Whether you’ve been roped in to giving a speech at a works function or have to perform best man duties at a wedding, it’s normal to feel nervous about public speaking. In fact, it’s one of the most common phobias among British adults.

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Preparing well in advance and practising what you’re going to say will give you a boost of confidence on the day, but did you know warming up your voice can also help you deliver a great speech?

Here are a few simple exercises you can do before giving a speech or speaking at a business meeting or other event.

Perfect your breathing

Take slow, controlled and deep breaths, focusing on getting the air deep into your abdomen. Imagine your stomach is a balloon that you’re trying to fill up with air. Place your hands on your stomach to really focus your attention. Hold the breath for a few seconds and then slowly exhale through your mouth. This technique is also great at helping relax you if you’re nervous ahead of your speech. Healthline features this and several other breathing techniques designed to help you beat anxiety or stress, and you can read about the benefits of deep breathing and controlling your exhaling at https://www.healthline.com/health/breathing-exercises-for-anxiety.

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If you regularly need to give speeches and need help with confidence, why not hire a motivational speaker such as https://www.adventureman.org/motivational-speaker/ to help you beat those nerves?

Warm up your tongue

Yes, you read that right. The aim here is to loosen up your tongue. Roll your tongue in your mouth as quickly as you can, in silence at first and then by sighing out loud as you do. It might feel stiff and unnatural at first but will soon loosen up!

Hum

Humming is a great way to warm up your vocal chords and your mouth. You’ve probably heard singers warming up in this way before a performance. When you hum, the vibrations will loosen up your vocal chords, particularly important if your speech is in the morning and you haven’t talked to anyone yet! Hum for as long as you can – really hold it and push yourself. Next, move up and down the scale from high to low and back again. Try to keep your lips and mouth loose as you hum and avoid clenching your jaw.

Polystyrene is used in a variety of different ways including as a packaging material in toys and other products as well as for uses in crafting and other items as well. It is an incredibly versatile material but it can be difficult to dispose of, which is why you should use a professional polystyrene recycling company if you use large quantities of this item in your business. Companies like this will ensure that they dispose of it in the correct manner so that it does not have a negative impact on the environment around us.

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Polystyrene is incredibly light in its design but it can hold a significant weight. It can also be used as an insulating materials as the cells within the sheets are not interconnected. This means that heat cannot travel through it easily meaning the heat can be retained behind sheets of polystyrene.

How is it made?

Polystyrenes main ingredient is styrene which is a liquid that is made up from ethylene and benzene. These are mixed together to form the styrene which is then treated with what is known as a polymerisation initiator and is put through a process called suspension polymerisation. This is what converts the styrene into polystyrene. During this process the suspension is heated to around 100 degrees celsius to cause free radicals (which are atoms which like to react with others) to form creating the structure of the polystyrene.

Once the product has been finished it can be created in a sheets, beads and thicker slabs that can then be cut to places items inside. For example in toy manufacturing the large pieces of polystyrene will be cut using a heated cutter or in some cases a laser that has the imprint of the toys outline programmed into it. This means that the space for the toy to fit in can be cut to the exact measurements of the item itself. It is important that any item that is placed in polystyrene fits snuggly as it forms a part of its protection against dents and damage.

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When it comes to recycling polystyrene it is important that you dispose of this correctly and if you are not using high quantities on a daily basis you should visit your local recycling centre, however for commercial scale removal you should visit the link higher up in the article for more details.

Many business owners are putting off buying new office furniture, believed it was unnecessary or a waste of money. Whether it’s a chair, a table, booth or table conference, though, all kinds of office furniture will eventually need to be replaced. So, how do you know when it’s time to upgrade the furniture in your office?

1. It’s old and outdated

Office furniture speaks volumes about a company’s culture and work ethic. Companies with outdated office furniture are often viewed as cheap or inattentive to the needs of their workers.

If your office has a 1970-style wood paneling with old chairs and tables, employees and visitors will take notice. They will consider your company runs its operations using the same old tactics, so as to produce a negative image. You can present your company as an industry leader that cares about its workers, however, with the use of modern office furniture. For all your Office Furniture Gloucester needs, visit a site like https://www.severnfurnishing.co.uk

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2. Workers complain about back pain

When office workers start complaining about backache, it’s usually a good idea to invest in new furniture. It is very common, in fact, lower back pain accounts for more disability-related claims worldwide than diseases or other conditions, according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD).

Fortunately, back pain can often be avoided by using ergonomic office furniture. Executive office chairs featuring lumbar support, for example, will reduce pressure on the backs of workers while protecting against common injuries that otherwise could cause pain and inflammation. So, listen to your workers and take note of the pain they experience.

3. It’s not team friendly

Does your office furniture encourage collaboration and teamwork? If not, maybe it’s time to upgrade.

