Sunday, March 22, 2020

7 Ways To Stay Positive While Job Searching

7 Ways To Stay Positive While Job Searching It’s so easy to succumb to frustration while looking for employment. There’s always that moment of despair as  the form rejections to our applications keep on pouring in  when we think there’s no way we’ll ever find our dream job. But it’s always better to be proactive than to remain passive- there’s no sense wallowing in doubt. When you feel the negativity start to creep in, try one of these instead.1. Tap into your strengthsEven if you don’t feel like you have any†¦you do. Sit yourself down for five minutes and list 5-10 things you do really well. These can be relevant to your career or just relevant to your capacity for success. This to-do acts as  a good reminder of your worth and can be repeated frequently!2. Rest on your laurelsSame strategy. Sit down and make a list of a few major accomplishments in your life thus far- milestones you’ve achieved. Then think about whether you ever doubted your ability to make th em happen. Probably, you did. This next milestone is no different.3. Let it goYou don’t have to be religious to take a step back and gain a little perspective. Try mindfulness meditation, or just contemplate for a moment the idea that there is something bigger, much bigger, at work in the world than you and whether or not you get this job. Taking that deep breath can really reset your sense of scale.4. Phone a friendRather than holing up in isolation, ask for help. Tap into your network of friends, or even colleagues, for solace. Tell them you’re feeling down about yourself and the job hunt process. Chances are, they’ll give you the pep talk you need.5. Keep movingDon’t just sit there staring at your empty inbox and feeling sorry for yourself. Get out of the house and do something- preferably something that isn’t all about you. Check out some local volunteering options. You’ll feel better having helped someone.6. ExerciseIt’s good for you. It will increase your quality of life, decrease your stress, and release a cascade of endorphins that can’t help but make you feel a little better.7. RelaxStarting to feel totally overwhelmed? Make sure to check in with yourself frequently and acknowledge your fears and emotions. If it’s all getting to be a bit too much, take a break for a day- or even a couple of weeks. The recharge time won’t cost you much, and might just give you the boost you need to get back out there.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Carbon Monoxide Detectors and How They Work

Carbon Monoxide Detectors and How They Work According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. Carbon monoxide detectors are available, but you need to understand how they work and what their limitations are in order to decide whether or not you need a detector and, if you purchase a detector, how to use it to get the best protection. What is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas. Each carbon monoxide molecule is composed of a single carbon atom bonded to a single oxygen atom. Carbon monoxide results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, and oil. Where is Carbon Monoxide Found? Carbon monoxide is present in low levels in the air. In the home, it is formed from incomplete combustion from any flame-fueled (i.e., not electric) device, including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles, and water heaters. Furnaces and water heaters may be sources of carbon monoxide, but if they are vented properly the carbon monoxide will escape to the outside. Open flames, such as from ovens and ranges, are the most common source of carbon monoxide. Vehicles are the most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work? Carbon monoxide detectors trigger an alarm based on an accumulation of carbon monoxide over time. Detectors may be based on a chemical reaction causing a color change, an electrochemical reaction that produces current to trigger an alarm or a semiconductor sensor that changes its electrical resistance in the presence of CO. Most carbon monoxide detectors require a continuous power supply, so if the power cuts off then the alarm becomes ineffective. Models are available that offer back-up battery power. Carbon monoxide can harm you if you are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide in a short period of time, or to lower levels of carbon monoxide over a long period of time, so there are different types of detectors depending on how the level of carbon monoxide is measured. Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous? When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it passes from the lungs into the hemoglobin molecules of red blood cells. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin at the same site as and preferentially to oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin interferes with the oxygen transport and gas exchange abilities of red blood cells. The result is that the body becomes oxygen-starved, which can result in tissue damage and death. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or a cold, including shortness of breath on mild exertion, mild headaches, and nausea. Higher levels of poisoning lead to dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting on mild exertion. Ultimately, carbon monoxide poisoning can result in unconsciousness, permanent brain damage, and death. Carbon monoxide detectors are set to sound an alarm before the exposure to carbon monoxide would present a hazard to a healthy adult. Babies, children, pregnant women, people with cir culatory or respiratory ailments, and the elderly are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than healthy adults. Where Should I Place a Carbon Monoxide Detector? Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the detector out of the way of pets and children. Each floor needs a separate detector. If you are getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping area and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up. What Do I Do if the Alarm Sounds? Dont ignore the alarm! It is intended to go off before you are experiencing symptoms. Silence the alarm, get all members of the household to fresh air, and ask whether anyone is experiencing any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911. If no one has symptoms, ventilate the building, identify and remedy the source of the carbon monoxide before returning inside, and have appliances or chimneys checked by a professional as soon as possible. Additional Carbon Monoxide Concerns and Information Dont automatically assume that you need or dont need a carbon monoxide detector. Also, dont assume that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning just because you have a detector installed. Carbon monoxide detectors are intended to protect healthy adults, so take the ages and health of family members into account when assessing the effectiveness of a detector. Also, be aware that the average life span of many carbon monoxide detectors is about 2 years. The test feature on many detectors checks the functioning of the alarm and not the status of the detector. There are detectors that last longer, indicate when they need to be replaced, and have power supply backups you need to check to see whether a particular model has the features you require. When deciding whether or not to purchase a carbon monoxide detector, you need to consider not only the number and type of carbon monoxide sources but also the construction of the building. A newer building may have more airtight construction and may be better insulated, which make it easier for carbon monoxide to accumulate.