Month: June 2021

2021-06-09T11:15:40

(BPT) – There’s nothing better than getting outside during the summer. Not only can it help reduce stress, but it can also bring more energy and excitement to your life. According to a study from the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, it only takes about 20 minutes to feel the positive effects of being outside, even if you’re not exercising.

So whether you’re swimming, running or taking a long walk, getting outdoors and being active can make a world of difference.

“Over the last year, we have seen many people turn to the outdoors as a way to escape and have fun,” said Pam Kermisch, Polaris Chief Customer Engagement & Growth Officer. “It’s a trend we don’t see going away anytime soon, which is why we are always working to provide new possibilities for outdoor activities.”

How you can spend more time outside this summer

This National Get Outdoors Day on June 12, whether you’re exploring the concrete jungle or hiking in the woods, there are plenty of ways you can stay active and safe outdoors. Here are a few activities that can be fun for you and the whole family:

Getting out on the water

For those that live near a lake, river or even the ocean, getting out on the water can help you cool off on a hot summer day. Canoeing, kayaking, surfing and whitewater rafting are excellent summer water sports to get involved in. However, if those activities aren’t your thing, enjoying time on the water with a boat or pontoon ride is also a great option.

Exploring the unknown with Polaris Adventures

Your summer outdoor adventures should take you through uncharted territories. So, if you’re looking for a new way to explore the outdoors this summer, Polaris Adventures provides unique and safe ride and drive experiences for you and the whole family. With 160 locations across the U.S., you can journey through epic destinations using Polaris’ vehicles, including side-by-sides, such as a RANGER, GENERAL and RZR or the three-wheeled, open-air roadster, Slingshot. Whether you prefer self-guided or guided, there are adventures for every experience level.

Doing bike tours

Getting outdoors doesn’t have to be outside of city limits. While nature can be breathtaking, the city’s sights and sounds can also be beautiful. Exploring a city on foot can be time-consuming and exhausting for some. However, bike tours can help you cover more ground in less time. Plus, with the right tour guide, you could find hidden gems most people don’t know about.

Exploring national parks and forests

A lot of Americans are doing long-distance travel this summer. After a year of restrictions due to the pandemic, a recent report from ABC News says travel numbers are surging as people get vaccinated. According to Airbnb data, more Americans are deciding to go off the beaten path and staying in less populated areas, many of which have national parks nearby. America’s 432 national park sites include all kinds of exciting outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and birdwatching.

The pandemic has made many people notice the beauty and wonder of America’s national parks and has made them want to keep their spirit alive for generations to come. Companies like Polaris recognize the benefits and enjoyment national parks and forests bring and are working hard to preserve them for everyone. Did you know that Polaris partners with the National Forest Foundation to help restore America’s forests? They recently made the single largest private investment to the National Forest Foundation to help restore trails, improve wildlife habitats and protect watersheds across the United States.

Check out adventures.polaris.com to learn how you can THINK OUTSIDE this summer.

2021-06-08T23:01:00

(BPT) – A fresh new color scheme, the sparkle of quartz and a chic tile layout can transform your bath from drab to fab. But when we renovate, sometimes we prioritize style over function when we could achieve both.

As you look over your next refresh project, ask yourself what can be done to take the design beyond the aesthetic. Consider how your bath design can work better for you, by melding luxury and self-care into your daily routine while making bath maintenance less time-consuming.

A high-quality bidet toilet can be just the appliance your bath needs to elevate the functionality of the space while adding elements of luxury and style.

So what do you look for in a bidet toilet? The market features many styles, brands and models. This makes it difficult to pick out the highest quality designs that also add to the aesthetic of your newly done room.

Before you shop, keep this checklist handy to help you find the make and model that brings the finishing touch to the bath.

1. Elevated design

When it comes to bidet features, design can get lost in the conversation. Design-forward models conceal the extra hardware and cords that come with a bidet toilet, so look for features that tuck away plumbing attachments, along with a skirted design that hides the trapway. To achieve the epitome in sleek, modern style, a wall-hung unit is a must-have.

2. People-centric innovation

Many higher-end models come with hands-free features that reduce the spread of germs and promote personal hygiene. Examples of these features include auto-flush and motion-sensing technology that raises and lowers the seat.

3. Everyday luxury

What makes a bidet toilet indispensable to its fans is daily access to spa-like features. To simplify your search, turn to TOTO; it’s the company that reimagined the bidet into an essential home luxury. Their designers worked tirelessly to find the precise angle to deliver warm, aerated water for the most effective cleansing. Also, its air drying and personalized control features bring comfort and self-care to your routine.

