Easy Ways To Improve The Performance Of your Smartphone

Over time, the performance of your smartphone can start to drop. The more images you take, the more files are stored and even how you charge your phone can all affect the performance of your smartphone.

smartphone

There is no need to put up with slow processes, which, let's face it, are frustrating, to say the least. You can improve your phone's performance by just implementing a few little tricks and changes for both Android and iPhone users.

Battery Life

Lithium-Ion batteries in current devices perform well if they're kept charged between 50% and 80%. This means that your battery should be topped up in little doses during the day rather than from a full charge each night. Finally, you should make sure you're only utilising licenced chargers, as unauthorised third party versions can damage your battery and some research indicates that they are hazardous.

Clear The Cache

Every action you take on a phone creates a digital footprint. They accumulate as RAM cache. Recovering lost performance can be achieved by clearing out the clutter. Apps and other background operations leave a trace, which helps them launch faster, consuming hard drive space and decreasing RAM available for other programmes you may wish to run later. You can clear the cache on the Settings menu by choosing Storage > Cache. To clear the cache partition, click "OK" when the device asks whether you want to do so.

Store Images on The Cloud

These days, many smartphones have the capabilities to allow automatic storage on different cloud accounts such as Google Drive, Microsoft Onedrive or Dropbox. This means should anything happen to your phone, all images and documents are retrievable.

It also means you do not need to store so many images on your phone, and you can delete them to help you free up space. If you don't want to delete all of your images, have a quick check for any blurry, mistaken shots and duplicates, such as using burst features when taking an image - how to delete duplicate photos on iphone.

Avoid Live Wallpapers

There are some fantastic looking live wallpapers on the market. However, they can put a strain on the CPU. This additional load on the CPU and battery diminishes performance and efficiency. To use fewer resources, you should use a static image as your phone's background.

Remove Unused Apps and Bloatware

A lot of the software included on smartphones contains unnecessary bloatware that might not interest you. Even if you only used a few of the apps that are pre-loaded, you can still have others that you don't use.

In addition to all of these programmes consuming storage and memory and requiring screen space, they slow down your device. Once you've found the offending programme, uninstall it to resolve the issue. If you can't uninstall them, they must be disabled.

Disable Mobile Data Settings

When you use your mobile data connection to download app updates automatically, your data will certainly be used up. However, most devices have the option of downloading updates only when using WiFi. Disable the “mobile data” option on non-essential apps to save your battery and decrease data usage.

Use your mobile browser's 'data saver' setting to prevent your data usage from hogging your plan's allowance while you're using mobile data (from emails, WhatsApp, etc.).

Assess Your Touchscreen

Consider using the manufacturer's recommended way to clean your screen when your touchscreen is not responding or begins to respond slowly. Clearing temporary internet files, cookies, and browser history also helps.

Device Shutdown

How often do you completely shut down your phone?

Be sure to shut down your gadget at least once every week totally. This will assist in maintaining the operating system performing optimally, and it will also help refresh the operating system.

Avoid Anti-Virus Apps

Limit the number of anti-virus software you install. Having a lot of them doesn't increase the security of your smartphone, but it does consume up storage and battery life.

Look at Your SD Card

Newer devices, some with improved storage capabilities mean the need for an SD is redundant. However, this isn't on all models, and typically mid-price or lower-end phones will require the use of an additional SD card.

The first time you use a new SD card, be sure that it's formatted properly for your device. The card slot should be free of dust and damage, and the card itself should be free of harm. If there are no obvious signs of damage, you may be able to connect it to a computer running a DIY software application to obtain the data.

Maybe It’s Time for an Upgrade?

Sometimes, you’re just really limited on what you can do when it comes to upgrades. When a phone is too old, well, it’s just too old, and this can be super annoying- even inefficient! So, that’s why it’s best just to accept the fact that sometimes, you’re just going to have to look into getting a new smartphone.

Fortunately, there are a lot of deals out there, such as getting a Samsung S23 for cheap, so you don’t have to worry about losing out on a bunch of money. But again, it’s best to keep your phone as long as possible and make upgrades since this is eco-friendly, but don’t feel bad about upgrading when the time has come and it’s actually needed.

