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  • Should You Get a Degree Online?

    Should You Get a Degree Online?

    Maybe you’ve been considering going back to school, or maybe even going to school for the first time. However, you might not have the time or the spare cash to go to a traditional four-year university. If that’s the boat you’re in, have you considered online degrees?

    There’s a lot of misinformation on online degrees out there. Today we’re going to dispel a few common myths and explain why an online degree could be perfect for you.
    Is an Online Degree Worth It?

    On Your Own Time
    One of the best things about attending an online university to get your degree is that you get to pursue your education on your own time. At a traditional university, you would have to work around the schedule of the school. Many universities require a certain base number of credit hours, meaning you could be spending up to six hours per day at the school.

    If you have a full-time job or a family (or both!) it can be exceedingly difficult to find the time to take college courses. That’s where online degrees come in. Instead of having to attend lectures in person and make it to the school to take tests, an online university allows you to take in the material on your own time.
    No Judgment
    Many people are afraid to go back to school for fear of being judged. Some feel as though their decision to seek out a new career path is comparable to admitting defeat. As such, they’re hesitant to attend a physical college, and they might even resent the idea of getting a degree online.

    However, studying and learning a new profession online is a great way to prove that you haven’t given up. If your current job situation stinks and you really want a change of pace, whether for better hours or better pay, there’s nothing more defeatist than just sticking around.

    When you go back to school online, there’s no one looking over your shoulder and judging you. It’s just you and the work you’re assigned. While some degrees might have video conference-style lectures, they’ve got a distinctly different feel than sitting in a lecture hall.

    Accredited Schools
    Some people feel as though online degrees somehow mean less, or are less valid, than degrees that were acquired at conventional universities. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you attend an online university that is fully accredited and get a degree, it’s just as prestigious and valid as a degree from a four-year university.

    Notably, many people often feel this way about certifications that can take less credit hours to acquire than bachelor’s degrees. For instance, many nursing certifications or cosmetic certifications can take as little as two years to acquire. This doesn’t make them any less helpful in acquiring a job than a four-year degree, it just means they’re much more focused.
    For instance, nursing certifications and criminal justice are two of the more popular online courses. Another popular choice for people seeking out online education is a degree in nutrition.
    Authentic Experience
    While it might not be the most traditional experience, attending a university online is no less authentic than going to college. Maybe you never went to college, or maybe you got a degree that has proven unhelpful in your career. Either way, now is the time to make a change and get that degree you’ve been thinking of.

    Go on, you’ve got nothing to lose. Find the online school that’s right for you today!


  • Can You Get a Law Enforcement Degree Online? The Facts

    Can You Get a Law Enforcement Degree Online? The Facts

    While many people are on the lookout for the best jobs, they often overlook law enforcement careers. However, careers in law enforcement can be rewarding, with great opportunities for benefits and pay. You might be wondering how you would get started looking for a career in law enforcement, though. Isn’t it hard to become a law enforcement professional?

    Thankfully, there are numerous online programs that offer opportunities to pursue a law enforcement degree. If you’ve been wanting a change of pace in your career, this is a field you should be thinking about. You can serve your community and advance your career prospects when you get into law enforcement.

    Online Law Enforcement Degrees

    Online Degrees

    Contrary to popular belief, there are numerous accredited and well-respected online universities that offer law enforcement degrees. Whether you’re already out of school but looking for a change of career, or never went to college but want to advance your career prospects, there’s a lot to like about online degree programs.

    When you go to a traditional college, you have to set aside time in your day to attend lectures, take tests and other such activities. That’s all fine if you’re a kid, but a busy adult rarely has that kind of down time to spend on a university campus. That’s where online degrees come in.

    Your Education, Your Way

    Online degrees allow you the freedom and flexibility to take courses at your own pace. If you find you’ve got little time during the day for classes, you can take your lessons and tests at night after you get home from work. If you have children you need to take care of, it’s hard to get time set aside for classes. Thankfully, online degree programs are flexible enough to work with your schedule.

    It’s also worth noting that many online degrees are also very affordable when compared to traditional universities. Keeping your costs down while pursuing your degree is a huge help for a working person!

