Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2025
This Cookie Policy explains how Natural Habits Balance uses cookies and similar technologies on our website (naturalhabitsbalance.info) to enhance your reading experience and understand how visitors interact with our editorial content.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit our website. They help us remember information about your visit, such as your language preference or which articles you've read. Cookies are essential for making websites function properly and improving user experience.
Each cookie has an expiration date. Some cookies are deleted when you close your browser (session cookies), while others remain on your device for a longer period (persistent cookies).
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
Purpose: These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as page navigation, access to secure areas, and remembering your cookie preferences.
Example: Authentication cookies, security tokens, cookie consent preferences.
Mandatory: Yes - the website cannot function without these.
Analytics Cookies
Purpose: These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website. We collect anonymized data about page views, article engagement, and user behavior to improve our editorial content and website performance.
Example: Google Analytics cookies that track page visits, time spent on articles, and traffic sources.
Optional: You can opt-out of analytics tracking.
Preference Cookies
Purpose: These cookies remember your choices and settings, such as language preference, display settings, or content filtering options.
Example: Font size preference, theme selection (light/dark mode), article sorting preferences.
Optional: These enhance personalization but are not required.
Performance Cookies
Purpose: These cookies monitor website performance and load times. They help us identify technical issues and optimize our content delivery.
Example: Server performance metrics, page load monitoring, error tracking.
Optional: You can disable these, though it may affect your browsing experience.
How We Use Cookies
- ▪ Improving Content: We analyze which articles are most read to better understand our audience's interests and optimize our editorial coverage.
- ▪ Personalizing Your Experience: Cookies remember your reading preferences, language selection, and content filters.
- ▪ Website Security: Essential cookies protect against fraud and unauthorized access to your session.
- ▪ Performance Monitoring: We track page load times and server response to ensure our website runs smoothly.
- ▪ Understanding Traffic Patterns: Analytics cookies help us see which regions access our content most and what devices visitors use.
- ▪ Respecting User Preferences: Cookies store your cookie consent choices so you don't see the consent banner repeatedly.
Detailed Cookie List
| Cookie Name | Type | Provider | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | Essential | Natural Habits Balance | Session | User session authentication |
| nhb_consent | Essential | Natural Habits Balance | 1 year | Cookie consent preferences |
| _ga | Analytics | Google Analytics | 2 years | Unique visitor identification |
| _gid | Analytics | Google Analytics | 24 hours | Session tracking for analytics |
| _gat | Analytics | Google Analytics | 1 minute | Request throttling |
| theme_preference | Preference | Natural Habits Balance | 1 year | Light/dark mode preference |
| language_pref | Preference | Natural Habits Balance | 1 year | Language selection |
| content_filter | Preference | Natural Habits Balance | 6 months | Article category preferences |
| font_size | Preference | Natural Habits Balance | 1 year | Reader font size setting |
| perf_timing | Performance | Natural Habits Balance | Session | Page load performance metrics |
Managing Your Cookies
Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:
- • Block all cookies
- • Allow only essential cookies
- • Delete existing cookies
- • Receive warnings before a cookie is stored
Note: Disabling cookies may affect your browsing experience on our website. Some features may not work properly without non-essential cookies enabled.
Cookie Consent Tool
When you first visit our website, we display a cookie consent banner. You can:
- • Accept all cookies
- • Accept only essential cookies
- • Customize your cookie preferences
- • Access the consent tool anytime via our website footer
Third-Party Cookie Management
For analytics cookies from Google Analytics, you can:
- • Install Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on
- • Visit Google's ad settings to control personalized ads
- • Use YourAdChoices to manage your preferences
Do Not Track (DNT)
Many browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature. When enabled, this sends a signal to websites requesting they don't track your activity. We respect this preference, though we still use essential cookies for website functionality.
Data Privacy & Security
Anonymization: Analytics data we collect is anonymized and aggregated. We do not identify you personally through cookies unless you create a registered account.
Data Protection: All cookies are transmitted securely over HTTPS. We follow industry best practices for data security in accordance with data protection regulations including GDPR and CCPA.
Data Retention: We retain analytics data for 26 months, after which it is automatically deleted. You can request deletion of your data at any time.
Third Parties: We only share anonymized aggregated data with third-party analytics providers (Google Analytics). We do not sell or rent your personal information.
Children: Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect cookies or personal data from children.
International Considerations
GDPR (Europe): For visitors in the European Union, we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. We obtain explicit consent for non-essential cookies before storing them.
CCPA (California): For California residents, we comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act. You have the right to know, delete, and opt-out of the sale of personal information.
Regional Consent: Based on your location, we adjust our cookie consent requirements. Visitors in regulated regions see stricter consent prompts.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will notify you by updating the "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, by requesting your renewed consent.
We recommend reviewing this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.
Questions About Our Cookie Use?
If you have questions about our Cookie Policy, how we use cookies, or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact our editorial team:
Natural Habits Balance
Station Road 27
Edinburgh
For content questions and feedback: [email protected]
We will respond to your inquiry within 14 business days.
Visit our FAQ for additional information about our website and policies.
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