Salman Zafar is the CEO of BioEnergy Consult, and an international consultant, advisor and trainer with expertise in waste management, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, environment protection and resource conservation. His geographical areas of focus include Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biogas technology, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management.
Salman has participated in numerous national and international conferences all over the world. He is a prolific environmental journalist, and has authored more than 300 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. In addition, he is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability through his blogs and portals.
Salman can be reached at salman@bioenergyconsult.com or salman@cleantechloops.com.
Access to clean, affordable and renewable energy is a prerequisite for sustainable development of mankind, and refugees are no exception. Refugee camps across the world house more than 65 million people, and almost all refugee camps are plagued by fuel poverty. Needless to say, urgent measure are required to make camps livable and sustainable.
Rapid advancements in renewable energy technologies have made it possible to deploy such systems on various scales. The scalability potential of renewable energy systems makes them well-suited for refugee camps, especially in conflict-afflicted areas of the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Renewable energy in refugee camps can be made available in the form of solar energy, biomass energy and wind energy. Solar panels, solar cooking units, solar lanterns, biomass cookstoves and biogas plants are some of the popular renewable energy technologies that can improve living standards in refugee camps. It is important to focus on specific needs of refugees and customization of technology towards local conditions. For example, solar technologies are better understood than biogas systems in Jordan.
1. Solar Energy
Solar energy can provide long-term resilience to people living in refugee camps. With many camps effectively transformed into full-fledged towns and cities, it is essential to harness the power of sun to run these camps smoothly. Solar cookers, solar lanterns and solar water heaters are already being used in several refugee camps, and focus has now shifted to grid-connected solar power projects.
The 5MW Azraq solar project is the world’s first grid-connected renewable energy project to be established in a refugee camp. The project is being funded entirely by Ikea through the Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign. The program, now in its third year, seeks to improve the lives of refugees around the world by providing access to sustainable energy supplies.
2. Biomass Energy
Due to lack of land and resources, refugee camps puts tremendous pressure on natural vegetation, especially supply of fuel wood to camp-dwellers. Replacement of traditional stoves with efficient biomass-fired cook stoves can save as much as 80% of cooking fuel.
Instead of wood, it would be also be a good option to use agricultural wastes, like husk and straw. Another interesting proposition for refugee camps is to set up small-scale DIY biogas plants, based on human wastes and food residuals. The biogas produced can be used as a cooking medium as well as for power/heat generation.
3. Wind Energy
Small wind turbines can also play a key role in providing energy to dwellers of refugee camps. Such turbines are used for micro-generation and can provide power from 1kW to 300kW. Majority of small wind turbines are traditional horizontal axis wind turbines but vertical axis wind turbines are a growing type of wind turbine in the small wind market.
Small wind turbines are usually mounted on a tower to raise them above any nearby obstacles, and can sited in refugee camps experiencing wind speeds of 4m/s or more.
Solar lights in Azraq Refugee Camp (Jordan)
Conclusions
Renewable energy systems have the potential to improve living standards in refugee camps and ease the sufferings of displaced and impoverished communities. Solar panels, biogas system, biomass stoves and micro wind turbines are some of the renewable energy systems that can be customized for refugee camps and transform them into a less harsh place for displaced people.
Landscape designing has been an independent profession for a long time. It revolves around analysing, designing and planning exterior living spaces. Building an eco-friendly landscape design helps to combine nature and culture while designing the exterior living places.
Eco-friendly landscape designs not only provide a conducive living environment but also can influence the social, aesthetic and environmental qualities of the overall housing areas. It also helps you manage your time, money and efforts. Eco friendly landscape design helps to nurture the ecosystem, reduce pollution and also maintain healthy surroundings.
Best sustainable landscaping design ideas
Xeriscaping your landscape
Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping which eliminates the need for irrigation. In simpler words, it is using drought plants and grass to design your exterior living areas. In this, you use agriculture which needs little or no water other than what is provided by the climate of the place.edru9
Adopting this method does not mean turning your landscape into the barren land, it is merely the use of Drought-tolerant plants, Sand, Permeable hardscapes, Mulch etc. this method helps you conserve water that would otherwise be used up in maintaining huge green lands with grass. People have been using this method since 1981.
