15 Aug
Blog

Sony A80J OLED TV Review (XR-55A80J, XR-65A80J, XR-77A80J)

Mountain and landscape view on the screen of Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.

Sony A80J OLED TV review: you can stop looking now

RRP $ 2,300.00

“The Sony A80J is an impeccable television. One of the best that has ever been made. "

advantages

  • Impeccable picture quality

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Google TV platform

  • Excellent out-of-box settings

  • Flexible stand options

disadvantage

  • Certain game features are missing

I think about OLED TVs all the time; And not just because I'm a TV reviewer and I tend to spend too much time thinking about my job. In all honesty, it's because, like you, I watch quite a bit of TV at home, and because I don't own an OLED TV myself (a discussion for another time), I spend a lot of time wishing myself TV did own an OLED television.

Yes, I am an unabashed fan of OLED televisions and I do not apologize for it. It's the perfect black levels of OLED, and most importantly, the superior contrast that catches most people's eye, but what really seals the deal for me is the TV tech's lack of LED backlights – backlights that work in one making dark space noticeable all the time thanks to very annoying effects that plague LCD televisions, which are referred to as "blooming" and "halo".

With Sony, LG, and Vizio all making OLED TVs now, there's a hearty buffet of options to choose from, but if I were to buy an OLED TV this year, the Sony A80J reviewed here would be one of only two I would consider would pull.

Which is the other I come to that. First, let me explain why I think the Sony A80J OLED is one of the best TVs you can buy this year.

Out of the box

Sony A80J sits on top of the media console. The picture is a close-up on the stand of the television.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

A side view of the Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV shows how thin the TV is.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

A close up view of the plugins and ports on the back of the Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

OLED TV panels are so thin and noticeable that a five year old could frame one in PlayDough and it would still look like a work of art. Fortunately, Sony's approach to OLED TV design is significantly superior.

With wafer-thin metallic-black bezels and sturdy metal feet, the A80J OLED TV exudes a business-class aesthetic – neither overly conspicuous nor a bit dreary or boring. The remote that came with the TV is standard Sony tariff – no backlight, sorry – but it does the job.

There are two positions in which the metal feet can be oriented. One position throws the TV low toward its supporting media stand or sideboard, the other lifts the bottom of the TV slightly to accommodate a soundbar without blocking the screen. It's a chic look, but keep in mind that the feet reach the edge of the TV in both configurations, which makes for a wide stand that requires an equally wide media stand.

To install

Flames on the screen of a Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.Riley Young / Digital Trends

One of the most notable features of the Sony A80J is its out-of-the-box image accuracy. Select the preset picture settings “Cinema” or “Custom” and viewers hardly have to do anything to ensure that they are getting the best possible picture quality.

Of course, accuracy isn't necessarily what everyone is looking for. While accuracy dictates that a television must have a relatively warm color temperature in order to best represent the creator's intent, many viewers tend to prefer a cooler color temperature setting. For this reason, many will prefer the TV's standard picture mode, which is a little brighter and more vibrant.

When it comes to photo editing, Sony's has historically been the best.

For TV enthusiasts, however, it should be noted that the white point and color measurements I obtained using a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter (profiled on an x-rite i1display Pro) along with the Calman software are some of the most accurate I have seen how it comes from a television factory. In fact, many other TVs struggle to get the same ultra-low error counts after a professional calibration that the A80J gets out of the box right out of the box with no adjustments required.

White point and color measurements are found using a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter.Riley Young / Digital Trends

features

What makes a Sony OLED TV look like a Sony OLED TV isn't the OLED panel – it's actually made by LG Display – but the TV's processor. And when it comes to image processing, Sony's has historically been the best.

The A80J continues that legacy. Although the influence of the Sony marketing department is not neglected, the so-called Bravia XR Cognitive Intelligence Processor, which drives the image of the A80J, delivers images that are optimized so that they do their best without ever noticeably dropping the ball. That said, if Sony's newest, most powerful processor compromises its magic, you'll never believe it.

Aside from the top notch workmanship, the A80J is a very capable smart TV that runs the latest version of Android TV, now Google TV. As for smart TV interfaces, it has quickly become one of my favorites. Not only is the Google Assistant seamlessly integrated into the TV for controlling smart home devices, but the TV itself can also be controlled from other smart home devices, including the Google Home app on a mobile device.

Google TV setup on Sony A80J.Riley Young / Digital Trends

Perhaps the best part of the Google TV platform is that once it is set up on one device, it pushes all the essential settings to other devices that are running the platform. For example, having set up a Chromecast with Google TV at home, when I logged into my Google account on the A80J, I found that it was already logged into all of my favorite streaming apps. I didn't have to enter usernames or memorize complicated passwords. All I needed to stream was quick authentication with my phone and I was seeing my favorites in seconds.

If the A80J falls short anywhere in terms of features, it must be due to its lack of full support for certain gaming features typically associated with the latest HDMI 2.1 specification. While the A80J has two HDMI 2.1 ports and can support up to 4K resolution at 120 Hz with HDR, both the variable refresh rate (VRR) and the auto-low-latency mode (ALLM) are not yet supported. While future support for these features could one day come via an update, historical delays make me skeptical if they come in the near future. I discuss the impact this deficit has on gaming a little below.

Sound quality

A photo of one of the converters on the back of the Sony A80J.Riley Young / Digital Trends

The days of making fun of televisions for sounding awful are far from over – many of the televisions I test were meant to be sold with a warning sign begging buyers to pick up a soundbar before they check out . But certain Sony TV models – and Sony OLED TVs in particular – are setting new standards in how good a TV can sound, even if thinner than an iPhone.

I think most people will be amazed at how good this TV sounds.

To generate the sound, the Sony A80J has attached two converters to the back of its OLED screen. That way, the screen itself makes up most of the sound that you hear. Supported by a small “subwoofer” recessed into the back of the television, the built-in on-screen loudspeaker system creates a remarkably full, dynamic and lively stereophonic sound signature. While I was able to force the A80J's sound system to distort at higher volumes, I think most people will be amazed at how good this TV sounds. With an emphasis on dialogue clarity and voices that seem to come from where the actors' mouths are on the screen, not only will viewers be happy to understand what is being said, but they will also be entertained by the way it seems like the voice is also coming from the actor's location on the screen.

picture quality

Dog runs on the screen of a Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.Riley Young / Digital Trends

Having been amazed by the picture quality of OLED televisions for almost seven years, I sometimes find it harder and harder to say something new or unique about the latest models. The improvements in OLED image quality have been gradual improvements over the past few years – and this is true this year as well – but the incremental changes that the A80J OLED brings are a matter of finesse but are very welcome nonetheless.