    Law Enforcement Careers

    There are a number of rewarding careers in the field of law enforcement. The most obvious of these is police officer. While you’ll still need police training following your degree program, a law enforcement degree is the first step to becoming a police officer.

    There are many other types of jobs in the law enforcement field, too. Many careers with federal agencies require a law enforcement degree, as to jobs with the courts system. Another potential avenue for law enforcement careers would be through national parks, as a park ranger.

    Law enforcement careers are often tied directly in with the operations of the federal or a state government, meaning that they are often subject to background checks and rigorous vetting. As long as you’ve got a clean record and a passion for service to your community, you’ll likely fit right into the law enforcement field.

    Average Pay

    The average pay of a law enforcement career can vary widely from job to job. For instance, even among police officers, though the median income is $60,000, that number can vary immensely from department to department. Experience, background and length of service also have a lot to do with pay.

    On the other hand, a job with a national park or a job with a federal court could offer vast ranges in pay based on where you’re working. One commonality, however, is that benefits tend to be exceptional for government work. Medical, dental and other such health coverage are all common with law enforcement jobs, and retirement benefits are a common draw to such jobs.

    If you feel as though a job in law enforcement would be ideal for you, seeking out an online degree is step one. The rest is up to you!


  • Good Habits: Finding Time to Exercise

    Good Habits: Finding Time to Exercise

    Health and fitness get overlooked often in the hustle and bustle of daily activities. However, one of the most important cornerstones of a healthy life is exercise. If you want to feel better, live longer and have more energy, you should consider getting into an exercise routine. We know what you’re thinking: when am I going to have time for that? Today, we’re going to help you find that time.

    Finding Time to Exercise

    Why Getting Fit Matters

    A lot of people simply wave off fitness or make excuses. It’s hard to get into shape and stay in shape, right? Well, that’s not necessarily true. When you get the right cadence going in your life, you’d be surprised at how easy it gets to stay in your routine.

    When you’re working out more, you just feel better. This has little to do with body type, though being in shape can be nice. No, instead, the health benefits of exercise we’re focused on are more to do with your mood, your energy level and your overall health.

    Those who regularly exercise create better habits for themselves and begin to cultivate discipline. Personal discipline is an invaluable resource, as it can help you get nearly anything done. It goes hand in hand with resolve and determination, which are admirable traits!

    Lunch Break

    Consider bringing a packed lunch to work that you can eat quickly. If you get an hour for lunch, bring something you can eat in ten minutes. This frees up fifty minutes of your time so that you can engage in some light exercise!

    No one wants to be sweating at work, but you can take a quick walk. Maybe take a walk around the building, or to your car and back. Not only will you find more time to get your exercise in, you’ll also save money on your lunch. You might even eat better, making your own food, rather than eating out at a restaurant.

    Waking Up Sooner

    Some of the best workout time can be found just before or just after sunup. Maybe you go into work at 9:00: consider waking at 7:00 in order to give yourself time to get in a jog and a few pushups and sit-ups. When you first wake up, your body is flooded with adrenaline. What better way to get a start to your day than to break into some exercise?

    It’s also better for your body to get to bed earlier and awaken earlier. Staying up late every night has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and other disorders. A well-regulated schedule of exercise and fitness is great for your body!

    On the Way Home from Work

    When you’re on the way home from work, do you pass any gyms? Maybe consider getting a trail membership to a gym and seeing how you feel heading by there after work. If you hate waking up early and would rather work out later in the day, try hitting the gym every other workday.

    Maybe you try to get by the gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Whatever works for your schedule! That way, you get a nice capstone to your day and get to work out any frustration or energy from the workday.

    Weekend Warrior

    If your weekdays are totally packed full of activities, consider getting your workouts in during the weekend. Sure, it’s preferable that you work out more regularly than that, but it’s a great way to start. The best thing about exercise is that it’s a self-reinforcing activity. It feels nice to be active! Your body will soon push you to get out and be active all on its own.

