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Here are a few reasons why a steam room or sauna should be your newest wellness investment…Improved Cardiovascular FunctionRegularly using a sauna has been linked to improving blood pressure and reducing long-term risk of cardiovascular disease.Calm the MindA quick steam room or sauna session helps you to relax and leaves you in a better mood.Post-Workout RecoverySteam rooms in particular are a chosen method among athletes to relieve muscle soreness and recover more quickly.Relieve Cold SymptomsHeat therapy can help boost the immune system, as well as relieve cold symptoms by clearing the sinuses and breaking up congestion in the lungs.Published with permission from RISMedia.
With the endless demands of work, school, errands, housework and extracurricular activities, it can be difficult for family members to find time to sit down, relax and talk to each other. But carving out the time to connect with one another can provide a wealth of benefits. In fact, studies have found that regular family dinners can contribute to many positive outcomes and prevent negative ones.Sharing Family Meals Can Help Kids AcademicallyEating dinner together offers family members an opportunity to engage in conversation about things going on in their lives, current events, as well as their hopes and plans for the future. The wide array of topics that may come up at the dinner table on any given evening can help children learn new words and ideas they may not have encountered in books or at school. While a broad vocabulary can help kids learn to read and express themselves, learning about new topics can keep them actively engaged in school, which will go a long way toward promoting academic achievement.Eating Together Can Establish Healthy Nutritional HabitsParents often put a good deal of time and planning into meals that the entire family will share, with a focus on nutrition and variety. When kids eat meals with their families, not only are they exposed to new foods, they also tend to consume more fruits and vegetables than they would if they ate fast food or hastily prepared meals. If children help prepare dinner, theyre more likely to be open to the idea of trying unfamiliar foods. When kids grow up and go off to college or live on their own, theyll be more inclined to choose healthy foods and less likely to become overweight or obese.Family Dinners Can Help Kids Cope With Stress in Healthy WaysSharing meals offers many social benefits. When family members sit down and eat together, free from the distractions of the television, cellphones and video games, they can actively engage, listen to whats going on in each others lives and offer support, advice and empathy. These types of interactions can help children deal with stress at school related to academics and bullying, as well as problems and concerns in other areas of their lives. Knowing that they have the support of family members helps kids avoid harmful behaviors, such as substance abuse and eating disorders. Children who share regular family meals are less likely to become sexually active, depressed, or suicidal.Make Dinnertime a Positive ExperienceThe atmosphere at the dinner table is much more important than the food served. No one will enjoy mealtimes if theyre associated with bickering, teasing, name-calling and criticism, but all family members will benefit from opportunities to express themselves and to share their joys, successes, doubts and worries in a supportive environment. The more often families eat dinner together, the greater the long-term benefits.Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Leasing can be a smart way to test out a car for a few years without buying it. A lease can give you all of the latest technology and some time to determine if you like the car enough to buy it.If you want to buy it before the lease expires, read the terms of the lease agreement to see if an early buyout costs extra, typically charged in finance fees. It may be worthwhile to wait until the lease ends.To make sure you’re getting a good deal, research the different ways the car is valued. The first is retail value, which is how much you’d pay to buy it from a dealer. The second is wholesale value, or how much the car would cost at auction. Pricing is available at various websites such as Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. Be sure to compare the same make, model and mileage.Compare these numbers with the residual value"that’s an estimate of the car’s value at the end of the lease and will be stated in the lease agreement. A purchase-option fee may be added. Your research will help you compare your car’s value to the residual value to see if it’s close to what you’ve estimated it to be.Don’t contact the leasing company first if you’re thinking of buying. They’ll come to you, usually 90 days before the lease expires. If they already know you’re interested in buying, you lose an advantage when negotiating.Start the negotiations by finding financing elsewhere, since that is where the leasing company is likely to start as a way to make more money off you. Check with your bank and other lenders for lease-buyout loans.Some leasing companies may have a policy against negotiating a buyout price, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Request that they waive the purchase-option fee and offer financing discounts and other incentives to buy.Remember that you have some leverage when offering to buy a leased car. You can walk away and find another car, leaving the leasing company the work of finding another buyer for the car when they already have a ready and willing buyer in front of them. Remind them of this opportunity and how much higher their price is than what you’ve found elsewhere, and you hopefully can move them toward a deal.Published with permission from RISMedia.