The A80J just seems to take everything to the next level.

With a Sony OLED you start with a base of perfect black tones, paint in lively yet precise colors and then gild the lily with sparkling HDR highlights and precise fine details. I should also point out that the A80J's handling of motion – be it the cadence of a 24fps movie or the fast-paced action of a sports broadcast – is some of the best I've seen, and that includes Sony TVs past. The A80J just seems to take everything to the next level.

And yet, it's not Sony's best OLED TV. What would be better?

Not the brightest TV on the floor

Sony's A90J OLED TV made many headlines this year as one of the brightest OLED TVs you can buy. LG also has a brighter OLED model, the Gallery Series G1, which has similar brightness claims.

One of the reasons brighter OLED TVs are big news is because one of the few complaints about OLED TVs is that they don't get anywhere near as bright as LED and even newer backlit mini LED LCD TVs . For those who watch TV with lots of natural light (or lots of bright lights on fire) during the day, an OLED TV doesn't have the pop or contrast that an LED-backlit TV does. Brighter OLEDs are intended to question this notion.

Whether they do this successfully is a debate for another article. My point is that the A90J is a brighter OLED TV and therefore could be considered marginally better. But as I said, if I were to buy an OLED TV now, it would be the Sony A80J or maybe the LG C1 OLED. Neither of these are the brighter, better OLEDs, but they'll make most people (me included) pretty happy.

Not the absolute best for gaming

A car video game played on a Sony A80J 4K HDR OLED TV.Riley Young / Digital Trends

The only reason I buy a LG C1 OLED TV over a Sony A80J OLED TV is for next-generation gaming purposes. The LG C1 OLED offers four full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports that support all available next-generation gaming functions at the same time and can all be addressed via an entertaining and somewhat handy gaming dashboard.

The Sony A80J OLED just doesn't do much for gaming, which may seem strange given that Sony is making the new PlayStation 5 console. But what most people don't realize is that the A80J is still an excellent TV for playing games. Sure, it may not offer a variable refresh rate (VRR) and some other features that some competing TVs have, but it will still be fine for most casual gamers. Only the hardcore gamers have to consider looking elsewhere. In other words, unless you know exactly what makes HDMI 2.1 play without looking up, then you can count on the A80J to deliver a great gaming experience with low input lag, great graphics, and smooth movement.

My recording

Sony's A80J offers some of the best picture quality you will find on a television and is only surpassed by televisions that cost many times more. It's also one of the most user-friendly TVs to buy thanks to its Google TV platform and impeccable standard picture preset options. It sounds great too. All in all, the A80J is a wonderful package and I highly recommend it.

Is there a better alternative?

The Sony A90J and LG G1 OLED TVs are a bit brighter, but whether they're better TVs really depends on the viewing environment. Most people will find the A80J bright enough, with excellent contrast and sparkling HDR highlights. The LG C1 could be a better alternative for those looking for the latest in gaming features.

How long it will take?

As with all OLED TVs, there is a slight possibility of burn-in caused by viewing the same picture for a long period of time, day after day, month after month. If you watch the same news channel for many hours a day, you shouldn't buy an OLED television. However, for most normal considerations, burn-in is not a problem. Apart from this consideration, the Sony A80J should reach far into the future even without full HDMI 2.1 support on board.

guarantee

Sony offers a one-year limited warranty on the A80J OLED TVs. More details can be found here.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Sony A80J is a standout TV and an excellent choice for most buyers looking for great picture quality and sound.

Editor's recommendations



15 Aug
Blog

Celiac Disease: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Celiac disease is a condition in which the immune system reacts to gluten. Well what is gluten? Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, etc.

Celiac disease is also known as

  • Sprue
  • non-tropical sprue
  • gluten sensitive enteropathy

Don't confuse yourself with gluten intolerance and celiac disease. When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the person's immune system attacks their own body tissues. However, when a person is gluten intolerant, gluten intake causes short-term abdominal pain and gas.

In contrast to gluten intolerance, celiac disease damages the body in the long term.

What's the harm in celiac disease?

While the person has celiac disease, the immune response to gluten creates toxins that destroy the villi.

Villi are tiny finger-like protrusions in the small intestine. When it is damaged, the intestines cannot absorb the nutrients.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

The symptoms of celiac disease vary from child to adult. Typically, unlike adults, children have more digestive-related symptoms.

Children can have the following symptoms:

  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Flatulence and gas
  • stomach pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • constipation

However, adults can have the following symptoms:

When to see a doctor

If you have diarrhea or indigestion that lasts for more than two weeks, contact your doctor.

See a doctor if your child is pale, irritable, or not growing, and has foul smelling, bulky stools.

Causes of Celiac Disease

More precisely, the exact cause is not known.

Gastrointestinal infections and intestinal bacteria can sometimes contribute.

Celiac Disease Complications

If left untreated, celiac disease and no control over gluten consumption can cause:

  • When your villi become damaged, your body cannot absorb enough nutrients. This can lead to anemia and weight loss. This can seriously affect the growth of children.
  • Malnutrition can lead to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies. This softens the bones in children and decreases bone density in adults. It can also lead to reproductive problems.
  • Damage to the villi can lead to lactose intolerance.
  • You are at a higher risk of developing multiple cancers if you don't eat a gluten-free diet.

How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

People with celiac disease often have high levels of anti-endomysium (EMA) and anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA) antibodies. These tests are a good way to start a diagnosis. These can be detected by blood tests. Tests are most reliable when done while gluten is still in the diet.

For people with DH, the doctor may recommend a skin biopsy or an internal biopsy for the final diagnosis.

How is Celiac Disease Treated?

Without getting around the bush, let's say it directly. There is no treatment for this. You need to avoid gluten from your diet to be comfortable and avoid complications.

if your gut is already damaged. Only eat a gluten-free diet. This allows the villi to heal and begin to properly absorb nutrients.

If you are struggling with symptoms, we recommend symptomatic treatment. Symptoms can improve within days after gluten is removed from the diet.

