10 Home Remedies for Cold, Flu, and Nasal Congestion

Life insurance forms a critical aspect of all financial decisions one makes in their life. Getting life insurance gives one’s family financial security during any untoward event. It ensures that the family’s financial obligations are met, and this can include expenses like daily living costs, education loans, mortgage payments, and various other expenses. One should always buy life insurance after deliberating for some time. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when buying life insurance.

Underestimating the coverage amount
This is a very common mistake that one can easily avoid when buying life insurance. It is crucial that one takes into account all the financial needs of the family and figure out the amount of coverage needed. Do not underestimate their needs, as the family will require all the financial support they can get during a difficult time. One must consider all factors like any running debt, long term financial goals, income replacement and any other future expenses that can occur. One can also consult with a financial advisor to understand their needs and get an estimate on what an appropriate coverage amount should be.

Not considering unique needs
There are coverage packages available with life insurance companies, but one must understand that their needs may be unique, and the existing coverage details may not work well. Consider factors like age, marital status, financials, any dependents, income, and other factors that make your situation unique to you. Once you have assessed your situation and any future changes that can affect it, like having kids or career growth, only then consider the different coverage options available.

Ignoring term length
There are specific periods for which life insurance is offered; it can range from anywhere between 10 to 30 years. It may seem daunting to get coverage for 30 years, but it may just be what your family needs. However, choosing an excessively long term coverage could also result in some high premiums. So, one has to maintain a balance in catering to their own and their family’s needs.

Failing to compare quotes and policies
One should avoid simply choosing the first convenient option they get. Checking and comparing multiple quotes and policies from insurance companies is absolutely essential. If one fails to do their research, they may end up paying a high premium for coverage and they could miss out on some features as well. Once you have got a quote from the various insurance companies, you should also assess their financial stability. Also take a detailed look at their policy features, benefits, what are the exclusions and riders. Ask as many questions as necessary so that you fully understand the policy and take all the benefits from it.

Not disclosing relevant information
This is another common mistake that people make, thinking it is harmless. But making a full and honest disclosure at the time of buying a policy will help you get one that addresses your unique needs and can help your family. Withholding information about your lifestyle, occupation, and health may get you a low premium on coverage, but it may not be helpful in the long run. Additionally, if your information is not relevant or inaccurate, it can result in policy cancellation and the claims can also be denied, leaving your family stranded financially. If you have any pre-existing conditions, disclose it immediately, any lifestyle habits that put you at risk – disclose it immediately. If you have any occupational hazards, disclose it when filling the form.

Overlooking policy riders and add-ons
There are additional benefits and add-ons to the coverage policy. Some of the common riders can include things like disability income, death benefit, waiver of premium, or even critical illness. It’s a missed opportunity if one does not explore these additional features that may be applicable to them and can even be beneficial. If one has a specific circumstance and needs help with some additional benefits, they can contact the sales person and let them know about any additional needs. If the provider has any specific add-on for these needs, they will inform you.

Not reviewing and updating the policy
It is possible that at the time of purchase, one did not consider any life-changing factors. It is important that one reviews their policy again after a couple of years. It can be after a marriage, maybe a divorce, once you have kids, or if there is a significant increase in your income or other factors that could impact the policy. Reviewing your policy every couple of years is important so you can include these changes into your features. If you need to change the coverage amount of requirements, you can speak to the sales executive and let them know about the changes needed. They can then make the necessary adjustments to the existing policy.

Popular life insurance companies
There are many options available when it comes to life insurance companies. One can explore some popular names listed below and compare quotes and features.

Guardian Life has a diverse range of life products. They also have life insurance policies for those managing HIV. MassMutual is another popular option and some of the policies even earn a cash value at a set interest rate of 3.7 percent. They offer term policy, permanent policy, and a no-exam policy.

