Archives for April 2020

3 Things To Do Before Taking On A Home Renovation Project

Doing home renovation is a big deal. Not only do these projects take a lot of time and money, but they can also be extremely stressful for both the homeowner and those working on the renovations. Because of this, it’s wise to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you begin anything major.

To help you with this, here are three things to do before taking on a home renovation project.

Know Exactly What You Want to be Done

Before you can even really get started with the planning phases of your home renovation project, you first need to know exactly what you want or need to be done. Generally, it’s a good idea to take care of the necessary renovations first, like fixing your foundation. After that, you can prioritize however you want.

According to Laurie March, a contributor to HGTV.com, planning out the details of each project that you want to take on in various areas of your house will not only make the execution of these projects easier, but it will also help you to know what you have the skills and abilities to handle on your own and what you’ll need to rely on a professional for help with. Then, when you do need to have a contractor or other worker assist you on your project, you can already know the scope of work you’re leaving up to them.

Set Your Budget

Once you’ve spent some time thinking about what work you want to get done, you then need to think about how much money you can or will budget for each project as well as for your total renovation costs.

When figuring this out, Cathie Ericson, a contributor to Realtor.com, shares that you might come to find that the projects you wanted to take on aren’t really possible with your budget. In situations like this, you can either try to cut back on your expenses by doing some bargain shopping or getting less expensive finishes or you can postpone some of your renovation projects if you’re not willing to sacrifice on quality anywhere.

Find The Right Help

Unless you’re a very talented handyman or the projects you’re wanting to complete are pretty basic, there’s a good chance that you’re going to need at least some type of help finishing your home renovation projects.

To make this easier on you, Kate Reggev, a contributor to Dwell.com, advises that you find the help you’ll need before you even begin with your projects. By doing this, you’ll save yourself the trouble of having to find the right help while you’re in the middle of completing all of your own projects at home.

If you’re going to be taking on some home renovation projects soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for them.

 

5 Things That Moms Can Do to Help Them Relax

It’s not easy being a mom, so it’s important to allow yourself relaxation time. While you’ll never reach the end of your to do list, if you don’t find time to relax, you’re likely to get burned out and make yourself sick. It can be hard to relax when you’re a busy mom, so here are some things you could try to help you unwind after a busy day.

  • Yoga

Yoga can be an excellent way to relax, as it helps lower your blood pressure, eases anxiety and helps you control your breathing, leading to an inner calm. While going to a yoga class is best for complete beginners, if you don’t have one locally, there are plenty of free YouTube videos that’ll guide you through the poses. There are even special night-time yoga workouts that are ideal to stick on once the kids are in bed.

  • Meditation

Many moms suffer from anxiety and find it hard to ‘switch off’ their negative thoughts and worries. If you would like to learn to overcome mild anxiety, then meditation is an excellent way to do so. There are lots of ways to get started with meditation, including:

  • Using a dedicated app that’ll guide you through how to do it
  • Finding a local meditation class
  • Using online videos
  • Learning the techniques from books and seeing what works for you

Meditation can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life, so it helps you feel more relaxed throughout the day and helps you cope with stressful situations.

  • CBD

Supplements such as CBD can be a great way to help you relax. If you have anxiety or a low mood, or just want something to help you unwind, then CBD has clinically proven properties. You can buy CBD online through theviolettacompany.com and can take it as a daily supplement or use drops or a tincture when you need it most.

  • Have some child-free time

Whether you have a date night with your partner or spend some time on a hobby, child-free time is important for all moms. Consider hiring a babysitter for a couple of hours a week so that you aren’t spending every waking moment with the kids. No matter how much you love your kids, everyone needs time off, and it’ll make you much more relaxed and content.

  • Have a spa day at home

No time to take a spa day? Do some pampering treatments at home and you’ll emerge from the bathroom feeling relaxed and glowing. While the kids are watching a movie, give yourself a facial, put on moisturizing gloves or socks, or simply soak in a bath with a few drops of essential oils. It’s cheaper than a spa and you get more privacy.

Kids are a lot of fun, but as a mom, you’re likely to need a way to relax and unwind after spending the day with them. Use one of the above relaxation techniques and you can avoid getting stressed.