What to avoid in celiac disease

Avoid all preparations

  • wheat
  • spelt
  • rye
  • just
  • triticale
  • bulgur
  • durum
  • farina
  • Wheat meal
  • semolina
15 Aug
Blog

Xiaomi Roidmi Eve Plus Review: Self-Empty Base on a Budget

The Xiaomi Roidmi with charging station / dust collector.

Xiaomi Roidmi Eve Plus Robot Vacuum Cleaner Review: A Roomba Rival That Makes The Cut

RRP $ 450.00

"The Xiaomi Roidmi offers straightforward cleaning and an intelligent app that offers the user many customization options."

advantages

  • Precise real estate mapping

  • Excellent cleaning performance

  • Solid battery life

  • An intuitive app

disadvantage

  • Instructions and app can be difficult to understand

  • Occasionally gets stuck on furniture

No longer the niche figureheads that scoured the homes of the most serious tech hounds, robotic vacuums are now ubiquitous. While big names like Roomba and Dyson stand out for their performance, reliability, and customization features, the O.G. Labels are also known for their high prices.

If you look at Amazon, you'll find that there are hundreds of robot vacuum brands out there that promise high-performance cleaning from top brands at great prices, but unfortunately, many models just don't. Every now and then, however, a non-brand contender will come to the surface to compete against the biggest names in Clean Town. One such vacuum robot is the Xiaomi Roidmi, the subject of our test today.

Is that a worthy vacuum robot? As a matter of fact. Does it hold up against the best in vacuuming? Yes and no. Let's take a closer look.

Out of the box

Top view of the Xiaomi Roidmi vac.

I often worry that the boastful designs and finishes of certain brands of robot vacuums clash with my home decor. Call me crazy but it drives me crazy While browsing around on the Roidmi a little before it got to my house, I wasn't sure if the product stills I saw would carry over to the Vak's personal demeanor. I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised.

The traditional puck-shaped shell of many robotic vacuums is fully present here, but the hard white casing and rounded black trim keep things minimalist and go with most furnishings.

The Roidmi is also ready for use straight out of the box. My model had an already existing charge of about 68% after unpacking, the battery level was quickly increased by a few minutes of basic charge. The Roidmi comes with the plug-in vacuum cleaner and charging station, replacement mop heads, an additional filter (with a QR code that you have to scan to add the vacuum cleaner to your app) and an operating manual.

Adaptive cleaning that gets the job done

The Roidmi's carbonless motor generates a solid 2,700 Pa of adjustable suction power. My apartment has three types of floors – carpeting, laminate and tiles – all of which Roidmi viewed as a professional. By default, the vacuum cleaner is set to the "Standard" suction setting, but Quiet, Power and a powerful Max mode are also available, which can be found in the companion app under the "More" tab (more on this below).

Bottom view of the Xiaomi Roidmi with mop attachment.

To see how the Roidmi would pile up against the rubble, cat litter was purposely placed over my carpet. For the laminate and tiles in the kitchen, I decided to use granules made from cat food. The bot's rotating main brush did the lion's share of the dirty work, handling even the deepest points of the test throw with ease. Same goes for the food, where the two side silicone brushes also did a good job of catching stray pieces of meow mix along the baseboards.

The change from one floor surface to the other was handled smoothly by the two drum wheels, with the Roidmi climbing my carpet sleepers with ease. I could also hear the suction power automatically change when the vacuum cleaner hit my carpeted floor from a hard surface.

The bot's rotating main brush did the lion's share of the dirty work.

The vacuum cleaner uses 18 sensors to control the Roidmi through your whole house, avoiding your walls and furniture while the house is getting clean. My Roidmi moved from room to room and did an excellent job, but its performance was not perfect. Every time I used the vacuum cleaner there were several moments when I had to get it out of a corner it got trapped in or out of some furniture it couldn't steer away from.

In terms of wiping, the Roidmi has three water dispensing presets to choose from (in-app), ranging from small to large quantities. As soon as you attach the mop head, the bot automatically recognizes that you have switched from vacuuming to mop mode. In use, the Roidmi did a decent job of deliberately tackling soda spills, but I had to finish the job on my own elbow grease. I would say that wiping with your Roidmi should be reserved for less serious spills and dirt / grease stains.

Self-draining and a lot of power

As soon as the Roidmi finishes cleaning or you order it to return to its base, the rear-facing dust connector on the vacuum cleaner connects to the dust collector. The collector then picks up all the dirt, deodorises and filters the contents as it flows into the dust bag. The dust collector emptied my Roidmi efficiently and at a reasonable volume. In fact, the only complaint I have about the collector is that regardless of where I placed it in my apartment, the Roidmi would take its sweet time to find it.

The Xiaomi Roidmi with charging station / dust collector.

Oddly enough, the bot would move only a few inches from the base, drive backwards, and then bump forward five or six times. Only then does the vacuum cleaner properly dock on the dust collector.

The Roidmi's 5200 mAh battery is said to provide up to 250 minutes of continuous operation. I ran my vacuum cleaner through a handful of full home cleans (1,100 square feet) and at the end of each cycle I had about a third of the battery left to play with. Not too shabby if you ask me.

An intuitive app that can be difficult to understand

While you can simply turn the vacuum on to send the Roidmi out for a whole house clean, be sure to download the Roidmi Companion app (available for iOS and Android devices) for an expanded set of controls and map options .

The Roidmi's apartment scan was so detailed that it even included rooms and cupboards that were behind closed doors and walls.

As soon as I switched on the Roidmi, the LDS laser on board immediately scanned my entire apartment. The resulting card is logged directly on the main page of the Vac in the Roidmi app. Here you will also find some basic functions such as start / stop controls, a load command that sends the Roidmi back to its base, and various suction and wiping settings. There is also a battery level indicator, a tracker of how long the vacuum cleaner has been in use in the current cycle and how much living space has been covered.

The Roidmi's apartment scan was so detailed that it even included rooms and cupboards that were behind closed doors and walls. When the bot is active, you can easily track it in the app (it's a tiny gray circle with a glowing blue ring around it). With four filters at the top of the home page, you can customize the cleaning experience.

If "Entire Map" is selected, the Roidmi will search your entire mapped residence. The partition allows you to define no-clean zones that the vacuum cleaner should avoid. The area allows you to pinpoint specific spots in the house that require careful attention. If you need to specify exactly which parts of a room to hit, you can tap and drag the cleaning square to enlarge or shrink it. When Area is selected, you can use the "Add" icon in the lower menu ribbon to add up to five different deep cleaning zones to which the Roidmi will react one after the other. With a final filter, Point, you can send the Roidmi into a 1.6 meter long pre-measured cleaning zone. You can add more point zones, but you cannot adjust their size.