Northwestern Mutual sells whole life insurance with a flexible coverage, which starts at $50,000. New York Life is known to offer a variety of riders and helps in tailoring the payments as per the customers’ needs. State Farm is another company to check out; it has the option of paying off your coverage in one go rather than installments.

Transforming your backyard can be an exciting project. You could create a hangout spot, install sculptures, or even add a garden. However, adding plants to a backyard can require considerable time and effort. If you are taking up gardening for the first time, you do not want to miss key steps that affect the look of the space. So, to help you get started, here are a few gardening mistakes and how to avoid them:

Planting excessively
You may spend immense amounts of time scrolling through seed catalogs and looking forward to fresh vegetables and sometimes can end up planting too much. A big garden may require a lot of effort and can become overwhelming. So, if you have just taken up gardening, start small. First, shortlist your five favorite vegetables and herbs, and grow them. As you have some success with these plants, introduce new seeds to the space to gradually expand the garden space.

Planting too early
Seeds require an optimum temperature to sprout and grow. If some seeds thrive in warmer temperatures, the yield may freeze and die if you try to grow them in spring. The seed may also rot without sprouting. So, you must check what climates are suitable for each type before spreading them across the garden. One of the best ways to avoid planting earlier than required is to buy a good soil thermometer and note the usual first and last frost dates in your area to avoid this period for starting a garden.

Overlooking the soil type
Another mistake to avoid is planting seeds without checking whether the soil is loamy. If your backyard does not have loamy soil—rich in silt, clay, sand, and organic matter—the seeds will get sufficient nourishment, and the saplings may grow weak and perish quickly. So, before you start a garden, ensure you amend the soil to make it ideal for plant growth. For instance, clay-heavy soil may need additional sand and organic matter to reduce compaction. A sandy composition may require well-rotted manure or compost to improve moisture retention and nutrients.

Adding too much nitrogen
Plants require nitrogen to produce chlorophyll. However, avoid adding too much of this gas to the soil, as it may make the yield leggy and leafy. The additional foliage may affect the roots and prevent them from growing and spreading at a normal rate. This may lead to the plants producing little or no fruit and becoming susceptible to damage from insects and diseases. Further, the introduction of excess nitrogen may trigger a spike in mineral salts, which could make the plants look sunburned. So, if you have just started tilling the soil for your garden, ensure that you add nitrogen based on the plant’s requirements. You can speak to an expert or contact a nursery about how much nitrogen to introduce to the soil for a particular variety of seeds.

Underwatering the soil
Planting seeds and fertilizing the soil are the first steps in building a garden. You also need to water the patch regularly to ensure the seeds sprout and grow well. Failing to water the garden, especially in hotter temperatures, can lead to the plants not getting enough nourishment. One way to check whether the garden needs to be watered is the finger test. If the garden is loamy, stick your finger 2 inches into the soil; if it feels moist, it does not need to be watered. For sandy soil, follow the same princess but go two inches lower. With clay, if the fingers cannot easily move 2 inches into the soil, it may require water.

Overwatering the soil
Adding too much water to the soil can also affect the growth of plants. The excess water could end up waterlogging the roots, which may prevent them from getting sufficient oxygen. If you see plants starting to wilt, it could be a sign of overwatering. Further, many plant types may wilt in the daytime and revive when the temperature gets cooler in the evening; here, you do not need to water them. One of the best ways to avoid overwatering and improve root growth is by watering deeply but less often.

Choosing the wrong type of plants
While certain types of plants may look good or bear fruits that you enjoy, they may not thrive in your region. So, before you choose seeds for your garden, you should consider a few factors:

– Check the hardiness zones so that you can plant seeds that thrive in your area.
– Plants that require lots of moisture may not grow well in areas prone to droughts. Further, plants that do not require lots of water may not thrive in a region where it rains regularly.
– Seeds that have a long maturation date may not grow and produce well where the shorter gardening seasons.

