Category Archives: Tips

Raleigh Revealed: Unveiling the Best-Kept Secrets of North Carolina’s Capital City

Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Beyond its reputation as a government and business hub, Raleigh is a city with a rich history, vibrant culture, and countless attractions. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through Raleigh’s best-kept secrets, revealing the lesser-known gems that make this city truly special.

Historic Neighborhoods

Raleigh is home to several historic neighborhoods that offer a glimpse into the city’s past. One such neighborhood is Oakwood, known for its beautifully preserved Victorian houses. Take a leisurely stroll along the tree-lined streets and immerse yourself in the charm of this historic district. Another hidden gem is Boylan Heights, a neighborhood known for its bungalow-style houses and panoramic views of downtown Raleigh. Explore the picturesque streets and discover the hidden gardens and unique architecture that make Boylan Heights a true treasure.

Local Cuisine and Foodie Delights

Raleigh’s food scene is a well-kept secret that is slowly gaining recognition. From farm-to-table eateries to international flavors, the city offers a diverse culinary experience. Head to the Person Street District, a burgeoning culinary hotspot, and indulge in the creations of talented local chefs. Discover hidden gems like hole-in-the-wall diners serving up mouthwatering comfort food or food trucks dishing out innovative and delicious street eats. Raleigh’s food scene is sure to surprise and delight even the most discerning foodie.

Art and Culture

While Raleigh may not be as well-known as some other cities for its art scene, it is brimming with cultural gems. Visit CAM Raleigh, the city’s contemporary art museum, showcasing thought-provoking exhibitions and engaging programs. Take a stroll through the Warehouse District and uncover hidden art galleries and studios tucked away in converted industrial spaces. And don’t miss the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, where you can explore fascinating exhibits on science, nature, and history, including the impressive dinosaur collection.

Outdoor Escapes

Raleigh is blessed with beautiful parks and outdoor spaces that offer a retreat from the bustling city life. Step into the enchanting JC Raulston Arboretum, a hidden oasis of over 6,000 plant species. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the trails, marvel at the stunning gardens, and find tranquility in this urban sanctuary. For a more adventurous escape, head to William B. Umstead State Park, a vast natural reserve just minutes from downtown Raleigh. Explore the hiking trails, have a picnic by the lake, or rent a canoe for a peaceful paddle along the water.

Raleigh may be North Carolina’s capital, but it’s also a city filled with hidden treasures and unique experiences. From historic neighborhoods and mouthwatering cuisine to vibrant arts and outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone in Raleigh. So, go beyond the surface and uncover the best-kept secrets of this captivating city. Raleigh is waiting to be explored and revealed, and you’re invited to be a part of its story.

How to harness the sun in your own home

The sun provides many benefits in our body. Through exposure to the sun our bodies absorb Vitamin D, melatonin and serotonin. Vitamin D maintains bone health, protects against diabetes, heart disease, colon, breast and prostate cancer. Melatonin influences our sleep cycles, therefore regulating inflammation and improving our immune system. Serotonin influence mood changes which then determines our energy levels. Sometimes our busy schedules do not give us time to bask under the sun. However, sitting under the sun could lead to some negative side effects e.g. sunburn, eye diseases and skin cancer.Through the Parans’ system you can enjoy sunlight at the comfort of your home. The system provides a safe way to redirect sunlight to every single room in your home. SP4 a natural sunlight collector, is set up on the roof of the house. It’s in four different sizes to choose from depending on the number of rooms it will serve. The system follows the sun during the day and leads it into the house through fibre optic cables. It then spreads the light to all rooms in the house. You can do the lighting from different angles. There is the point light where you can power your home though light bulbs, ceiling light whereby the light will illuminate from the wall above the room or wall light which illuminates from the sides.The sunlight is safe because the system filters the IR and UV radiation and only transports the visible part of the sunlight. This ensures high quality sunlight which will not harm people in the house nor fade the interior. This ensures all rooms are well lit thus getting rid of harmful organisms and bacteria that can grow in the dark rooms of the house as sunlight is a natural disinfectant.Are you heliophile? If the answer is yes, you are probably smiling at the idea of directing more sunshine into your house and packing in the benefits that come with it. It might not be the case if you lean on the side of “creatures of the night”, or just avoid the sun to escape the harshness of UVR and UVA. Luckily, you can still eat your cake and have it. In this case, avoid direct sunshine and get to enjoy the good part of sunshine by installing the Paran’s system. From good health to saving money on lighting, and disinfecting your house, sunshine in the house presents more benefits than you can imagine. If you spend most of your days at the office – away from home, consider installing the system there as well. You will save money, conserve energy, and create a better working environment for yourself and your staff.

The Science Behind an Adrenaline Rush

An adrenaline rush, associated with the ‘fight or flight’ response, is how the body reacts to a situation which is stressful, traumatic, or dangerous. The idea behind an adrenaline rush is survival as your body prepares to put in the effort necessary to ensure you escape danger unharmed, but how does it actually work?