While none of these tabs and drop-down menus have been difficult to use and navigate, there is some language separation with the entire app that can pose a challenge for some. For example, a quick menu where you can adjust the suction sensitivity has an Enter / Save button labeled "Set". It's a big, red button at the bottom that probably leads most to believe that after making your adjustments, you'll tap it – which is correct. However, Determine may not end up with all users. I even questioned it for a moment before just tapping the button because I had nothing to lose.

Our opinion

The Xiaomi Roidmi definitely does the job when it comes to what a vacuum cleaner does best – vacuuming. Strong suction and effective brushes dig deep for the dirt your old stand just can't find. There's even support for Alexa and Google Assistant to control the vacuum with a handful of voice commands. That said, if you're looking for the seamless app experience you find on titans like Roomba, you can find a good app that could use a bit of polishing here and there instead.

At around $ 449, the Roidmi holds up well on its sticker, though inventory for the product appears to be low on both digital and stationary shelves – so much so that it doesn't even seem to be available for purchase on Roidmis Side.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, but you'd pay more to get a robotic vacuum cleaner that requires less supervision. Roborock has two outstanding options to choose from: the intelligent S6 MaxV with its built-in camera for superior obstacle avoidance and the S7 with its sound wiping function.

There is also the iRobot Roomba i3 Plus with its self-draining dock. It's an efficient cleaner that somehow manages to avoid most of the household obstacles and potential pitfalls. In any case, you will still be spending more money to pick up one of them through Xiaomi's offer.

How long it will take?

It's reasonably constructed, but comes with a one-year limited warranty that protects it from failure.

Should you buy it?

Yes, because for the price it offers a lot of value to combine the functions of vacuum cleaner and mopping device. The inclusion of the self-draining docks only sweetens the package.

Editor's recommendations



14 Aug
Blog

Fitbit Ace 3 Review: Kids Tracker for the Fitbit Family

fitbit ace 3 tests lifestyle images from 4

"The Fitbit Ace 3 uses rewards and fun challenges to help children lead healthy lifestyles."

advantages

  • Easy to use

  • Comfortable fit in child size

  • Attractive, animated user interface

  • Fun, family challenges

disadvantage

  • The fastener can break

  • Works best with a parental Fitbit

Activity trackers are usually aimed at adults who want to get fit and stay fit. These trackers are designed for adults and have interfaces designed for adults rather than children. While they may not set the Fastest Known Times, kids can benefit from the health benefits of a fitness wearable.

Fitbit wants to reach these kids with its Ace 3 tracker, which has an animated user interface and a kid-friendly design. How does the Fitbit Ace 3 hold up to the demands of childhood? We tested it on a couple of elementary school children to find out.

Design: Small, but mostly robust

Although it's a kid's device, the Ace 3 isn't a problem. It has a triaxial accelerometer for step tracking and detailed sleep monitoring. There's even a heart rate monitor, but it's probably not turned on for privacy reasons. On the surface, it seems Fitbit has taken its adult tracker and reduced it for kids.

Fitbit Ace 3 is worn around a child's wrist with a hula hoop.

The touchscreen is small enough for a child's wrist, but not too small for a child's hand. My kids had no problem swiping or typing on the screen. The black and white display is big enough for kids to see their stats and bright enough to be seen from outside and inside. Unlike the Fitbit Ace 2, which is completely covered with silicone, the Ace 3 has recesses for the buttons so that they are easy to press.

The Ace 3 is reminiscent of Fitbit's early fitness trackers. It consists of a tiny fitness tracker unit that fits into a sturdy silicone strap. The bracelet is designed for smaller wrists with an easy-to-use standard watch clasp. My children, 8 and 10 years old, had no problem putting the band on and off themselves. It was comfortable to wear day and night and we had no problems with rashes. We took some preventive measures that minimized skin irritation. After a day outdoors, we took off the tracker and washed both my child's wrist area and the tracker.

A child playing tug of war while wearing Fitbit Ace 3.

While not as slim and slim as Fitbit's all-in-on trackers like the Charge 4, the Ace 3's modular design is perfect for kids who are electronics-prone. If the tape breaks, it's easy to replace. Simply pull out the tracker unit and place it on a new tape. Be prepared to replace the tape, especially if your child likes to take the tracker on and off. We broke one tie in our tests while the second stood the test of time.

Software: fun and kid-friendly interface

The user interface adheres to basic step counting and doesn't overwhelm your kids with advanced metrics like heart rate analysis or calorie consumption. It features a handful of fun watch faces that my kids loved. Our favorites were the animated ones that change with fitness stats. The missile, for example, was nearing launch as the step count neared its target. When they reached their target, the missile took off with a bang, much to the delight of my younger child. I found that the younger the child was, the more they enjoyed these animations.

The Fitbit Ace 3 harnesses rewards and fun challenges to help children lead healthy lifestyles.

Another feature we liked was the family competitions, where my kids could challenge family members and friends to do the most steps in a day. We often had to take an extra walk around the block to add that extra step count. The Fitbit Ace 3 judiciously uses more than one strategy to encourage your children to exercise, as not every child is motivated in the same way. My younger child enjoyed the rewarding animations, while my older child seemed more motivated by this competition than just achieving their goal.

Performance: Viewing fitness stats can be annoying

The Fitbit Ace 3 is a kid's device and, as such, has a parental component that you need to navigate through. Almost everything is done through the parent's Fitbit account under the My Family tab in the Fitbit app. How you view your child's daily fitness stats depends on whether or not they have their own mobile device. For older children, you can install the Fitbit app on the child's device and they can keep track of their stats for themselves. It's a little harder to see the stats with your younger kids.

Younger children who don't have a mobile device need to use the Fitbit app on their parent's phone or tablet to view their daily stats. You can switch between two views – the parent's view with their tracker information and a child's view with data from the child's tracker. This kids view is simplified so your kids can easily track their progress without being overwhelmed with too many numbers.

A girl holding onto a skateboard while wearing Fitbit Ace 3.

