Month: February 2022

2022-02-16T15:33:04

(BPT) – Did you know that February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day? It reminds us how we can all do our part to make a better world with small acts of goodwill. Here are some suggestions to spread goodness to your family, your community and to the earth.

Send a Loving Message. Let your family know that they are loved by writing a thank-you note or a heartfelt letter. To show your appreciation, volunteer to do the chores — better yet, put on your chef’s hat to cook up a sumptuous family meal.

Spend Time Together. To make cherished memories that you’ll remember forever, plan a fun party or a barbeque cookout in the backyard. Throughout these countless precious moments, technology can add a bit of extra good and convenience to ensure that nothing gets in the way of family time — as spotlighted in LG’s “Rediscover Good” campaign in Australia, which inspires families to rediscover the good in their every day.

Being Kind to Your Neighbors.

Help Out with Errands. If you can, check in with elderly neighbors living in the neighborhood to see if they need their groceries or prescriptions picked up. Or consider organizing playdates and carpools to lend a helping hand to busy parents you know.

Share Homemade Food. If you’re a budding cook, why not put your talents to use by sharing tasty homemade foods with a neighbor in need? Sign up with a non-profit called “Lasagna Love” and cook up some savory kindness while tackling food insecurity.

Being Kind to the Earth.

Practice the Three ‘R’s. By performing kind acts for the earth, you are also extending your kindness to countless lives that call this planet a home. Practicing the three Rs — reusing, reducing, recycling — is the first step in making a small but significant effort to conserve Mother Earth.

Support Conscious Providers. If possible, support providers that use recycled production and packaging like LG, which is committed to the 2030 Carbon Neutral initiative. You could also take part in a recycling program to responsibly dispose of used electronics.

2022-02-16T09:01:00

(BPT) – The housing market has exploded since 2020. The pandemic fueled a house-buying frenzy with remote work and leaving large urban areas to live in different parts of the country is becoming more mainstream. According to the National Association of Realtors, 31% of all home purchases since 2020 have been made by first-time home buyers.

“Buying your first home is an emotional experience,” said Bonnie Lee, Mercury Insurance Vice President of Property Claims. “And while the first few weeks are filled with the excitement of all the things you can do now that you have your own place, it’s always good to be prepared and protect your new investment if disaster strikes.”

Whether you’ve just purchased your first home or purchased a home in a different part of the country, homeownership is a big commitment. As a new homeowner you have to prepare for everything from routine maintenance to possible damage from a storm, fire or vandalism. It can sound overwhelming, but with a bit of planning, developing good homeowner habits will keep your home in top shape for years to come.

Renovations. Renovating is one of the first things homeowners look forward to doing with their new home and one of the most popular renovations lately have been home offices. “Homeowners who were able to move during the pandemic and work from home are looking to transform part of their living space into a dedicated professional work space,” said Lee. “Converting small rooms or bedrooms into a home office not only maintains the homeowners’ work-life balance, but it may also give their home a financial boost by offering this popular feature should they sell their home in the future.” Homeowners should discuss any intended business activity from their home with their insurance agent as most homeowners’ policies exclude or limit coverage for business-related activity and business property.

Another popular renovation is the conversion of outdoor spaces into areas for hosting gatherings. Shade structures and areas where people can entertain larger groups has become a big trend for 2022.

“No matter what type of renovation you’re interested in, it’s important to be prepared before diving head first into any large project,” said Lee. Make sure the renovations you are about to do are realistic and reasonable for both your home and your budget. Determine which renovations can be done by yourself and those where you would need to hire a professional. Review any large home renovations you have in mind such as a bedroom conversion to office remodel or swimming pool installation with your insurance agent as well. If not, there could be gaps in your existing coverage that may not protect your new renovations if an emergency causes extensive damage.

Maintenance is key. Proper home maintenance is essential to keep your home from deterioration due to neglect. For example, roof leaks caused by severe weather would be covered by your insurance. However, roof leaks due to lack of maintenance, age or standard wear would not. It’s important to conduct regular inspections of your entire home throughout the year to help prevent major damage from happening.

Take stock of where you are and what you own. This recent boom of homeownership not only saw an increase in first-time buyers, but also a migration of people moving to new and different parts of the country. Just like new homeowners, those who’ve moved from one geographic area to another may not be aware of the severe weather or what the outdoor elements can bring to that part of the country.

