The Canadian wildfires that blanketed New York City in smoke last month serve as a reminder that even if you live outside wildfire-prone areas, air quality and your health can be affected. Here are nine tips to protect yourself during future wildfires and improve indoor air quality. 1. Air quality report card. Get a sense of the overall health of the air by reading "State of the Air," the American Lung Association's annual national air quality ( https://www.lung.org/research/sota ) "report card." It grades cities and counties based on their scores for ozone, year-round particle pollution, and

The Inflation Reduction Act will offer financial incentives to make home upgrades to reduce your carbon footprint and help you make your home healthier and more comfortable, and reduce your energy bills. Here are three resources to get you up to speed on the topic. 7 Simple Steps to Decarbonize Your Home Learn what decarbonization means and the steps you can take to improve your home’s comfort and performance. Electrify Everything in Your Home – This handbook makes a case for making changes at home. It covers the how-to and potential costs of replacing fossil-fueled appliances with electric

The pandemic has caused everyone to cast a critical eye on how well their home functions and looks. Recent research by Houzz illustrates trending designs and how people may be investing their home upgrade dollars. It compared searches on Houzz from April to June of 2021 to the same period last year and found a dramatic uptick in several categories. It’s not surprising that many who were locked down last year and might be anticipating another winter with lots of at-home time want space dedicated to their interests. Searches for art studios rose by 875%, as did home bars and wine cellars, up 277

Yes, buyer's remorse is real. So says a Bankrate survey that reveals the common regrets of recent homebuyers. Though Millennials have the most regrets–64% of those ages 25-40–about a purchase's physical and financial aspects, 33% of baby boomers (ages 57-75) have disappointments too. The extreme pressure of the fast-moving market is likely a contributor, given that buyers often are fighting to win bidding wars and have little time to contemplate their purchases. Among the top disappointments are high maintenance and other costs, too-high monthly mortgage costs, not getting the best mortgage

Whether you want a sparkly house to celebrate the arrival of spring or you’re getting your home ready for sale, look to Apartment Therapy. Its free Spring Cleaning Cure ( https://bit.ly/3qCkCQa ) is designed to help you tackle your deep cleaning to-do list one project at a time over 20 days. Starting on March 15, you’ll get a daily cleaning assignment emailed to you after signing up. Apartment Therapy is expert at breaking down big, intimidating projects into small daily tasks that add up to a big payoff in the end. You may have done its January 30-day challenge—the purging and organizing

Right now, when social distancing makes a good hug hard to come by, try these other natural ways to boost your spirits! 1. Take a walk outside A simple walk can provide a pleasant change of scenery while also stretching your muscles and improving your circulation. Brisk walking can make you feel better by releasing endorphins (the feel-good hormone) and boosting energy. Walking in nature or other “green” spaces and basking in natural light has been proven to promote a calming, meditative mental state, improving mood. Plus, studies show that exercise can alleviate long-term depression. Active

Most people know that gardening is an excellent way to obtain tasty, organic fruits and vegetables for your table to boost your health. However, the benefits of gardening go far beyond the nutritional value of home-grown produce. Researchers have determined that older adults who garden enjoy fitness, flexibility, physical strength, and cognitive ability, regardless of what they grow. So, you don’t have to raise edibles to enjoy many of the remarkable benefits of gardening. If you prefer flowers, grow flowers! Good for the Body Gardening helps reduce sedentary lifestyles, enhances overall

Scientists know that physical activity can boost brain health, even if the source of exercise’s health benefits have been difficult to trace. Researchers have now identified an exercise-induced blood protein that can play a significant role in rejuvenating brains and combatting cognitive decline. The substance, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (phospholipase D1)—or GPLD1 for short—is a protein produced primarily in the liver and distributed via plasma in the blood. While it already exists in humans, exercise makes more of it. Scientists have confirmed the results, but aren’t sure how GPLD1 works

Life can be challenging, but looking for the good rather than focusing on the negative can make each day feel more rewarding. Plus, keeping a little altitude on your attitude provides physical benefits as well as psychological ones. If your mood needs a boost, try these strategies. 1. Exercise Researchers have found mounting evidence that physical activity provides extensive mental health benefits , including enhanced self-esteem and anxiety and depression reductions. The mood-elevating chemicals released in the brain while exercising continue to improve attitude and outlook long after

The coronavirus age has forced many families to rely on video chatting as a substitute for in-person visits. But if Mom or Dad aren’t savvy to today’s technology, how can you include them in video calls? Sadly, the pandemic has pushed many seniors into profound isolation, making it more essential than ever to support loved ones and find new ways to stay in touch. For older seniors lacking technical support, feature-rich Apple and Android tablets are often too confusing. If your loved one needs a simplified solution, here are three tablets to consider with senior-friendly video conferencing