My kids looked forward to checking their stats on my iPhone several times a day and changing their watch faces frequently. Unfortunately, it was a pain to switch between the child's and the parent's views. Every time you return to the parent view, you will have to enter your password. I couldn't use a fingerprint or facial recognition for this authentication step, so I had to enter my randomly generated, 12-digit string. It was so annoying that I changed my Fitbit password to a shorter and easier to remember one, which is likely to compromise the security of my account for convenience.

Our opinion

The Fitbit Ace 3 takes the best features of its successful fitness tracker line and bundles them in a tracker that was developed exclusively for children. The Ace 3 has a vibrant user interface that encourages kids to exercise. It is especially effective for elementary school children who get caught up in animation and family-friendly competitions. Older kids, like the fast growing tweens, may find this tracker too childish.

Is there a better alternative?

The main competitor of the Fitbit Ace 3 is Garmin's Vivofit Jr. 2, which offers a similar playful user interface. Both are very powerful trackers for kids, so your choices should be made based on the platform. If you already own a Fitbit, or are planning on buying a Fitbit, then the Ace 3 should be your first choice. It integrates seamlessly with the Fitbit app and enables communication with and control of the child's device. Likewise, those with a Garmin device should stick with the Garmin ecosystem and get a Vivofit Jr.

How long it will take?

The Fitbit Ace 3 will last a few years, depending on your child's age and activity level. Your child can grow out of the device before it breaks. The weak point is the closure of the tape, which is made of plastic. However, since the tracker can be detached from the tape, you can easily replace the tape if it breaks. Fortunately, Fitbit offers a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

Should you buy it?

If you're looking for a new fitness tracker for your kids, the Fitbit Ace 3 should be at the top of your list. It has a comfortable fit and a fun user interface that will keep your child moving all day. If you already own the Fitbit Ace 2 or a competing kid tracker, there's no need to upgrade. The Ace 3 primarily offers an improved user interface that is not a compelling reason to upgrade.

Editor's recommendations



13 Aug
Blog

Intel NUC 11 Extreme Review: A True Mini Gaming PC

Intel NUC 11 Extreme on a table.

Intel Beast Canyon NUC 11 Extreme in the test: A real mini gaming PC

RRP $ 1,180.00

"The NUC 11 Extreme is too expensive, but that still doesn't hold it back."

advantages

  • Keep calm

  • Solid processor performance

  • Full-size graphics card support

  • Excellent connectivity

disadvantage

  • Too expensive

  • Larger than previous NUCs

On my desk, where my gaming PC used to live, is an empty space that is now occupied by Intel's NUC 11 Extreme, also known as Beast Canyon. It's a barebones kit with welcome tradeoffs that balances desktop-like performance with a form factor smaller than a current game console.

It's too expensive, awkward compared to a full-size device, and a little too weak compared to a desktop chip. But I can't stop using the NUC 11 Extreme. It is an intelligently designed PC that only makes concessions when needed and exists in its own category.

That doesn't mean Beast Canyon is for everyone. It caters to a very specific market – those with an affinity for crafting who don't mind paying for interesting designs. That said, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty (and you have a spare graphics card) the NUC 11 Extreme is excellent.

design

The side of an Intel NUC 11 Extreme.

In 2012, Intel presented the concept of NUC or Next Unit of Computing for the first time. a graphics card). The heart of the PC is the compute element, which you can unplug like a graphics card.

The new NUC 11 Extreme is a tiny PC, but not as small as previous versions. The 8 liter chassis is 14.1 inches long, 7.1 inches high and 4.7 inches wide. The NUC 9 Extreme is larger at 8.5 inches, but much shorter and a little less wide. It also doesn't support full size graphics cards like Beast Canyon.

That is the compromise with Beast Canyon. It's larger than previous NUCs and other mini-PCs, but it supports a full-length graphics card. You can't have and eat your cake, and I'm pleased with the compromises Intel has made. As I will learn in the next few sections, the NUC 11 Extreme still beats its weight class despite its slightly larger size.

This becomes clear when you compare it to other small form factor options. The Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P is one of the smaller Mini-ITX cases that supports a full-size GPU and is still 10 liters larger than the NUC 11 Extreme. There are smaller NUC cases like the Razer Tomahawk, but this device has an older computing element and is more expensive than the NUC 11 Extreme.

The star of the show is a massive RGB skull on the front of the NUC 11 that connects to ambient RGB strips that illuminate the bottom of the case. Fortunately, you can tweak the LEDs and turn them off if you want. With the included NUC Software Studio you can control the skull and the front, right and left LEDs independently of each other.

Skull on the Intel NUC 11 Extreme.

It's a decent suite that lets you set a solid color or set standard RGB modes like strobe or breathing. You can also use the NUC Software Studio to monitor system temperature and usage, change your fan curve, and switch between processor performance modes.

While the NUC Software Studio offers a decent list of options, it's a little flawed. The software is easy to bounce around, but it would constantly get stuck for a second or two after I changed a setting. It's not a deal breaker, but the NUC Software Studio doesn't feel good.

For my tests, I stayed in balanced fan mode to see the curve Intel intended. There are a trio of 92mm fans under the top to keep everything cool, and they never got loud enough to bother me while testing (even on a Cinebench R23 loop). They make noise, but the NUC 11 Extreme is remarkably quiet given its size. The NUC 11 Extreme was silent when answering emails or hanging out online.

Connectivity

Intel could have reduced the number of ports on the NUC 11 Extreme, but didn't. As with many aspects of the kit, you give up surprisingly little when compared to a full-sized desktop. You are spoiled for port options with the NUC 11 Extreme, and in some ways it goes beyond some full-size PCs.

Front connectors on Intel NUC 11 Extreme.

On the front you have quick access to two USB 3.1 ports, a headphone / microphone combo jack and an SDXC card slot. This turned out to be sufficient in my tests, although I missed a USB-C port on the front. I often use an external Samsung T5 SSD to swap games between PCs and it would have been nice to just toss it in front of the case.

Instead, I had to plug it in at the back, but that wasn't a problem. Even in this small size, Intel manages to accommodate six USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, 2.5G Ethernet and two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back of the case. The motherboard also has an HDMI 2.0b output in case you want to use the integrated graphics.

Of course, HDMI out isn't all you have access to when you plug in a graphics card. It's only there to provide the built-in graphics option. So when you add a graphics card, you also have access to the ports it has. In the case of the RTX 3060 in my test device, this included a single HDMI and three DisplayPort outputs.

