Some evolutions have taken place in the modern office over the past 20 years. Open floorplan has become the preferred option over cubicle farms in the 2000s, and 2015 brought foosball and ping pong tables into the office. Office trends change regularly, but there is one thing that doesn’t change: the impact the office environment has on the wellbeing and health of the employees.

Quality design of the workspace will lead to less stress and increased productivity. This is why it is key for employers to take into consideration the work environment of their employees.

There is a report by Fellowes Workplace Trend that showed employees are interested in working in a healthy environment. Below are some of the findings from the study:

87% of workers would like their employer to provide healthier workspace benefits, with some of the options coming up including company fitness benefits, wellness rooms, healthy lunch options, sit-stands, and ergonomic seating.

Employees working in younger companies stand a lower chance of getting turn downed (34%) when asking for in-office benefits such as stand desks, while those working in established companies were more likely to be turned down (42%).

93% of employees working in the tech industry said they would have stayed at the company a little longer if they were offered workspace benefits, with some options being company fitness benefits, wellness rooms, healthy lunch options, sit-stands, glass office partitions, and ergonomic seating.

People spend about a third of their lives in the office, and for companies to retain the top talent, they have to foster an environment that will empower people with the right workspace where they can collaborate and think naturally. 70% of offices are open plan, and this can be a great layout. If you do this, make sure you have correctly implemented it with happiness and productivity of your employees in mind. From providing quiet space for meditation or even fun, private rooms for taking calls, comfortable areas that will promote collaboration, it is important to think about different environments for maximising the well-being of employees when it comes to building office spaces.

Air
Many people don’t know that the air quality in the office can have an impact on the health of employees, which will affect productivity. A study done by the World Green Building Council recorded an increase in productivity of 11% when there was increased fresh air and reduction in pollutants to the workplace.

Water
Water makes up 73% of the brain, and this is why drinking water help in improving energy levels and sleep quality, as well as clarity of mind, ability to focus, and our alertness and awareness. The benefits will then help in improving productivity at work.

Nourishment
There is a good chance you have heard the saying 'You are what you eat', and this is even truer in the workplace. The food that your employees are eating is what is going to give them the fuel and powers when working. If you want them to feel productive, focused, and energized, you will need them to eat a nutritious and balanced diet that is going to provide their bodies with the nourishment they need to succeed. You should encourage your employees to follow healthy eating habits.

Light
There was a study done by the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell that showed employees seated within 10 feet of the window saw a decrease of 84% in eyestrain, blurred vision symptoms, and headaches.

Comfort
The workplace should be a comfortable place. Proper use of ergonomics can help in lessening muscle fatigue, reducing the severity of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and increasing productivity. MSD is cited as the most common cause of lost work time. Your employees should have a comfortable and distraction-free environment.

Mind
There is another study by Global Impact of Biophilic Design showing people working in spaces that have natural features recorded a higher level (15%) of overall wellbeing. The employees said they experienced a 6% increase in productivity and 15% more creativity at work. Improvements will be found in collaboration, concentration, creativity, and confidentiality when the interior design of the office factors in the occupants, both social space and breakout space.

Sensory gardens have been shown to have several benefits to the physical health and well-being of an individual, especially for those with a disability.

People suffering from conditions such as Acquired Brain Injury, Huntington’s chorea, Spinal Cord Injury, and many more can benefit from a sensory garden as discovered at Treloar's.

1. SENSORY STIMULATION
Given the name has sensory in it, it is correct for you to assume one of the benefits a person is going to get from it is sensory stimulation. Sensory stimulation is when one or more senses are activated. Many of our clients usually have a loss or decreased use of some senses. Engaging with the sensory gardens can help in allowing access to sensory input, sunlight and nature. This is going to lead to dull hypersensitivity or increased sensation to the limbs affected.

2. PROMOTES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Gardening, walking and sitting-to-standing and moving around will go a long way in helping promote and perform physical activities. People suffering from degenerative diseases, acquired brain injuries and other disabilities can benefit a lot from physical activity (just like any other person can get health benefits from it). Some of the benefits include improved cardio-respiratory fitness, alleviation of depressive symptoms, increased muscle strength and improvement of physical tasks. There is also an outdoor space where therapy is done, which will have a pool or gym.

