Tag: love

How to Use the Internet to Your Advantage

The internet has certainly changed life as we know it. Although it has very much been around for decades, life is very different today than it has ever been. Many of us love the internet. It has opened up so many doors and given us more opportunities than ever. But at the same time, it’s hard not to see just how it can also bring a lot more negativity into our lives. It’s said that we’re the anxious generation – no doubt somewhat down to our ability to be connected to the internet at all times. And yet, this doesn’t mean that the internet needs to be a hugely negative thing. Love it or hate it, there are always going to be ways that you can use the internet to your advantage.

 

In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some of the most exciting and empowering ways you can use the internet to your advantage. Regardless of where you stand on the matter, you may just find that there’s a lot of positive that can come out of your relationship with the online space. Let’s take a look.

The Negative Side of the Internet

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge just why the internet can be considered bad. While not everyone will see it that way, it’s hard to ignore the negative effects it can have on our lives. Spending hours upon hours on smartphones, sitting for eight-plus hours a day in front of a computer, mindlessly scrolling through social media, and more can be the reality for many of us. Without vetting and validating what we’re consuming or actively giving ourselves a break, it can be overwhelming, overstimulating, and harming our health.

Why We Need to be More Positive

With that in mind, we do still need to look to be a lot more positive when it comes to the internet. Not everything is bad. Just like anything in life, there are always two sides to things. With the internet, we can actually look to use it for good. Having so much access and connection can really add a lot of positivity and influence on our lives. But we have to harness it for the good!

9 Ways to Use the Internet for Good

So now we’re going to take a look at exactly what you need to do when you’re looking to turn your relationship with the internet around. Here are nine ideas to get you started.

1. Creating More, Consuming Less

Before we get into some of the ways you can actually improve your life when using the internet, you have to begin by focusing on how you approach it. If you’re only ever consuming content online, it’s going to drain you mentally. Looking to distance yourself from excessive consumption is key. To compensate, you may find looking to create more can really help you to feel more grounded and at peace.

2. Meeting New People

We then also have the idea of meeting new people. They say that the current young generation is lonelier than ever due to the way they’re growing up online. But there is also the option to meet new people and make friends too. As we go through life, our interests tend to change. This can mean that different people come into our lives at different times. But this can be such a beautiful part of life, and the internet can facilitate that.

3. Finding Love

Another way of finding real, authentic human connection here is finding love. The online dating space can get a bit of a bad wrap, but there are still many authentic relationships that have been built online. Finding the love of your life can happen online. Again, it’s all about letting yourself be positive and optimistic about what might get to happen for you.

4. Discovering Entertainment

You can also find entertainment online too. Now, this isn’t referring to any of the short-term creator-based content. Instead, we’re thinking about the various types of entertainment you can turn to. From incredible arthouse films and grassroots music to classic minesweeper games to poetry readings, there’s a lot of niche entertainment to be found online. It’s all about connecting to what interests you the most and going beyond anything social media-based.

5. Researching for Plans

This one seems very simple, but it’s a huge positive in many of our lives. Using the internet for research purposes can be a lot of fun. It’s something that we all do every single day without really realizing it. It helps us to learn things and fill gaps in our knowledge, but it can also be very useful for making plans. Whether booking a restaurant reservation or choosing where to travel to, the internet can help us to make, facilitate, and decide upon the plans we want to make in life.

6. Advancing Your Education

Another thing you can look to do with the internet is learn. Rather than getting caught up in consuming things that are frying your brain, looking to actually learn and develop could be just what you need. Continuously learning will always be a benefit to your life. Not only can it be enjoyable and help you professionally, but it can also allow you to grow and develop as a person.

7. Furthering Your Career

As a step beyond that, there’s also the idea of furthering your career. Because the internet gives us access to new connections and gives us the chance to build a personal brand, it can also help us to get ahead. If you know you want to progress and develop your career, then looking to build up a presence online can really make a difference for you.

8. Starting a Business

Or it could be that you’d really like to start a business. This is something that many of us want to do outside of our careers. Without the internet, it may not even be an option for you. But because of the internet, we have more access than ever to launching something of our own. You can even do it for free! This could really allow you to pursue your dreams too.

9. Make a Difference in the World

Finally, you could also look to use your access to make more of a difference in the world. This could be in the form of giving back to the community, creating something that the world will benefit from, or even launching a nonprofit. Everything you do doesn’t have to involve consumerism. Sometimes, it can just be for the sake of doing good!

What Life is Like on the Good Side of the Internet

Ultimately, there is always going to be a good and a bad side to everything. But having the ability to turn something that could be a negative into a positive will always be there. Of course, you could let yourself go down the rabbit hole of the internet as a drain on your life. But at the same time, you always get to choose it as a positive influence.

From the way you meet people to how you find things to do in life to how you advance as a person to the career you build for yourself, there’s a lot to be gained from having a positive relationship with the internet. But in order for that to happen, you need to make sure that you’re driving it all in the right direction. So it’s time for you to take the wheel and see where it gets you!

Love vs. Thermostats: Stoov’s Revelations on How Heating Sparks Relationship Drama in British Homes!

The cost-of-living crisis and pay-cap announcements are top of mind amongst the public, with most seasonal headlines reflecting these concerns. Stoov, the Dutch infrared heating brand aiming to warm Brits sustainably while saving on energy bills, found out how heating is affecting relationships at home. You can also check out our review of Stoov here.