Despite Earth being 71% water only 2.5% of it is freshwater that is fit for usage. Since converting saltwater to freshwater is possible but it is not a viable solution as too many resources are needed. Thus, we need to conserve water and use it carefully.
2. Install Solar Lights on your Lawn
Installing solar lights lower your electricity bill to a great extent. Moreover, it will let you show off the beauty of your landscapes even at night at a very minimal cost. Instead of connecting the lights in your lawn to a power source, you must install solar panels that convert and store the solar energy into electricity during the day and use the same energy to light up your lawn at night.
Solar lights, unlike regular garden lights do not require to be wired. This makes them highly portable and less messy. Solar lights use batteries instead, eliminating the need of sockets, wires and other electrical components.
Solar panels are a one-time investment with a great resale value. It is environmentally beneficial and needs very less to no maintenance. It is an energy-independent source which will help you add beauty to your lawn and at the same time not be harmful to the environment.
3. Rock Garden for landscape
Rock gardens are a unique way to design a landscape. Carefully and creatively arranging rocks in a certain pattern will help you get a very beautiful and unusual landscape. The best part of having a rock garden is that you hardly need to do any work to maintain it. They are visually very appealing and need little or no water.
Rock gardens are very long-lasting as they can withstand harsh and extreme weather conditions and thus look great all year long. It also increases the value of your property as it gives an illusion of free space as they don’t need much greenery and plants
4. Wildlife Garden
A wildlife garden is a garden that is sustainable and habitable for wildlife and domesticated animals. Wildlife gardens contain a variety of habitats that cater to native and local plants, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, mammals and so on.
Building a wildlife garden is also better as it helps you reduce your cost for fertilizers and get access to natural chemical-free fertilizers. Wildlife gardening also allows us to connect to nature and provide a sense of peacefulness. It also gives you a sense of well-being and improved mental resilience.
5. Adding a Compost Station
Compost is a waste management facility where solid waste is managed and processed using composting technologies. This processed waste can be reintroduced into the environment. Waste like autumn leaves, grass clipping and yard trimmings can be dumped into the composting pit.
People misjudge the compost station as they think it would look like a pile of garbage on their lawn, but that is not the case. In fact, it is one of the most thoughtful ways to reduce waste in your home. You can make a homemade compost station and manage it pretty well using attractive wooden bins, beautiful flowers and other garden ornaments.
6. Vertical Garden
This method is the best way to make your lawn look beautiful even in a small space. All you need to build this is a vertical wall, it can even be built on a fence.
A vertical garden is a garden in which the plants are supported to grow along vertical, often tiered surfaces, especially fences, posts, trellises, and walls, rather than along the ground. these gardens help save space and also cleans the air we breathe.
It can be made very attractive with the use of gardening ornaments like plant pots etc. since they take up lesser space than traditional vegetable or herb gardens, they use significantly less amount of water. There are some vegetables that work better with vertical gardening than others too. Vertical gardening has become very popular in overpopulated cities due to the lack of space to have an on-ground garden or a lawn.
7. Permeable Hardscapes on Landscape
Permeable hardscapes are an attractive way to improve the sustainability of your property. In case of storms and floods, it decreases stormwater runoff and prevents soil erosion.
Due to its permeability, it helps the rainwater to enter the ground and recharge the groundwater reserves, which in turn can be beneficial for the plants in your lawn.
8. Native plants
Native plants are plants that have been growing in a particular area or habitat for a long time. Planting native plants can always be easier as they have been growing there naturally without any human interference while non-native plants have been introduced by humans.
Thus, native plants can thrive naturally and won’t need as much care as non-native plants. The native plants won’t even require chemicals to maintain and preserve them. The usage of lesser pesticides and fertilisers in turn helps in maintaining the quality of the soil and the plants.
Native plants have a deeper root system which also helps us to save water as they can extract water from the earth’s crust. Native plants are sustainable for your wallet too as you’ll save cash by spending less on chemicals. You also save more if you plant perennial natives because they bloom year after year.
9. Green Wall
Green walls are intentionally created vertical green structures, that have different types of plants or other greenery attached to them. The greenery is often planted in a growth medium consisting of soil, stone, or water. Because the walls have living plants in them, they usually feature built-in irrigation systems.
