It’s that time of the year when winter embraces us in an icy grip and our beds seem like the only place to be. This is exactly why few of us consider keeping up a regular gym routine. However, we still want to look fit when Summer arrives. Thankfully, there is a lot of truth in the fitness mantra “Summer bodies are made in winter”. So for those planning on emerging out of the cocoon of Winter as a bright new butterfly, now is the time to work on it. To help, here are a few helpful insights:

Habits you start in winter are powerful

*Research indicates that habits you form in the wintertime are more likely to stick. This is because you’ve mastered your resistance against strong temptations like comfort food and the thousands of tasty calories. When Summer arrives, so does the sundowners after work, farmer’s markets and the braais we love so much. But by creating healthy habits in Winter, you’ll find that by the time the party season comes around you’ll already know ways to fit your workouts into your days and nights out, rather than finding excuses for skipping them.

Technology can be one of your best fitness friends

Monitoring your success and creating goals to match your needs is always a good idea. Smart technology can lend a helping hand here. Strap on a device like the stylish, sporty Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, to help keep track of your progress. It takes a holistic approach to monitoring everything that matters most. Its exercise, sleep, stress and health tracking features make it a personal lifestyle coach you’ll appreciate. And with plenty of motivational apps to download you can customise your daily goals and put them to use next time you head out the door. Of course, everybody needs down time which is why having a world of connectivity and entertainment on your wrist, is yet another reason why you’ll appreciate every second with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active.

Conquering the cocoon is the main challenge

Few things are more seductive to the human brain then spending a chilly winter morning all wrapped up in your duvet. The fact is though, that nobody has gotten fitter by lying in bed all day. In bed, the snooze button is your first obstacle. Never, ever hit it. It’s best to just jump out of bed as soon as your alarm goes off and before your brain has time to realise how snuggly and warm it is under the covers. Placing your phone on another side of the bed helps. It also useful to join a gym class with other people or have a personal trainer, as this is more likely to force you out of bed and into the gym. And while you at it High Intensity Interval training is amazing for burning calories and getting results faster.

Keep your motivation firmly in mind

It’s easy to be tempted to skip a gym session or to give into the comfort food cravings in the cold of Winter. The trick is to keep one thought in your mind – ‘’Why am I doing this?”. If, for example, it’s to have your ideal bikini body, then visualise it and keep that image of the future you firmly in your mind every time you waver. The future-you will thank you, over and over again.

Info sourced from: https://coach.nine.com.au/fitness/how-to-build-a-summer-body-in-winter/62b86058-2d07-4ecc-a8c8-f85fd5d8f4b6
*Research by Jess Robinson, personal trainer at Lazy Girl Fitness

• Technology has changed the workplace in incredible ways
• Temperature and humidity have a measurable impact on performance
• Overall business efficiency is enhanced through air-conditioning

Technology has shaped our lives in extraordinary ways. In under a century, we’ve transformed our reality with the rise of the internet, smartphones to electric cars, biological engineering, artificial intelligence and even augmented reality. However, sometimes it’s the unseen technological solutions like air-conditioning that makes all the difference, especially in places like busy offices.

A Positive Impact On Workplace Productivity

Scientists have agreed that the temperature and humidity at the workplace has a direct impact on the productivity of employees. If a room is too hot, employees are more likely to feel sleepy with their concentration level dropping dramatically. On the other hand, very low temperature can lead to illnesses and the inevitable longer sick leave days. Ultimately, employees need to keep awake and focused longer and ideally the room should be cooled to temperatures around 20 or 21 degrees*.

Enhancing Energy Efficiency

Air-conditioning technology is constantly evolving and fortunately they are also becoming ever more energy efficient. They are now able to efficiently cool or heat a building. This provides a constant and comfortable temperature, minimising energy use, reducing costs and of course carbon footprint.

Creating a Healthier Workplace

Busy offices can be a breeding ground for coughs and colds. While the cold may make you more susceptible to illness, a common cold is caused by bacteria, not cold temperatures. This is where technology like Samsung’s Wind-Free air-conditioner helps. It has a filter that captures dust, dangerous contaminants and allergens thanks to its Virus Doctor. This helps you eliminate harmful viruses and bacteria, contributing to health and wellbeing in winter and summer.

Protecting Business Critical Equipment

From servers to computers, modern workplaces are jam packed with technology that generates heat. This heat needs to be removed from the environment as delicate equipment can only operate within certain tolerance levels. Cleverly designed air conditioning systems take away this heat and humidity, dispersing this energy where it’s needed, ensuring business critical equipment is safe.

Reducing Humidity Makes a Difference

No one likes to feel hot and sticky at work. It can lower productivity and make the office environment feel hotter than it actually is. Air-conditioning systems simply remove the excess moisture from the air to eliminate ‘stickiness’ which is unwelcome factor when workplaces can already be a stressful place.

“Technology drives business forward. That’s why; we’re committed to the relentless pursuit of innovation that makes every day, that much better. Air-conditioners are a wonderful example of technology that makes a real difference in offices and homes,” says Robert Larkan, Head of Digital Air Solutions at Samsung South Africa.

Through the power of innovative technology, we can create environments better suited to the enhanced level of productivity required in modern business. The air-conditioner is clearly a breath of fresh air in so many ways.

Sourced from:
*https://www.airconco.com/news/air-conditioning-increases-productivity-in-the-workplace/
https://advantage-asl.co.uk/news/the-benefits-of-air-conditioning-in-the-workplace
https://armstrongairinc.com/10-benefits-of-good-air-conditioning/

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 14 May 2019 – We have a country renowned for its scorching summers. However, the icy chill of winter does eventually settle into our homes for a few months. This means, it’s the time to gear up for the season, so your family doesn’t have to spend uncomfortable nights wandering around the house shivering as if they’re in an igloo. Trying to avoid high electricity costs doesn’t need to be a worry either.