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How To Get Your Dog To Sleep Soundly

Those of us who are dog lovers really worship our dogs. Dogs are so loving and give this love unconditionally. We love to look after our dogs and keep their well-being at heart, so when there is something wrong with their health, like sleep problems, it becomes a worry. However, there are many things you can do to help your dog get a good nights sleep. Let's have a look at how you can get your dog to sleep soundly. 

Sleep varies

dog sleeping

Depending on the age of the dog their sleep varies. If you have a puppy they may sleep 18 hours a day but an adult dog will sleep between 12 to 15 hours a day. So if your puppy or dog is not sleeping enough then have a look at what you can do to help.

Set a routine

Setting a sleep routine is important, just as you do with your kids.  Ensure you give him his food at the same time and allow him to digest it before bed. Take your dog for a walk in the evening then keep the environment calm when you return so the dog has time to wind down.  Exercise is important to ensure your dog gets tired. It's also the time for them to relieve themselves. If you have a big dog it will need more exercise than a small dog. If your dog knows his routine then he will settle into it.

Comfort

Make sure your dog has its own large dog bed or doggy basket that is comfortable to sleep in or an area he knows is his. Perhaps this area has a dog blanket and his own special comforting toy made for dogs.  Letting your dog share your bed isn't a good idea as it can disrupt the sleep of you both. So be strict in this area. 

Environment

dog sleeping

As I said above keep the environment calm at night after your dog's walk. Make sure there is no loud TV and set the lighting to low.  Ensure as well that the area isn't too hot or too cold for your dog. Once it's your dog's bedtime settle him to his sleep area, use a soothing tone and then shut out the light. Your dog will then know that it is time to sleep.

Health

If you find your dog still isn't sleeping it's worth getting him checked over by a vet. There may be underlying medical conditions that are affecting your dog's sleep. It's worth getting your dog checked out for peace of mind. Some conditions affecting your dog's sleep could be that they have kidney problems or diabetes and so need to go to the toilet a lot disrupting sleep, or they are in pain from arthritis. If your dog is anxious this can also lead to sleep problems in dogs.

If you want to find out more check out this post on getting your dog to sleep soundly and follow the hashtag SleepForDogs. Let me know if you have a dog, and what you have done to help them sleep soundly. 

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Impactful Ways To Give Your Mental Health A Helping Hand

Everyone needs to think about their mental health, no matter who they are. Even if you are not usually prone to depression, anxiety or anything else of the sort, you never know if this may happen to you and it is best to guard against it as much as you possibly can. As it happens, there are some great ways to give your mental health a helping hand, and in this post, I will take a look at some of the most impactful of these.

Give To Others

coffee cup

Something strange that a lot of people don’t quite realise is that you can improve your mental health by actually putting a lot of effort and work into giving to others. It is important to be clear about what this means and what it doesn’t mean, however. It doesn’t mean that you are not taking care of yourself first. But it does mean that, as much as you can, you are being generous with other people and helping them to be happy. This can be giving of your time or giving something small. You’ll be amazed at how much that helps your own well-being mentally. Why not do something small like buying the next person in the queue a coffee for no reason and maybe they will pay it forward and do something nice for others? Or volunteer to do the shopping for an elderly neighbour or walk their dog for them. 

Downsize Your Life

There is much to be said for the minimalist approach to living. By simply downsizing your life a little, you are going to find that it is much easier to feel good in yourself, and you’ll be amazed at how true this really can be. To downsize, you mostly just need to make sure that you are not surrounded by objects that you don’t need. Giving them away through charity, or even just using self storage to put them out of sight, can really help you to feel less cluttered in your mind too, and that helps you to feel happier on the whole.

Find Joy In Food

Unless food is a problematic aspect of your own mental health issues, you’ll find that it can be a great way to find a lot more joy in life. There is much to be said for eating good food full of healthy fats like Omega-3 which is great for brain health, and bright fruits and vegetables and plenty of it, so this is something that you are going to want to consider doing as best as you can. Really sit and allow yourself time to enjoy the food too, don't do anything else just saviour the flavours. By finding joy in food in this way, you are going to expect a healthier body and mind all at once, so it really is an amazingly powerful thing that you can do for yourself. You could also add a supplement from somewhere like Nature's Happiness into your diet in order to provide your body with what it needs nutritionally in order to stay happy and healthy. The more good food you eat, the happier you often are. The more good food you eat, the happier you often are.