Natural events such as flooding due to severe weather in the Midwest and East Coast are one of the most common home disasters that causes billions of dollars in property damage every year. The West Coast is no exception to natural disasters, with the threat of earthquakes and wildfires. Homeowners must be aware of the perils that can impact their new homes as well as the type of homeowners insurance policy needed. For example, damages caused by an earthquake or storm flooding are not covered by a standard homeowners policy. Homeowners may want to consider adding such additional coverages to their policy.

Whether it’s your first home or a new home in a new state, homeownership is a major milestone. Make sure to review your policy coverages and speak to a local insurance agent if you’ve recently moved or are thinking of making any renovations to your home.

2022-02-16T10:01:00

(BPT) – Astrophotography — or photographing the night sky — can take some time to perfect, but with a number of exciting meteor showers, lunar eclipses and other celestial events happening in 2022, now is the perfect time to practice. Here are five tips to help you capture vibrant photos of the cosmos.

1. Location

To get the best photos, you’ll want a dark sky as far away from light pollution as possible. Pick your favorite hiking or camping spot, pack your gear and make it an adventure. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you leave to avoid cloudy skies.

2. Lens

Picking the right lens is essential to astrophotography. A wide-angle lens with a short focal length will serve you well since it can capture more light, which will increase the quality of your images.

As you get more experience and depending on what you plan to photograph, you can also add a telephoto lens into your tool kit to get up-close shots of the heavenly bodies.

3. Stability

Stabilizing the camera is key to capturing the sharpest image. Use a firmly planted tripod to ensure the camera won’t move and check that the baseplate and camera are secure.

Ideally, you’ll want to avoid high winds and block any breezes from interfering with the camera by standing next to the tripod. To minimize vibration, trigger the shutter remotely or with a self-timer.

4. Settings

Night sky photography is all about taking in as much starlight as possible. Putting your camera into manual mode will allow you to adjust your settings independently for the best results. Here are three key settings to work with:

• ISO refers to the camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO settings will result in brighter images but can also increase graininess. For astrophotography, you want to keep the ISO as low as possible to get crisp and clear shots.
• Shutter speed determines how long the shutter on your camera remains open (and, in turn, how long you allow light to hit the digital sensor in your camera). This is when your tripod comes in handy since night photography requires slow shutter speeds. Try exposures of 5-10 seconds and experiment to see what looks best.
• Aperture, also called f-stop, is the adjustable lens opening that controls the amount of light allowed into the camera. You’ll want to use a wide aperture to maximize the amount of light you’re letting in.

While it may seem elementary, double-check your flash is off, or you’ll ruin what might have been the perfect shot.

If you’re planning to edit your photos later, remember to shoot in RAW, not JPEG, as it captures your camera sensor’s uncompressed data and gives you the most options for post-process editing.

5. Editing

Now to make what you shot look like what you saw! Use a non-destructive photo editing program like Adobe Lightroom to experiment with editing techniques.

Once you’ve selected a photo, here are a few places you can start the editing process:

• Crop and place your subject where it makes the most sense. With Lightroom’s Super Resolution feature, you can easily crop your image and enlarge it without losing resolution.
• Play around with the highlights and shadows of the photo to introduce contrast and place focus on your subject.
• Adjust the color temperature and tint. Temperature will warm or cool your photo, and tint will establish or counter a color cast, changing the look and feel.

Lightroom also offers a wide selection of presets that instantly elevate your raw image and showcase its best features. You can adjust and customize the presets as necessary or create your own to use with future astrophotography projects.

Whether you’re photographing a starry night or a full moon, keeping these tips in mind will give you the tools and knowledge to capture and edit some extraordinary celestial events this year.

2022-02-16T06:01:00

(BPT) – It’s become a staple of everyday living these days—ordering all kinds of goods online and having them delivered right to your doorstep. While it’s potentially the easiest and most convenient way to shop for a whole host of items, these home deliveries can sometimes come with problems, from packages left outside in bad weather, pesky porch pirates helping themselves to your boxes—or just worrying about your packages when you can’t be at home right when they’re delivered.

To ease these concerns about package deliveries, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Choose your delivery times with care

Some vendors today allow you to choose the best days for package deliveries, which can help you have better peace of mind. You’ll know ahead of time that someone will be home (or alerting a helpful neighbor) when packages are most likely to arrive so your items are much more likely to get to you, safe and sound.