Unfortunately, some offices still have outdated designs with limited space. If workers cannot communicate freely among themselves, it can hurt their productivity. They will have to walk across the office or email back and forth just to ask or answer questions. In an open, friendly office design-team, though, workers can collaborate freely and more naturally.

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4. Productivity has slipped

If your company has become less productive in the last few months, maybe it’s time to invest in new office furniture. When workers are forced to use outdated furniture that’s damaged or poorly designed, it slows their productivity – resulting in fewer jobs while clocking the same or more hours on the job.

5. It is a Safety Hazard

Some types of office furniture can pose a real safety hazard to workers. Eye strain is very prevalent among office workers. When workers are staring at a computer monitor, it places stress and strain on their eyes and can cause significant pain and in some cases, even temporary vision loss. A condition called Computer Vision Syndrome is responsible for approximately 10 million doctor visits each year.

The right office furniture can protect against this and other injuries. A computer workstation with a pull-out tray for keyboard and mouse, for example, will reduce the risk of wrist injuries and the like CTS. In addition, by using an office chair with adjustable height feature can protect against eye strain.

# 10) It’s cheap and poorly Created

If your office furniture is cheap and poorly made, you may have to upgrade it. Some business owners assume that buying cheap furniture like this will save them money. In reality, though, they usually spend more money either repair or replace it shortly thereafter. A table made of cheap particle board, for example, may fall apart or break, while high-quality table made of solid wood or a similar material, high-end will last for many years.

 

As a distribution centre, you want to send out goods in full and on time. To achieve this, you need to make sure your processes are as efficient as possible. This includes the handling of goods in your facility. Read more

Standard insurance that you find online or in the high street is fine for most people. However if you find that you have some of the items below it might be time for you to have a look at some high net insurance instead. High net insurance is for those of us that find they have some expensive items and or home that requires us to have an increased understanding and personal service from our insurance company mixed with the knowledge that rather than a percentage of the value being returned we can rely on it being refunded.

Possessions are the most vital element in many people’s lives. A high net insurance policy would certainly be needed if you had a wine cellar to protect or even some classic cars. Jewellery and timepieces are also worthy of consideration  as are established furniture pieces or a set of antiques. With a standard insurance policy it is unlikely that in the event of an unfortunate accident you would not be able to claim the full amount back or the company would not even be able to handle the sums that were involved that you needed in the first place. Homes and their contents are regularly undervalued by underwriters and those wishing to be insured alike, this included properties overseas possibly in more so.  A High Net Worth Insurance Gloucestershire company such as https://johnmorganpartnership.co.uk/ can help you to insure these priceless items.

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While we have spoken about items people themselves should also consider high net insurance. Those in the public eye, by that we mean entertainment or sports should particularly consider it  and there are several high profile examples where this has been the case. For instance, the model Heidi Klum insured her legs and the lead guitarist of the Rolling Stones Keith Richards insured a finger. This might sound strange but when you consider that both these parts are responsible for their main source of income you can understand their desire to cover themselves if they are lost. It is not just those in the world of art and entertainment. Cricketer Merv Hughes was so concerned he would lose form if he lost his iconic handlebar moustache

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The insured that rather than his hands (although he denies the whole story). In keeping with a body part being reflecting everything about a person and there look the famously long tongued Gene Simmons from the band KISS had his insured. This is nothing to the chief taster of Costa Coffee who had his taste buds insured for a hefty ten million. Whilst it might not be something you are looking to do looking at high net insurance might be the safest and most prudent thing you’ll ever do.

Taking inspiration from the 60s for your wedding dress means choosing between one of two styles: chic and tailored Jackie Kennedy-style cocktail dresses, as seen in episodes of Mad Men, or the more free-flowing romantic bohemian style of fashion icons such as Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy. Read more

A clean environment is for most people a healthier and more pleasant one. With the aid of technology, ultrasonic cleaning is an extremely effective way of removing germs and dirt by combining electricity, high frequency sound waves and water.

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Components and Mechanisms

When it comes to day-to-day home cleaning, many people are turning to natural methods, and for more tips see this report in The Guardian. But for spaces that have a lot of people traffic or are exposed to industrial material or just to get things really clean, the ultrasonic process delivers a superior result.

Ultrasonic cleaners have a tank to contain the cleaning solvent, usually a draining mechanism and temperature control for more effective cleaning. Transducers, which draw electrical power, use sound waves to create bubbles that dislodge the dirt, debris and germs sticking to the item or surface being cleaned. Sound waves created by the transducers create bubbles of different sizes according to frequency of the sound waves. Small high-frequency bubbles are good for more delicate items, while lower-frequency larger bubbles are effective for tough items. Many ultrasonic cleaners have settings for different types of cleaning.