These five features ensure your master suite leaves nothing to be desired.Dressing RoomEquipped with vanities, islands and full-length mirrors, these rooms are more luxurious than walk-in closets.Sitting AreaA sitting area can make a large bedroom feel more intimate while providing a space to enjoy downtime.Spa-like BathroomMultiple sinks alongside a soaking tub and rain shower are just the beginning. Saunas, steam rooms and massage rooms are on the rise.Connect to the OutdoorsStepping outside your bedroom and into fresh air allows you to feel more connected to nature.Private StudyA secluded study within your master suite can function as a home office or library.Published with permission from RISMedia.
Identity theft affects millions of Americans every year, with thieves draining peoples bank accounts, destroying credit scores and even ruining reputations. Unfortunately, many victims arent aware of an issue until significant damage is done, but by learning the telltale signs of identity theft, you have a much better chance of detecting any problems before its too late.LifeLock, a part of credit reporting agency TransUnion, suggests watching out for the following red flags:Personal BankingYou receive a call, email or letter from your bank notifying you of possible fraud on your account.You see withdrawals you cant explain on your bank statement, or charges you didnt make on your credit card statement.Your interest rates go up due to unknown credit activity.Your credit report shows accounts you didnt open or credit checks by companies you havent done business with.Youre denied credit or a rental application, even though you know you have a strong credit record.Mail and TelephoneBills or other pieces of mail youre expecting never come.You receive a bill for services you didnt use.You get a credit card you didnt open or a letter related to an account you never established.Debtors call you about bills youve never heard of before.Taxes and Social SecurityThe IRS informs you that more than one tax return was filed under your name or that a dependents Social Security number was already claimed.You receive tax documents from an employer you never worked for.Your Social Security statement shows errors. For example, your reported earnings appear inflated.Health InsuranceYour health plan rejects a medical claim with the explanation that youve already reached your coverage limit.You cant get coverage under a new plan because your medical record lists a condition you dont have.You regularly receive treatment solicitations for health conditions you dont have.OtherA merchant refuses your check, or your credit card gets declined.An employer denies you a job based on a bad background check, even though you know your record is clean.A company you have an account with (or regularly do business with) notifies you that its experienced a data breach. Or, you learn about such a breach in the news.If you suspect youre a victim of identity theft, contact your bank, relevant government agency or health insurance provider immediately. Early detection can help minimize the damage and simplify the recovery process of identity theft, saving you unnecessary stress and lost time.Published with permission from RISMedia.
We all have stress in our lives. Busy days at work, problems at home, traffic jams and money trouble are prime examples of stressful situations. However, chronic stress can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and depression, so preventing and managing stress is essential to living happier and healthier.Here are some tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help you deal with stress:Prepare yourself. Prepare ahead of time for stressful events like a job interview or a hard conversation with a loved one. Stay positive, picture what the room will look like and what youll say, and have a backup plan.Plan your time. Feeling in control of your situation could lower stress. Think ahead about how youre going to use your time. Write a to-do list and figure out whats most important"then do that thing first. Be realistic about how long each task will take.Relax with deep breathing or meditation. These are two effective ways to relax your muscles and clear your mind.Relax your muscles. Stress causes tension in your muscles. Try stretching or taking a hot shower to help you relax.Get active. Regular physical activity can help prevent and manage stress. It can also help relax your muscles and improve your mood. Aim for 2.5 hours a week of physical activity. Try riding a bike, taking a walk or lifting weights. Be sure to exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time.Eat healthy. Give your body plenty of energy by eating healthy, including vegetables, fruits and lean sources of protein.Talk to friends and family. Tell your friends and family if youre feeling stressed. They may be able to help.Get professional help if you need it. Stress is a normal part of life. But if your stress doesnt go away or keeps getting worse, you may need expert help. A mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or social worker, can help treat stress-related conditions. Lots of people need help dealing with stress"its nothing to be ashamed of.Published with permission from RISMedia.
Here are a few ways to spruce up your bedroom with the latest gadgets…Automated Blackout ShadesSync your shades with your sleep schedule and keep the room dark until its time to get up.Dawn SimulationEnjoy a dawn simulation by setting your lights to slowly turn on in the morning and wake up to a warm, gentle glow.Smart BedsChoose your ideal firmness on each side of the bed and drift away as it senses your movement and automatically adjusts to your sleeping position.Dynamic Temperature ControlSet your thermostat to meet your needs and create the ideal atmosphere that warms or cools as you wake.Published with permission from RISMedia.
When it's time to move, you need someone who markets your home, knows how to find the right buyer, negotiate on your behalf, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. We take care of everything you need buy or sell your Scottsdale home, from start to close.
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