LifeStyle Tips

When you think of a basement, you are often filled with thoughts of a cold and damp room below the house. While this may be true initially, it doesn’t have to stay in a cold, damp room. Instead, you can turn a drab basement into a fabulous master bedroom with some renovations and style. Having an extra bedroom not only creates more space in your home but can add value as well. You can turn this cold and unsightly area into the master suite of your dreams, from the floors to the walls.

Start with a clean slate.

Before any remodel, the first thing to do is to start with a clean slate. Starting with a clean slate means if there is anything in your basement, clear it out and start from scratch. Cleaning the basement before beginning gives you a good idea of what you want to turn your basement into. Without clutter and dirt, you can better envision walls and flooring that you want to incorporate in your new space. Clearing the basement out also includes doing any necessary repairs or replacements, including problems with your HVAC system. You can easily find the right professional to install a new furnace or ensure the basement can get hot water by searching online for heating repair in Chicago or wherever you’re living.

Time to put up walls and put down floors.

Now is the step in which the renovation can get going. Basements are known for moisture problems, so this is another thing that needs to be checked. However, most basements do fine with having paneling or drywall installed. At this step in the process, any electrical or foundation work that needs to be done or fixed should be done. Basements are known for having very little natural light, so it is a good idea to add in extra electrical work for ceiling fixtures. Sometimes, there are gaps in basement flooring, which is where a wall anchor comes in. Wall anchors are the perfect way to close the gap and give you a clean finish. Often, homeowners have their furnaces located in the basement, so it is crucial to have all heating checked before remodeling to avoid the hassle later.

Another consideration for your master bedroom is to incorporate a master bathroom as well. Before any walls or flooring go down, you may want to consider additional plumbing so you can have a bathroom as well. Once everything is accounted for and in order, you can begin to cover the walls with your choice of drywall or paneling. After this, it’s time to put down floors. Flooring options are unlimited for basements. However, most homeowners opt for tile because of the many customization options and low costs.

Painting, decorating, and moving into the basement.

When the walls have been put up and the floor has been put down, the real fun can begin. Bedrooms are a place of rest and relaxation, so it is vital to truly make your bedroom your own. Start by picking the perfect color and painting the wall. You can choose from many options beyond colors, like a mural, a brick wall, or an accent wall. Once the walls have been painted and dried, it’s time to move furniture in and decorate. Begin by moving the dressers, bed, and any other furniture in to get a good feel for how you want your bedroom organized. Next, it is time to add some decorations. Hanging pictures and shelves is a fantastic idea to make the perfect space to relax.

While basements are typically thought of as dingy and drab, you can turn your basement into a fabulous bedroom in just a few steps.

Anyone who’s ever been hurt as the result of medical malpractice can certainly tell you just how challenging it can be to recover from the emotional, physical, and financial damages sustained. If you or someone you love has been hurt at the hands of a doctor, you’re far from alone. However, you might feel unsure of where to turn to initiate a lawsuit, cope with the trauma of loss, and re-secure your income.

If you or someone you care about is having difficulty in the physical, financial, or emotional recovery from a medical malpractice injury, read on for resources that might help.

Talk Therapy

One of the best things you can do for yourself if you’re suffering from an injury due to medical negligence is to get a great therapist who can help you to manage the stress and emotional anguish you’re likely facing. Start with a search for With Therapy, where you can find a list of qualified therapists who can help you to process your situation.

Many people make the mistake of being so focused on the physical recovery from their serious injury that they forget the psychological toll recovery can take on a person’s spirit. In having a counselor you trust to talk to, you can help yourself get the tools you’ll need to stay calm on hard days and maintain hope for the future. The truth is that your state of mind will make a big impact on your physical health as you work toward the best recovery possible.

Legal Help

Once you’re in a good headspace, it’s important to hire a medical malpractice attorney who will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your serious injury. Not only will an experienced attorney be able to get you money for your pain and suffering, but they’ll also be able to tackle medical bills and future expenses. A lawyer will be able to help you through your lawsuit, go over legal options, and will be your best chance at securing maximum compensation as they work in your best interest to get you the money you need for your future.

Some people feel bad about filing a claim against a once-trusted doctor simply because of the relationship they build with their health care provider before the injury. However, any experienced attorney will tell you that filing a claim against your medical provider is not personal and could make a huge difference in your overall quality of life going forward. By putting your needs first, you’re protecting yourself, your family, and your financial future.