Balance

happy people

Finally, think about whether you are currently achieving a lot of balance in your life or not. By this, we simply mean that you are not doing too much or too little of any of your regular activities. The classic balance that people are often concerned with is, of course, work versus leisure, but that is not the only one that matters. There is also personal time versus socialising, for instance. In all things, achieve as much balance as you can, and watch as your happiness profits.

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How to Throw a Great Rooftop Party in London

Sunny days and balmy nights are the perfect times to host that summer city favourite, the rooftop party. There’s a lot of planning that goes into throwing an epic rooftop party, but we’ve got you covered with eight handy tips.

Tips for throwing an amazing rooftop party



1. Create some shade

Your rooftop venue may already have some shade structure built-in. If so, score! If not, and your party starts during the day, make sure to add a few umbrellas, canopy, or string some shade material to create some relief from the sun. While some guests may want to bask in the warm sunshine, others may want, and probably should get, a bit of shade every now and then.

2. Create plenty of comfy seating

Unless you want your guests to stand the whole party, which will be tiring and a deterrent for a good time, plan to have plenty of comfortable seating. If your rooftop doesn’t have enough comfortable outdoor seating, grab a few outdoor rugs and place plenty of cushions and pillows on top for the ultimate in lounging and reclined relaxing.

3. Add some decorations

Liven up your decor by adding some decorative and colourful touches. You’ll be amazed at what a few well-placed potted plants and jasmine bouquet decor can do. Other easy decoration ideas include whimsical paper lanterns and balloons. In addition to balloons and lanterns, inflatable decorations can be a fun and easy way to add some colour and excitement to a rooftop party as well. They are easy to tailor to your party theme and add a special flavour to the decorations. If the theme of your party is Valentine’s day then Valentine inflatables will help you create the mood with a giant heart or any symbol that you think might best decorate your venue. Or if you are hosting a Spring party then Easter inflatables in the shape of bunnies or eggs will serve as the main backdrop for taking pictures. Inflatable decorations can be easily set up and taken down, and they are often lightweight and portable, making them a convenient choice for a rooftop party. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for inflating and deflating the decorations safely.

4. Have plenty of drinks

It’s not a party without some drinks, so make sure you have plenty on hand. Cold beer and chilled wine are easy. If you plan to serve cocktails, make sure you have plenty of ice and mixers as well. Keep everything chilled with plenty of coolers.

For easy party planning, pick one cocktail as your party’s signature drink and pre-make a big batch of it. Store it in a drinks cooler or in pitchers. You can also set up self-serve drinks stations for your guests to make their own, so you don’t have to spend the whole party playing bartender. Or you can go all out and hire a professional bartender to make and serve drinks.

Also make sure to have plenty of water, both still and sparkling, as well as non-alcoholic drinks, such as soda, juices, and lemonade, which can also double as mixers for cocktails.

5. Feed your guests


You’ll want to have some food so your guests don't go hungry. Stick with easy-to-eat snacks and appetizers, like finger foods and bite-sized morsels that won’t make a mess. Cut fruits are a good option as they’re refreshing and hydrating. For something heartier, grab a portable grill that you can easily carry to the rooftop venue for summer BBQ favourites, like sausages and burgers.

For serving, go easy on yourself and stick with paper or plastic plates. Ideally, all the food can be eaten without utensils, but if you must, stick with disposable ones. You can pass around dishes on large trays, or better yet, just set up a table where your guests can help themselves.

6. Think about lighting

If your party will run past sunset, you’ll want to make sure there’s sufficient lighting, both for safety and for ambience. Fairy lights or Christmas lights are easy and can set a festive mood. You can string them up or put them inside mason jars. Add a few lanterns or tiki torches for a tropical vibe.

Consider adding a few citronella candles for ambience and to keep the midges at bay. Just make sure you have enough outlets and extension cords if you need to plug anything in.

