Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2026-06-02T09:21:00

(BPT) – Key Takeaways

• Homeowners today want to minimize clutter while improving storage.
• Modern sliding door hardware hides the mess while enhancing the look of the space.
• Johnson Hardware’s American-made hardware offers smart sliding door solutions for any home.

Clutter is one of the biggest challenges homeowners face today. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, homeowners say minimizing clutter and cleaning while improving storage and space-efficiency are the design needs they’re craving. The good news? Modern sliding door hardware is emerging as a design-forward solution that not only conceals mess but enhances the overall look and flow of a space.

From playrooms to pantries, here are five space-efficient room ideas that hide clutter beautifully — designed with innovative sliding, folding and pocket door hardware.

1. Kid zone with wall-mounted doors

Customized slide-away doors are made easy with soft-closing wall mount door hardware, providing a smart way to hide toys, books and games in seconds. Whether using a single panel or a converging door kit, these doors are quick to install and glide smoothly along the wall, keeping visual clutter out of sight when needed most. Ideal for open-concept homes, they create flexible spaces that transition effortlessly from family-friendly to guest-ready.

2. Seamless storage with pocket doors

Pocket doors slide neatly into the wall, making them perfect for hiding storage areas without taking up valuable floor space. From entryway drop zones to compact laundry nooks, soft-operating pocket door frame hardware kits offer a minimalist look with maximum function.

3. Closets that close in style

Creative spaces can quickly become chaotic. Special “full-access” bifold door hardware allows doors to fold flat against the walls, providing complete closet access when open and a tidy appearance when closed. This makes them ideal for craft areas, hobby stations or small workshops.

4. Streamlined pantries with bypass doors

Bypass sliding doors are a go-to solution for closets in kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms where space is limited. Unlike swinging doors, they glide past one another, keeping walkways clear while housing shelves, toiletries or pantry items.

5. Cozy nooks with designer appeal

Two converging pocket doors can transform a hallway overwhelmed by household traffic and storage needs into a tranquil passageway to a relaxing den or reading nook. When closed, these doors create a seamless wall appearance — perfect for modern interiors that value both form and function.

As homeowners continue to seek smarter storage solutions, sliding, folding and pocket door hardware is proving to be a simple upgrade with a major impact — combining organization, flexibility and modern design.

The right door hardware can improve both function and design in the home. Whether you’re renovating or simply upgrading, leveraging options like pocket, wall-mount, bypass, multi-pass and bi-fold door hardware will help you make a smart choice. Each type has unique benefits that suit different spaces, from saving floor space in compact bathrooms to dividing areas in spacious home gyms.

For more information on the advantages of pocket, sliding and folding door hardware, visit www.johnsonhardware.com or call 574-293-5664. Family owned and operated since 1958, Johnson Hardware prides itself on the precision design and the production of leading-quality, American-made hardware for residential and light commercial applications. Follow the company on Instagram, X, Pinterest and Facebook.

2026-06-01T23:01:00

(BPT) – As summer begins and routines shift, many parents find themselves wondering how to keep their children engaged, learning and thriving while school is out. Between managing work, juggling schedules and limiting screen time, it’s easy to feel like you should be doing more.

One of the most powerful things you can offer your child this summer doesn’t require more time, money or planning.

It requires play.

International Day of Play on June 11 is a timely reminder that play isn’t just a way to pass the time; it’s one of the most important ways children learn and grow.

Play isn’t a break from learning — It is learning

It’s a common misconception that play is separate from learning — something children do after the “real” work is finished. In reality, the opposite is true.

Play is how young children learn best.

Through play, children are building critical skills all at once: language, problem-solving, self-control, creativity and social-emotional understanding. The American Academy of Pediatrics has even described play as a biological imperative, essential to healthy brain development and strong, nurturing relationships. Research consistently shows that play supports emotional well-being and resilience — not just for children, but for adults too.

Why play works

“Play meets children exactly where they are developmentally,” says Rachel Robertson, Chief Academic Officer at Bright Horizons. “It allows them to explore, experiment, make choices and learn through trial and error. When children are in charge of their play, they are actively thinking, solving and growing.”

It also taps into something equally important: joy.

Because play is fun, it can sometimes feel less important — but joy actually fuels learning. When children are engaged and curious, they’re more motivated to explore, ask questions and persist through challenges. Those moments of laughter and imagination are where confidence and creativity take root.

Small moments, big impact

The good news? Supporting your child’s learning through play doesn’t require carving out hours of your day. It’s less about adding more — and more about noticing what’s already there.