Not hiring a professional
Another error you could make is not hiring a professional to help you with your gardening needs. As it is your first time trying to create a garden, seeking the advice of an expert or hiring one to do the job could help you learn about the process. Further, it is essential to look for reliable gardening contractors in your area, as they would be well-versed in aspects like soil requirements, climate, and types of plants that could grow in that region. Top providers, like TruGreen, earlier known as ChemLawn, offer services in most states, so you can find a professional near you. The company offers services such as root zone fertilization, insect and mite control, and disease control. TruGreen also provides handy services, like fertilization and weed control, through its lawn care packages. The company also has expertise in mosquito control and prevention to help you enjoy spending time in your backyard in the summer. You can explore everything there is to know about the brand and look for quotes on its official website.

Eczema is a skin disease marked by flaky, red, itchy patches that can be quite uncomfortable and may bleed. People with eczema or other skin diseases should be cautious when using cleansers, such as soaps and body wash. The condition can worsen with use of harsh soaps and detergents, since they will further aggravate the flare-up. To keep the symptoms under control, you can use a mild, skin-friendly soap and avoid chemical irritants.

Tips for finding the right soap if you have eczema
While it’s important to use soaps that won’t irritate the skin or aggravate eczema, finding the most suitable one for your skin might be challenging. Here are the six most important tips for finding the right soap when dealing with eczema or other skin diseases:

Avoid fragrances and other harsh chemicals
Usually, people with eczema may find that their skin responds best to mild skincare items devoid of preservatives and perfumes. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology suggests using soap-free cleansers. The substance that causes soap to froth, sodium lauryl sulfate, is likely absent from several of these cleansers. Many soaps’ detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, rob the skin of its natural oils, causing tightness and itchiness. People with eczema or skin diseases should carefully read the labels on soaps and cleansers to avoid such chemicals.

Ingredients to avoid
Here are a few ingredients that should be avoided in your soap if you have eczema or other skin diseases:

Allergens
You should seek out items devoid of artificial fragrances because these can be allergens.

Alkaline
While many soaps have balanced pH levels or levels of acidity, you should still look for alkaline soaps because acidic alternatives might weaken the skin’s protective barrier and raise pH levels.

Deodorant
Since deodorant soaps typically contain skin-irritating components, you should avoid using them.

Dye
You should avoid soaps containing artificial or added colors since they may cause allergies.

Harsh soaps
Salicylic acid, propylene glycol, and formaldehyde are a few chemicals that may aggravate symptoms of eczema or related skin diseases.

Products that have received endorsements from associations like the NEA may be more suited for people with eczema or other skin diseases.

Glycerin
Glycerin is an element that works as a humectant, a chemical that retains moisture, to counteract the drying effects of soap. Most soaps and lotions contain humectants. Your skin actively absorbs moisture thanks to glycerin. You may have observed that natural soap appears to “sweat”; this is because glycerin, which is present in high concentrations in soaps, absorbs moisture from the air. The skin gets moisturized in the same way. Even though many naturally manufactured soaps contain glycerin, it’s important to remember that natural soaps are only a smart choice if they aren’t highly fragranced, to fight skin diseases.

Syndet
Human skin typically has a pH between 4 and 6, whereas soap typically has a pH between 9 and 10. Due to this difference, traditional soap may cause the skin’s pH to rise to a level that aggravates eczema or other skin disease symptoms. It is advised to use solid washing bars containing synthetic detergent, or syndet for short, to prevent the aggravation. Non-soap detergents are the main component of syndet bars. Syndets feature a neutral or slightly acidic pH, making them less abrasive to the skin than regular soaps. Due to their mildness and moisturizing qualities, syndet bars are suitable for cleansing dry, eczema-prone skin. Syndet lessens the severity of eczema lesions, preserves hydration, and enhances the general state of the skin. This experiment investigated the advantages of gentle washing with syndet for people with eczema.