4. Advanced cleaning technologies

It’s one thing for a bowl to have an easy-clean surface through advances in glazing. But you can also have proactive features to keep the bowl clean. TOTO’s Clean Synergy approach can be found in its Drake Transitional WASHLET+ C5. First, the PREMIST sprays the bowl’s interior, to reduce matter’s ability to stick to the surface. Next, its CEFIONTECT^® ceramic glaze minimizes waste sticking to porous ceramic surfaces. Then, its TORNADO FLUSH system features two powerful nozzles that effectively remove waste and keep the bowl and rim cleaner. Finally, its EWATER+ technology auto cleans the wand inside and out, before and after every use, reducing the need for harsh cleaning chemicals.

5. Sustainable features

Once you get your bidet toilet, you’ll wonder how you ever survived on toilet tissue. Not only is paper a less-effective cleaning method, it also requires an astonishing amount of natural resources to manufacture and ship, when you consider the trees, water and fossil fuels. A bidet is not only an investment in yourself, you’ll also be much gentler on the earth. To take this notion a step further, look for models that feature air-drying and water efficiency features.

Start fresh this spring with superior products and technologies that will leave you and your home feeling cleansed and refreshed. Find these at TOTOUSA.com.

2021-06-08T09:05:00

(BPT) – Sleep is essential for everyone. It’s what allows the body and the mind to recharge at the end of every day. Without sufficient, healthy sleep, the brain and the body cannot function properly, so it’s important to recognize signs that you might not be getting quality sleep.

Nearly 70% of Americans who sleep with a bed partner report that their partner snores while sleeping, according to a 2021 survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Many don’t realize that a snore can be more than just a noisy nuisance. Snoring can be an indicator of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that can be dangerous to your health when left untreated.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Nearly 30 million U.S. adults have obstructive sleep apnea, which repeatedly causes breathing disruptions during sleep. Currently, there are about 23.5 million obstructive sleep apnea cases that are undiagnosed.

With OSA, the airway repeatedly becomes entirely or partially blocked, limiting the amount of air that reaches the lungs. When this happens, patients may snore or make choking noises. The brain and body experience severe decreases in oxygen flow, causing multiple arousals from sleep during the night. In more severe cases, these arousals can occur several hundred times a night. Individuals may be completely unaware of experiencing these episodes while sleeping.

“While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, snoring is a warning sign that should be taken seriously,” said AASM President Dr. Kannan Ramar. “If your bed partner snores, or if you’ve been told that you snore, then it is important to talk to a medical provider about screening or testing for sleep apnea. Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea can improve overall health and quality of life.”

Snoring is just one of the symptoms

In the same survey, a quarter of Americans admitted they were not familiar with OSA; nearly half acknowledged they do not know the symptoms of the disease.

The following are five warning signs to be aware of:

Snoring: Snoring between apneas is typically noticed by a bed partner.

Choking or gasping during sleep: When snoring is paired with choking, gasping or silent breathing pauses during sleep, it’s a reliable indicator of sleep apnea.

Fatigue or daytime sleepiness: Excessive daytime sleepiness often occurs because sleep apnea causes numerous arousals throughout the night, preventing your body from getting the high-quality sleep it needs.

Obesity: An adult with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is considered to be obese and the risk of sleep apnea increases with the amount of excess body weight.

High blood pressure: Between 30 and 40 percent of adults with high blood pressure also have sleep apnea.

Other common symptoms of OSA include:

• Unrefreshing sleep
• Insomnia
• Morning headaches
• Nocturia (waking during the night to go to the bathroom)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss
• Decreased sexual desire
• Irritability
• Difficulty staying awake, particularly when watching TV or driving

“Delaying treatment for sleep apnea can lead to more serious health problems,” added Ramar. “Fortunately, many of the damaging effects of sleep apnea can be stopped, and even reversed, through diagnosis and treatment by the sleep team at an accredited sleep center, where patients receive care in safe and comfortable accommodations.”

Treating sleep apnea improves quality of life

Sleep apnea is typically treated using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This therapy keeps the airway open during the night by providing a gentle air stream through a mask worn while sleeping. Using CPAP can improve your overall quality of life by enhancing sleep quality and boosting daytime alertness, concentration and mood. It can also decrease medical expenses and improve both your brain and your heart health. Alternative treatments include positional therapy, oral appliance therapy and surgery.

For more information or to find an accredited sleep center, visit sleepeducation.org. To access the AASM 2021 Sleep Prioritization Survey, visit aasm.org/about/newsroom/.