3. SENSE OF COMMUNITY
There is something good about working with others as a team and creating something great. While you can benefit from the sensory garden alone, working with others can help in increasing the desire to participate and have a sense of community with both the residents and the wider community.

4. REDUCE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOURS AND AGITATION
When in the sensory garden, some tasks are going to be performed that have been shown to help in reducing negative behaviours, and also providing regulated engagements of the senses for agitation. 

Many studies have been done and they have shown that gardening is effective in reducing aggression and agitation in people, and this is the same with the Sensory Modulation Area, an outdoor area adjacent to the main garden. This is an area reserved for clients who are aggressive and have outbursts, who need some fresh air and a place where they can relax and “let off some steam”. The area has shade for relief from the sun in the summer and also a bench press that a client can use in relieving tension.

5. PRESENTS COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGES
There are several cognitive and physical activities to do. The activities will help in increasing motor activities and purposeful movement and challenge balance in the safe environment. It helps in providing cognitive stimulation by planning and executive functioning.

6. ALLOWS MEDIATION, STRESS RELEASE AND REFLECTION
Spiritual and emotional healing is as important as physical, and this is why the sensory garden caters for this. It gives you the chance of having a private and calm space where you can meditate and reflect. You can also use this space to have a family discussion. Elements like music, water features, natural sounds, the smell of flowers and plants will go a long way in helping you enjoy calming sensations. Release of stress and relaxation has physical benefits like lowering blood pressure.

7. INSPIRE PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT
The sense of personal accomplishment is another important benefit a client can expect to get because of gardening and other activities. Taking care of plants and living organisms, especially the ones that can be consumed, can leave the client feeling happy and get a sense of achievement. Another benefit is PERMA positive psychology. This is when the client can do a meaningful task and motivates performance.

8. DECREASE FATIGUE AND INCREASE MENTAL CLARITY
The last one we will talk about (there are a lot more benefits) is its role in decreasing fatigue and increasing clarity. There is fresh air in the garden, and this can help in increasing neural activity because it uses the sense of smell.

Even though death isn’t the most desirable topic to discuss, it is extremely important that a will is created and that our desires and intentions are clearly written to ensure our loved ones are well taken care of. Many people think that writing a will is for those who are in their retirement or over 65 years old, but that is not true. There is no particular age that you should do this and once you own valuables, then you should create a will to ensure the interests of your family are well-protected. Here, Probaters advises on the ins and outs of will writing, from determining who to put in your will to deciding if you need a probator.

Is a Will Truly Needed?

In the event that you live with your spouse or partner, have children, are a business owner, or have an estate, then you definitely should be thinking about taking out a will as soon as possible. By doing so, it will protect the people that are important to you and ensure that common problems such as inheritance tax are dealt with.

Who Can I Put in My Will?

You can put anyone you want on your will such as charities, your family members and even your pet. In the event that you have any specific items of value, heirlooms or items that hold a lot of sentimental value, then you can state who you would like to own these items after your death.

Where to Start with Getting a Will Written?

This question depends largely on your current finances as well as your own personal requirements. There are numerous ways in which to get a will done and we will now take a look at the options that you can consider:

1. You can get a probate expert to do so and find one that is suited to all of your needs. They can handle challenging cases or even very simple ones. Their prices would vary greatly and depend mainly upon your requirements and will usually start from about £780 which includes VAT.

2. Another option is to use a specialised will writing agency or service. This service is typically priced from £75 and up.

3. In most stationary stores you can find a template document to easily write your will and these can cost as little as £10.

Who Can Carry Out the Will?

You may immediately think that a spouse or one of your children should carry out the will, however, it may be best that someone impartial should do so. This can help to prevent issues and various conflicts from occurring, especially if there are problems between your children. It may be best to hire a professional who can carry out your will while dealing with any issues that may come up in the probate process. Additionally, you should also think about any children you may have who are under 18 years old and ensure that they have an appointed guardian who will take care of them until they become adults. You should also make sure that the will is safely stored in a secure location and the person or persons who are supposed to execute it know of its location.