Avoid sodium lauryl sulfate
Sulfates, like syndet, are surfactants that draw water and oil. They are often used as foaming agents in soaps, shampoos, and detergents. One specific type of sulfate is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Sulfates are effective in cleaning; however, they can also deplete the skin of its natural oils. This causes dry skin, irritation, and allergic responses. Therefore, choosing sulfate-free soaps (or SLS-free soaps) for skin prone to skin diseases may be a smart option.

Consult a doctor
Choosing the right type of soap for your skin might be challenging, with the long lists of restricted elements, contradictory recommendations, and false advertisements. Since every person’s skin is unique, it will react differently to various soaps. As a result, what treats eczema for one person may not work well for another.

Additionally, eczema or skin diseases might alleviate or aggravate with time, making some products less useful in the long run. For advice on cleansers, you must speak to a dermatologist. You can choose the best products after considering various factors like your skin type and the type and level of eczema symptoms, etc. If you have a strong allergic reaction to a substance or if your eczema exhibits infection-related symptoms like pus production, you should seek immediate assistance from a dermatologist. 

Best natural soaps for eczema
The following are some of the best soaps with natural ingredients for alleviating eczema:

Shea butter soap
This soap contains, in addition to shea butter, plant oils like coconut and olive oil and essential oils like lavender and tea tree oil. Shea butter is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, helping moisturize dry, itchy skin brought on by eczema flare-ups.

Aloe vera soap
Aloe vera, which contains anti-inflammatory and therapeutic characteristics, works wonders to moisturize dry skin and lessen the redness brought on by eczema flare-ups.

Oatmeal soap
Oatmeal soap can help exfoliate the skin and reduce eczema-related itchiness and burning. Being a natural cleaner, oatmeal helps remove dirt, bacteria, and other pollutants from the skin, alleviating eczema symptoms.

Goat milk soap
As a mix of lactic acid, natural lipids, proteins, vitamins A and D, and minerals, goat milk soap helps soothe sensitive skin irritated with rashes. Its moisturizing qualities aid in hydrating your skin and lessen the scaliness that frequently accompanies dermatitis.

Pure coconut oil soap
People with eczema may find this soap helpful. Because pure oil contains a lot of hydrating lauric acid, it is a great option for people with extremely dry skin. Additionally, it possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that could lessen flare-ups.

Summing up
In conclusion, choosing the right soap for eczema can be a challenge. It’s important to understand the ingredients, types of soap, and potential eczema triggers. You must speak to your dermatologist to find the right products for your skin type that can help reduce irritation. With accurate products and a proper skincare routine, you can find relief and hopefully manage your eczema symptoms.

After a season of cold, wet winters, you can look forward to spring and, along with it, a much-needed spring cleaning. Would you like to simplify the process with easy hacks to make your home look cleaner? Here is what you can do and avoid to make your home look clean, shiny, and brand new. From the attic to the yard, a few quick changes and fixes can make all the difference. 

Home improvement tips
Choose maintenance over repairs
When you own a home, you have a lot more responsibility to keep its systems up and running. In most cases, maintenance costs are much lower than repair expenses. Create and manage a maintenance schedule for cleaning, roofing, landscaping, HVAC, and plumbing. Instead of reaching out to a foundation repair expert when the wall cracks become a structural foundation issue, keep your home in great condition all the time. 

Try DIY projects
DIY home improvement projects can transform your living space. If you think tiny home improvement tasks require you to hire one expert after another, you might want to reconsider. You can find several online resources on converting one type of furniture into another (a dresser into a kitchen counter, for instance) or updating the look of cabinets or fans. Such DIYs help you reduce the cost of home improvements, and you can also make a day of it and involve your family to transform the space.

Upgrade to energy-efficient home systems
If you are looking to improve your home, start by creating a space that is energy- and cost-efficient. Energy-saving appliances may cost a little extra initially, but they will reduce electricity costs in the long run. Many brands offer a wide range of energy-saving devices that utilize energy and use renewable energy sources to power home systems, like lighting and kitchen appliances. Such devices are also easier to maintain in the long run, preventing the need for repairs in the future. 