Here are simple ways to make the most of everyday moments this summer:

• Turn routines into play. Sing songs while cleaning up, race to put on shoes, or count steps on your way to the car.
• Follow your child’s lead. Even 10 minutes of child-directed play — where they decide what to do and how to do it — can be incredibly powerful.
• Use what you already have. Boxes, spoons, paper and simple art materials offer endless opportunities for creativity.
• Name what you notice. Simple observations like “You kept trying until it worked” build confidence and persistence.
• Make waiting time playful. Whether you’re in the car, in line or at the grocery store, play games, tell stories or look for patterns together.
• Embrace the mess and the silliness. Creativity and exploration can be messy — and that’s part of the process. Cleaning up together is its own learning opportunity.

You’re already on the right track

Summer doesn’t have to be filled with structured activities to be meaningful. Some of the most impactful learning happens in the simplest moments — when you’re present, engaged and having fun together.

2026-06-01T13:25:00

(BPT) – Key Takeaways

• The first mow of the season helps you prepare for a healthy lawn all season long.
• Lawn-care tips include choosing the right equipment, prepping it well and not cutting off too much too quickly.
• Look for a mower that can handle early-season conditions.

The first lawn mowing of the season is a critical reset point for overall turf health. Lawn care experts say this first cut can influence everything from root development to how well the lawn holds up against heat, drought and weeds in the months ahead.

“Early in the season, your lawn is transitioning into an active growth phase, so it’s more sensitive to stress,” said Jason Wilk, senior product manager at ECHO Incorporated. “How you handle that first mow can either support that transition or set it back.”

Here are six ways to simplify the season ahead.

1. How to clear debris and address winter damage to your yard

A strong start begins with clearing what winter left behind. Sticks, leaves and compacted debris can block airflow and sunlight at the soil level, leading to slower, uneven growth.

Before that first mow, Wilk recommends walking the yard to remove buildup and assess any light damage to shrubs, small branches or overgrowth. For quick cleanup, a battery-powered blower like the ECHO DPB-2500 Blower can efficiently clear debris, while a compact pruning tool like the ECHO DHS-3006 Pruning Saw is well-suited for trimming small limbs and winter dieback.

Taking the time to fully reset the yard before mowing creates a more consistent surface and reduces the likelihood of damaging equipment during that first pass.

2. Prep your equipment following this checklist

After months of sitting idle, lawn equipment should be checked to ensure it’s operating properly before the first use. Even small maintenance oversights can impact cut quality and stress your lawn during a critical growth period.

“A sharp blade doesn’t just improve how your lawn looks, it helps protect it,” Wilk explained. “Clean cuts heal faster, while torn grass blades can lead to moisture loss and make the lawn more vulnerable to disease.”

Before your first mow, Wilk recommends running through a quick equipment check:

• Inspect and sharpen mower blades: Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, which can lead to browning and increased susceptibility to disease
• Check battery charge and connections (for battery-powered models): Ensuring a full charge and secure connection helps deliver consistent power throughout the mow
• Check and top off engine oil (for gas-powered mowers): Proper lubrication helps ensure smooth operation and prevents unnecessary wear
• Clean or replace the air filter: A clogged filter can reduce engine efficiency and impact performance
• Inspect the deck and undercarriage: Built-up grass or debris can affect airflow and cut quality
• Test safety features and controls: Making sure everything is functioning properly before use helps avoid interruptions once you begin mowing

Taking a few minutes to address these basics helps ensure more consistent performance and a cleaner, healthier cut from the start.

3. How much of the grass blade should be removed?

One of the most common early-season mistakes is cutting too much at once. While overgrowth is normal coming out of winter, removing too much of the grass blade can shock the plant and weaken its ability to recover.

Turf experts widely follow the “one-third rule,” meaning no more than one-third of the grass blade should be removed at a time.

“People want that fresh-cut look right away, but taking too much off too quickly can set your lawn back,” Wilk added. “A more gradual approach helps it recover and grow in more evenly.”

For areas a lawn mower can’t easily reach, like around trees, fences and tight edges, a string trimmer such as the ECHO DSRM-225 String Trimmer can help create a clean, finished look without overcutting those more delicate areas.

4. What is the right lawn mower for early spring conditions?

Early-season lawns are often thicker and uneven, making that first mow more demanding than routine cuts later in the year. Using a lawn mower that can maintain consistent power and cutting performance in these conditions helps prevent uneven results and reduces unnecessary stress on the lawn.

