It should come as no surprise that consistently getting enough sleep can come with many health benefits, but it can often be difficult to get the rest our bodies need. Being busy with work, school, or family can make it harder to set aside the time for a proper night's rest on a regular basis, and many people also have trouble falling or staying asleep. While it's not always an easy task, here are our top three reasons for why we should all be getting more sleep. 1. Regular Sleep Can Improve Mental Health and Brain Function Many people recognize how their body reacts to constant bouts of sleepless nights. Most individuals who suffer from sleep deprivation will note mood instability, lack of focus, irritation, and general feelings o…

Planning your vacation can be an exciting experience when you keep a few important details in mind. Here are three important things to consider before you make your travel arrangements. Trip Duration The duration of your trip is the first thing you'll need to determine before you begin to plan your itinerary. How much available time you have allows you to choose whether you'll be able to visit just one location or multiple destinations, in addition to whether you'll have enough time to travel domestically or internationally. The more time you have, the more flexible your vacation plans can be. You can likely squeeze more into a week's trip than you think if you manage your time well. Knowing your trip's duration is also useful for ma…

Getting started on a homegrown herb garden is a breeze when you have the right materials and a little bit of know-how. By deciding in advance if you want to grow seeds or starter plants, as well as what types of herbs you want to learn to grow, you'll be on the road to harvesting a beautiful, flourishing herb garden in the comfort of your own home. Seeds or Starter Plants? When starting your herb garden, consider whether planting seeds or starters will work best. Often, for beginners, using starter plants is a better choice that cuts growth time down by two to three weeks and increases your chances for a successful harvest. Once you get the hang of how growth and harvesting works with starters, it'll be easier to learn how to grow he…

Every person has their own preferred method of cleaning. Some will dive in head-first and scrub, clean, and polish the whole house over a productive weekend. Others prefer to tackle designated sections over a period of time or on a schedule. Still, many people find cleaning to be an overwhelming chore. While there's no right or wrong way to approach the task, here are a few tips to help you get the job done. 1. Deep Clean One Room at a Time Try deep cleaning just one room at once. This can be broken down into manageable time sessions like 10 minutes, one hour, or over a morning or afternoon.Start at the top and move down. Dust ceiling fans and corners. Clean light switches, doors, handles, and other frequently touched items. Dust al…

Buying a used car can be challenging. However, it can be a lot easier when you know what factors to consider. Here are some of the most essential. Your Budget One of the first things you should consider before heading out to your neighborhood dealership is your budget. Establishing a set amount of money you are willing to spend can help you to stay within your means and can narrow down the scope of cars that you will potentially buy. Its History Of course, you will want to know the complete history of any vehicle you’re considering buying. Taking a scan of the interior and exterior, even if it looks flawless, doesn’t tell you about the true history of the car. You should get a full history of the vehicle, including past num…

The perfect spring picnic begins with a few fabulous ideas and a little planning. The following tips will help you put together an unforgettable springtime feast that your family and neighborhood friends will love. 1. Pick a Location Location is one of the most important elements for creating a perfect spring picnic. Select an area in your community that captures the essence of spring at a local park or relaxing beach area with blooming trees and foliage. Picnic spots that are easily accessible are best for ensuring that all of your guests can attend. If you choose remote areas such as flower-filled meadows far from the road or mountainous locations that require a bit of a hike, be sure to give your guests plenty of time to plan acco…

Sitting all day can build tension in the body. Not only can it cause physical health issues, but it can also affect people’s energy and level and mood. Increase Flexibility Through Stretching 1. Thoracic Extension. The thoracic spine refers to the section of the upper back that sits between the cervical area of the neck and the lumbar spine. To use the stretch, clasp both hands behind the top of your head, and slowly, pull backward. This is a gentle stretch to help alleviate upper back and neck pain.2. Back-bend. For lower back pain in the lumbar spine, back-bend stretches can help. To ease spinal tension, stand with both feet together. Press your hands behind your hips, and gaze at the ceiling. As you exhale, slowly bend backwards…