2021-06-08T13:33:00

(BPT) – Just because you’re not a homeowner (yet) doesn’t mean your stuff is disposable. Chances are you’ve got pricey electronics, musical instruments or other valuables you wouldn’t want to lose to theft or damage.

That’s how renters insurance works: No matter where you’re renting, having this coverage can make a huge difference in your ability to recover financially if your belongings get damaged or stolen.

What makes renters insurance really special is that it’s easy to transfer coverage as you move, and it’s shockingly affordable — as little as $10 a month¹. So, for the price of a pizza, you could rest easy knowing that if something happens to your things, repairing or replacing them won’t wipe out your savings.

Plus, renters insurance helps protect your stuff from way more than you might think. Here are a few ways that help spell out how this coverage works. It’s important to note that in most of these cases, losses would be paid up to the limits of your renters insurance coverage and would be subject to the policy deductible.

Theft — not just at home

It doesn’t take a break-in at your rented home or apartment for theft to occur. If you leave your laptop in your car and someone breaks in and steals it, your computer will be covered. In fact, USAA Renters Insurance covers personal property loss anywhere in the world². So, if your luggage gets stolen at the airport, it’s covered, too.

Flooding

Floods can make a mess and cause a lot of damage, as recent natural disasters have shown. What’s worse is that normal homeowners insurance doesn’t include flood coverage — it has to be purchased separately. But USAA’s Renters Insurance covers flood-related damage at a fraction of what homeowners would have to pay for the same coverage. In the case of severe weather or even an overflowing washing machine or dishwasher, your damaged gear will be covered. (Note: USAA is special in that flood isn’t always included as a covered peril with renters insurance contracts, so if you shop elsewhere, be sure to ask about this.)

Fire

If your belongings are destroyed or damaged by fire and smoke, renters insurance has you covered. The property of any named insured people, meaning spouses and relatives living in the same home, or people under 21 in the care of the policyholder, will be protected against fire damage, too.

Pets and liability

Pets themselves aren’t covered, but cages and other items used to care for your pets are covered in the event of loss. And let’s be real: Pets can cause their own damage — not just to stuff, but sometimes to people as well. If your pet bites your neighbor, USAA Renters Insurance includes medical expenses and liability protection, so true accidents like these can get solved quickly and affordably, keeping your finances safe and goals for the future on track.

Spoiled groceries

If you have a power failure that causes the food in your refrigerator to spoil, you’re covered. A USAA Renters Insurance policy will pay up to $500 for food spoilage due to a power outage. There’s no deductible applied, which means no out-of-pocket cost for you.

Cellphones

If you just picked up the newest smartphone, but it was swiped at a party last night, don’t fret. USAA Renters Insurance policy covers cellphones. Just make sure to get a police report on file.

So let’s take a look at the highlight reel for USAA Renters Insurance: It helps protect you against financial loss if your things are stolen or damaged (even when you’re away from home) and is way cheaper than taking a date to a meal and a movie. Yep, it’s the ultimate no-brainer.

Learn more about how to protect your stuff at usaa.com/renterspolicy

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL A PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE ADVERTISED HEREIN.

¹Countrywide average price for policyholders who have $2,500 personal property coverage, $100,000 liability coverage and $5,000 medical payments coverage as of January 2020. Rates vary by location and risk. Rates are subject to change.

²Availability of renters insurance to residents of another country is limited to qualified members.

Coverage descriptions are brief and subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy. Read your insurance policy for details. Applications subject to underwriting.

Property and casualty insurance provided by United Services Automobile Association, USAA Casualty Insurance Company, USAA General Indemnity Company, Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Company, based in San Antonio, TX; USAA Limited (UK) and USAA S.A. (Europe) and is available only to persons eligible for P&C group membership. Each company has sole financial responsibility for its own products.

2021-06-08T08:01:00

(BPT) – SPONSORED ADVERTISING CONTENT

What could be better than taking positive steps to help boost your own health and well-being? How about joining a national effort to move more that also helps people facing hunger? With over 42 million people projected to experience food insecurity this year,¹ the time is ripe to help Americans do something good for themselves and for others.

No matter how you like to get moving, you can join Kellogg’s^® Special K’s^® first-ever Special 5K^® — along with their partner, running community Black Girls RUN! plus actress, producer, advocate and fitness enthusiast La La Anthony to help raise funds to provide meals to people in need through Feeding America^®.

From June 8 through 30, you can sign up to log your own miles online, completed at your own pace by moving any way you want, at RunSignUp.com/Special5K. For every 5K logged as completed on the site from June 8-30, 2021, Special K will help provide meals for families in need. The entire virtual race has a goal of raising enough donations to fund 2.5 million meals*.