Both interior and exterior living green walls function to cool the air in the warmer summer months Exterior living green walls can reduce wall surface temperatures resulting in significant energy savings and air conditioning costs.
You can easily grow herbs and flowers here using containers and planters. Apart from serving as an area for more plants, it also improves the appearance of your yard.
Conclusion
An eco-friendly and sustainable landscape is a way by which we can repay society. Having an eco-friendly landscape will make the surrounding a better place for future generations.
With the growing urbanisation and population, we must not forget to take care of our planet, adopting the above methods will help us to be around nature and keep it from being exploited. Moreover, it is budget-friendly so instead of approaching fancy materialistic stuff to improve the visuals of your landscape, we must adopt eco-friendly landscaping ideas to quench our thirst for aesthetics.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming more popular due to their environmental benefits and cost savings. A vital component of any electric vehicle is the motor, and when it comes to EVs, higher-voltage motors are often the preferred option. High voltage motors offer numerous advantages over lower voltage motors, which make them especially attractive in applications where weight or power is a concern. In particular, a 72 volt motor is becoming increasingly common in EVs, offering superior performance and reliability compared to lower-voltage alternatives.
What are High Voltage Motors?
High voltage motors are particular types of motors used in a variety of industries and applications. Operating with higher voltages than the standard gives them a unique advantage over other motors and makes them suitable for use in many different situations. High voltage motors have higher torque capability than their low-voltage counterparts and increased power to meet the demands of various industrial applications.
By utilizing more complex constructions, these motors can be designed to provide stability and high performance within harsh operating conditions. High voltage motors are reliable and efficient due to their sizable mechanical power output while requiring less electrical energy input. Their high-speed air-gap features also give them enhanced starting power, making them ideal for many motion control applications.
How Do High Voltage Motors Work?
High voltage motors leverage electric current created by an electric battery or another energy source to create rotational energy. They use an alternating current (AC) to convert electrical power into mechanical torque, which powers the vehicle. This AC is converted into DC through a rectifier, creating a powerful and efficient motor that can be used in EVs.
High voltage electric motors often require less current than their lower-voltage counterparts, which lowers overall electric consumption and contributes to fuel efficiency. Furthermore, because of their ability to generate higher revolutions per minute with greater torque than other electric motors, high voltage electric motors are optimized for those seeking to maximize speed from their EVs.
Additionally, they require fewer parts than DC motors, making them more reliable and less expensive to repair or maintain.
Advantages of Using High Voltage Motors in EVs
High voltage motors offer many distinct advantages for electric vehicles, making them increasingly popular as the go-to choice for most applications. The main benefit of high-voltage motors is their increased efficiency, with higher power-to-weight ratios resulting in lighter vehicles that can still generate substantial power.
The increased efficiency of high-voltage motors is especially beneficial for battery-powered EVs such as e-bikes and small cars. Their light and improved power output provide a more cost-effective option than lower voltage models while still meeting performance requirements. They also make excellent solutions for smaller applications, such as drones or toys that require longer running times without sacrificing power.
For larger applications like heavy-duty electric vehicles, engineers can use a combination of lower and higher voltage motors to maximize efficiency. This approach typically uses a high-voltage motor to drive the vehicle’s primary transmission system while utilizing low-voltage solutions for auxiliary functions such as lighting and climate control systems. By partitioning the different types of systems between different voltages, engineers can create more efficient designs that can take full advantage of each type’s properties.
Another advantage of high-voltage motors is that they require less wiring than lower-voltage models. Since each wire will carry more current with less resistance, fewer wires must be connected to safely transfer the required current from the battery to the motor. This reduces installation costs and potential safety risks in cases where wiring needs to be routed through tight spaces.
In addition to their superior performance characteristics, high-voltage motors also tend to be much less prone to overheating than their lower-voltage counterparts. With an increased insulation layer around the windings, these components are better equipped to handle sudden increases in a current draw in short bursts without damaging themselves or other components on the vehicle’s electrical system. This allows designers to build more reliable vehicles with fewer safety concerns due to potential heat-related operational failures.
