Santa Brought The Sniffles...Now What?

Did Santa bring more than presents to your home this season? If a cold or flu made its way down the chimney (or through your front door), your holiday might have been a little less than ideal. Instead of sipping hot cocoa and enjoying your Christmas gifts, once your  family and friends went home you were left with coughing, aches, and not enough tissues. Sanitizing after Santa (or your sniffling out of town guests) is important as it will not only protect your remaining family from whatever germs came into your house, but it will also kick the germs to the curb faster and help you get well. So where should you focus on cleaning, and how should you do it?

Bedrooms. Did your holiday guests come into town with a touch of a cold that quickly turned into a full-blown flu before they left? Have your kids been coughing since Christmas Eve? Taking time to sanitize the bedrooms in your house is important in keeping your home healthy! Wash all bed linens on hot wash if possible, and spray down mattresses, mattress toppers, drapes, and other fabric surfaces that can't be washed with a disinfectant of your choice. Wipe down hard surfaces like bedside tables, headboards, tv remotes, curtain and blind cords/rods, light switches, doorknobs, etc. Pretty much any surface that could have been touched should be sanitized. Finally, open windows for a while if you can to air out the room, and vacuum the space with a HEPA filter to take care of any remaining particles.

Bathrooms. Much like the bedroom, all hard surfaces should be cleaned with sanitizing wipes or cleaners, and don't forget inside the shower or tub! In addition, steam mopping or mopping the floor with an antibacterial cleaner is a good way to take care of any residual viruses hanging around and give you a fresh start to work with.

Extras! Do you keep throws and blankets on chairs and sofas around your home? Wash those for sure! Television remotes are a major hot spot for germs, so cleaning them thoroughly is key when sanitizing after a bout of sickness has hit your household. Other commonly used items that should be thoroughly cleaned include: 

• cell phones 

• the handle on the refrigerator and/or freezer! 

• toothbrushes 

• makeup brushes and hairbrushescar

• keys

Don't forget handy shortcuts that make the cleaning process easier! Most dishwashers for example are equipped with a sanitizing function. Running dishes, or even certain toys, on this function can disinfect them quickly without the need for chemicals!  

We hope you enjoy a happy (and healthy) year ahead, and experience growth and success in your business endeavors! If you need help kickstarting growth, connecting with potential clients, or building your brand within the community, Newton Peach Marketing in the answer. We provide social media management and content creation for businesses of all kinds. Call us to schedule a FREE initial consultation and quote!

Tips and Tricks to Handle Burnout This Summer

Summer is here! That means summer activities and talk of vacations are here as well. During this time of year, it is common for many to experience burnout and lack of focus. At Newton Peach Marketing, we know how important it is to stay on top of your business duties while maintaining your mental health. That is why we want to share with you some tips on how to beat burnout this summer.

1.) Make sure you are taking enough breaks

One great way to avoid job burnout is to ensure you are taking enough breaks throughout your workday. Fellow workaholics can agree that it is easy to get lost in a task in the workday and forget to take breaks, but breaks are important because it gives your body and mind time to refresh and focus on something that is not work-related. Setting aside daily breaks will help relieve workplace stress as well.

2.) Set aside time for exercise

If you feel yourself experiencing burnout setting aside time in your daily routine for exercise, even just a 15-minute walk, will work wonders. Research shows exercise provides recovery for your cognitive processes and nervous system so it can function more effectively. Giving yourself a set time for exercise each day will give you a chance to reflect on your day and unwind while also making you feel accomplished for doing something good for your body and health.

3.) Prioritize healthy diets to support a healthy mood and energy level.

Believe it or not, what we are putting into our bodies daily has a big effect on our moods and energy levels. Try minimizing the number of refined sugars and processed foods you are eating daily as they disrupt your body's hormone balance and lead to a mid-day crash in energy and mood. Try replacing these refined sugars and processed food with whole food with lots of vitamins and nutritional value that will keep your body fueled through the workday.

We hope you enjoyed reading about these tips to beat job burnout this summer. At Newton Peach Marketing we know it can sometimes be harder to focus on work during the summer season, however, these tips will fuel your body and mind keeping you focused on what needs to be done in the workplace. If you find yourself spread too thin running your business contact our team at Newton Peach Marketing and we would love to help you out by tackling all your digital marketing needs!

Celebrating Safely: 4 Tips to Show You Care This Valentine's Day

With just a little over a week left until Valentine's Day, many of us are busy making preparations for showing the ones we love just how much we care. It's no secret though that this year's holiday looks different than years past. No crowded restaurants, no big parties, no surprise cruises or last-minute vacations and no large-scale community events will be making their way onto the calendar. However, the reason for the day still rings true, and it's a good reminder that love isn't something you buy, but rather, something you show...and you can show it in SO many ways.

Here are some fun ways you can celebrate (safely) with the ones you care about most this holiday, whether it's your sweetheart, your kids, or someone else that's special in your life:

• Do a "ding-dong and dash" surprise! This could be dropping off dinner, a homemade valentine card, a special dessert, or a bouquet of roses, but the idea is to ring the doorbell, and run away quickly after leaving the surprise at the recipient's front door. This is a fun way to show your love to an aging parent or loved one stuck at home, or to surprise someone who is currently in quarantine and can't celebrate the way they usually would.

• Classic candy and cards...with a twist! While we all remember exchanging homemade valentine's and treats with our classmates, teachers, or coworkers in years past, this year the tradition might need a little tweaking. Instead of homemade goodies that could seem risky to some people, opt for store-bought candies or treats that are safely and individually wrapped. Put plenty of extra effort into your homemade card to give it the unique and special element that the treat will be missing this holiday!

• Make early reservations, or enjoy a candlelight dinner at home. Restaurant reservations will fill more quickly than usual this year since most dining spaces are operating at limited capacity. Reserve your table as soon as possible, or make plans for a romantic dinner with candles for your sweetie at home. A simple setup on your own patio makes it feel more special than eating at the kitchen table, and if you add in takeout from their favorite place and a decadent dessert, they're sure to be just as happy as they would be in a 5-star local eatery!

• Give back! Showing love to others is one of the best ways you can celebrate the holiday of love. Many community charities are in need right now, and donating to a local food pantry or shelter, or volunteering your time and energy (if you feel safe to do so) is a wonderful way to love those around you and bring yourself tons of joy in the process.

Newton Peach Marketing believes that every holiday has the potential to be just as special as the last, even if the traditions look a little different this year. Over the last 12 months, we’ve all learned a lot about resilience, creativity, and certainly about love. Time away from friends and family members have reminded us that love should be celebrated always, not just one one holiday each year. How will you show the ones in your life how much you care? We hope the tips and tricks above make the 14th just a little bit more special this year, and will bring some joy to you and to those around you. Happy Valentine’s Day!