7. Cue up some music

A little bit of background music can go a long way to help set the mood and get the party going. At the very least, you should create a playlist on your phone or laptop and play it through some decent-sounding outdoor speakers. You’ll probably want to have several playlists for different moods, from mellow to upbeat.

If your budget can swing it, hire a local DJ for a few hours for a truly memorable party. For a different vibe, consider a local musician, or ask a few friends to bring their guitars or other instruments for an impromptu jam session.

8. Capture the memories

Make memories at your epic rooftop party with some fun party photos. Set up an area of the roof or designate a corner with fun backdrops, costumes, and props for your guests to take photos in. To go all out, you can even rent a party photo booth with everything you need to perfectly capture the good times.

Partying on the roof, al fresco

To make your party more memorable, you can also set up small games with exciting prizes such as bar blades, tankards or an iconic refillable lighter that you can get in bulk from a wholesale start lighters store without ruining your budget.

There’s nothing like a good rooftop party, especially if you’re in London, as it’s a chance to enjoy the outdoors with good company and good views. The tips in this article will help you plan and throw a memorable rooftop party. If your building has a rooftop and you have permission to use it, then you are all set. If not, there are plenty of great event venues in London with rooftops that you can book for your stylish spring or summer shindig.

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How To Check Your Coffee Is Sustainable

If you are a coffee lover you may be aware that not all coffee is equal in regards to taste as well as its ethical status. If you are rightly concerned about your cup of coffee's sustainable pedigree there are some things you need to consider. Let's have a look at how to check your coffee is sustainable.

What is sustainable coffee?

coffee picker

Sustainable coffee is coffee that provides a fair price for the farmer and his family as well as one that is grown and marketed for its sustainability to the environment. When you think that over 2 billion cups of coffee are made every day you can see how that could affect the environment if the process was not sustainable. 

Check the label

There are certain things to look for on the label of the coffee you buy. Coffee that is certified organic is grown without pesticides that can harm the environment. If coffee is labelled Fair Trade it means that the farmer is paid a fair price for the coffee, they have decent working conditions and there is local sustainability. If coffee is labelled certified by the Rainbow Alliance it has also been grown in sustainable ways and they say they build connections to create a better future for people and nature. 

Avoid the packaging if you can

coffee beans

I personally feel if you try and buy coffee beans and grind them yourself you get the freshest coffee and you can avoid the worst of the packaging like coffee pods. If you find a company that provides fair trade, sustainable coffee, it's worth buying from them again, especially if they offer monthly subscriptions. This helps you save money and the planet. You can buy a coffee grinder relatively cheaply to grind coffee too. If you have to buy hard coffee pods, the aluminium type, check if they can be recycled first and be sure to do this. Some of the soft style coffee pods are compostable so that is a definite preference, however, if you try and avoid unnecessary packaging then that's a better way to have your coffee.

Before you buy your coffee in packaging, check you can recycle it first, If you are buying your ground coffee in a jar, be sure to recycle the glass, and before you buy your coffee in a bag check that you can recycle it first.  Also when you are buying your coffee without all the packaging then you are avoiding the higher prices too and the farmer doesn't have so many middlemen to get his cut. 

Look at the price

Something you may not know is that it can take between four and seven years for a coffee tree to produce its first harvest.

If the coffee is remarkably cheap then you can guess that the farmer won't be paid a reasonable price, and often the quality won't be there either. When farmers are paid a low rate they could be in the position to deforest the land so they can make more and not focus on quality instead. 

When you are out

coffee brewing
If you are having a coffee when you are out and about, firstly use a coffee shop that displays its eco-friendly credentials and uses Fair Trade or Rainbow Alliance coffee wherever possible. These are often the smaller independent coffee shops, so you are supporting a local business too.  Starbucks says their coffee is 99% sustainable but as with any claims or places big or small, do your own research to back up any claims, and I'm always wary of large organisations claiming ethical and sustainable status.

If you are buying a coffee when you are out there are some things you can do to help the environment. If you have to have a takeaway, take your own cup that can be reused if the coffee shop allows this. Or check if the coffee shop uses compostable cups if you are taking your coffee away. Sit in when you can and have your coffee in a china coffee cup or mug, it tastes better and you are avoiding a disposable container. 