Maintaining the health of your garbage disposal is important to keep it in good working order, and it reduces the costs associated with having to call in a professional for future repairs or replacements. Add these easy-to-remember steps to your kitchen-cleaning checklist to ensure that your garbage disposal smoothly functions for years to come. Clean It Regularly Frequently cleaning your garbage disposal quickly removes food and other waste that may cause sludge buildup and clogging issues. Use natural products such as baking soda and vinegar to remove sludge rather than harsh chemicals that may damage the parts of your disposal. Also, run cold water instead of hot water to prevent any built-up grease from liquefying, which may clog…

April 2021 Letter from the Publisher, Tim Fahndrich. As we head firmly into Spring of 2021, I had a chance to reflect a little on where we've been during the past year. A year ago, we were all scrambling to understand what the Covid-19 pandemic was and how it might impact our life and livelihood. Our team had already switched to a remote work-from-home scenario, thinking it might last a couple of weeks. I clearly remember pushing back with one of my team members when she stated that she had heard that Covid-19 might last until June. I was like, "Where did you hear that?" Not quite comprehending how that could even be possible. Obviously, it has lasted much longer. As we all know, the impact on our local business communit…

Spring is the best time to do fun outdoor projects that will get the exterior of your home ready for the season while dramatically boosting its curb appeal. Here are a few fast and easy spring projects that'll improve the quality and value of your home without costing you a fortune. Spruce Up Your Lawn and Garden Giving your front yard a rejuvenating update after the long winter months is just the thing to increase your home's curb appeal. Manicuring your lawn and trimming trees and bushes is a quick way to improve the appearance of your entire home. If you have branches that are out of reach, consider hiring a professional landscaper to do the job. You can also plant colorful flowers and tend to the gardens you currently have to cre…

Most store-bought foods contain artificial flavors, high salt, sugar content, and little nutritional value. Today, there is a widespread use of pesticides and other harmful chemical toxins in agriculture. Foods that must remain fresh for extended storage usually will contain high amounts of these unwanted toxins. 1. Local Seasonal Produce Contains More Nutrients The longer a food source must be preserved—in order to survive long shipping distances and sitting on grocery store shelves—the greater chance that valuable nutrients they once carried are long gone.The good news is that people can purchase seasonal produce from nearby farms, local grocery stores, and other local produce markets that will have these health-boosting nutrie…

The IRS advises to file your taxes early if possible. This helps to avoid last-minute stress that could increase the chances of making a mistake or missing the deadline altogether. Incomplete, wrong, or late tax-related information on the required forms may result in steep fines, delays in processing, and could possibly trigger an audit. Here are a few ways to increase your tax filing efficiency. Gather and Organize Your Tax-Related Data Ahead of Time Procrastinating is not the best approach to filing your yearly taxes. Seasoned tax experts urge taxpayers to begin gathering their necessary tax-related data well ahead of the filing deadline. After you have gathered the proper forms, receipts, and necessary documentation proof for m…

Receiving a massage can be an excellent way to relax and relieve certain types of aches or pains plaguing your body. However, you may benefit even more by getting a specialized type of massage, such as a deep-tissue or Swedish massage. Knowing the difference between the two can help you make an informed decision on the best choice for your body. What is Swedish Massage? Swedish massage is a common form of massage which is designed to help you relax, relieve surface muscle tension, and improve blood flow. These massages are typically full-body and involve long, light strokes on the skin. By focusing mainly on the top layers of muscles, a Swedish massage addresses the areas that hold day-to-day tension, such as your shoulders, back,…

With new advances in technology, many industries are changing—including real estate. Even with all of these brand-new technologies, however, there are still reasons you should work with a real estate agent if you're trying to find a home.It might seem like it’s easy to do your own home search. There are many real estate listing websites where you can browse properties like a catalog. Also, because of the broker fees, many individuals consider going it alone when trying to find a home. You should work with an agent because of the following reasons. Access to the MLS The MLS stands for multiple listing service. Only licensed real estate agents are allowed to view this database and interact with it. The MLS makes it much easier for …