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Power and Differentiation

Ultrasonic cleaners come in different varieties for different purposes. There are industrial ultrasonic cleaners suitable for removing heavy soiling, smaller but powerful cleaners designed to tackle small spaces and tiny systems designed to clean delicate items such as jewellery and food. Most ultrasonic cleaners also operate in the range of 50 watts to 100 watts for a gallon of solvent. More power can produce more bubbles and means deeper cleaning as long as you stay within the machine’s limits.

If you want to know more about how a large ultrasonic cleaner can help keep your premises clean, it would be a good idea to look at a leading supplier such as https://www.hilsonic.co.uk/. A company like this can tell you everything you could need to know about a large ultrasonic cleaner.

Ultrasonic cleaners are the answer to the most pressing cleaning questions today. With a range of ultrasonic cleaners adaptable to a range of purposes, there will be an ultrasonic cleaning solution to any cleaning issue you have. Whether it is addressing large buildings or baby toys, there will be an ultrasonic cleaning machine that will take care of the job efficiently and effectively.

Some flooring options are much more eco-friendly than others. If you are replacing the flooring in your house or looking to move to a new place and you want to make a choice that is better for the environment, here are some of the most eco-friendly flooring options for you to choose from.

Firstly find a property you like with an Estate Agents Cheltenham company on sites like meandyouestateagents.co.uk, then look at the flooring, then think what kind of flooring do i want to put down.  Well have a look below for some ideas.

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Natural flooring

Natural flooring uses natural fibres, such as cotton, coir and seagrass, to create a beautiful, eco-friendly flooring option. Natural fibres are eco-friendly, as they are made from fabrics that are renewable and sustainable; in addition, the plants grow fairly quickly and therefore have a good harvest time.

You can buy natural flooring in a wide range of styles, colours and patterns, making it is easy to find the perfect natural flooring for every room in your house. You can even find natural flooring options that are perfect for the bathroom!

Reclaimed flooring

Reclaimed flooring is one of the most eco-friendly flooring options, as it reuses old flooring. This is a fantastic form of recycling and there are lots of options for you to choose from, including mahogany, oak, stone and even marble. It is worth noting that reclaimed flooring is often fairly expensive; however, if you want to create a traditional look, it is definitely one of the best options.

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Wool flooring

According to The Guardian, wool is a surprisingly resilient flooring option that is less damaging to the environment than other options. This is because wool only takes around 10 per cent of the energy that is needed to produce nylon. It is also very sustainable, as sheep constantly regrow wool.

Another benefit of wool carpets is that it is easy to buy a carpet made in the UK; therefore, there are far less carbon emissions than if you bought a carpet from another country, such as Asia or the US.

Wool underlay

Underlay is an important part of flooring, but it can be difficult to find an underlay that is eco-friendly. Thankfully, you can now buy a type of underlay that is made from recycled carpet fibres, recycled wool and recycled rubber. This is a great way to stem the flow of fabrics that end up in landfills. Wool underlay has all the same benefits as more standard forms of underlay.

Stone is one of those classic and timeless materials that always looks great and is incredibly durable. It is so durable that it can be repurposed and re-used, and there are a number of advantages in doing this.

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Value and versatility

Stone is one of those substances that looks good almost anywhere and has an almost infinite range of applications. While stone can be expensive, reclaimed stone is much less pricey. When you buy reclaimed stone, you could save up to one-third on the price of new stone, and your reclaimed stone will look just as good if not better.

If there are marks on the reclaimed stone that you don’t like, the bits or areas with damage need not be included; however, weathered stone can possess a beauty that comes from age and use. This can give it an extra dimension of rustic beauty that brand-new stone simply will not have.

Reclaimed stone can be used in many areas of the home, including fireplaces, patios, window sills and for walls.  So this could make doing an inspection easy when customers move in or out as the quality and condition of stone can stay amazing or a long time.  Most landlords will use things like an Inspection app to record all inventory, details and finances.  So why not pop over to sites including to https://propertyinspect.com/.

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Good for the environment

Using reclaimed materials is good for the environment in so many ways, as it reduces waste, avoids adding more discarded stuff to landfill sites, and extracts further use from perfectly good materials. In addition, stone is a natural and non-toxic substance that won’t give off fumes or cause allergic reactions.

An article in the Telegraph explains more about the environmental advantages of using reclaimed stone.

If you feel inspired to find out more about using pre-loved stone in your home, it would be worth contacting a reclamation yard to discover more about the options available. A reputable reclamation yard will be able to give you useful tips and advice on the many options you could take advantage of.

Using reclaimed stone in your home is a wonderful idea. It is an amazingly versatile material that can be used in so many areas to deliver an elegant and distinctive finish. Reclaimed stone will also save you money, and you can use it knowing that you are making an eco-friendly choice that will add value to your home and create long-lasting and timeless beauty that will bring you and your family a great deal of pleasure for many years to come.