Support Systems

As you build relationships with your psychotherapist and lawyer, you’ll also need a team of new health care providers and friends and family to build yourself a great support system during and after your recovery. Creating a list of identified supports can be a good way to remind yourself you aren’t going through your recovery alone.

When thinking of people to make part of your natural support system, consider support groups both online and in-person where the importance of good mental wellness is part of the group’s belief system. Most support groups run through local hospitals are led by licensed psychologists who understand group dynamics. Ask your doctor or psychologist for a referral to a support group that might work for you.

At the end of the day, it’s important to put yourself first after you’ve suffered an injury due to a doctor’s negligence. Between finding the right lawyer and therapist to building a great support system, you will be well on your way to a brighter future. Best of luck in your recovery from a medical malpractice injury.

 

The empty nest stage of life can be an awkward one for even the best of marriages. In fact, any marriage and family therapist will tell you that it’s normal and natural to struggle with your marriage when your shift in priorities changes as your children launch into the world. Where you and your spouse once put your free time and energy into raising children together, it can be hard to know how to move forward in your relationship as a couple.

The great news is that, while struggling to empty nest with peace of mind can be a challenge, there are many ways to get your marriage back on track and even grow closer than ever to your partner as you move together into your golden years. For ways to adjust more easily, read on.

Getting a Reset

One of the best things you and your spouse can do after your kids leave home is to attend couples retreat therapy in an effort to reconnect. Even if you and your spouse are getting along well and are sure your marriage is in a good place, attending a retreat together is a nice way to tell each other that you value the commitment you’ve made and managed to keep.

Sadly, statistics tell us that most couples don’t stay together from the day their child is born through the empty nest stage. If you and your partner have been married this whole time, you’ve already proved that your relationship is important to you. On a retreat, you’ll get the skills and tools you need to make it to the finish line both intact and happy.

On couples retreats, trained therapists can help you to explore your shared dreams, find new hobbies, and improve your intimacy.

Celebrating Achievements

If you’re like many empty nest parents, you’ve just come out of helping your child meet with the perfect college application consultant, get through finals, and land their first job. Odds are, your child’s high school or college experience moved so quickly you can’t believe you’re already here. The truth is, kids do grow up fast, and many parents make the mistake of forgetting to celebrate the milestones and achievements along the way because they are so busy playing a supportive role.

Do what you can to step back and look at how far your child has come with your and your partner’s help. You’ve done this together and have a lot to be proud of. It’s okay to celebrate those achievements together, even if it’s in the privacy of your own home.

Self-Care and Shared or Solo Hobbies

Many people understand the theory behind the importance of self-care but get busy and have trouble implementing regular healthy habits into their daily lives. As you become an empty nester, your responsibilities will change. For this reason, you might find yourself with free time. In fact, now might be a great time to pick up a healthy hobby you and your partner can enjoy together or alone. Exploring those passions now will give you a good idea of how you might spend retirement.

Like self-care, the importance of support during this life stage shouldn’t be underestimated. Consider double dates with other empty nesters. At the end of the day, as you and your spouse watch your child’s personal growth from afar, do what you can to remember that the empty nest period can be just as exciting. You and your spouse have worked hard to give your child their best start, be great mentors, and set great examples. Now, it’s your turn to make each other your top priorities as your child learns to navigate the world on their own. In working on making that adjustment now, setting healthy boundaries, and taking romantic time together, you’ll ensure a better future for you and your spouse.

Trends come and go, and the same is true in the furniture world. Many people get confused when they try shopping for furniture as they want pieces that will impress guests, but they also want functionality. The key is to purchase furniture you love and will make your household’s life easier.

Some think dresser mirror combinations for the bedroom are outdated, but the truth is they are not. This is a piece many people overlook without realizing how much it lends to the ease of getting dressed in the morning. The mirror is also a way to inject your charm and personality into the space.

Once you find the right dresser with a mirror, consider how to style it. You can really enhance the look of the room with the accessories and décor you keep on the dresser. If you already have a dresser and are just shopping for a mirror, remember size does matter.

With a tall dresser, a mirror would bring an unbalanced feel to the room. Adding a mirror will throw the entire appearance of the room off and may look overwhelming. However, a shorter, sider dresser or bureau will pair perfectly with a mirror.

