she glances at your file. They have had their fair share of trials which means they can come to the conclusion on what kind of future your case will have.

If you have found a lawyer that is unable to answer this question for you, you should definitely be looking for someone more educated on the matter.

What we listed above are some of the most useful questions you can mention to the lawyer that you’re considering to hire. Keep in mind, even if the attorney manages to answer all of these questions correctly or in the right way, that does not mean that they will be able to solve your case easily. There are some complications that they simply cannot control.

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