Walk-behind mowers like the ECHO DLM-2100SP Self-Propelled Lawn Mower are designed to handle these conditions with features like a brushless motor for gas-like power and a self-propelled system that helps maintain a steady pace.

This type of consistency is especially important during the first mow, where uneven cutting can impact how the lawn fills in throughout the season.

“Consistency is key on that first mow,” Wilk noted. “You want a mower that can handle those early-season conditions without forcing you to overwork parts of the lawn.”

5. Maintain the right mowing height to support root development

Mower height plays a major role in how your lawn performs throughout the season. For many common cool-season grasses, experts recommend maintaining a height between 2.5 to 4 inches, especially early in the season when the lawn is still establishing.

Keeping grass slightly taller helps retain moisture, encourage deeper root systems and improve the lawn’s ability to withstand heat and weeds over time. Wilk recommends erring on the taller side early in the season, allowing the lawn to build strength before gradually adjusting to a maintenance height.

6. Avoid cutting wet grass for a clean, precise cut

Conditions on mowing day can directly impact results. Cutting wet grass often leads to clumping, uneven distribution and added strain on equipment, while also increasing the likelihood of soil compaction.

Waiting until the lawn is dry allows for a cleaner, more precise cut and helps maintain the integrity of the grass and the mower. After mowing, using a blower like the DPB-2500 to clear clippings from driveways and sidewalks can help complete the job and maintain a polished look.

Start strong with these 6 tips

Taking a more intentional approach to the first mow creates long-term advantages. By improving cut quality, reducing stress and using the right tools, homeowners can set their lawns up for more consistent growth and easier yard maintenance.

With the right preparation, that first mow becomes less about catching up after winter and more about setting the pace for a healthier, more resilient lawn all season long.

2026-06-01T09:01:00

(BPT) – Graying hair may be one of the most stereotypical indicators of aging, and recent data shows the complex relationship modern men have with this natural process.

According to a nationwide survey of 2,000 U.S. men commissioned by Just For Men, 68% now care more about their appearance than they did five years ago, with 70% actively seeking help to slow signs of aging.

Yet, here’s the kicker — 16% of guys never talk about aging at all, turning anti-aging into an unnecessarily taboo subject. It’s time to change that narrative, and that’s exactly what the modern generation of men have begun to do. With nearly three of five aged over 25 worried about gray hair and wrinkles, there is no reason to ignore aging.

The rise of men’s grooming

From taboo to essential, men’s grooming is now growing as an extension of hygiene rather than vanity. Whether it’s beard maintenance, skincare or hair health, there are many ways that men are now directly addressing their needs. Grooming is no longer seen as a complicated indulgence but as a way to feel polished and confident through a simple, everyday practice.

Men today have more options than ever when it comes to managing gray hair, and that’s empowering. Whether you choose to embrace the “quiet silver” trend, opt for subtle color blending or try a new hair serum that actively combats growing grays and maintains natural hair color, the important thing is that you’re making a choice based on what makes you feel confident, and not reacting out of fear or social pressure.

The grooming industry has responded to this shift by moving beyond simple cover-up solutions to products that promote anti-aging for a more natural look. With anti-aging as a whole, multiple realms of self-care products have been introduced for men. Whether through skin products, hair or shaving, millennial and Generation Z men are relying on innovations to address early signs of aging.

More options, your choice

The men’s grooming category has long been a staple, with razors, trimmers and creams forming the foundation of many routines. But today, grooming is evolving from a basic chore into a proactive, personal ritual. Not only has it become self-care, but men have found ways to combat aging in the process — allowing men to take their appearance into their own hands and build real confidence in the process. Shaving may be a given, but Gen Z and millennials in particular are going beyond the bare minimum, according to a study conducted by Just For Men^® and Talker Research, embracing self-care to feel more in control, polished and self-assured every day while focusing on anti-aging.

Just For Men^® Gray Reverse™ embodies this shift toward proactive, anti-aging grooming. Designed with a dye-free formula, it allows men to address grays before they fully emerge, turning what used to be a reactive fix into a subtle, everyday habit. By integrating solutions like this into their routines, men aren’t just managing signs of aging, they’re actively shaping how they look and feel in the long term.

Why do gray hairs happen?

Graying hair is a natural process that happens over time. At the root of each hair follicle are cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. As we age, these cells gradually slow down due to factors like accumulated damage and everyday stress. Both physical and emotional stress can speed up this process, causing hair to gray sooner.

The good news? Understanding the background behind gray growth has opened doors to innovative, effective products that target the root cause rather than just covering up the results — including Just For Men^® Gray Reverse™ Daily Hair Serum. The new product is a peptide-based serum that works with your body’s natural hair pigmentation process to restore original hair color.