What Will Happen of There is No Will?

If there is no will and you die, then there are various intestacy rules that will come into effect since you will now be seen as interstate. We will now take a look at what will occur.

1. Any spouse or children you have will get your personal possessions and they will also receive a min of £250k of your property/estate.

2. Your spouse will only inherit all that was stated above in the event that you don’t have any children.

3. If you were not married to your partner, then they won’t receive any of your possessions or estate automatically, even if you both had children while you were together.

4. Children will receive all of your belongings, which will be divided equally between all of them if you don’t have a wife or husband.

5. In the event that you don’t have children, a spouse or a partner, then your estate will be shared between your brothers and sisters, parents, nieces and nephews.

Is a Probate Expert Necessary in Order to Execute the Will?

You don’t have to employ a probate expert in order to execute your will. However, if this is not done, then claims can be made against your possessions/estate which means that the entire will can possibly be contested. This typically happens if you made your own DIY will since proper legal terms may have not been used causing unseen loopholes which can lead to it being contested.

Peanut butter is the favourite spread of millions of people in the world. Its excellent taste, its creamy texture and its unique way of sticking to the roof of your mouth before melting are good enough reasons to eat huge amounts of peanut butter. Well, if you are allergic to peanuts or if you don’t like their taste, you won’t be able to enjoy peanut butter.

What is Peanut Butter, Anyway?

Peanut butter is nothing else than peanuts, roasted or not, ground until they become a paste and put through diaphragm pumps. However, you have to keep in mind that many peanut butters available on the market may contain sugar, vegetable oils, trans fat or various other additives. If you want to do yourself a favour, choose real peanut butter. It should contain only peanuts and perhaps a pinch of salt. If you go for the healthy choice of peanut butter, you’ll enjoy the same health benefits as you do when eating peanuts.

It Makes a High-Quality Protein Source

Peanut butter is a good energy source that provides you with the right amounts of all three macronutrients. Here’s what a 100g serving of peanut butter contains:

– Carbohydrate: 20g (13% of total calories), out of which 6g is fibre.

– Protein: 25g (15% of total calories), higher than the protein content of most plant foods.

– Fat: 50g (72% of total calories).

Although peanut butter is rich in protein, it contains very little of the essential amino acid methionine. Peanuts belong to the legume family, together with peas, beans and lentils. Legume protein has way less methionine and cysteine than animal protein.

It is a Low-Carb Food

Pure peanut butter contains only 20% carbohydrates, thus being one of the ideal foods for a low-carb diet. It also triggers a very low rise of blood sugar levels, being, therefore, one of the best choices for people with type 2 diabetes. According to an observational study, female subjects eating peanut butter 5 times a week or more reduced their type 2 diabetes risk by 21%.

It is Rich in Healthy Fats

A 100g serving of peanut butter contains 588 calories, due to its high fat content. Despite this, eating peanut butter in moderation can work very well for those on a weight-loss diet. About 50% of the fat in peanut butter is oleic acid, which is a healthy type of monounsaturated fat. This is the same compound as in olive oil. Peanut butter also contains a certain amount of linoleic acid, one of the essential omega-6 fatty acids found in most vegetable oils. According to some studies, a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids, as opposed to omega-3, may increase the risk of chronic disease and the level of internal inflammation.

Peanut Butter is a Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Peanut butter contains a wealth of nutrients. A 100-gram portion supplies the following nutrients (4):

– Vitamin E: 45% of the RDA (recommended dietary allowance).

– Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 67% of the RDA.

– Vitamin B6: almost 33% of the RDA.

– Folate: 20% of the RDA.

– Magnesium: almost 40% of the RDA.

– Copper: almost 25% of the RDA.

-Manganese: almost 75% of the RDA.

It also contains decent amounts of vitamin B5, biotin, zinc, selenium, potassium and iron.