Interested in getting started? You can take simple steps toward feeling good and doing good. La La Anthony offers her tips for getting moving and doing what’s delicious as part of your overall wellness routine.

1. Be confident

“You got this!” said Anthony. “For me, this starts when I’m feeling good on the inside, so making my health and wellness a priority is key.”

Every positive step in your life begins with a belief in yourself and what you can do. Prioritizing your self-care and your well-being begins a ripple effect, helping you feel more confident to go even further the next time.

2. Start small

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to become overwhelmed when you’re trying to set overly ambitious health or fitness goals. Instead, choose one achievable thing to focus on at a time. This will help fuel early success, which can lead you to more positive steps in the future.

“Small steps lead to big change,” Anthony recommends. “When it comes to fitness, I take it 1K at a time.”

3. Fuel up with something delicious

Choose something delicious to begin your day so you look forward to your breakfast, and everything you’ve got planned beyond it.

“I fuel my runs and my day with my favorite flavors of Kellogg’s Special K cereal,” said Anthony.

From fruity to chocolatey, Kellogg’s Special K offers a variety of cereals that offer an array of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, as well as some cereals that are a good source of protein when combined with milk.

4. Lean on your community

There’s no need to go at it alone, no matter what your goals are. Instead, let yourself be supported by your community, and you’ll soon find yourself able to give back to them, too.

“I’m constantly inspired by the strong women I surround myself with,” observed Anthony. “They remind me of the empowering women of Black Girls RUN! There is nothing better than motivating and supporting each other’s personal health journeys.”

5. Think bigger

One more positive side of self-care is that the more you help yourself succeed, the more you’ll be inspired to pay it forward. You may find an even greater sense of fulfillment when you become part of a larger goal to help others.

“Find motivation beyond just the good you do for yourself,” advised Anthony. “I’m honored to join the Special 5K because each 5K we crush as a team will turn into donations to Feeding America to help communities in need. We get to feel good and do good at the same time — so let’s hit that goal together!”

Learn more and sign up to join the effort at RunSignUp.com/Special5K.

¹Feeding America, “The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020 & 2021.”

*Donation Disclaimer: $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America^® on behalf of local member food banks. Special K will donate $10 for every 5k completed on Run Sign Up from June 8, 2021 to June 30, 2021, with a minimum donation of $125,000 and a maximum donation of $250,000.

SPONSORED BY KELLOGG’S SPECIAL K

2021-06-08T08:01:00

(BPT) – Your approach to skincare has likely changed over the last year as you’ve faced social distancing and a remote lifestyle. Perhaps you took a minimalist approach to skincare or maybe have even adopted some bad habits. Now that people are emerging from quarantine and unmasking once again, healthy, beautiful skin is top of mind.

Many people want a simple yet effective approach to post-pandemic skincare, but they aren’t sure what the best options are for their skin. While each person’s skin is unique, there are some important things to consider as you emerge from quarantine to help you look and feel your best:

Treatments for radiance

Screen time increased for most of us the past year. Being on video conferencing and social media more often, you may have looked at your face in more detail and observed uneven skin pigmentation, sun damage and dull tone and texture. A gentle yet effective approach to achieving more radiant skin is Sciton’s newest fractional laser MOXI, a laser treatment done by skincare professionals. In addition to helping with tone, texture and skin aging, it also helps with prejuvenation, which is staving off the visible signs of aging before they appear. Embrace the ‘skinimalism’ trend by cultivating your healthiest natural skin.

“MOXI by Sciton is a great lunch hour activity because there is essentially no downtime and you can resume normal activities immediately,” explained Dr. Liz Tanzi, board-certified dermatologist, Washington, D.C. “The average treatment time is 12-15 minutes for a full face, and it is a great way to kick off your post-pandemic skincare for glowing skin for years to come.”

Heal and nourish

Giving your skin what it needs to look its best goes beyond a good moisturizer. Consider products with healing properties that also support healthy elastin and collagen. For example, the Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar with TriHex Technology works with the skin to clear out damaged elastin and collagen and then supports the production of new, healthy elastin and collagen.

“Water-free, preservative-free, and with a bacteriostatic formulation, this product is particularly beneficial before and after cosmetic procedures,” said Dr. Jay Burns, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dallas, Texas. “It works to help strengthen skin ahead of cosmetic treatments and calms post-procedure skin to help reduce any associated recovery and downtime. Best yet, it maximizes and enhances the procedure results.”