The confidence connection

How you look directly impacts how you feel. Anti-aging isn’t about staying 22 forever. It’s about taking control of your appearance. When you take active steps to implement anti-aging habits into your routine, you naturally feel more confident in how you present yourself to the world.

Gen Z and millennial men especially have figured this out early. They’re treating grooming like they treat fitness or career development: as an investment in their overall well-being and success.

What’s next for the modern man?

Anti-aging skincare for men isn’t just accepted now — it’s expected. As the category continues to expand, the focus will remain on confidence, authenticity and simplicity. And confidence, as any successful guy will tell you, never goes out of style.

For more information and men’s grooming tips, visit www.justformen.com.

2026-06-01T07:01:00

(BPT) – While you may look forward to the sunny, warm days of summer, there’s another aspect of the season that’s not quite as fun: poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Depending on where in the country you live, you could face a number of hidden issues that impact the quality of the air you breathe in your own home.

The trusted home comfort experts at Lennox, a leader in reliable, efficient climate-control solutions, offer guidance on what you should worry about when it comes to your home’s air quality, and simple steps to put those worries to rest.

No Fresh Air? To maximize efficiency of air conditioning, homeowners often keep homes tightly sealed up, with no open windows all summer long. This lack of ventilation traps volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in homes. VOCs are gases emitted from various household products and include a number of chemicals, some of which may have negative health effects like eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness, headaches, fatigue and more. VOCs are ten times as concentrated indoors, making them a key factor in your home’s air quality.

The No Worries Fix. To reduce the potential negative impacts of VOCs, you can open windows at night or during early morning hours to allow for better ventilation without inviting the day’s worst heat inside.

How can you know if your home has a high level of VOCs? Beyond experiencing symptoms at home such as those mentioned above, be aware of persistent odors from things like new paint, furniture or carpet. For a clearer picture of what’s in your indoor air, homeowners can reach out to a local Lennox dealer to perform an Indoor Air Quality test to help identify potential concerns.

To improve your home’s ventilation overall, consider a whole home ventilator. These units are your worry-free solution to delivering the fresh-air feeling you crave into your home.

Humidity? Many regions of the country are especially humid during the summer months, which can create problems for people with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD, weakened immune systems or certain allergies. Because summer humidity can promote mold growth in homes, this can cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing or eye irritation, to name a few.

The No Worries Fix. To improve humidity levels in your home, use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce moisture in the air. You’ll also want to fix leaks or seepage, preventing moisture from coming in from the ground by putting a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces, and bolstering landscaping so the ground slopes away from your home.

How can you tell if there’s too much humidity in your home? Look for window condensation or warped wood. You may also notice a musty smell, mold growth or weakened structural elements.

If your home could benefit from additional humidity control, you may want to invest in a reliable dehumidification system. Balanced humidity levels from a system like this can help make your home environment healthier and worry-free year-round, and can also save energy.

Pollen? Spring coming to a close doesn’t mean your allergies get a break. Sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes are caused by pollen outside that invades your home. While tree pollen flares in the spring, summertime is when grass pollen is at its highest. It can be hard to avoid allergens in the summer, even when you’re indoors.

The No Worries Fix. To help keep pollen outside where it belongs, leave shoes at the door and then shower and change clothes immediately when you return home, especially if you’ve just spent time enjoying the great outdoors. Keep windows closed when the pollen count is high.

If you or a family member suffers from frequent allergies, choose a high-efficiency HEPA or MERVE 13+ HVAC filter, or upgrade to a whole-home purification system for a worry-free way to clean the air inside your home. Healthy Climate^® air purification and filtration systems from Lennox are designed to work with your central heating and cooling system to improve the air quality throughout your entire home, not just individual rooms.

Not Sure if Your Indoor Air Quality Needs Help? No Worries!

You can take this online quiz to help determine what’s going on with the air in your home. Or contact your local Lennox dealer to perform an air quality check to assess your home’s levels of VOCs, humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and more. Learn more about IAQ products Lennox offers at Lennox.com.

Main image caption: With warmer days ahead, poor indoor air quality can impact your home. Getty Images

2026-06-01T01:01:00

(BPT) – Key Takeaways

• You and your pets love summer, but this time of year brings unique health and safety concerns.
• A new Rover survey found pet parents will go the distance when it comes to caring for their pets.
• Pet parents want to ensure pet sitters and dog walkers are trustworthy and knowledgeable about top summer safety issues.
• Rover provides trusted care, offering pet parents peace of mind that their pets are living their best lives while they are, too.