Conclusions

Peanut butter has lots of advantages, but also a few drawbacks. It contains a fairly high amount of nutrients and it is an excellent protein source. It also contains fibre, vitamins and minerals, although they may not seem that important when thinking about the high number of calories. At the same time, peanut butter is a source of aflatoxins, which are known to cause long-term harmful effects on the body. These being said, you can eat peanut butter occasionally, but only in small amounts. Avoid making it one of your main food sources, though. The biggest problem of peanut butter is its addictive nature. Since it has such a delicious taste, you can indulge every now and then, without having to worry about its negative effects. It is definitely much healthier than junk food, sugary drinks and other highly processed foods that taste good and are as addictive.

Most people make resolutions to change for the better during new year celebrations. Most swear to stop drinking, lose weight, or even quit smoking for good. While all these are positive resolutions, very few people take their mental and physical health into consideration. Very few will resolve to do something about their psychological and physical health by increasing their intake of essential/vital vitamins.

Care agency, Gabriel’s Angels know that vitamins D and B are some of the essential vitamins that are required for good health as one grows older. These vitamins (B and D) play a vital role in the brain, immune system, and blood health. The two vitamins are also required to ensure the body can use energy efficiently for optimal performance even at old age. One way to increase your vitamin D and vitamin B intake is by basking in the morning sun and focusing on a diet plan (foods) high in these vitamins. Inadequate amounts of these vitamins in the body increases the risk of age-related diseases and osteoporosis in older adults.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in boosting your immunity, protecting you from colds, fighting depression, and most importantly, promoting good bone health. The risk of developing dementia is greatly increased if you have vitamin D deficiency. Studies, however, show that more than 50% of older adults in the UK alone have vitamin D deficiencies. Unknown to many, the human body depletes more nutrients than it retains as we get older. This is one of the reasons why health experts recommend consuming foods high in these vitamins as much as we can. It would also be advisable to go for fortified foods and supplements from supermarkets, health stores, and pharmacies.

Sources of Vitamin D

Sunshine is the most abundant source of vitamin D. Simply basking in the morning or evening sun enables the skin to synthesize enough vitamin D for the day. The rate at which the skin converts UV B rays into vitamin D in younger persons isn’t, however, the same with older adults. Seniors have relatively thinner skin – this makes it a lot harder for it to produce enough vitamin D. This could be the reason why older people have the highest risk of a vitamin D deficiency. There’s also not enough sunshine during winter. For this reason, seniors should turn to other sources of vitamin D. Some of the best alternative sources of vitamin D include fortified juice, egg yolks, supplements, fortified cereals, canned tuna, fatty fish, and cod liver oil. An ultraviolet lamp may also come in handy in supplementing your vitamin D intake. Consider going to a tanning salon if possible, for a dose of the same.

Sources of B Vitamins

B vitamins are essential for overall good health. There are, however, different categories of B vitamins all serving a different function. All these, however, help the body release enough energy from the foods we eat. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is one of the essential vitamins required for the proper functioning of the nervous system, brain, and the manufacture of blood. Vitamin B12 deficiencies often cause symptoms similar to dementia. Although you can get plenty of vitamin B12 from the foods you eat, you could supplement these with supplements (injections) of the same. This is particularly important for those that cannot synthesise the vitamin. Vitamin B12 is also related to good health and improved memory for individuals with dementia. Vegetarians and older adults are at the highest risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. This specific vitamin is only found in animal proteins such as beef liver, fish, and shellfish.

Thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is essentially required for healthy muscles and nerves. The most common sources of thiamine include wholegrain bread, liver, eggs, vegetables, peas, and fruits.

Vitamin B2, commonly known as riboflavin, is needed for a healthy nervous system, eyes, and the skin. This is commonly found in rice and dairy products. Pantothenic acid is required to facilitate the release of foods from foods. It is commonly found in vegetable and meat sources.

Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine enables the body to store, as well as use energy. It is also required for the manufacture of haemoglobin. Sources of vitamin B6 include milk, peanuts, potatoes, eggs, fish, bread, and pork.

Folic acid is another essential vitamin needed in the formation of red blood cells. It also plays a vital role in preventing central nervous system defects. The most common sources of folic acid include chickpeas. Spinach, brussels sprouts, liver, and brown rice.