Developing high-voltage motor technology has also allowed engineers to reduce their reliance on other cooling systems like radiators or air conditioning units while operating in hot environments. By increasing its overall thermal capacity through additional insulation layers and other design improvements, these components can dissipate excess heat without needing extra support from significant external cooling components outside the vehicle itself. This helps make overall designs lighter and can save money on maintenance costs due to reduced complexity in managing multiple cooling systems during operation.
Final Remarks
High voltage motors have numerous advantages over traditional DC models in powering EVs. From their lower maintenance requirements to their improved torque output and energy efficiency levels- plus added benefits such as easier installation times and reduced costs- there’s no doubt that these powerful engines will continue to be famous for manufacturers going forward as more consumers move towards electric mobility solutions.
Middle East is one of the most prolific waste generating regions worldwide with per capita waste production in several countries averaging more than 2 kg per day . High standards of living, ineffective legislation, infrastructural roadblocks, indifferent public attitude and lack of environmental awareness are the major factors responsible for growing waste management problem in the Middle East. Lavish lifestyles are contributing to more generation of waste which when coupled with lack of waste collection and disposal facilities have transformed ‘trash’ into a liability.
Major Hurdles
The general perception towards waste is that of indifference and apathy. Waste is treated as ‘waste’ rather than as a ‘resource’. There is an urgent need to increase public awareness about environmental issues, waste management practices and sustainable living. Public participation in community-level waste management initiatives is lackluster mainly due to low level of environmental awareness and public education. Unfortunately none of the countries in the region have an effective source-segregation mechanism.
Waste management in Middle East is bogged down by deficiencies in waste management legislation and poor planning. Many countries lack legislative framework and regulations to deal with wastes. Insufficient funds, absence of strategic waste management plans, lack of coordination among stakeholders, shortage of skilled manpower and deficiencies in technical and operational decision-making are some of the hurdles experienced in implementing an integrated waste management strategy in the region. In many countries waste management is the sole prerogative of state-owned companies and municipalities which discourage participation of private companies and entrepreneurs.
Many Middle East nations lack legislative framework and regulations to deal with urban wastes.
Due to lack of garbage collection and disposal facilities, dumping of waste in open spaces, deserts and water bodies is a common sight across the region. Another critical issue is lack of awareness and public apathy towards waste reduction, source segregation and waste management.
A sustainable waste management system demands high degree of public participation, effective laws, sufficient funds and modern waste management practices/technologies. The region can hope to improve waste management scenario by implementing source-segregation, encouraging private sector participation, deploying recycling and waste-to-energy systems, and devising a strong legislative and institutional framework.
The Way Forward
In recent year, several countries, like Qatar, UAE and Oman, have established ambitious solid waste management projects but their efficacy is yet to be ascertained. On the whole, Middle East countries are slowly, but steadily, gearing up to meet the challenge posed by waste management by investing heavily in such projects, sourcing new technologies and raising public awareness.
However the pace of progress is not matched by the increasing amount of waste generated across the region. Sustainable waste management is a big challenge for policy-makers, urban planners and other stake-holders, and immediate steps are needed to tackle mountains of wastes accumulating in cities throughout the Middle East.
Vehicles remain a huge global pollutant, pumping out 28.85Tg of CO2 in Maharashtra alone, according to a study by the Indian Institute for Science in Bangalore. However, vehicles cannot be discarded, as they form the lifeblood of the country’s towns and cities. Between electric vehicles and hybrids, work is being done to help rectify the situation by making use of green car fuel and technological advancements.
Emissions continue to be a huge issue, and there are two main options for helping to rectify that. The first is electric, which is seeing widespread adoption; and the second, biomass fuel, for more traditional vehicles. Between the two, excellent progress is being made, but there’s much more to be done.
How electric is helping
Electric cars are favoured heavily by the national authorities. A recent Times of India report outlined how the government is aiming for an all-electric vehicle fleet by 2030 and is pushing this through with up to US$16m of electric vehicle grants this year.
Green vehicles are obviously a great choice, improving in-city noise and air pollution whilst providing better vehicular safety to boot; a study by the USA’s MIT suggested that electric vehicles are all-around safer than combustion.