Back ports on Intel NUC 11 Extreme.

Compared to the NUC 9 Extreme, this device adds two more USB ports on the back and upgrades the Thunderbolt ports from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4. Even if you run out of ports – which is unlikely given the eight USB ports surrounding the case – you can always throw a Thunderbolt dock into the equation to further expand your connectivity.

For wireless connectivity, the NUC 11 Extreme contains Intel's AX201 chip, which offers dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

Internals

Intel offers the NUC in two configurations: either with a Core i7-11700B or a Core i9-11900KB. As with all NUCs, you will need to bring your own graphics card, SSD, RAM, and operating system. Everything else you need is already in the compute element or in the housing. This includes a 650W 80+ Gold power supply and an Intel AX201 chip.

Central processor Intel Core i9-11900KB or Intel Core i7-11700B
GPU Support for full-size dual-slot GPU or Intel UHD 750
Storage Up to 64 GB dual-channel SO-DIMM DDR4
storage Up to two PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSDs, up to two PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSDs
Power supply 650W 80+ gold
USB ports Up to 12, including eight
Thunderbolt ports Two Thunderbolt 4
Networking 2.5G Ethernet, dual band WiFi 6
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.2
Ports Headphone / microphone connection, SDXC reader, HDMI 2.0b

My test device was equipped with the Core i9-11900KB computing element, a souped-up laptop chip that is part of the 10 nm Tiger Lake family. In short, it should not be confused with the desktop Core i9-11900K, which is built by Intel using the 14 nm process and requires more than twice the performance.

The Core i9-11900KB is a 65W chip, but it is still equipped with eight cores and 16 threads and can accelerate up to 4.9 GHz based on Intel specifications. My chip never reached this speed during the test, but it got close at just over 4.8 GHz. The slightly cheaper Core i7-11700B still comes with eight cores and 16 threads, but with a slightly lower clock rate.

Both chips come with integrated graphics, but I was disappointed to find that they use Intel UHD graphics, not Iris Xe like many Tiger Lake mobile chips. As I'll get into in a moment, if you're going to get any decent gaming performance out of Beast Canyon, you need a discrete GPU.

Otherwise, the NUC 11 Extreme supports whatever you can get it to do. This includes up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR4 laptop memory (SO-DIMM), a dual-slot graphics card and up to four M.2 SSDs, one of which you have to install in the computing element.

Opening everything is a breeze. There's some nice attention to detail here from Intel, including the tiny captive screws on the backplate, a handy door to unlock the compute element, and an SSD slot on the bottom so you can quickly upgrade your storage.

Intel NUC 11 Extreme with no GPU installed.

Once you've removed the side panels, the NUC 11 Extreme opens and offers unprecedented access in this small form. The top cover with three fans can be folded up so that you have all parts of the case free. And there's not much going on inside.

Most of the PC is in the compute element, so you have a small specially designed motherboard, power supply, compute element, and GPU if you have one installed. The NUC 11 Extreme has exactly what it needs, reducing the fat that often comes with small builds.

It's not without its problems, however. The latch for the PCIe slot of the graphics card can hardly be reached when the card is installed. I had to slide the back end of a screwdriver between the GPU and the computing element to open it, and you need to remove the GPU before you can get to the computing element.

Support for full-size graphics cards should also be marked with a large asterisk. It's true that you can plug a full-length dual-slot GPU into the NUC 11 Extreme, but that's about it. That doesn't take into account the additional modular power cables that have to share the space with the rear end of the GPU.

The NUC 11 Extreme has exactly what it needs, reducing the fat that often comes with small builds.

However, dual slot is the limit. If your cooler protrudes even slightly beyond the dual-slot mark, it will not fit into the NUC 11 Extreme. Nvidia Founder's Edition cards could also be a problem. The RTX 3080, for example, has a fan on both sides. In this case, a fan would sit directly on the back of the power supply unit.

Overall, though, this is the most enjoyable small form factor experience I've ever had. I have a few minor issues with the graphics card slot and the extra cables, but these are easy to miss with Intel's clear focus on the building experience. The NUC 11 Extreme is still an argument for barebones, small PCs.

The most disappointing part of the NUC 11 Extreme is that you can't buy it all. Adding RAM, SSD, and Windows is easy, but Beast Canyon really shines with an installed GPU. And adding the price of an expensive graphics card to the NUC 11 Extreme's already high price tag is a tough sell.

But the premium makes sense. Something like the NUC 11 Extreme cannot be built with off-the-shelf parts. However, if you're willing to shop around and have a mini-ITX graphics card, there are options like the Velka 3 that are actually smaller than the NUC 11 Extreme.

Processor power

To get back to the raw power of Beast Canyon, it's more powerful than I expected. The Core i9-11900KB isn't quite on par with a full desktop piece, but it doesn't have to be in such a small package. There's a little compromise, but it's much smaller than it should be given the size of Beast Canyon.

I started testing with PCMark 10, which gives a good overview of performance on a long list of tasks. The NUC 11 Extreme achieved an overall score of 7,520, which is just below the MSI Aegis RS 10 – a mid-tower desktop with a full-size Core i9-10900K. He also beat the flagship Tiger Lake in the HP Elite Dragonfly Max with almost 3,000 more points.

Computing element in Intel NUC 11 Extreme.

PCMark 10 is also demanding. The processor reached a maximum temperature of 93 degrees Celsius during the benchmark, but never clocked down. Even when it was struck, my i9-11900KB continued to climb slightly above 4.8 GHz.

Next up was Cinebench R23, which pushes processors to their limits by forcing them to render a complex 3D image. Here the Core i9-11900KB achieved a single-core score of 1,636 and a multi-core score of 11,424. The multi-core score is in the upper range, but a desktop Core i9-10900K can still beat it by around 30%. Every other Tiger Lake chip doesn't even come close, however.

The Core i9-11900KB even beats the desktop Core i9-10900K by around 23% in the single-core test. While Cinebench performed strongly, it did reveal some weaknesses in Intel's design. According to HWiNFO64, the Core i9-11900KB reached its maximum operating temperature of 100 degrees Celsius before it clocked down to 3.4 GHz. Even with a solid cooling solution, the NUC 11 Extreme is prone to throttling when it's pushed to the limit.