  • Looking for a Change of Career? Consider These Online Degree Programs

    Looking for a Change of Career? Consider These Online Degree Programs

    When it comes to careers, it’s a bit disheartening to think about having to change your path as an adult. You’ve already been trained and educated in your field! How are you going to switch gears when you suddenly find yourself without a job, or start looking for a change of pace?

    Today we’re going over some of the top online degrees that are sought out by people changing careers. These are programs that will work on your schedule, at your pace, and help you transition into a new career path with no fuss.

    Top Online Degree Programs:

    Nursing Degrees
    If you have a compassionate heart and want to get your foot in the door in a medical career, consider an online nursing degree. Nursing is a rewarding and stable career that you can pursue via an online degree course. No matter where you live, there are hospitals that need nurses, so the job is consistent. Additionally, nurses make good money and often receive full benefits for their work.

    Registered nurses can make an average of $70,000 per year once they’re in full swing.

    Criminal Justice
    If you’re interested in a more civic-minded career, you could look into online degrees in criminal justice. The criminal justice field includes jobs like corrections officer, court functionaries and even police officers. While the degree itself has a wide scope, it can be pursued online and offers a great change of pace to a rewarding career serving one’s community.

    Police officers usually make an average of $60,000 per year, though that number can vary widely depending on the county, experience and other factors.
    Cyber Security
    Jobs in cyber security are highly sought-after in our increasingly connected world. While you might not think it, IT specialists and cyber security professionals are in higher demand than most other skilled labor. If you’re passionate about technology and interested in a career in cyber security, a degree in the field can be pursued online at your own pace.

    Cyber security professionals can make an average of $90,000 per year if they’re successful and have relevant experience. This makes the field very attractive for people looking for a change of pace from their existing career!


  • Top Natural Pain Remedies: Try These New Approaches

    Top Natural Pain Remedies: Try These New Approaches

    Suffering with constant pain, such as that from arthritis or neuropathy, can be incredibly detrimental to your overall quality of life. However, there are ways to approach pain that can help it become more manageable. Today we’re looking at a few of the top ways to combat pain naturally without breaking the bank!

    Top Natural Pain Remedies

    Meditation

    The saying “mind over matter” comes to mind when someone mentions meditation. Meditative techniques involve a ritual of clearing one’s own mind in order to gain a positive mental and physical effect. In the case of pain management, meditation can help you to focus and push the pain to the edge of your perception, making it more manageable.

    Yoga

    Yoga is a semi-spiritual practice that incorporates meditative techniques with physical movements. Practitioners of yoga say that it is very calming, soothing and engaging. It’s also quite good for your physical well-being, as it doubles as low-impact exercise. Many with chronic pain swear by their yoga routine, as it helps to bring their pain to within tolerable levels.

    Tai Chi

    Another meditative practice, Tai Chi is a Chinese form of yoga-like movements designed to channel your inner “spiritual energy,” or Chi. Tai Chi, like yoga, is very popular as a form of low-impact exercise. The form is often used by older persons, as it has a notable effect on increasing balance and sure-footedness, making the likelihood of taking a fall much lower.

    Massage

    Visiting a massage therapist for a session can do wonders for pain. Massage therapy utilizes physical manipulation of muscles and tendons, helping to relax and energize the client. While massage therapy sessions can be a bit on the expensive side, they are both wonderfully relaxing and great for alleviating chronic pain.

    Turmeric

    Try cooking with more turmeric! The root-based spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. While you’re at it, try to avoid alcohol and processed sugars, as they can both act as irritants that inflame your body’s systems, leading to greater chronic pain.

  • Adult Asthma: What You Should Know

    Adult Asthma: What You Should Know

    Asthma is often misconstrued as a children’s disease, the type of thing you grow out of. However, this is not the truth. Many adults actively struggle with asthma symptoms, and some adults don’t even realize what they are dealing with.

    Adult Asthma

    What is Asthma?

    Asthma is a respiratory condition caused by a sudden constriction of air passages in the lungs called bronchi. When these bronchi constrict, it makes it difficult to draw air into one’s lungs, resulting in coughing, chest pain and wheezing. Adults often notice these side effects when they’re exercising or otherwise respirating heavily.