Sun protection

Being inside means less exposure to the sun, but as you emerge from quarantine you need to think more closely about protecting skin from harmful UV rays. The perfect multitasking product for sun protection is Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36, a mineral, lightweight formulation which provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection while perfecting the complexion with a sheer universal tint. This feel-good formula also helps shield skin from pollution, IR rays and blue light and delivers a filter-free glow that’s so good you may go makeup free.

“This hardworking formula shields skin from the sun and environmental pollution while counteracting infrared-generated free radicals,” Burns said. “Plus the universal tint is a match for most skin types for more even and brighter skin. Oil-free, fragrance-free and water resistant for 40 minutes, this is a must-have whether you’re heading to work, the beach or beyond.”

Hydrate from the inside

Proper hydration is key to healthy, glowing skin, and that starts from the inside. Water is essential to life and getting enough not only helps you feel your best, it helps you look better. Being at home and moving around less may have impacted how much water you drink in a typical day. Now is the time to be more mindful about your water intake.

How much water you need will vary depending on your size, the climate and how active you are, but a good general guideline is the 8×8 rule, which means 8 ounces of water eight times a day. Sipping on water throughout the day is a great way to stay hydrated, so keep a water bottle in sight during the workday and on hand while out and about. If you want to add a little healthy flavor, toss in a few berries, sliced citrus or cucumber.

Achieving glowing post-pandemic skin doesn’t have to be complicated. With these smart steps your skin will look better than it ever has before.

2021-06-07T17:27:34

(BPT) – Searching for an educational road trip that also helps you and your family learn about the rich history of African Americans? You may already know Virginia Beach as the site of the original Jamestown settlement in 1607, at First Landing State Park. But there are countless stories about the area revealing more history you may not know.

The history of African Americans throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia is a critical piece of the story of how America came to be. That story dates to 1619, when the first documented Africans arrived at what is now Old Point Comfort in Hampton, Virginia.

To create your road trip, check out the new self-guided tour commissioned by the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau in partnership with the Virginia African American Cultural Center.

The tour showcases over a dozen landmarks and locations offering a window into the African American experience in Virginia Beach. Whether you’re a history buff or just want a deeper understanding of the African American story, this tour highlights the resilient nature of the people who settled into Virginia Beach and developed social institutions vital to adapting to their new way of life.

Here are a few stops along this fascinating tour of Virginia Beach:

1) First Landing State Park

The park commemorating the original Jamestown settlement was built after the Great Depression, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide work for millions of young men, including 250,000 African Americans. Company 1371, an all African American regiment, constructed trails and built cabins for First Landing State Park.

Although Black workers built the park, they were not actually allowed to use it until 1965. A lawsuit was filed by a group of local African Americans in 1951 against the Virginia Conservation Commission for being denied entrance to the park. The suit wasn’t heard until 1955, and officials closed the park that year rather than integrating it. The park reopened its trails in 1961 and campgrounds in 1962.

2) Seaview Beach and Amusement Park

Between 1945 and 1965, Seaview Beach and Amusement Park was a vibrant, popular place where African Americans socialized, dined and danced during segregation. While no longer in operation, Seaview also had an amusement park with rides and a midway, and featured shows by artists like musical icons Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong. WRAP DJ “Big Daddy Jack” Holmes coined the catchy slogan, “See you at Seaview!”

3) Nimmo United Methodist Church

Established in 1791, the Nimmo United Methodist Church building included a slave balcony that still exists today. By 1829, a small group of white members and people of color formed a separate congregation together. A parcel of land across the road from Nimmo was acquired by the new congregation’s trustees and a church was built there, later known as Olive Branch Methodist Church. The group reunited with Nimmo in 1894.

4) L & J Gardens, Seatack Community

In 1954, this neighborhood was created by Black businessman and college graduate Walter H. “Crow” Riddick for middle-class Blacks during racial segregation. The picture-windowed, split-level, pillared ranch colonials on meticulously tended lawns showcased a mid-20th-century community personifying the American Dream.

In December 2019, the Virginia State Review Board determined L & J Gardens’ eligibility for listing as an Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Virginia Beach received an Underrepresented Communities grant from the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund, so the process to nominate the neighborhood to the NRHP is underway. Members of the Riddick family and other prominent professional Black families live there today.

5) Virginia African American Cultural Center

This site features “Portraits from a Place of Grace,” an art installation by artist Rich Hollant, commissioned by the Virginia Beach Office of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Virginia African American Cultural Center. The portraits celebrate residents from each of the 14 historically Black neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, reflecting the dignity, resilience and hope of several generations.

Want to learn more? Check out VisitVirginiaBeach.com for the full list of sites.