GeekBench 5 is nowhere near as demanding and the NUC 11 Extreme has once again proven its strengths. Similar to PCMark 10, the Core i9-11900KB beats the desktop Core i9-10900K in the single-core test and just under second place in the multi-core test. It also shot way ahead of the NUC 9 Extreme, beating the older device by about 23%.

It's a competent counterpoint to a desktop chip and outperforms all of the other Tiger Lake offerings available.

Handbrake told a similar story. The NUC 11 Extreme reduced our coding time of the Elysium trailer by 13 seconds compared to the NUC 9 Extreme. However, Handbrake showed that the Core i9-11900KB is still essentially a mobile part. Compared to the desktop Core i9-10900K, the chip was a full 30 seconds slower.

Finally, I reached out to PugetBench for Premiere Pro to see how the NUC 11 Extreme would handle video editing. This type of machine seems perfect for the job and my results confirm it. Overall, it scores above a desktop Core i9-10900K, which is configured with an RTX 3060 and 32 GB of RAM. However, this is mainly due to the smooth playback performance, as the NUC 11 Extreme lagged behind the desktop in terms of export and GPU values.

With the NUC 11 Extreme you don't get the full performance of a desktop chip, but with less than half the wattage, that shouldn't come as a surprise. It's a competent counterpoint to a desktop chip and outperforms all of the other Tiger Lake offerings available. Heat was an issue in Cinebench, but this benchmark is a bit of a stress test. There should be no throttling for most tasks.

Gaming performance

I only did a few gaming tests with the NUC 11 Extreme as it doesn't actually come with a graphics card. Your performance will depend on what you put into it. Nevertheless, I wanted to get an overview of how the RTX 3060 would behave in my test device compared to one in a full desktop. And good for Intel, there is practically no difference.

The NUC 11 Extreme averaged exactly the same frame rate in Fortnite at 1080p Epic settings as a desktop configured with a Core i9-10900K and RTX 3060. Up to 1440p, only three frames separated the NUC 11 Extreme from the desktop, with the NUC averaging 83 fps (frames per second) and the desktop averaging 86 fps.

Intel NUC 11 has opened.

That was also the case in Civilization VI, where the NUC averaged 141 fps at 1080p Ultra and the desktop 143 fps. At 1440p with the same settings, the two machines were within a frame of each other. The NUC 11 Extreme's side panel gives the GPU a lot of headroom, and based on my limited testing, cards should work about as well as they would in a desktop.

When you order a NUC, you won't get this performance without adding a graphics card. The UHD graphics in the Core i9-11900KB are pitifully slow for games. They are available, but a bit not an option. In fact, I couldn't complete my 1440p tests because the built-in graphics just wouldn't hold up.

3DMark Time Spy showed how big the difference is. With the RTX 3060 installed, the NUC 11 Extreme achieved a total of 8,953 points. Without a GPU, the device only scored 828 points, less than a tenth of what the RTX 3060 could achieve. Even in Fortnite, I couldn't go over the 1080p High settings as the integrated GPU only averaged 15 fps.

Civilization VI was slightly better at 1080p with medium settings, but even then the UHD graphics only averaged 23 fps. The built-in graphics are not suitable for gaming unless you are ready to shut down to 720p and run on low settings, and even then, some games may have problems.

You should clearly add a GPU to the NUC 11 Extreme. The built-in graphics aren't very good, but the good news is that between a full-sized desktop and the NUC 11, you're practically not giving up when it comes to GPU performance. The design of the chassis allows a lot of air inside, so most cards should hold up.

Our opinion

The NUC 11 Extreme is excellent – as long as you can handle its high price. The kit starts at $ 1,150 for the i7-11700B, and that doesn't include an operating system, RAM, an SSD, or, more critically, a graphics card. Add those in and you're looking at a machine that easily costs over $ 2,000 without a high-end GPU.

It's way too expensive, but that's the point. You already know if the NUC 11 Extreme is right for you. It is not a machine trying to get a certain price or offer a certain value. Instead, it offers an excellent, small form factor design, a unique way to design a computer, and performance that even full-size desktops are a race for their money.

If you've looked at the NUC jealously, it will meet your expectations – provided you have a graphics card to plug in.

Are there alternatives?

There are other mini PCs out there, but nothing compares to the NUC 11 Extreme. Unless you're looking for a boutique case and configuring your own rig, there is no other machine that packs as much power as the NUC 11 Extreme in this small case. Most Mini-ITX cases are not only larger, but also more difficult to use.

That said, you can save some money by building your own machine if you're okay with a slightly larger case or if you can settle for a mini-ITX GPU.

How long it will take?

The whole point of a NUC is that you can upgrade it with a new computing element over time. Assuming Intel continues to ship them, you can use the NUC 11 Extreme until the power supply fails.

Should you buy it?

Yes, as long as you know what you're getting yourself into. The NUC 11 Extreme is not just a mini PC. So, if you're looking for something to set up and forget, a machine like the M1 Mac Mini is probably better.

Editor's recommendations



13 Aug
Blog

How to Eat Nutritiously Without Dieting

Have you ever heard the phrase “you are what you eat”? No, that doesn't mean you will eventually turn into a plate of spaghetti if this is your favorite food. It just means that you should keep in mind that everything you eat can have an impact on how healthy and fit you are.

The food we eat gives us energy, but it can also lead to weight gain and a higher risk of suffering from various health problems. Many people choose to diet in order to lose weight and feel healthier. But is it possible to make better food choices without trying the latest nutrition trend?

These tips will help you eat nutritiously without dieting.

Choose healthy foods

Many diets are elimination diets, which means they recommend cutting out entire food groups. However, this approach isn't the best for staying healthy as it can end up draining essential vitamins and nutrients from your body. On the flip side, eating a nutritious diet without following a diet means that you should focus on making better food choices.

Fruits and vegetables add color to your meals and snacks and have many health benefits. Whether fresh, canned, frozen or dried, you will eat a variety every day. Try a ready-made meal delivery service that will make sure you are eating a reasonable number of fruits and vegetables each day.

Eat proteins and whole grains

Try different types of proteins. Red meat isn't the healthiest type of protein you can eat. It's always a good idea to choose lean meats and remove the fat, but you should also watch out for poultry, fish, and beans, which are not saturated with fat or just don't contain as much as red meat.

Also, choose whole grains over refined grains. Refined grains have been ground to give them a more tender texture and better shelf life. But whole grains contain all of the grain, which contains essential nutrients and fiber. Choose whole grain products whenever possible.