Read up about sustainability

If you are interested in reading about sustainability in coffee production then eraofwe.com are a global community committed to the future of coffee. They are committed to traceability and accountability so everyone is aware of the supply chain and work in partnership with their suppliers so everyone gets a fair price.

Tell me, have you thought about your coffee's production? Do you look for ethical and sustainable coffee?

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7 Ways To Make Your Jewellery Packaging Unique And Special

As any business would know, packaging functions to protect a product but also has other benefits. Unique packaging is a form of product branding that makes your goods stand out from the rest of the market.

When an item hits the shelves, its packaging is believed to be the first thing that attracts and stirs the buyers’ interest. The same is true whether you’re selling an everyday item such as soap or a costly product such as jewellery.

Consider the following ways to make your jewellery packaging unforgettable.

1. Create A Unique Experience

jewellery box


Sellers should strive for a delightful experience as soon as the recipient sets their sight on the special packaging. To complement a visually appealing packaging, one thing you could do is to use a covering that seeks to highlight the element of surprise.

Make sure to have a look at the different elegant packaging options offered by Packaging World and other similar companies, whilst making some small tweaks here and there in line with your brand’s unique strategy.

2. Slight Changes Can Make A Difference

You don’t have to think out of the box and make revolutionary packaging. Some small tweaks like using a layer of lace, silk, and tulle bag instead of the usual organza fabric, can have a more dramatic impact on the buyer.

Below are said to be some of the most commonly used jewellery packaging products you may want to get familiar with.

  • Cardboard boxes are also the most common jewellery packaging. They’re often placed inside a gift bag.

  • Plastic boxes with foam inserts can take the place of cardboard boxes. Being often transparent, a plastic box isn’t so nice if you want your gift to remain a mystery though.

  • Gift bags are one of the most traditional ways in which you can present your jewellery. As mentioned, organza is the most common material.

  • Velvet pouches can also be used to protect your precious metals and create a more elegant and upmarket feel.

  • Velvet boxes often come with velvet pouches to generate a classic and luxurious look, especially with the satin lining.

To help with your branding, use distinct packaging by switching the materials used or changing the design and texture of each component used.

3. Match The Product

If you’re selling a simple product, the mantra, less is more, may fit just right, however when bespoke jewellery is concerned, you will want to go the extra mile. Complementing the valuable items inside the packaging with luxury packaging is the best way to go.

By placing your goods inside at least two layers of packaging that’s as upmarket as you can think of, your buyer will appreciate the care and attention spent in putting everything together.

4. Remember To Use The Packaging For Brand Promotion



Don’t forget to place your logo conspicuously in the package so that it’ll stick to your customers’ minds and you’ll be considered for future purchases. Placing your business details in a strategic area that ‘greets’ your customers’ eyes is one good way to consider elicit brand recall.

5. Make It Eco-Friendly

Many companies have become more conscious of the environmental impact of their manufacturing, packaging, and shipping practices. The call to reduce carbon footprint and gas emissions has made consumers lean towards eco-friendly products more.

Think of ways your customers can repurpose your packaging, so your boxes and bags end up recycled or upcycled instead of in landfill. For instance, you can ask your customers to send the packaging back for a discount on their next purchase. Not only are you encouraging them to continue to patronise your business but you’re also giving them a chance to do their part in saving Mother Nature.

6. Unconventional Is Unforgettable

Sometimes, you don’t have to stick to conventional packaging to make it special. To stand out from the rest, you may opt for materials that are not traditionally used in jewellery.  This works especially with a bespoke piece. Consider looking at wood, metal, and glass.

7. Be Generous With Extras

Besides making sure that your brand name and logo are etched in all jewellery packaging, give your customers another reason to love your product. Prevent them from throwing your packaging away by thinking of ways for clients to repurpose them.

Tuck in a small note addressing the client by the name and a brief ‘thank you’ or an inspirational note. Keep it simple for maximum impact.

The Bottom Line

The branding of jewellery packaging can help sell the product. As a seller, strive to make the packaging as unique as your brand.

I hope the points discussed in this article can help you choose your jewellery packaging from among the many options. In coming up with a special packaging that represents your brand, look for something that’s capable of creating the maximum impact.

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