Low temps = high tensions

When surveying Brits, Stoov discovered that tensions are both common, and high: over half of respondents have argued over when to turn on the heat this winter. Age factors in, too: Gen Z are most likely to have this argument (81%), in contrast with Millennials despite them being the ones who are most likely to turn on the heating first (62%).

Tensions largely stem from stress around the cost of heating: 85% of respondents are worried about energy costs this winter – 42% even feel more stressed than last year. Despite women (89%) and men (81%) feeling similar levels of anxiety, arguments may stem from which rooms need heating first. While couples agree on heating the living room (69%) and bedroom (32%) first, other rooms align with personal preference; women like to heat the bathroom (9%), while men prefer the kitchen (7%).

Heating Grinch vs. Chilly Billy

The gender temperature gap is a smaller factor in the home surprisingly, compared to places like the office or gym. Despite 86% of female respondents falling into the Chilly Billy category, saying they always feel cold, women are only 10% more likely to turn on the heat than men. Many opt to use additional layers of clothing to stay warm: 89% of respondents wear layers, most stop at two (43%) before turning on the heat.

Interestingly, four in ten of respondents have chosen to buy personal heating products like heating blankets, pads, cushions or hot water bottles, to reduce or circumvent the need for central heating altogether.

Despite finances at home having been a traditionally male-dominated space, progress has been made within modern relationships as financial control balances out between men and women. Men are only 8% more likely to pay the energy bills, and 4% more likely to have saved to create a buffer for heating costs, when compared to women. This implies that financial responsibility is becoming increasingly shared within British partnerships.

Becky Nascimento, UK Country Manager at Stoov says, “We often underestimate how much temperature can affect our wellbeing and headspace, especially at home. When finances become involved, it only becomes more complex. This survey shows that many Brits feel they must choose between financial savings and physical comfort, which affects the social dynamic at home. Luckily, many people looking for affordable, sustainable alternatives to central heating have discovered personal heating products as an ideal solution to ease tensions, as people can establish their own, ideal environment, anywhere in the home – even with their partner right next to them.”

SKULLCANDY Unveils “ALL LOVE” Headphones Ahead Of Pride Month In Support Of LGBTQIA+ Community

Skullcandy announced today its limited-edition “All Love”  Crusher Evo Headphones in partnership with To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), a nonprofit  movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression,  addiction, self-injury and suicide. The limited-edition headphones feature a Pride-inspired  

colorway designed to celebrate all love, all year long. The Skullcandy “All Love” Edition Crusher  Evo headphones will begin selling May 30, exclusively on Skullcandy.com. A portion of proceeds will  help To Write Love on Her Arms fund mental health support programs designed specifically for the  LGBTQIA+ community. 

“Skullcandy actively champions mental health, with a focus on supporting programs dedicated to  the LGBTQ+ community during this time of year,” said Justin Regan, VP of Marketing, Skullcandy.  “Through our longstanding partnership with To Write Love on Her Arms we’re able to raise  awareness, provide critical mental health resources and advocate alongside the LGBTQIA+  community.” 

The LGBTQIA+ community faces higher-than-average rates of depression, PTSD and anxiety  disorder. TWLOHA is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with these  and other trauma and stress-related conditions. Skullcandy has been a consistent partner with  TWLOHA for over three years, and to date, the company has donated over $100,000 for the no profit  organization. Last year’s Inequality Crusher headphones alone helped raise over $50,000 for the  organization’s LGBTQIA+ focused assistance. 

Tech specs tied to each of the Skullcandy “All Love” Edition headphones include: 

Skullcandy “All Love” Edition Crusher Evo Wireless Headphones – £179.99 MSRP 

  • 40 hours total battery + Rapid Charge 
  • Crusher adjustable Sensory Bass 
  • Personal Sound via Skullcandy App 
  • Call, track and volume control via touch controls 
  • Built-in Tile Finding Technology 
  • Flat-folding and collapsible 

To Write Love on Her Arms exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into  treatment and recovery. For more information, please visit twloha.com. 

For more limited-edition offerings, visit The Workshop — the home of Skullcandy’s exclusive  collaborations, limited run designs, and custom audio products.

FIND LOVE AMIDST THE APOCALYPSE IN BRAND NEW DATING-ACTION GAME ETERNIGHTS

During Sony’s State of Play independent developer, Studio Sai, revealed a first look at their upcoming apocalyptic dating-action game debut, Eternights, coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC early next year.

In Eternights, players will make the most of life during the apocalypse, saving the world and finding love along the way. The reveal trailer gives a glimpse at the game’s unique blend of love story and adrenaline-driven combat, brought to life with beautifully crafted 2D animated cut-scenes.

A mysterious entity has infected humans, turning them into dangerous monsters obsessed with violence and power. As they stand between you, a cure, and the world you want, you must race against the clock to fight for your survival and for those you love. But with scavenging, dungeon crawling, and dating all on the to-do list, what will you do first? The choice is yours, but everything has a deadline, and the clock is ticking.

In Eternights, players will encounter perilous dungeons steeped with mystery and danger, overcoming traps, puzzles and dancing mini-games to beat their deadlines and make it through on time. When not exploring dungeons, choose a confidant from a cast of five quirky and loveable characters. As you grow closer, explore their unique stories, and unlock new skills and spells to aid you in battle.

Eternights will be available for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC (via Epic Games Store and STEAM) in early 2023. For more information visit http://www.eternights.com/