Fix gutters
Rain gutters are crucial for keeping the foundation free from excess water that can weaken the structure. Dirty, clogged gutters make it more likely for water to seep into the foundation and affect the landscaping around the house, making it crucial then to contact foundation repair experts like AFS or Olshan. So, you should invest in a leaf filter or gutter guard to keep gutters clog-free. GutterBrush offers guards that filter debris and twigs to let the water flow with ease. 

Focus on landscaping
If you have a garden and a plethora of trees, shrubs, and herbs, you should try to keep the space healthy and clean. When the roots of trees are too close to the foundation, they can cause issues in the home’s footing. Keep large plants away from boundaries and schedule regular landscaping to ensure your garden remains tidy, lush, and vibrant. 

Maintain emergency funds
Home improvements will cost money, so do not skimp on the fixes and upgrade. Your home improvement costs might be dipping into cash that you saved for something else. To avoid your home improvement costs being covered by the money you saved for something else, maintain an emergency fund for repairs. You do not need to splurge a lot on improvements, but when sudden repairs or new appliances are required, ensure that you do not break the bank to make it happen.

Mistakes that result in messy homes
No junk drawer
At the end of every day, there are just a few miscellaneous items that you need to put somewhere. So, if you do not have a communal junk drawer, these items end up in open spaces. A great home improvement and cleanup tip is to find a spot for hiding your knick-knacks until you find the right place for them or the time to put them in their places. Even if you put things back, remember not to stuff them tightly. Leave a little room so that your home does not become messy. 

Open storage spaces
While open shelves displaying books and collectibles look great, it could be a reason your home looks messier than it is. Overcrowding is easier in open spaces because there is no limit. Try to edit your collection occasionally or use built-in shelves for a neater look. You can also invest in baskets or boxes for a uniform look and an organized home. 

Not putting dishes away
Even if your kitchen is clean and neatly organized, it can look messy if you do not put away dishes fast enough. The mere presence of dirty dishes can make the entire kitchen seem untidy. It is best to make a habit of going to bed after the dishes are cleared. You only need to put them in the dishwasher before bed and wait till the morning to put them away. That way, your counter is clean, and your kitchen will look neater.

Too much stuff
One problem with home decor is that you can end up putting too much on the counters. A few appliances, some decorative pieces, or a couple of DIY artworks would add character to your space, but too much of it can make surfaces seem cluttered. Stick to the gadgets you use most often and place minimal decorative items so you do not have too much going on. 

Excessive use of pictures
You can design your Louvre at home, but make sure your pieces are artistically chosen. Artwork on walls gives an opulent feeling. While a family picture can vitalize your living space, a set of images in every room can be too much. Instead, have a group of pictures or artwork arranged in one spot to create a curated and visually pleasing look. 

Wrong color combinations
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but using more than two colors or sets of shades in a room can overcomplicate things. Have a color scheme for each room, and do not rely solely on contrast. Have curtains and pillow covers in a similar hue, and ensure your decor matches the theme to avoid making the space seem cluttered.

Schizophrenia is a disorder in which one can experience changes in their behavior, feelings, and thoughts. The most common form of this condition is paranoid schizophrenia, where one has an altered perception of reality. Additionally, it is a chronic disorder with episodes followed by remission. Fortunately, one can find treatments and self-help strategies to manage the condition. But first, one has to recognize early signs of the condition and seek a prompt diagnosis.

Disorganized speech and thoughts
Some people with schizophrenia may experience issues in communication and concentration. This means when asked a question, one may give a completely unrelated answer. One may also form a sequence of random words that do not make sense. Additionally, schizophrenia can lead to thought disorders in which a thought can be suddenly disrupted, making one remain silent before new thoughts form. People with the condition may have episodes where they keep repeating certain words and sentences. Further, issues with associative thinking can be one of the earliest and most subtle signs of schizophrenia. Here, one can move from one thought to another without getting to the point and experience extremely disjointed thoughts. Although in such circumstances, the thoughts may seem random or disconnected, they are usually connected to each other tangentially or superficially.