However, where EVs fall down to some extent is through the energy they use. As they are charged from the electricity grid, this means that the electricity is largely derived from fossil fuels – official statistics show that India is 44% powered by coal. Ultimately, however, this does mean that emissions are reduced. Fuel is only burned at one source, and oil refining isn’t done at all, which is another source of pollutants. However, as time goes on and the government’s energy policy changes, EVs will continue to be a great option.
The role of biofuels
Biofuels are seeing a huge growth in use – BP has reported that globally, ethanol production grew 3% in 2017. Biofuel is commonly a more favoured option by the big energy companies given the infrastructure often available already to them. While biofuel has been slow on the uptake in India, despite the massive potential available for production, there are now signs this is turning around with the construction of two US$790m biofuel facilities.
Biofuels are increasingly being used to power vehicles around the world
The big benefit of biofuel is that it will have a positive impact on combustion and electric vehicles. The Indian government has stated they intend to use biofuel alongside coal production, with as much as 10% of energy being created using biofuel. Therefore, despite not being emission-free, biofuel will provide a genuine green energy option to both types of eco-friendly vehicle.
Green car fuel is not entirely clean. The energy has to come from somewhere, and in India, this is usually from coal, gas, and oil. However, the increase in biofuel means that this energy will inevitably get cleaner, making green car fuel absolutely a reality.
If you’re looking to join the green movement and install solar panels on your home, we’ve got the perfect article to share and help you learn if you should make the solar investment.
1. The cost of installing solar panels
Installing solar panels is going to be slightly costly. One of the reasons behind this is that scaffolding will have to be placed around your home, and roofers will need to attach fixings to your rafters.
It’s important to discuss with your solar panel installer before proceeding with the installation. Still, a surveyor should visit your home to help you understand all the costs associated with installing solar panels.
The size of your home will also change the price of solar panels as a larger house tends to use more electricity and will require more panels. This increases the costs, and your solar panel installer will explain any extra hidden costs behind the solution. You may also qualify for free solar panels so don’t forget to go through the government’s renewable energy grants schemes.
Once installed, solar panels do not require much maintenance and should last for a long time. However, you may run into problems over the years and need pigeon proofing solar panels to avoid birds from nesting underneath and a general clean every few years, adding some maintenance costs.
Our recommendation is to contact as many solar panel installers as possible and ask for quotes from all of them. Then, compare the quotes you have received and a breakdown of the expected energy savings from your solar panels and make an educated decision if solar panels are the correct solution to your energy problems. The initial investment can be costly, but over time you should make that back with savings.
2. Is your home suitable for solar panels?
Depending on which country you live in and the angle of your roof, your home may be more suitable for solar panels than others. However, you should never install solar panels on a home that receives relatively no sunlight due to shade caused by trees, buildings and any other object.
Other factors to consider is that if you work in an office, you will not receive the full benefits of the panels
Some countries such as the UK require planning permission for solar panels to be installed on listed buildings or buildings within conservation areas.
3. Problems with your solar panels
Commonly, you may run into a solar panel problem during the time you have them in your home; the most common problem highlighted tends to be the inverter which causes no usable energy to be transmitted from your system.
Other common solar panel issues include birds nesting under solar panels, panels building up dirt, electrical problems and isolator problems.
Most issues can be resolved by yourself, but the main problem is finding out the cause of the case. Which usually means you have to call in a solar panel installer or expert.
If you’re still undecided on solar panels for your home, don’t feel pressured; solar panels are a costly and lengthy investment, and you have to be sure that you want to go ahead with the acquisition.
Just 6% of businesses consider their maintenance department to be well established, showing just how little attention companies are paying to this area. No employee likes trash piling up in the bins around the office. The only solution to this problem is to help arrange a Roll Off Dumpster Berks County that can be placed under the company building and emptied on specific days of the week. This can get your business to be more organized just by making waste removal services more accessible.
As a result, wastage is often high, which eats into profit margins. When an office is refurbished, there will inevitably be some waste created, which the company must pay for. In order to mitigate the damage, business managers should put more attention into their maintenance strategy, acting preventatively rather than reactively. This way, business maintenance waste will be limited. The resulting maintenance waste can then be converted into energy, thus becoming a money maker rather than a drain on resources.