During summer travel season, pet parents are understandably concerned about safeguarding their pets from top seasonal health risks, and their behavior proves it. The 2026 Summer Safety Survey from Rover found that 88% of pet parents even plan summer activities around whether their pets can join them.

With increasing travel and outdoor adventures comes worry about seasonal risks, with the top concerns being heat-related illness (32%) and exposure to fleas and ticks (38%). Many pet parents have already experienced some of these risks firsthand, with nearly half of pet parents saying their dog or cat has experienced dehydration or heat exhaustion.

However, 64% admit not being fully confident they know enough about the warning signs.

How to deter ticks and fleas

To help keep your pet pest-free over the summer, consult your veterinarian for flea and tick prevention methods. It also helps to keep your yard clear of organic matter, like leaves and clippings, where fleas can hide. Learn how to perform safe tick removal if your dogs love exploring wooded or grassy areas.

Ways to keep pets safe during summer heat

Because heat-related illness remains one of the biggest summer risks for dogs and cats, make sure you know what to watch for. According to the survey, nearly half (46%) of pet parents say their pet has experienced heat exhaustion or dehydration. But despite this concern, many pet parents still struggle to identify early signs of overheating.

Here are some warning signs:

• Dogs: Excessive panting, lethargy, confusion or drooling. Severe signs are pale gums, foaming at the mouth or seizures.
• Cats: Excessive pacing, panting, grooming, drooling or atypical vocalizations. Severe signs include stumbling, vomiting, loss of consciousness or collapsing.

If you notice early warning signs, give your pet cool (not iced) water to drink, get them in the shade/air conditioning and apply wet towels or cool water to their head or neck. Consult your veterinarian about these or more severe symptoms.

2026-05-29T12:25:00

(BPT) – Having backup power isn’t just for emergencies anymore. Today, homeowners and renters should consider using a home battery system (like a solar generator) as backup power to run their daily appliances and devices.

That said, not everyone knows what a home battery is, let alone how it works. If you count yourself in that group, don’t worry. This is your essential guide to learning why you need backup power, how a home battery backup system works and how to choose the right system for your household.

Why backup power is important now more than ever

When you use electricity, you’re pulling energy from your local grid. That means when a power outage happens and you don’t have backup power, you’ll have to wait until the local grid is restored, which can take days to weeks during an emergency.

If you don’t live in a disaster-prone area, you may assume that you don’t need backup power. However, as electricity prices continue to rise across the country, finding ways to reduce your reliance on the grid is essential for lowering your utility bill.

While lowering your overall energy consumption can make a difference, that’s not the only factor that decides how much you’ll pay for each billing cycle. How much you’re charged for using power from your local grid depends not only on where you live but also on when you use it.

Off-peak hours (typically overnight and early morning) are the cheapest times to use electricity. On the other hand, peak hours (late afternoon through evening, when demand spikes) can run two to three times more expensive than off hours.

Most households have no choice but to pay whatever the grid charges whenever they need it. That said, a simple way to reduce your reliance on the grid and lower your utility bills is to use a home battery to power your essentials.

How a home battery works

A home battery acts like a barrier between your home and the power grid. It plugs directly into your existing electrical system to optimize daily energy use and provide backup power during a grid failure. It does this by drawing power from the grid or your solar panels and then strategically distributing it to your house.

You don’t need to be an engineer to understand how a home battery works.

When shopping for home battery power storage, you will see two main specifications. Understanding the difference is vital for sizing your system correctly:

First, you need to understand the difference between watts and watt-hours.

Watts (W) measure how much power a device needs at any given moment. Every electrical device comes with a rated power consumption that indicates how much electricity it draws while running.

Watt-hours (Wh) measure the total energy stored or used over time. To calculate watt-hours, you multiply the appliance’s wattage by its running hours. So, a 1,000 Wh battery can power a 100 W device for 10 hours.

Next, you need to know what a battery inverter does. A home battery stores energy by drawing from the grid through a standard wall outlet or from sunlight using a solar panel. That energy is stored as direct current (DC) electricity but needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) electricity to power AC-powered home appliances.

That’s where a home battery’s inverter comes in. The inverter converts stored DC energy into the AC power your home appliances use to function.

So, how do you choose what to power with your home battery? You’ll need to choose the essential circuits that you want to power. Most households don’t need to power everything during an outage — just the essentials.