Use smaller plates to cut your serving sizes

If you feel like you are overeating all the time, simply cutting your servings can make your meals healthier. And an easy way to cut your servings is to use smaller plates.

Using a large plate makes it easy to fill it with food and overeat. You will find that with a smaller plate you will eat less and still feel full.

Drink a glass of water before every meal

If you make a habit of drinking a glass of water before each meal, you will eat less too. The water will help your body feel full faster.

Drinking water is necessary for your health. Unlike fruit juices, soft drinks, and coffee, it does not contain any calories or sugar. In fact, the water you drink helps your body burn the calories you get from food and it helps transport nutrients to your cells. Since you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day, drinking one glass before each meal is an excellent way to get started.

Read the labels carefully and avoid certain things

When shopping, don't hesitate to take a moment to read the labels on some of the products you have purchased. Try to choose products with less sodium and sugar and avoid trans fats and saturated fats as much as possible. You should limit your consumption of sweetened beverages, processed foods, palm oil, and partially hydrogenated oils.

Eat more slowly to avoid overeating

Eating slower does not make your meals more nutritious. However, it is an excellent habit to limit yourself from overeating.

If you are used to eating very quickly, you are likely to have a tendency to overeat. That's because it can take some time before you signal your stomach is full to reach your brain. Slowing down will give your brain the signal before you overeat, which will benefit your health and your waistline.

Cooking at home instead of eating out

If you are not used to cooking at home, find and try simple and healthy recipes. Home cooking helps you control the ingredients you will be eating as well as your cooking methods.

For example, instead of eating fried chicken, you could bake it in the oven and use less fat. Consider splitting your meal if the portion is too large, if you are going to eat in a restaurant, or if you want to have a meal delivered to you. That way, you can have the rest of the rest for lunch tomorrow.

Pay attention to the calories you eat and burn

Finally, it might help to watch out for the calories you eat and drink every day. Also, monitor the calories you burn during exercise or your daily routine. If your goal is to eat better to lose some weight, you need to burn more calories or eat fewer calories.

12 Aug
Blog

Get Rid Of Body Aches As A Spa Professional

As a spa professional, you work so hard to keep your customers comfortable, relaxed and healthy. But what about you? How does a physically demanding job affect your body? Depending on your role in this industry, doing hands-on work in this area can sometimes be exhausting. When you've had three hour-long back-to-back massages or facials, you can feel it – mild back pain, a tingling sensation in your feet, or strain on your wrists.

We'll explore remedies for body aches and pains and how to take care of your body while performing spa services throughout the day. The better you take care of yourself, the better you can take care of others.

What if I neglect my body?

Working on your feet all day can really cause some discomfort to your feet, back, and legs. And depending on your role as a spa professional, the practical work can sometimes be physically demanding. In the United States, repetitive motion is one of the most common causes of injury. These problems occur when you keep repeating a movement or movement over a long period of time, such as fine motor movements in your hands and wrists. Because many customer treatments require these types of movements, repetitive stress injuries (RSI) can occur. Long-term neglect of personal hygiene can even lead to undesirable conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. To avoid these issues, follow the tips below to help relieve the stress in your hands, wrists, and body throughout the day. Read on for five personal care tips to help prevent and relieve pain.

5 tips to get rid of body aches and pains

1. Tips on hand care

If you're doing jobs like manicuring, facials, or jobs that require you to slouch your hands for an extended period of time, try to keep your arms and wrists straight. Change the type of spa services during the day (as often as you can). If you already feel a tingling sensation or swelling, place an ice pack or cold compress on your wrists and hands. You might also consider wearing a splint at night, but it's best to see your doctor if you experience symptoms such as numbness, pain, ache, or tingling.

2. Choose supportive footwear

If you work in the spa industry, standing is an integral part of your job. Forget strappy shoes, thin ballerinas or shoes with heels when you wear shoes. Support your feet with cushioned shoes or add insoles for more support. Orthotics can also increase your comfort, improve posture and relieve joint strain. In addition, small movements can help, e.g. For example, shift your weight from side to side or bend your knees so they don't block. You can also rock up on your toes and down on your heels to minimize tension in your calves.

3. Stretching

You may be so invested in serving your customers that you are neglecting yourself. Book massages, stretches or baths, everything to relax your body and mind and prevent body aches.

Stretching has many uses. According to Ergonomic Trends, it relieves your body when you stay in one position for a long time. This can especially prevent common hand injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful wrist condition due to compression of the median nerve. It can also prevent muscle fatigue, tendinitis (inflammation of the tendons caused by repetitive actions), or varicose veins (enlarged blood vessels).

As Healthline notes, “Muscles can become stiff and painful after standing or walking all day. Stop about every hour to stretch, relax, and lengthen tense muscles. "

Healthline's stretch recommendations include:

  • Stand upright on the edge of a step or platform and tighten your abs.
  • Secure the balls of your feet firmly on the step with your heels hanging over the edge.
  • While standing on your tiptoe, lift your heels a few inches off the step and hold them for a second.
  • Lower your heels back to level with the platform.
  • Repeat 10 times.

Woman holds her sore wrist

4. Exercise and exercise breaks

Paulo Ferreira, a back pain researcher and professor at the University of Sydney, states that prolonged standing, sitting, or bending over, combined with a lack of exercise, can lead to lower back pain in the long term. When you stand for a long time, your body longs for regular changes of position and posture and the pressure on your feet. The long-term solution is to incorporate exercises that will strengthen your lower body and back. A short term solution is to switch from one pose to the next during the day. Take short walks in between appointments that will make sure you change your posture.

5. Self Care & Massages

As you already know, regular massage reduces stress, body aches, muscle aches and tension, loosens knots and improves blood circulation. It can relieve your muscles of the stress they experience during the work week. The question is, do you take the time to book appointments for yourself? It may seem like a luxury, but the benefits are obvious and you will enjoy a more relaxed, stress-free work life. Don't forget to use heat pads during your massage to relax the sore muscles that cause neck or back pain.

Perform a facial massage two to three times a week for stress and jaw tension. Facial massages promote blood circulation, relieve tension in the face and tighten and tighten your complexion.

Do you have body aches and pains? What self-care rituals do you practice at home? Let us know in the comments below and join the conversation on social media. Here you can also find out how to become an Eminence Organics Spa partner.

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