If a mirror isn’t attached to the dresser you want, don’t fret. You can still select a mirror that blends well with your other bedroom furniture. If expenses are holding you back from getting the combo you want, visit 1StopBedroom for your dresser mirror. Check prices on the site and compare them to the competitors. You’ll see discounts of up to 75% that won’t be beaten elsewhere.

Another consideration to make when shopping for a dresser and matching mirror is the wall space around your dresser. Envision how it might look when you attach or take away a mirror. If you have art near the space, you don’t want to add too many more items as it will make it feel cluttered.

This is especially true in small bedrooms. You already have limited space, and a mirror will make the room feel bigger. But, if there are too many wall decorations, it will ruin the effect you’re going for.

As with adding any major design piece, you want to imagine how it will look before placing it in the room. Think about the pieces you currently have in the room and how they will mesh or clash with your new dresser mirror combo. Keep the look and feel cohesive by matching it to your bed frame, nightstands, and other furniture in the space.

A great way to do this is through color. Stay within the room’s color scheme, and it will be easier to find the right combo. If you have any trouble settling on a design or color, call one of the design consultants for assistance. They are available to every shopper at no extra fee and will answer any questions regarding the furniture and buying process.

So don’t hesitate, visit the site today and get the dresser mirror combo that fits your needs.

 

Health and wellness for men was once an obscure topic as many men didn’t want to talk about their health and wellness issues. However, as mental health and self-care have become greater topics of discussion, the awareness of the need for men to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally has also come to the surface. Here are a few areas of health and wellness that all men should be mindful of for themselves.

Physical Health

Too often, men ignore trouble signs and symptoms that there is something wrong with them physically. In a recent study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, 60% of men reported only going to the doctor if they were having a major medical issue. Over 50% of men reported that they don’t like talking about their health.

The top two causes of natural death in men are heart disease and cancer, both of which can be treated if caught early. By going to the doctor for an annual check-up and physical, men can reduce their health risks by identifying potential health problems early when they can be treated with changes to diet and activity or with medication.

Diet and physical activity are two significant factors in men’s health. Too often, men are not mindful about how they care for their bodies through diet and exercise, which leads to obesity, heart disease, some forms of cancer, diabetes, respiratory problems, and other preventable health complications. Seeking advice on healthy eating and fun ways to stay active can be significantly beneficial to overall health. Check out resources like the Quintessential Man website that’s filled with a vast array of articles covering men’s nutrition, exercise, and building self-esteem.

Mental Health

Talking about men’s mental health has been and to a degree still is even more taboo than talking about their physical health. Men are supposed to be naturally strong, secure, and confident. However, understanding mental health issues and the many factors that may lead to them allows people to understand that mental health is important for everyone regardless of gender or identity. When you are active on social media, you may see many people, who appear to be thriving in ways you only dream of, and that can be difficult for many. Working towards goals under the constant pressure to perform and be okay is also difficult for many.

Men need to learn effective methods of self-care. When you hear the term self-care, you may be thinking of women who take bubble baths and get massages, but it is far more than that. Self-care includes taking time to yourself and saying no to prevent feeling overworked and overwhelmed. Self-care means taking care of yourself physically, going to the doctor, eating well, staying active, and managing stress through counseling, meditation, activity, hobbies, or downtown. Everyone faces stresses in their life; the difference is how you learn to mitigate stress and continue moving forward. You can become a quintessential sunshine man by simply learning how to effectively manage your emotions.

Emotional Health

Mental and emotional health are interconnected, but there are ways men can care for themselves emotionally that some may view as different than mental self-care. For example, learning how to communicate within a relationship and protect yourself from unhealthy behaviors within a relationship is critical to your emotional well-being.

Emotional health issues can be worked out through counseling or a program like Codependents Anonymous (CODA) or Adult Children of Alcoholic and Dysfunctional Homes (ACA). These are peer-to-peer programs that allow individuals to take a hard look at why they act the way they do and address the core thoughts and beliefs that endanger their mental and emotional health.

For example, many men become people-pleasers in their intimate relationships without even realizing it, so they are forsaking their own wants and needs in an attempt to make their partner happy, but they lose themselves in the process. This behavior can be corrected, and emotional health can be improved when men are willing to take an honest look at the underlying thoughts and beliefs that lead them to act the way they do.

Physical, mental, and emotional health are all connected, and they each impact the others. It may seem overwhelming to try to improve all three at once, but the others will naturally improve when you start working in one area due to the interconnectedness.