Which appliances and home systems you consider “essential” is very much a personal choice. However, some common essentials include the refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, phone charging, medical devices and a fan or window air conditioner.

To keep these necessities powered separately from relying on the grid requires an independent energy source, like Jackery’s Essential Home Backup line, integrated power systems that combine solar panels, battery backup and smart energy management to power your essentials during an outage and reduce reliance on the electricity grid to lower monthly electricity bills.

How to choose a home backup power system

Now that you know why you need a home battery and how they work, it’s time to choose one that best suits your needs.

When looking for a home backup power solution, consider prioritizing solar-powered models.

Compared to traditional gas generators, solar power solutions have a clear advantage. Because they store energy from sunlight, there’s no fuel to store, and when energy is used, you won’t have to deal with fumes, noise or major maintenance.

After purchase, your operating costs for a solar generator costs $0/kWh because sunlight, its power source, is free. On the other hand, gas generators cost approximately $0.73/kWh to operate, adding up to roughly $78,012 over 25 years, versus approximately $39,434 for a solar system over the same period.

When choosing a home backup solution, you’ll also need to determine the size of the system you need to meet your needs. Generally speaking, backup power falls into one of three categories:

Ultra-portable: Small, ultra-portable power solutions are great for camping and device charging, but are not designed for home circuits.

Full ESS (energy storage system): This whole-home backup system integrates with your utilities for powerful backup. However, full ESS can be expensive and complex, and it requires professional installation. It’s not practical for most households, and off the table entirely for renters.

Essential home backup: An essential home backup solution, like the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus or HomePower 3600 Plus, powers what matters most to you during a home outage or for everyday use. You won’t need a contractor, permits or utility coordination to start, unless you opt for Smart Transfer Switch or Manual Transfer Switch installation. Otherwise, these models are a simple plug-and-play operation accessible for renters and homeowners alike. In other words, an essential home backup solution is the sweet spot for home backup.

Finding the sweet spot

When it comes to balancing power and flexibility, consider one of Jackery’s Essential Home Backup solutions to power your devices every day, not just during an emergency but as a money-saving tool.

One of the most attractive features of Jackery’s Essential Home Backup solutions is that it automates the time-of-use process. The system reads your rate schedule and works in three automatic phases:

• Midnight to 9 a.m. (off-peak): Charges from the grid at its lowest rates to power your home and top off your battery storage.
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (solar harvest): Captures sunlight to power your home in real time. Surplus energy is stored automatically — pure power at near-zero cost.
• 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. (peak performance): Disconnects from the grid entirely during its most expensive hours. Your home runs on what you stored — seamless power, near-zero cost.

In short, when you use this type of home backup system, you’re buying electricity when it’s cheap, generating it for free when the sun is up, and avoiding the grid completely when rates peak.

Are you ready to lower your electricity bill and regain energy independence? To learn more about solar home backup solutions, visit Jackery.com.

2026-05-29T15:57:00

(BPT) – Looking for gift ideas for graduates that won’t just end up in a drawer? You could opt for a gift card, but it’s a lot more fun to choose something you can wrap, and that you know will be used and appreciated! Today’s high school or college grad needs a fast, efficient wireless charger, which is a must-have to keep today’s vital electronic devices up and running whenever they need them.

When you’re shopping for a high-quality wireless charger, it’s super important to make sure you’re getting the real deal. Look for devices indicated as Qi Certified (pronounced “chee”), which means they meet the world’s leading standard for ensuring wireless charging works smoothly and efficiently — no matter what brand’s products they’re used with.

Why gift a wireless charger?

Chances are, your grad is tired of scrambling for cables, fumbling to plug in devices in dark or small spaces — or wearing out the port in their gadgets with constant plugging in. Wireless charging with devices built to today’s updated Qi2 standard provide one clean charging setup with minimal cords, less fuss and minimal mess.

With a wireless charger, your grad can charge their compatible phone, smartwatch and earbuds all at once, without worrying about tangled cables. Wireless chargers also come in a wide variety of designs to meet specific needs, wherever and however they’ll be used.

Best yet, Qi2 Certified chargers employ magnetic attachment between a Qi2-enabled phone and charger for the perfect charging alignment, every time. Simply drop your phone on the charger and you’ll feel the click as the devices lock together.

Help keep your grad’s phone and other devices from conking out on them with one of these thoughtful gifts that will make every day easier and less cluttered.