Lack of motivation
One of the subtle signs that may indicate schizophrenia include a lack of motivation, also known as avolition. Here, one may observe unwillingness to complete certain tasks. While this can seem harmless, as a result of this symptom, one may find it difficult to take care of their own health or keep a job. For instance, not showing up for scheduled appointments and meetings, ignoring incoming calls and messages, and not dealing with day-to-day family responsibilities can be some of the signs. For such cases, healthcare professionals suggest a combination of treatments, including cognitive and behavioral therapy.

Disorganized behavior
Schizophrenia can disrupt goal-directed activities, making one develop an impaired ability to interact with other people and take care of oneself. Some changes that may indicate disorganized behavior are a lack of impulse and inhibition control, unpredictable emotional responses, and poor daily functioning. The disorder interferes with independent functioning, making one experience difficulty beginning a particular task, even simple ones such as cooking a meal. Further, the condition can make someone’s behavior seem bizarre or lacking purpose. This is one of the early signs that can develop when one is anywhere between 15 to 25 years of age. So, if one notices the development of this symptom, they must consult a doctor.

Lack of emotional expression
Another sign of schizophrenia is a lack of emotional expression, also called a “flat affect”. This is usually characterized by unchanging facial expressions irrespective of the circumstances. So, others may see little to no change in the voice, tone, or pitch while a person with the disorder is speaking. For example, when one feels happy, they may not show joy or even crack a smile. This may make it difficult for them to communicate with others, as the interaction could cause confusion and wrong assumption. One of the best ways to manage the issue is to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy. Here, the therapist can help one develop appropriate reactions to different situations. Additionally, therapy can help one understand ways to express feelings, ask questions, and control their body reactions, like facial expressions and tone of voice.

Extreme suspicion
When dealing with schizophrenia, one can become incredibly suspicious of other people and their motives, often leading to delusions and hallucinations. Some may stay up at night trying to protect themselves from supposed danger, whereas others may have delusions of grandeur, like believing they have certain superpowers. In most cases, this can stir trouble in personal relationships, and when pushed over the edge, one may become upset or violent. So, such behavioral changes in a person with the disorder may lead to a lack of support, which can worsen the condition.

Mood swings
Schizophrenia can lead to mood swings, where feelings of happiness can suddenly turn into sadness. Sometimes, drastic mood changes can involve feeling overwhelmed. Further, one may experience manic episodes that can be characterized by an increase in energy levels and a reduced need for sleep for several days at a time. The moodiness can seem completely out of character or unusual to others.

Social withdrawal
When dealing with depression or anxiety, one can show signs of social withdrawal. This is also a common symptom of schizophrenia. For some, the unwillingness to participate in social activities can be caused by a sense of fear or confusion. For others, a loss of interest in socialization can lead to withdrawal. Typically, this sudden loss of interest can lead to an increased sense of isolation, lack of social and emotional support, and decreased interaction and participation in all kinds of daily activities. In turn, this can make one more prone to depression or anxiety, paving the way for prolonged social withdrawal. Here, one can try to adopt management strategies like getting enough rest and finding adequate emotional support to avoid isolating for long periods. These may seem like tiny steps, but they can significantly help people with the disorder avoid distancing themselves. 

In addition to the above-mentioned subtle signs that may indicate schizophrenia, one can keep an eye out for other symptoms such as oversleeping, making irrational statements or arguments, and an extreme reaction to criticism. If one notices any of these signs, they must consult a healthcare professional at the earliest. Doctors can examine the symptoms, assess changes in thoughts and behavior, and provide a diagnosis. Based on the severity of symptoms and individual preferences, doctors can come up with a treatment plan that helps one manage the condition.