Five Tips for LinkedIn Success

With over 400 million users, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. LinkedIn is primarily used by employers, employees and job-seekers as a business-networking social media platform. LinkedIn connects like-minded professionals all over the world, so whether you’re actively seeking a job or using the site to keep tabs on people in your industry, it’s important to keep your profile in tip-top shape.

Here are five tips for maintaining and enhancing your LinkedIn presence:

  1. Use a professional picture. Having a picture on your profile makes it 14 times more likely to be viewed. Your photograph should be professional, well-lit and you should be wearing what you would typically wear to work.
  2. Customize your URL. Customizing your public profile URL increases your chances of appearing in search results and makes it easy for people to find you.
  3. Write a meaningful summary. The summary section of your profile receives the most prominent spot on the page, and allows you to tell your story and provide context for how you plan to use the site.
  4. Post status updates.  Engage with your network in the form of status updates, which can be a comment or a question followed by a video, interesting article or website. It’s important to remember, though, LinkedIn is for professional use and the content you post should match that tone.
  5. Join relevant groups. LinkedIn Groups provide a way for professionals in the same industry to share content, answers questions and makes contacts. Once you join a group in your industry, start engaging with the group members by sharing relevant content and contributing to the discussion.

What is Cupping?

If, like me, you’ve been keeping a close eye on the Olympics, you might have noticed the dark round spots covering several Olympian’s backs and shoulders. While these marks may look like the sign of some serious skin disease, they’re actually just the result of cupping, a Chinese healing therapy. Michael Phelps has been the biggest name to utilize this practice, and he has everyone wondering: What is this new trend?

As it turns out, it isn’t new at all. Although it’s just now making its mainstream debut at the Olympics, cupping is an ancient Chinese therapy that dates back to around 2,000 years ago. During cupping therapy, a warm oxygen-free glass cup is placed on the patient’s back. The lack of oxygen draws the patient’s skin into the cup. The aim of this therapy is to release tension in sore muscles, and increase blood flow. Although the bruises may appear to tell a different story, cupping is said to be virtually pain-free.

Skeptics of the practice suggest that there are no real health benefits associated with cupping, but that hasn’t stopped household names like Michael Phelps, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston from partaking in the ancient therapy. Have you given it a try? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience!

Next Stop: Rio de Janerio

As the 2016 Summer Olympics approach, now is a great time to learn a little more about the host city — Rio! Whether you’re traveling across the world or watching from your living room, it couldn’t hurt to learn more about the city in which the world’s biggest sporting event is taking place. Who knows, you might find your next vacation destination!

This year the Summer Olympics are taking place in Rio de Janerio. It is the second largest city in Brazil, nestled on the South Atlantic coast. It is also the first South American city to ever host the Summer Olympics, but I wouldn’t consider that their claim to fame.

Most people know Rio for their beautiful beaches, like Copacabana and Ipanema. With their pristine turquoise waters and towering mountainous backdrops, these beaches are a must-see for any traveler. Speaking of these mountainous backdrops, Rio is home to some beautiful mountain scenery, such as Sugar Loaf Mountain, which rises 396 meters at its peak and offers a bird’s-eye-view of the city and its breathtaking scenery.

Of course, you can’t talk about Rio de Janerio without mentioning Carnival. Carnival is a world-famous, five-day festival that takes place every year on the streets of Brazil, and Carnival in Rio de Janerio is known as the biggest and most famous of all the festivals. Attendees of the festival can expect a non-stop week of parades, street parties and celebrations.

How to Avoid Death By Sitting

In the past several years, more and more studies have suggested that too much sitting is associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death. Some have even gone so far as to say sitting is the new smoking. So, what does that mean for the typical employee who spends roughly eight hours a day sitting at their desk? It’s time to start shopping around for a non-traditional desk/chair combo that won’t leave you worried your office chair may actually be killing you.

A standing desk allows you to ditch the chair altogether and work comfortably on your feet. If you get tired of standing, no worries – most standing desks are adjustable to allow for sitting. An even more innovative approach to an upright working station is the treadmill desk. Advocates for the treadmill desk claim it has several health benefits, including: improving mood, reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress.

Not quite ready to say goodbye to your office chair? There are several alternatives to a traditional office chair that don’t require replacing it with a treadmill. Swapping your chair for an exercise ball will help you improve your balance, circulation and you’ll have a mini-workout available at your desk at all times. Buoy’s office chair alternatives are inspired by the rocking motion of an ocean buoy and are designed to engage your core and keep you moving throughout the day.