File Genie: Blog

The Sanity & Insanity of Tech in Lockdown

26/5/2020

File Genie will tell you that Tech is my Achilles heel and lock down has done it’s best to compound the issues I have already, slow and intermittent fault on my internet supply, slowing my laptop performance – File Genie to the rescue; new Apps I don’t understand, File Genie to the rescue and venturing into Apple from Android and Windows, again Ben from File Genie to the rescue.

What have I learnt other than File Genie is a knight in shining armour:

Well, I need to do more of what I preach to stay calm, relaxed and in the positive, intellectual part of my brain. When I work from this part of my brain, I can achieve and do achieve lots more. I also learnt that every cloud has a silver lining even if a Genie needs to get involved.
Getting tense and stressed definitely has triggered old whiplash related restrictions and migraine like headaches but much can be done to rectify and to prevent it.
A mix of physical and mental health remedies self prescribed. Drink plenty, don’t try to do too much, eat properly, structure my day with different activities, ice, the power of just being, catching up with friends, exercise and gardening.
Mind and body are undisputedly linked, look after one and the other will follow and for your tech headaches, consult File Genie.
The other thing that I have become very good at is reframing (seeing the silver lining). Lockdown therefore equals Liberation.

Bridget Bath, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Forward Focus Hypnotherapy

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6 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Devices Safe

11/5/2020

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Most of us own a number of devices, from laptops and PC’s to tablets and smartphones. We invest a vast amount of money into them so it makes sense that we do all we can to make sure they’re safe and secure.

File Genie has put together a list of practical safety tips to help ensure your devices are safe and secure:

Check your laptop lead or plug isn’t damaged- a damaged lead or plug can not only cause issues with the system’s battery due to intermittent charging but more importantly it can be a fire risk. Thankfully it’s easy to fix or replace but you should contact a professional for further advice and replacement parts.
Clean your Laptop/Desktop and Smartphone- If you allow dust to build up on the air vents, fan, or RAM and hard drive it can cause your device to overheat which could result in damaged components. Periodically dust all air vents on PC’s and laptops (it’s slightly more difficult to clean laptop air vents so consult a professional if you need help or advice). Clean smartphones and tablets to help keep them running smoothly.
Ensure you have a pin lock or fingerprint/face recognition activated- If your device gets stolen the thief has access to all your data (think passwords, emails, bank details) so you want to make your device as impenetrable as possible, fingerprint recognition and face recognition along with PIN codes can help prevent sensitive data being accessed and misused. Download and activate ‘Find My Phone’ for real-time location updates if your phone is lost or stolen.
Add a case to your smartphone- one of our most requested jobs is repairing cracked screens. A case will help minimise the risk of the phone getting broken if it is dropped. You can also add a screen protector that can just be replaced when needed. Keep your phone in a safe place at all times, away from vehicles and bathrooms!
Do not switch on a phone that has come into contact with water- unless your phone is waterproof one of the worst things you can do if your phone gets wet is to switch it on. Get it out of the water as quickly as possible and remove the case, sim and battery before carefully drying it off. Putting the device in a bowl of rice can help soak up any residual moisture but it will take at least 12 hours.
Do not overcharge your laptop- many people keep their laptop plugged into the charger even when the battery is fully-charged but this can cause overheating and could actually reduce battery life.

Taking care of your devices will save you money so it’s worth investing a little time to make sure they are clean, secure and well maintained. You should periodically check all your devices and contact your trusted computer repair business if you need any help!

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We've Got Your Back - When Working From Home

4/5/2020

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We've Got Your Back - When Working From Home

Many of you have been working from home for the first time and may not have a proper office desk set up. Over time, this may well be negatively affecting your posture and lead to pain in your back and neck and even trigger headaches.

Here are a few tips using household items to prevent such things:

Sit in a supportive chair. Don’t be tempted to sit in a low lounge chair or settee. Your hips and knees should both be at right angles and your back supported. Don’t perch or lean forward.
Don’t spend more than 20-30 mins working on a laptop on your lap. It is better to work on a table and if you have it with a wi-fi remote keyboard and mouse. This will allow you to place the laptop on several books or a box until the screen is level with your eyes and far enough or close enough for you to be able to focus on the screen easily. Looking down at a screen will strain your neck muscles and a combination of glasses and strange screen angles can lead to eye strain and headache.
Every 30 mins take a posture break. Stand up, do a star stretch, looking up as you do it and take a deep breath in. This will help your joints and get oxygen circulating, helping both your mood and your concentration.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water at least 2lt. It is easy to get engrossed in what you are doing and forget all about you.
I hope you find this useful. If you need help with neck, back, joint pain or headaches during lockdown or indeed after please don’t hesitate to contact me. There is much advice I can share to help you through.

Bridget Bath, Doctor of Chiropractic, Greenacres Chiropractic Centre, Glinton

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