“The rising cost of energy has always been a key consideration we face every winter – how to keep the electricity bill to a reasonable level while keeping warm. We have spent time and research creating ways to warm up South African homes, while still keeping energy costs down,” says Robert Larkan, Head of Digital Air Solutions at Samsung South Africa.

Below are a Few Ideas to Warm Up your Winter

Use Your Head

While you may have heard that you lose 80% of your body heat through your head, that’s not entirely true. It does however help to keep it protected. While we keep the rest of our body clothed we often neglect our head, so a hat can only help reduce the amount of areas of your body that’s exposed to the cold.

Don’t Invite Winter In

The area under your door can let in a lot of unwelcome cold. A pool noodle can however form a very effective barrier. Simply cut a pool noodle in half lengthwise, wrap it in fabric and slide it under your door.

Dress Up Your Windows for Winter

You’re not wearing a skimpy top while outside so neither should your windows. Replace thin curtains with heavier wool or fleece drapes in the winter. But be sure to open them on sunny days for free heat.

Bake Up a Winter Storm

When you use your oven you end up heating up your home a little as well. So invite a few friends over for a few warm and welcome home-baked cookies. The extra body heat doesn’t hurt either.

Sleep On It

It may sound obvious but many people forget that fluffy blankets should be closer to your skin. Thin, dense blankets should be on top to prevent convective heat loss. Bonus tip: Don’t put your bed directly against an exterior wall.

Use Your Air Conditioner

This winter, you’ll appreciate Samsung’s Wind-Free air conditioner. Not only does Wind-Free ensure a constant temperature in summer. It does so in winter too. Instead of simply moving air around, like a conventional fan does, the Samsung’s Wind-Free system gently disperses cool and still air through micro air holes for a natural cooling effect in summer and a warming affect in winter. And because it’s energy efficient, it also has a positive effect on your energy bill. The fact is, with Samsung’s Wind-Free air conditioner you can keep warm, healthier and save on energy costs.

And with built in Wi-Fi, it enables you to control the settings anywhere, anytime via a Smart Home app on your smartphone. This makes it more convenient than ever before to arrive home to a warmer home. As a company committed to human-centred technology Samsung is pleased to be deliver this level of innovation, designed to make life easier, especially during the season when effortless comfort is so welcomed.

Tips sourced from: http://mentalfloss.com/article/60076/12-toasty-tips-staying-warm-cold-weather

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 11 APRIL 2019 – Summer in South Africa is renowned for its warm, seemingly endless summers. However, every April and May we begin to feel the first signs that Winter is fast approaching. And this Autumn is no different. It’s now almost time to dust out the long jackets, jerseys and handkerchiefs. And while it’s always been difficult in our country to warm up homes designed more for a hot climate Samsung’s Wind-Free air conditioner is about to provide a solution to take on any cold spell. Better still, it can do so while still factoring in energy efficiency.

“The rising cost of energy has always been a key consideration we face every winter – how to keep the electricity bill to a reasonable level while keeping warm. However, Samsung’s innovative Wind-Free technology ensures that energy efficiency is optimised so that you can take full advantage of a much more relaxing night in,” says Robert Larkan, Head of Digital Air Solutions at Samsung South Africa.

Not only does Wind-Free ensure a constant temperature, it has a filter that captures dust, dangerous contaminants and allergens thanks to its Virus Doctor. This helps eliminate harmful viruses and bacteria, contributing to your health and wellbeing in winter as well as summer. When it comes to indoor cooling, the
Wind-Free system is clearly effective. Instead of simply moving air around, like a conventional fan does, the Samsung’s Wind-Free system gently disperses cool and still air through micro air holes for a natural cooling effect. And because it’s energy efficient, it also has a positive effect on your energy bill. The fact is, with Samsung’s Wind-Free air conditioner you can keep warm, healthier and save on energy costs.

And with built in Wi-Fi, it enables you to control the settings anywhere, anytime via a Smart Home app on your smartphone. This makes it more convenient than ever before to arrive home to a warmer home. As a company committed to human-centred technology Samsung is pleased to be deliver this level of innovation, designed to make life easier, especially during the season when effortless comfort is so welcomed.

Now that’s a winter worth warming up to.

South Africa is renowned for its warm, endless summers, even into April. However, winter does eventually arrive with a sudden, chilly hello. Which means, it’s the time to gear up to for the season, so your family doesn’t have to spend those nippy nights gathered around the television wearing puffer jackets and beanies. This winter, you’ll appreciate Samsung’s Wind-Free air conditioner.

In South Africa warming up a home that’s designed more for a hot climate isn’t as easy as simply closing windows and doors. And the rising cost of energy is another key consideration that we face every winter – how to keep the electricity bill to a reasonable level while keeping warm. Improving the insulation in the house helps maintain comfortable temperatures and Samsung’s innovative Wind-Free technology ensures that energy efficiency is optimised so that you can take full advantage of a much more relaxing night in.

Not only does Wind-Free ensure a constant temperature, the digital inverter 8-pole consumes only 32% of the energy used by conventional air conditioners. Monitoring your savings couldn’t be simpler with the smartphone app which conveniently sets the perfect temperature wherever you are before you arrive home. Winter is also the season when colds and flu are rife. Keeping your home’s air clean and germ free is therefore essential. The Wind-Free filter captures 99% of ultrafine dust and completely filters all incoming air, the Easy Filter captures dust, dangerous contaminants and allergens, while Virus Doctor reduces bacteria and viruses by 99%.

With Samsung’s Wind-Free air conditioner you can keep warm, healthier and save on energy costs. Now that’s a winter worth warming up to.

SOURCE: SA Garden and Home