Benefits of Sustainability for Business
Sustainability is really a no-brainer from a business perspective, yet many companies are failing to hit a sustainable level of waste management. US consumers are beginning to care more about a business’s environmental impact over the price of their products, with 67% supporting an end to single-use plastic straws. Not only will restructuring your waste strategy save you money on cleanup, but it will improve the image of your company. In these eco-conscious times, this is essential.
Furthermore, a recent poll by Michigan State University found that 88% of Americans take steps to reduce their food wastage. This shows how high a priority this is for the average customer. If you can target more resources towards sustainable waste management, then you are bound to see increased profits in other areas.
Scheduling and Planning
Cutting waste is all about taking preventative actions rather than reacting to circumstances as they arise. By planning your maintenance ahead of time, it is possible to identify areas where wastage will occur and take steps to avoid this. Work with the most experienced maintenance waste managers for the best results. You are probably already a top planner when it comes to marketing and sales, but are you using these skills when maintenance work needs carrying out?
Before any big construction or renovation project, have an expert identify the quantity of waste that will be produced. You will then be able to schedule in workers to come and remove it immediately, increasing efficiency and lowering costs. It is then up to you to dispose of this waste in a way which is responsible.
Profit From Your Waste
The average business uses between 15,000 and 25,000 kWh per year. This energy has to come from somewhere. Given the amount of waste produced by a typical company, why not put this back into your operation by converting it to energy or transforming it into useful products? This is a win-win situation. You get to carry out the necessary maintenance to keep your business running, while receiving free energy to power your company and promoting an eco-friendly brand image.
Maintenance is an important part of every business, but many managers neglect the cost of waste. Staying on top of your business maintenance waste is guaranteed to cut costs and boost profits. Have a waste management schedule in place and use the trash to provide a sustainable energy source as well as useful products.
By 2030, Rome is expected to install an estimated 70 gigawatts of green energy capacity. But due to lengthy permitting duration, Italy is installing 0.8 gigawatts only every year, according to a report by Reuters. Italy is set to implement tight measures to streamline the authorization procedure of clean energy projects.
Italy’s previous energy plan unveiled in 2019 revealed it would generate 65 gigawatts of clean energy capacity within ten years. However, the complex permitting process is slowing down the rollout of renewable energy schemes. It also jeopardizes efforts to obtain the EU’s recovery funds and meet climate goals. Moreover, Brussels has reinforced its targets on carbon emissions since then, forcing many states to reevaluate their climate objectives. Below are ways countries, including Italy, can boost the use of more renewable energy.
1. Get rid of fossil fuel subsidies
Subsidy reforms on fossil fuels plus carbon pricing can generate about 2.8 trillion dollars every year in government revenue by 2030. The report by the New Climate Economy also reveals that implementing carbon pricing systems can be effective in supporting just energy transition.
Governments can use the revenue generated from carbon pricing to provide citizens, especially the poor and groups affected by structural changes, with rebates or tax cuts. This step will also help showcase the value of renewables and energy efficiency, thus discouraging investors from investing in fossil fuels.
2. Improve access to greener energy
Typically, government authorities make assumptions of how much households living with low-incomes can afford for clean energy. As a result, they end up settling for subsidized fossil fuel-powered centralized grid systems. Instead, governments should provide clean and better energy to all, as Freedom Solar states, empower everyone to access clean, affordable, and reliable energy.
Solar panels are becoming more accessible, for homeowners and businesses
One way to achieve this goal is by investing more in building markets that provide the poor and small businesses opportunities to utilize renewables more often.
3. Encourage investing in energy efficiency
While innovative financing to enhance energy efficiency in buildings boosts economic growth, countries need to rethink and expand their policies. Doing so will help investment in renewables to flow. Some ways of enhancing energy efficiency investments include establishing standards for appliance and building efficiency, innovative funding options, and improved public procurement.
In recent years, countries worldwide are paying more attention to clean energy. However, fossil fuels still account for about 80% of energy consumption globally and 75% of carbon emissions. That’s because of obstacles, such as complex deployment environments for renewable energy schemes and soft costs. Fortunately, governments can boost the adoption of clean energy by eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, encourage energy efficiency investment, and improve access to green energy.