    Many people who aren’t often active may even be unaware of their own asthma. These symptoms, to them, simply feel as though they are out of shape or short on breath. These people are often too embarrassed by their physical state to seek out help.

    Could You Have Asthma?

    Here’s the thing: asthma is a serious issue. If you feel like something isn’t right with your breathing, you need to seek help from your doctor. If you had asthma as a child, you’re at a much higher risk of having the condition as an adult. Some women are at higher risks of developing asthma after becoming pregnant or experiencing menopause.

    People with acid reflux are also at an increased risk of developing asthma. Additionally, if you experience seasonal allergies, you could be at a higher risk of developing the breathing condition. When you feel like something isn’t right with your breathing, it isn’t something you should ignore. See your doctor about any abnormalities with your respiration.

    Seeking Treatment

    Your doctor can diagnose what your breathing issues are. When you feel as though something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to see a medical professional. If you’re diagnosed with asthma, you may be prescribed an inhaler. Inhalers contain medication that is to be inhaled in order to relief the bronchial spasms that constrict breathing.

    Asthma attacks can be deadly if they lead to unconsciousness. Essentially, sufficiently serious asthma attacks cause the victim to suffocate. If you have an inhaler with you, however, you can simply administer the medicine to allow your lungs to return to a normal breathing pattern. This could be potentially life-saving!

  • So Long, Beef: Meet the Impossible Burger

    So Long, Beef: Meet the Impossible Burger

    While everyone loves a hamburger, there are some issues with eating animal meat. For one thing, some say its unethical to take the life of a living animal for food. Even if you don’t agree with that point, the science is clear that red meat is hardly good for you.

    But burgers are so good! Why can’t we have a burger that isn’t bad for you and doesn’t require cows to be slaughtered? Good news, compassionate burger-lovers: the Impossible Burger provides just that. A delicious, beef-like patty made entirely from plant matter.

    Impossible Burger

    What It’s Made From

    The Impossible Burger isn’t a soy or lentil or bean patty that’s just shaped like a burger. No, instead, it’s made in a lab setting, from potato and soy proteins, and made to look and taste just like animal meat. Included in the patty are coconut and sunflower oils, which act as the burger’s fat and let it sizzle on the grill.

    Meanwhile, the whole thing is held together by methylcellulose, a binding agent that also acts as a source of fiber. The burger then uses a type of heme, the oxygen-carrying molecule found in all living things, as a source of flavor. The lab uses soy heme, injected into yeast cultures and then harvested en masse, to give the burger a meat-like flavor.

    What it Tastes Like

    It tastes like beef, full stop. If you’re a vegetarian who misses burgers, or a meat-eater who wants to cut back on eating animals, this burger hits the spot. That’s a hard trick to pull off! In fact, we’ve seen people who are vegetarians actually find the Impossible Burger “gross,” and “hard to eat” due to its greatly meat-like consistency and flavor.

    The Cost

    Generally speaking, the Impossible Burger is a bit more expensive than a normal meat patty. For instance, many restaurants sell the Impossible Burger for $13, where the normal burger tends to be around $9. However, we feel its worth it to be kinder to your body and the environment. After all, every little bit helps.

  • Trouble Sleeping? Simple Tips for Getting Better Sleep

    Trouble Sleeping? Simple Tips for Getting Better Sleep

    It’s hard to get good sleep these days. There are a million little distractions all tugging at your attention. How is one to get some decent rest? Today we’re going to break down some of our simple tips for getting better sleep at night. Remember, the better the sleep you get, the healthier you’ll be.

    Getting Better Sleep

    Caffeine

    Try to avoid caffeine later in the day. While there are lots of benefits of caffeine, you still don’t want to drink it within six hours of going to bed. Caffeine amps up your body’s nervous system, making you much less likely to get good sleep.

    Stop Napping

    Nothing throws your body off more than taking long naps in the middle of the day. These long naps can seriously confuse your internal clock, making it harder for you to get to sleep or stay asleep. This results in a negative spiral, where you’re napping longer to make up for all the sleep you’re missing at night. Your best bet? Stop napping altogether.