An increased loss in vision often sneaks up on someone. Like many others, you probably unconsciously compensate in ways like squinting or moving closer to something to read it. But as the effort to see becomes more noticeable or inconvenient, you may start wondering if you need glasses.Only an exam by an eye doctor can give you a definite answer. The exam usually starts with measuring how clearly you can see, and additional testing includes checking your peripheral vision and the overall health of your eyes. There are a few common indicators that often mean you should visit an eye doctor. Your Eyes Feel Strained Squinting or straining to see can overwork the muscles in your eyes. This muscle tension can be a source of frequent he…

When you need a mechanic, it's important to find just the right auto repair shop. You need a place that you can trust to be honest with you about the repairs your vehicle needs. Following these tips will make finding the right shop easier. Ask Relevant, Important Questions It always helps to talk to the head mechanic at any repair shop before giving them your business. There are certain questions you will need the answers to so you can make an informed decision.One of them should be whether the work they will do on your vehicle is covered by a warranty. The industry standard is one year, though some repair shops offer a longer one. A warranty should cover both paint jobs and work on the body of your vehicle.When it comes to the p…

Once the wintry weather passes and the temperatures start to rise, you are ready to head outside and enjoy the warmth. When you step outside, however, you'll probably notice that your property needs a lot of work to get it looking presentable. Below are three essential tasks that you can start in late winter or early spring to help you clean up your property. 1. Remove Leaves and Other Debris Lying in Your Yard One of the first jobs that you should undertake when cleaning up your yard is to remove any leaves and other debris lying around. Leaves and dead branches that fell off during the Winter months can smother your grass and your flower beds, impeding new spring growth.Pick up larger pieces and rake up the smaller twigs and leaves…

Walking can help you maintain your body weight, prevent diseases, and prolong your life. Walking regularly can also lower your blood sugar and reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease. Although walking is a simple practice, the motivation might be hard to come by.Nothing is more irritating than feeling like you are wasting time during your exercise. That’s why creating a routine is essential before you get started. It offers you a structure on how to perform the exercise, so you won't be wondering what to do next. Here are three tips for creating a walking routine. 1. Look for a Walking Companion Walking can be a lonely endeavor. Being alone can shorten the distance you will walk each day. But there is a secret to enjo…

Family photos are a great way to update friends and relatives about your immediate family in the yearly Christmas card. They are also a great tool for 20 years down the road when you want to get nostalgic. Here are some tips on how to prepare for family photos. Get Plenty of Sleep You don't want to look tired in your family photos. Prepare by getting sufficient sleep the night before. Avoid sugar and caffeine before bed and turn off all electronics when it's time to get into bed. Encourage everyone else in your home to do the same to ensure everyone has fresh faces. If all else fails, you can always resort to eye cream and makeup. Pick the Right Outfits Family photos are notorious for corny, matching outfits, and it'd be a sham…

Your roof is a crucial part of your home that is used more often than you may realize. It protects you from the elements and provides insulation for your home. Thus, you need to ensure that you take care of it. The following are expert tips to help you maintain your roof and keep it in top condition. 1. Treat for Algae, Moss, and Lichen Annually Allowing algae, moss, and lichen to grow can produce an unsightly appearance and cause extensive damage to your roof. This growth usually occurs in the shady areas of your roof during the warmer months.You can easily eliminate this problem by getting your roof cleaned by a professional. When the roof is dry and clean, apply preventative products containing copper and zinc to keep the algae, m…

If you are considering bankruptcy, it likely means you are unable to repay your debts. Declaring it means you are attempting to enter a legally-protected status that will enable you to work with your creditors to find an alternative arrangement for paying back what you owe.On the plus side, bankruptcy enables you to alter the method by which you repay your debts. Debt can often be discharged, and you will be legally protected as you repay your debts. When the process is over, you'll essentially have a clean slate and be in a position to better repay what you owe and move on with your life.However, declaring bankruptcy obviously comes with major challenges. You will lose control over your assets, which will be sold or otherwise monetized b…