1. Acefast Speaker Wireless Charger K10 Air

The K10 Air is not just a charger: It’s a speaker, a stand and a Qi2 25W charging station rolled into one. Acefast features two wireless charging areas: 25W for your phone and 3W for earbuds. There’s also music-synced RGB lighting and roughly 10 hours of speaker battery life. For a desk piece that does more than just charge your phone, this is worth a look.

2. Prodigee MagChill Station

Prodigee, known for its stylish phone cases and MagSafe accessories, is entering the Qi2 25W charging space with the MagChill Station. It’s built with a unique gooseneck design to allow for easy customized positioning. Prodigee’s products typically feature clean industrial design, premium materials and a focus on the Apple ecosystem.

3. Ku Xiu (KUXIU) S4 Power Bank

The KUXIU S4 is a 10,000mAh power bank with Qi2.2 25W wireless charging and a standout feature: a semi-solid-state battery cell. The aluminum alloy body helps with heat dissipation and gives it a premium feel. There’s a TFT display showing real-time battery health, temperature, remaining capacity and charging power. A built-in foldable stand lets you prop up your phone hands-free while it charges. KUXIU says it can hit 58% charge in about 20 minutes.

4. AC Island 5-in-1 Qi2 25W Charger

AC Island’s foldable 5-in-1 charging station is designed for travelers who want one device to rule them all. It wirelessly charges your iPhone at up to 25W, handles Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously, and includes USB-C and USB-A ports for wired charging of other devices. The whole thing folds down to a compact size, and it ships with a 65W GaN adapter and a travel case. On Amazon, it has solid reviews for build quality and magnet strength.

5. AUKEY MagFusion Z Plus

This versatile 3-in-1 wireless charger station charges iPhones, Apple watches and Airpods all at once. Both Qi2.2 Certified and MFW compatible, it comes in an ultra slim 17.5mm foldable design, along with a strong magnetic force so you’ll know when your device is connected. This 2024 Reddot winner for outstanding design and innovation offers 25W fast wireless charging, giving users a compact, efficient solution for simultaneous powering while saving space and eliminating cables.

These are just a few of the options for wireless chargers that you can choose from. Interested in a specific brand? Virtually all major wireless charger brands today produce Qi2 Certified wireless chargers, including Belkin, Anker and Baseus, to name a few. Qi Certified cell phones include iPhone, Samsung and Google Pixel.

You can ensure you’re getting a Qi Certified charger for the grad on your list by examining the box and/or charger for the Qi or Qi2 logo. Buying online? Check the product’s wireless specifications for Qi certification first. If in doubt or you can’t find the logo, check the Wireless Power Consortium website for their database of Qi Certified devices.

2026-05-29T09:31:00

(BPT) – In today’s world, personalization is the norm. From curated music playlists and tailored shopping recommendations to customized social media feeds, the culture is now shaped around individual preferences. One surprising area that often feels left behind though is mental health treatment.

According to the latest GeneSight^® Mental Health Monitor national survey from Myriad Genetics^®, even in today’s highly customizable environment, many Americans feel that mental health treatment isn’t designed with them in mind.

The survey found that 41% of those diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety, and who are currently taking a mental health medication, think it feels “one-size-fits-all,” and 74% of those who are still finding a medication that works for them say that mental health treatment feels “one-size-fits-all.” Of those diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety, just over two-thirds (67%) say their mental health is a daily struggle, and more than half (52%) feel the healthcare system treats them like part of an “assembly line” more than an individual.

“People today expect to experience personalization everywhere they go, but many of my patients feel like their mental health treatment is a lengthy, uncertain trial-and-error process,” said Dr. Crystal Nelson, board-certified psychiatrist and CEO of Blueprint Psychiatry in Atlanta. “It’s crucial to find ways to tailor mental health medication treatment to each individual so they can feel better, sooner.”

How lack of personalization impacts treatment

Many patients feel their mental healthcare isn’t tailored to them, which may shape their confidence in their treatment plan. In fact, a majority (roughly 70%) of those diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety think various aspects of their mental healthcare are “only somewhat,” “not very” or “not at all” personalized to them, and most of the same group (88%) say they would be more confident in their mental healthcare plan if it were personalized to them.

This lack of confidence is especially important when it comes to mental health medication. Among those diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety and currently taking a prescribed mental health medication, nearly two-thirds (65%) are not confident their medication was selected specifically for them. At the same time, patients are signaling that personalization could make a meaningful difference: Nearly three-quarters (74%) indicated that personalization would make them more likely to stay committed to a prescribed mental health medication.