What’s in an adrenaline rush

The process involves a number of different responses within the body coming together. First, a dangerous situation is processed by the amygdala, the part of the brain which handles information about emotions. The information is then sent to the hypothalamus, the part of the brain which controls the rest of the body through the nervous system. Finally, a signal is sent to the pituitary glands which release chemical signals to stimulate the production of adrenaline in the adrenal glands.

What this means for your body

With the surge of adrenaline, the liver is stimulated into producing glucose which results in more energy. Blood vessels contract and the heart beats faster which provides muscles with more oxygen and more energy. This is how in some situations it seems that people can muster superhuman strength to complete daring acts. As the nervous system is engaged in sending signals to keep you alive, it also means that most pain isn’t felt until well after the event.

What events cause this

A lot of activities create an adrenaline rush including things our brains understandably considers to be dangerous such as skydiving or watching a scary movie. Situations like an interview or an opportunity to win a bet, however, also cause this response as your brain makes you literally give 110%. Some disorders can create bursts of adrenaline, an issue since lots of adrenaline can cause circulatory problems. Certain individuals can also get addicted to the dopamine rush which comes with it leading them to seek out thrills, a problem which also has underlying genetic causes.

The science behind our need for natural light

We are all aware of the importance of the sun and how it provides us with a boost. This boost is likely due to vitamin D in our bodies. While many people may be aware of the fact the sun helps us in absorbing vitamin D, most people will not be aware of how this occurs or what benefits this process provides.Vitamin D can be found in a number of foods such as fatty fish and egg yolk; however the vast majority of the vitamin comes from our own bodies. Within our skin is a steroid called 7-Dehydrocholesterol, When UV rays from the sun hit our skin, bonds are broken in this steroid creating cholecalciferol or Vitamin D3. The liver and kidneys then proceed to convert this into the final form called calcitriol.Calcitriol or Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones. Vitamin D allows for the absorption of calcium and the management of calcium levels in the blood and bones. This vitamin is believed to aid in a number of bodily functions such as helping the immune system to fight infection, healthy muscle function and healthy circulation.Using innovative technology and design, Parans offers sunlight for indoor environments such as the office or home. This technology is an essential component in any office space as it provides natural light aiding in productivity. According to studies, workers in well lit environments were less prone to symptoms of headaches and eye strain. One of the key factors in a good workplace is productivity. An office environment with plenty of light can be seen to have employees with increased focus and efficiency due to higher vitamin D levels. Productivity and levels of vitamin D have a link in sleep. The body possesses a rhythm integral to coordination of several functions, collectively known as the circadian rhythm. With the emergence of so much unnatural light in phones and TV screens there is a potential to throw this rhythm off. By sleeping in a room with access to windows this rhythm can be realigned ensuring our sleep is improved.

Best Ways to Help You Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is notoriously difficult. However, with patience and perseverance it can be accomplished. Everyone is different, so with that in mind we have outlined a number of different options that can be used in the hope that one of these methods will be successful. One of the main issues that come along with quitting is the fact that the nicotine is withdrawn instantly from the system. For many people, a slow withdrawal is often better, letting the body gently wean itself off the addictive substance. With that in mind, there are a number of products that can help ease this transition. The most common of these is the nicotine patch, which many use with varying degrees of success. Some use e-cigarettes, but many ex-smokers claim that snus is the way to go.Snus from SnusDirect is a Swedish tobacco. It is placed in small moist pouches, which are then placed under the top lip and kept there for the duration of the flavour. These little pouches release small amounts of nicotine into the blood stream through the sensitive skin behind the lip thus enabling users to still get that high without the need for unsightly and unhealthy smoking.For those that feel they can handle it, quitting completely can be the way to go but many who attempt this route often find themselves needing something to do with their hands. Often it can be practical to chew gum, play with straws or even carry a cup of coffee around just so that the hands don’t try and sneak back to that illusive packet.Whatever route you decide to take, the key is to stick with it. Having a positive mentality is the key to success and will help you avoid failure. Make sure to have a strong backing group as moral support – no one should go it alone.

How to Get Published in a Scientific Journal

Academic publishing is a very competitive game with many rules and a long turnover period. This is why no detail is too small or insignificant when it comes to conducting and subsequently writing about your academic explorations. Here is what you should keep in mind before, during, and after submitting your article for publication. Conduct high-quality research“Publish or perish” is a very real motto in the scientific community. Your research is worth close to nothing if it does not pass rigorous peer review and appear in relevant, high-impact journals. To make sure you make the cut (which can be as low as 1 per cent of all submissions for the really high-profile journals), stay on top of your discipline’s cutting edge and conform to your field’s best research practices. Always keep impeccable documentation of every step of data collection and analysis!Pick the right journalWe all want to publish in Nature or Science (or their equivalents in other disciplines), but it is more worthwhile to get into the periodical that matches your analytical focus and methodological stance most closely. Once you home in on such a journal, study its specific style guide and stick to it religiously. Otherwise your entry will be rejected on formal grounds.Revise and resubmitGetting accepted from the first go is very rare, so be prepared for revision requests, both reasonable and daft ones. Respond to reviewer feedback quickly and implement the relevant changes in due course. Editors are piled high and deep in submissions, and they favour a dedicated author who communicates with them regularly and takes the review process to heart.