Use In-Garage Delivery

Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, a free service for Amazon Prime members, helps to keep you from worrying about your packages when you aren’t home. All you have to do is enable Amazon Key with your compatible smart garage door opener and select “FREE Key Delivery” at checkout. On delivery day, your packages will be conveniently delivered inside your garage, with notifications every step of the way.

How does Amazon Key work?

When the driver arrives to make your delivery, they get one-time verified access to open your smart garage by scanning your package, so they can leave your items safely inside. There’s no need to share a garage code or open the door for them. You can even watch your deliveries with an optional camera for extra peace of mind.

Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery works with Amazon packages and also groceries from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market. You can learn more at Amazon.com/AmazonKey.

Leave instructions for package delivery

Similarly, many retailers will also give you the opportunity to write particular instructions about the best place to leave a package on your porch, helping you to avoid issues like weather and decrease visibility from potential porch pilferers.

Track your packages

Most online stores today are also able to let you track your package at almost every step of the process, so you can know for sure when an item is likely to be on its way. Some will even send you updates and alerts when your item is out for delivery, allowing you to anticipate its safe arrival.

2022-02-16T08:01:00

(BPT) – When researching skincare, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of products with different ingredients. To make matters more complex, some ingredients might be effective but are harsh on your skin if not formulated optimally or used correctly. To cut through the skincare chaos and help you find gentle yet restorative solutions, consider advice from the experts.

“The key is to choose products with effective, proven ingredients that provide both immediate and long-term benefits. Since we are all short on time, a few of these power-packed products used consistently is ideal,” says Dr. Anna Guanche, board-certified dermatologist, and dermatologic surgeon.

Guanche knows it’s easy to get confused when it comes to skincare. Here she recommends two of her favorite anti-aging ingredients for nourished, younger-looking skin:

Anti-aging superstar: Retinol

A type of vitamin A, retinol is applied to the skin to help reduce the effects of aging and acne. This powerful skincare ingredient increases collagen production and promotes cell turnover, so skin appears fresh and renewed. This is why many people who are prioritizing wrinkle prevention or wrinkle treatment opt for products with retinol.

To go one step further, look for products with time-released retinol. This helps provide your skin with a steady dose of this effective ingredient throughout the day, helping smooth lines and wrinkles without irritating side effects.

Hydration Hero: Hyaluronic acid

Your body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid declines as we age, so it’s important to try and replenish it. Topically, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it helps the skin retain water, so the outer layers stay hydrated. This can also help skin appear more youthful and glowing, helping to eliminate dryness and even some fine lines.

Both derm-recommended ingredients — retinol and hyaluronic acid — can be found in one of Guanche’s favorite products to recommend to patients, the recently reformulated RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Cream, which you can get at Target. In fact, 97% of users in a clinical study saw instantly smoother skin and reduced lines in just one week. With a time-release, fragrance-free formula, this hydrating cream gives you that youthful-looking complexion with zero irritation, so you can feel confident, even if you have sensitive skin.

Ingredients to carefully consider

Fragrance in skincare is a personal preference, so you should look for the option that works best for you, but be aware if you have sensitive skin, fragrances can sometimes be irritating. Some additional ingredients often found in skincare that you might consider avoiding include aluminum, which can dry the skin and cause irritation, or dyes because they are not necessary for the skin and can be irritating or drying.

With these guidelines, skincare can be simplified. Embrace powerful ingredients that are also gentle on the skin and you’re sure to love the results.

2022-02-15T09:23:00

(BPT) – Mental health in children has been a forefront discussion since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an October 2021 announcement by a coalition of pediatric health experts even declaring children’s mental health to be in a state of national emergency. Because of this, parents are constantly looking for ways to help improve the lives of their children during these unprecedented times. Capitalizing on the health benefits of kindness in kids may be a step in the right direction.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, which celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Week each February, says there are “scientifically proven benefits to being kind.” Kindness has lasting effects on physical, mental and emotional development, making kids healthier and happier in the long run.

Physical health

The age-old golden rule implores people to treat others the way they want to be treated — but it is also important for people to treat themselves well, too. When parents focus on teaching their children to be kind to others and to themselves, it can mean an improvement in self-esteem and a decrease in self-harm. The self-awareness that comes from self-care helps children develop compassion and empathy, which researchers have even linked to the brain stimulation essential for learning. Kindness is also shown to improve mood and lower blood pressure, resulting in a longer lifespan.