This is important, as mental health medication treatment can involve a degree of trial and error. According to the national survey, only 13% of those diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression who have taken mental health medication previously said the first medication they tried worked for them, meaning many spend time trying multiple medications before finding one that works. However, 78% of the same group said they felt more like themselves after finding a medication that worked for them, highlighting the value of a more personalized approach to mental health medication treatment.

A tool to help personalize treatment: genetic testing

For clinicians, genetic testing can be a useful tool to help them offer more personalized mental health treatment. For example, the GeneSight Test from Myriad Genetics is a simple cheek swab that analyzes how a patient’s genes may affect medication outcomes. The GeneSight Test looks at clinically important genetic variations in each patient’s DNA, providing results that may inform clinicians about how a patient may break down or respond to over 60 FDA-approved medications commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, ADHD and other psychiatric conditions.

These insights supplement other key information, like your medical history, to help your clinician create a comprehensive medical assessment and treatment plan. With this additional information, clinicians can better understand if you may need dose adjustments, if certain medications may be less likely to work for them, or if they may have an increased risk of side effects based on your genetics. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of survey respondents were unaware that genetic testing may help inform mental health medication decisions, but after learning about this option, more than half (55%) say they would have preferred their clinician to offer it as part of their care.

“The GeneSight Test is a valuable tool in my practice,” said Nelson. “Many of my patients are surprised to learn that genetic testing may help inform mental health medication decisions and often wish they had known about it sooner. The test provides additional insights about each person as an individual, helping me make more informed decisions about prescribing mental health medications and better tailoring each patient’s treatment plan.”

Learn more about how genetic testing can help personalize mental health treatment at GeneSight.com.

*The GeneSight^® Mental Health Monitor is a nationwide survey conducted online by ACUPOLL Precision Research, Inc. between February 23-March 6, 2026, among a representative sample (n=1002) of U.S. adults age 18+. The margin of error in survey results for the total base population at a 95% confidence interval is +/- 4%. A nationally representative sample of adults aged 18 years or older was recruited and balanced to match U.S. Census quotas across five primary metrics (i.e., age, gender, income, education and ethnicity). In addition to the nationally representative sample, a statistically reliable sample was achieved of respondents who were self-reported as being diagnosed by a medical professional with depression or anxiety. ACUPOLL has more than 30 years of experience conducting statistically valid research through careful recruiting and quality control measures.

2026-05-29T00:01:00

(BPT) – Key takeaways

• Digital twins and using AI to answer health questions are trends gaining momentum this year.
• Experts point out that AI should not replace a conversation with a doctor.
• Tech like AI-assisted wearables could help identify early warning signs.

Healthcare technology entered 2026 smarter, faster and more connected than ever. From creating digital twins of real people to artificial intelligence (AI) gaining momentum, here are trends experts at health-tech company Medtronic say could define this year.

How digital twins help clinicians personalize care

You’re one of a kind. But someday, you could have a digital twin — a virtual version of you that helps clinicians personalize care and predict health outcomes.

How? By combining clinical, physiological and lifestyle data, a digital twin can mirror the unique characteristics of individual patients.

While a comprehensive human digital twin hasn’t been created yet, patients are already beginning to benefit from this technology. Doctors can now “rehearse” a heart valve replacement using a digital replica of the patient’s heart, predicting how the body may respond to the procedure.

Medtronic is also exploring how digital twins could help develop safe therapies faster.

“A digital twin can help us accelerate research, reduce the need for animal testing and avoid exposing humans to unnecessary risks,” said Dr. Nathalie Virag, Vice President and General Manager at the Medtronic Bakken Research Center. “Many early-stage experiments can be conducted on a computer before moving to animal or human testing.”

What’s next? Digital twins will become smarter and help clinicians move from reacting to patient health challenges to predicting individual health risks before symptoms appear.

Are you using AI to answer health questions?

You’ve likely asked “Dr. Google” medical questions. But how we find answers is changing. More people are using generative AI to learn about their health concerns, turning to AI overviews and chatbots before seeing a doctor.

While AI can offer quick, personalized answers, it should be used as a tool for learning rather than diagnosing. This is especially true for health conditions like heart disease, which can present differently in women than in men.

“AI can be a great starting point, but it should never replace a conversation with a healthcare professional,” said Dr. Kendra Grubb, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Structural Heart at Medtronic. “It doesn’t understand your lifestyle, family history or clinical signs the way a physician does.”

What’s next? AI could become more connected to wearable devices.

By tracking real-time health data like heart rate and blood pressure, AI-assisted wearables could help identify early warning signs before symptoms start. This could empower patients to seek care sooner and give clinicians insights to personalize treatment.