The increasingly modern busy life has its own benefits, but stress and anxiety are part and parcel of this life. Most adults forget what sound and peaceful sleep look like as stress and anxiety do not leave them unattended. There are rarely a few who go to bed with peace of mind, but most are accompanied by stress and anxiety. For them, the ultimate solution, indeed, is weighted blankets for adults. These are also known as therapeutic blankets weighing between 10 to 20 pounds. Their pressure performs a therapeutic effect known as deep pressure stimulation, which helps relieve pain and stress, reduce anxiety, and enhance mood.
It has been proven through several researches in the past that pressure stimulation reduces autonomic arousal, which actually causes anxiety. Investigators have found in the above study that 33 percent of the stress of 33 people reduced by using these blankets. It is also helpful in recovering from insomnia, sleep disorder, and chronic pain. These blankets may carry health benefits, too. It is best to choose a blanket made of natural fiber, such as 100% cotton. The other blankets made of polyester are typically much hotter.
Working
These blankets have a weight that gives relaxing pressure; as mentioned above, the swaddling, snuggling effect provides a soothing feeling while sleeping. These blankets help you in many ways. Let’s have a look at a few:
1. Better sleep
As these blankets have weight, the pressure these blankets will exert may generate nervous system responses that help in reducing your heart rate when you have anxiety issues. This may result in better sleep.
2. Activate natural chemicals – oxytocin and serotonin
Pressure may help the body release the chemical oxytocin, which may improve your immune system response, ease pain and stress, and help you sleep.
The pressure can make your brain ready to release a serotonin chemical, which calms your brain and body because serotonin helps keep food fresh and helps deep sleep.
3. Sensory healing
These blankets may help some people with autism spectrum disorder which is overstimulated by their noise. The pressure of a blanket may help them in taking rest.
Where to Get One
Weighted blankets are sold at department stores, drugstores, or online like on Amazon. Weighted blankets are not economical. They often cost between $65 and $200.
Are They Worth Buying?
There’s no concrete proof that these blankets cope with stress and anxiety in adults, but sales of these blankets have soared over the last two years which can help us conclude that it indeed has health benefits.
These blankets are the best therapy available at home because it gives benefits like deep pressure therapy. These prove helpful in several conditions such as anxiety and stress, leading to different sleeping disorders if you want to choose one for your family and yourself. Go for the soft option that must be the snug size and is about 9 percent of the weight of your body.
Pay attention to the Instructions
Read the instructions properly for washing. Try to wash at home. Make sure the fabric is soft, and you are comfortable with how much it weighs. Because feeling too hot or trapped by the blanket’s weight will not be suitable for you.
To conclude, a weighted blanket’s pressure creates a soothing effect that helps to sleep better. This makes an anxious person enjoy deep sleep and also helps in reducing pain, stress, and anxiety. People suffering from several painful diseases relax with a weighted blanket. This is an excellent alternative to have sleeping pills at night.
Mac computers are developed for performance and durability. They are built with industry-leading hardware to ensure they are of the best quality. The computer only requires regular, moderate care to serve you for many years.
Sometimes Macs tend to be slow, which affects their efficiency. To improve productivity, make sure the computer is free from viruses. Maintain good hardware health for improved productivity. The computer will be more efficient if you learn to use shortcuts. Here are tips for working faster and increasing Mac productivity.
Keep your Mac clean from viruses
Many things affect the speed of a Mac and its efficiency, and one of them is viruses. Cleanliness includes issues such as removing viruses and unwanted files. Many people believe in the myth that Macs are immune to viruses. While it is built to resist most viruses, it still gets virus attacks. It could experience a Distributed Denial of Service attack.
Some viruses replicate files until storage fills up. Other types, such as Baron Virus, hijack your browser and change its settings. One of the ways to prevent viruses from accessing your Mac is regular scanning. Use an antivirus to scan and remove viruses. This article provides you with guidance for removing the Baron Virus. This Bing-redirecting virus is a real menace, so you, as a Mac user, act immediately to remove it from your PC.