    Get Out More

    Try to get out more during the daylight hours. Spend time out walking, in the sun, burning calories and wearing yourself out. When your body is exposed to more sunlight and activity, it makes your circadian rhythms react accordingly.

    Your circadian rhythms are the natural functions your body goes through to help you sleep well and wake up on time. Modern life, especially if you don’t get out enough, can lead to disruptions in your rhythms. So, try to get out more to encourage your normal body’s day/night rhythms.

    Less Blue Light

    You should also try to take in less blue light during the evening. Blue light makes your body wake up more, as it looks like light from the sun’s own rays. This makes your circadian rhythms work against you and keep you up later!

    Consider turning on Night Mode on your phone, installing a blue-light filter on your laptop, or even buying blue-light filtering glasses.

  • Best Credit Cards for 2019

    Best Credit Cards for 2019

    Whether you’re looking for a great rewards card or just something to cover some basic bills with, credit cards can be a great resource. As long as you’re making sure to pay off your monthly balance and never borrow more money than you have, you’re building your credit while potentially reaping rewards.

    It’s hard to tell which credit card is the right one for you, though. Today, we’re breaking down some of the best credit cards available in 2019. These are the top picks for getting rewards, covering bills or just growing your credit!

    Best Credit Cards for 2019

    Best Simple Card: Wells Fargo Platinum Visa Card

    This card is great for one reason. You get 18 months of zero percent APR. That’s a huge deal if you just need a simple, straightforward card for playing bills. This card also sports no annual fee, meaning it’s a very easy card to maintain. As long as you’re using it and paying off the bill, it’s worth the convenience of having a credit card.

    Best for Rewards Points: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a great value for travelers. After signing up, if you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months, you get a whopping 60,000 bonus points. On top of that, you get double the points on travel and dining. If you travel often and love cards with rewards points, consider this Chase card.

    Best Cash Back: Chase Unlimited Freedom

    The Chase Unlimited Freedom card is a very flexible cashback card. You get cash back on literally every purchase: you get 3% cashback on every purchase in the first year, up to $20,000 spent. After that you get 1.5% back on every purchase.

    That goes with this card’s lack of an annual fee and relatively low APR to make it a great cashback card. If you’re often out spending on various things, this is a great card for you.

    Best for Travelers: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

    The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is perfect for travelers. You get ten times the miles on eligible hotels, of which there are thousands. The $95 annual fee is waived for your first year, and you get 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of owning the card.

  • Is Your Screen’s Blue Light Keeping You Up at Night?

    Is Your Screen’s Blue Light Keeping You Up at Night?

    Television screens, phone screens and computer screens all emit blue light that can make it very difficult to sleep. Your brain often perceives blue light as being similar to the light of the Sun. As such, this light has the effect of making your circadian rhythms misread the time of day and can lead to restlessness.

    What should you do to keep this blue light from keeping you awake late at night? There are a few ways you can keep your screen in check. Let’s get into a few.

    Screen Blue Light Keeping You Up Late

    Put the Phone Down

    The most surefire way to keep blue screen light from interfering with your sleep schedule is to simply practice more discipline. When it’s getting close to time for bed, just put your phone down. A good way to incentivize this is to plug your phone in to charge across the room, not beside your bed. That way, it’s too far for you to mess with.

    Keep Distractions out of Your Room

    Reserve your bedroom for sleeping. Consider not having a TV in your bedroom, or a laptop or tablet. Keeping these things in the same space you sleep in could make you more likely to interact with them instead of going to sleep.

    Consider, instead, having a game room or a rec room in your house where you store these electronics. That way, when you go to bed, your room is free of distractions that could keep you up.

    Activate Night Mode

    Most devices have some kind of night mode that allows you to alter the amount of blue light their screens emit. Many newer smartphones do this automatically. You can download add-ons for Windows that perform this function for your computer, as well.

    Using dark mode on apps and UIs can be helpful, too. Dark modes tend to use dark blue or black background colors to keep the overall brightness of their interface down. This makes them easier on the eyes late at night!