Mental health

Serotonin and dopamine, brain neurotransmitters associated with feelings of satisfaction, soar during and after performing an act of kindness. These feel-good endorphins can positively alter children’s brain chemistry, lowering stress, anxiety and depression, and even lowering physical pain as a natural painkiller. According to a study featured on the Random Acts of Kindness website, “perpetually kind people have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population.”

Social health

Kindness builds community, something that is of high importance for childhood development as a fundamental human need. Learning how to be kind makes children friendlier and more trusting, which in turn can help them form stronger bonds and relationships. Notably, one 20-year study found that kids who showed more prosocial skills like kindness as early as kindergarten were more likely to stay in school, avoid criminal activity, avoid drug and alcohol abuse and have better mental health long term.

Encouraging kindness

“Kindness is something that can be developed over time,” said Sharon Pindell, Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care training project manager. “Gestures of kindness can be a simple act like smiling or hugging, but they need to be done continuously — not just one-and-done — to truly have a lasting impact on childhood development.”

Pindell, who helped develop Kiddie Academy’s Character Essentials curriculum, also says that acts of kindness often build on themselves due to what is called a “helper’s high” from the endorphins. “When children see others doing nice things, and the resulting positive reaction to these things, it makes them want to do something kind as well,” said Pindell.

For activity resources to help practice kindness with your children, visit www.kiddieacademy.com/2022/01/celebrate-random-acts-of-kindness-week/.

2022-02-15T07:01:00

(BPT) – Many changes come with age, but one thing most people agree they don’t want to change is where they live. Aging in place is important to many people, and fortunately, some updates to frequently used rooms such as the bathroom can make a big difference in helping people stay safe and secure.

Data shows that 77% of adults 50 and older want to stay in their homes long term, according to the AARP Home and Community Preferences Survey. This number has been consistent for over a decade, showing that adults prefer to age in place.

When updating a home for aging in place, the bathroom is one of the most important spaces to focus on. Because so many activities happen in this room, it needs to be updated to be safe, secure and functional for people with varying physical abilities.

The most important bathroom updates for aging in place include:

Non-slip flooring

Fall prevention is essential in the bathroom, and a good place to start is by looking at the floors. Tile is popular in bathrooms but can be slippery. Eliminate rugs and mats that may be a tripping hazard. Then assess current flooring and consider adding non-slip mats or other non-slip features inside and outside the bath or shower. Finally, if flooring is too slippery, updating to a slip-resistant linoleum or other option might make sense.

Taller toilet

As you age, it becomes more difficult to sit down and get back up. A taller toilet can help make using the bathroom easier. For example, the Highline Tall Toilet is Kohler’s tallest toilet to provide ultimate accessibility and ease of use. Additionally, it has a clean, simple design and efficient performance featuring an innovative 1.28-gallon flush setting. If you’d prefer not to replace your existing toilet, swap out your current seat for the Hyten Toilet Seat that adds 3 inches of height to your toilet bowl and looks just like a normal toilet seat, only taller.

Good lighting

Proper lighting enhances the functionality of any bathroom and is especially important for older adults with vision impairment. Overhead lighting as well as task lighting by vanities is important for all grooming activities. Make sure to use LED bulbs that tend to be brighter and more energy efficient. Additionally, consider lights that make it easy to navigate to the bathroom at night, such as motion lights and nightlights.

Shower safety

Bathing is an important self-care task but can be challenging for aging adults. To make these tasks simpler, consider adding a shower seat and detachable shower head to showers for easier cleaning. That way you can sit while you hold the sprayer in your hands which helps prevent slips. Very low or zero entry showers are also good because they reduce the chance of tripping.

Grab bars

Being able to securely hold yourself steady while navigating the bathroom helps prevent falls and other accidents. That’s why grab bars are essential for aging in place, and are especially useful by the toilet and around the shower and bath. Not only are Kohler Bathroom Grab Bars sturdy and durable, they come in a vast array of styles and finishes to fit seamlessly into any design. There are even styles that match faucet collections, creating a cohesive look.

Lever faucets

Dexterity can be an issue for aging adults, making it difficult to twist faucet knobs. A bathroom faucet with a lever eliminates the need for twisting by featuring a single lever that is easy to move to adjust the water temperature and pressure. Plus, a single lever is often easier to clean, which is a good thing for people who desire to age in place.

Being able to stay in your home where you feel comfortable is important as you age. With these smart bathroom updates, you can feel safer and more secure.