Category Archives: Rest and Relaxation

Lake Management Tips

Leave a reply

If you have a lake or pond on your property, you may be wondering how to take care of it properly. Maybe you have noticed an unpleasant smell or excessive algae growth and wonder how to fix these problems. You need a lake management plan. Consider these tips as you develop your plan.

Determine the Purpose of the Lake or Pond

Lakes and ponds are created for a number of reasons. On ranches and farms, these bodies of water serve as irrigation resources. They are also used to water livestock. Your pond may be for visual appeal only. However, most of the more than 5 million private lakes and ponds in the US were built for recreational purposes. Your first step is to determine the purpose of your body of water. Do you hope to use it for fishing, attracting wildlife, watering crops or livestock, swimming, or simple aesthetics?

Learn About Lake Challenges

Your next step is to learn about the problems that plague lakes and ponds. For example, improper aeration results in dead fish, rotting organic matter, toxic water, unpleasant smells and excessive algae growth.

Test Your Water

Your next step is to test your water. You need to know what your oxygen, pH and nutrient levels are. You should also check the algae and bacteria species that are growing in your water. Your initial testing results will help you create your initial management plan, but you should continue regular testing and adjust your plan as necessary.

Create Your Plan

Now, it’s time to create the management plan for your lake. First, you may decide to properly aerate your water by installing a fountain. This fountain will need regular maintenance. You may also consider aquatic weed control and watershed management techniques that prevent runoff from contaminating your water. For example, native plants positioned three to five feet from your lake’s borders will prevent runoff from entering your water. If your water feature has unwanted fish, you may add removal to your plan. You may start checking for erosion and taking erosion control measures, such as living shorelines.

With a proper management plan, your lake will give you years of entertainment and relaxation.

Tips to Help Manage Stress

1 Reply

Everyone deals with stress, but it can be difficult to manage when it starts to accumulate. If you’ve noticed that stress is continuing to affect your mood and getting in the way of your everyday responsibilities and activities you enjoy, then you may want to take action to lower your stress levels. Here are some tips to try.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Let it All Out

Stress often forms because you simply have many thoughts or worries going on in your brain, causing you to feel overwhelmed. One of the best ways to relieve stress is by talking to a trusted friend or loved one about what’s going on in your life; they don’t need to give advice, just listen. Other effective ways to let go of stress are to write about your thoughts and feelings, try stress therapy San Jose CA or start exercising regularly to release the tension in your body.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of staying present and letting go of worries about the past or present. Examples of mindfulness activities include deep breathing, meditation and yoga. Although the greatest benefits of mindfulness can be seen after continued practice, deep breathing and meditation can be used any time you’re feeling stressed. By focusing on your breathing and emptying your mind, you ground yourself and prevent your mind from getting lost in a spiral of worries.

Take Time for Things You Enjoy

Stress can make you feel like you don’t have any time to spare for leisure activities, but it’s important to make time in your busy schedule for your favorite hobbies simply because they make you feel good. Examples include anything from playing a sport to watching television to just spending time with friends and family. Carving out even a small amount of time for hobbies can be a reprieve from daily stressors.

Don’t let your worries get in the way of your life. By finding outlets to manage your thoughts and feelings and relieve tension, you can take control of your stress.

Simple Ideas To Help a New Mom

Leave a reply

Bringing home a baby for the first time is always stressful for new parents. It’s normal to want to help moms as they adjust to their new role, but it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few simple ideas to best help the new mom in your life. 

Hire a Maid Service

Consider paying for a maid service to clean her home for a set number of weeks or months. Maid services Atascocita TX can help relieve a lot of chore-related stress and give the mom plenty of time to bond with her baby without worrying about taking care of the house. 

Offer To Hold the Baby

A new mom might not feel comfortable leaving her baby yet but would love a break to shower or nap while someone else holds the baby nearby. Offer to hold the baby for an hour while she does whatever she wants, even if it’s simply to sit and talk while her arms get a break.

Bring Snacks

Everyone knows to bring a meal to a new mom, but fewer think of providing her with snacks. New moms are always hungry, especially if they’re breastfeeding. They also might not have time to sit and eat a full meal. Providing them with snacks helps them be able to eat throughout the day, which is important for keeping their energy levels high. 

Tell Her She’s Doing a Good Job

The beginning stages of parenthood are demanding and exhausting and can cause even the most prepared moms to question their abilities. Verbal acknowledgment of the good but hard work they are doing can turn their day around. Send a quick text, drop off a note or show up at her door with cookies and compliments. 

Ultimately, the most important thing you can do for a new mom is to show up. Having support from a good friend can be the missing piece to a smooth transition to motherhood. 

4 Ways to Boost Your Emotional Health

Leave a reply

During times of intense change, it can be more challenging than ever to take good care of your emotional health. If you’re needing to adjust your daily rhythms or personal/social environment, mood-boosting activities and connections can seem hard to come by. No matter what the time or situation, attending to your mental and emotional health isn’t an extra — it’s essential. It’s also crucial to remember to cut yourself some slack during stressful times; you’re likely doing the best you can. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself. 

Photo by tabitha turner on Unsplash

1. Connect

Explore and find ways to connect with others in real life, at a proximity that makes sense for your current situation. Get creative! Even hearing a real voice on the phone is comforting, and getting on video conferencing in a casual, non-performative way can be supportive as well. While it’s fine to have some solitude, don’t isolate. Need extra support? Seek out assistance from a clinician like a board certified psychiatrist St. Charles IL for guidance. 

2. Exercise 

To help reduce stress, include exercise as a component of your healthy lifestyle. Check out free at-home workouts, incorporate functional movement into your daily routine, and get outside in fresh air as much as possible. No equipment or membership is required!

3. Take a Break 

While watching the news is edifying, it can also be draining, affecting your mental and physical health. Stay informed and contribute to society, but be mindful of the media you consume. 

4. Relax

Remind yourself that circumstances and feelings ebb and flow. Take deep breaths, and focus on activities that you truly enjoy. You can improve your overall satisfaction with life by exploring a hobby, and benefit your physical and emotional well-being in the process.

Most of all, don’t strive for perfection. Instead, try these simple suggestions to boost your emotional health.