Learn to use keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts help you to work faster with enhanced efficiency. It helps improve your productivity by allowing you to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Using shortcuts, you can easily switch from one window or app to the next. You will not keep changing focus from the keyboard to the mouse, which lowers efficiency. It increases your precision which means you work with greater accuracy. Here are some simple Mc keyboard shortcuts.
Command + X to cut selected text/content
Command + v to paste the cut text
Command + C to copy items
Command + A to select an entire page
Do not stick in too many folders or install too many applications
When you are productive, you can keep creating new documents and folders all the time. Your Mac keeps a sustained speed until a certain point where it becomes slow. The sudden effect on speed is due to limited space in Mac storage. It could be because you have installed too many applications or documents. It is time to clean your Mac and remove excess documents and applications.
Go to File Finder, and then open the Go menu, then select go to the folder. In the field that opens, type /var/log and then tap enter on the keyboard. All your system log files will be displayed. Highlight all the files you want to remove and delete them. Another option is to open the folder where you have saved your files. Next, delete all the folders you want to remove or save them on an external disk.
Use Mac Mission Control
It takes time to switch from one window, app, or desktop space to the next. When you spend more time clicking on tabs, your focus gets distracted. It has an impact on your efficiency and productivity. Eliminate this problem with the use of the Mac Mission Control feature.
It provides you with a bird’s eye view of your open apps, windows, and desktop spaces. It arranges them on your desktop so that you can easily click on the item you want to view in full screen. You may also opt to view several items in the split view. This way, you will use less time to switch between documents.
Keep your Mac hardware healthy
The health of your Mac hardware impacts its speed and efficiency. Hardware can affect efficiency so much that your Mac stops working. Many things affect hardware health, such as overheating, dust pile-up, and age. Overheating can be due to working for many hours or a faulty fan. Liquids can permanently damage your Mac or cause it to work slowly.
Here are a few tips to keep your Mac hardware healthy.
When working, ensure nothing blocks the ventilation
Do not place heavy items on the keyboard
Ensure the fun is always working well
Avoid placing liquids near your Mac. Accidents happen, and they could spill on the computer and damage it.
Always place your Mac in a stable, flat workspace.
Avoid working in a room where temperatures are too high
Blow off dust from your Mac often.
Avoid storing your Mac in hibernation/sleep mode. Instead, shut it down completely when it is not in use.
Keep your files organized
File organization is crucial if you want to achieve improved efficiency and work faster. To have file efficiency means you can find applications and files quickly. It also means they open faster and save time. You cannot be productive on Mac if you spend several minutes locating documents. The solution is to keep your desktop organized.
You might want to designate space in the hard disk for storing your folders. Create several folders and name them according to their content. You may have a folder for invoices, designs, music, leads, contacts, and so on. It becomes easy to locate a document every time you need it. You will easily notice files or documents you no longer need and remove them.
Make sure you have enough memory
The RAM is the main CPU memory. It is the unit responsible for instructing the computer on what to do. When the CPU is up to date, it completes instructions faster. The RAM is housed in the CPU to provide temporary storage for apps and documents. It stores the recently accessed data for ease of access and speed.
Just like the hard drive, RAM storage fills up with apps and documents. Clean up the RAM to allow more temporary storage space. You may want to upgrade the RAM by adding an extra chip to increase the amount of memory.
Limit the number of browser plugins/extensions
Plugins help expand the functionality of browsers and allow a developer to add new features. Regardless of their benefits, too many plugins disrupt Mac performance. They become potential attack vectors that create further risk to your Mac. Due to an extended number of plugins, more of your Mac’s system resources are consumed. The solution is to limit the volume of plugins that you allow. Your Mac will work faster and more efficiently.
Conclusion
Mac is built to work with optimized speed and efficiency. However, this benefit is affected if you do not take proper care of the computer. To improve Mac productivity, learn to use keyboard shortcuts. Keep the hardware healthy by ensuring each component is working smoothly. Browser extensions help improve functionality and increase features. However, do not allow too many extensions because they reduce speed. Keep your files organized to make access and retrieval easier. Learn to use macOS features such as Mission Control, media, iCloud, organization, and creativity-based features.
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