Why TV Is Surprisingly Good for You

Many people in the world think that television is something that you should avoid. They say that it
rots your brain, makes you lazy and there’s even the stereotype that if you watch too much television,
you turn a into bit of a couch potato that doesn’t do much except laze around at home. Of course,
those stereotypes are a bit exaggerated, but is there any truth to the idea that watching too much
television is considered bad for you?

There are, of course, always going to be a few concerns. Too much of anything is going to be bad for
you, but you’d be surprised at how much you could actually benefit from watching more TV on a
regular basis. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at a few reasons why TV is actually surprisingly good
for you.

Source: Pexels

1. It helps to reduce your stress

TV is one of the best forms of entertainment for releasing stress. According to studies, media
consumption can actually help to lower your cortisol levels under certain conditions. Cortisol is
essentially our “fight-or-flight” hormone, meaning that it raises our stress and controls parts of the
brain that deal with our mood, motivation or fear. It’s essentially a stress hormone, and watching
TV actually helps to reduce it. While many other passive activities can help to reduce our stress,
TV is particularly good because of the types of entertainment we can get from it. From learning with
a documentary to just having a good laugh with a comedy show, TV has a variety of different ways
to help us reduce stress.

2. It’s inexpensive entertainment

TV is surprisingly inexpensive nowadays thanks to things like on-demand video services. Whether
it’s Amazon or Netflix, there are plenty of cheap ways to extend the number of programs available
and you get an almost unlimited choice. Get yourself something like a small smart TV device and
you can even extend your TV’s functionality to include YouTube and other web services. Even better,
if you look at services like NordVPN free, you can even remove the region block on things like Netflix
so you can watch all the of the shows it has to offer, including ones that are only available in different
regions! That’s plenty of cheap entertainment and is far less expensive than heading out for a movie
or something similar.

3. It helps educate you

Be it the news, documentaries or educational programmes, there are plenty of ways to learn and be
inspired when it comes to TV. It’s a surprisingly effective learning tool because we can watch and
listen to TV generally anywhere. We can record shows with the right equipment and even dramas and
films can help you teach you new things, uncover new passions or even inspire you to do something.
It’s a surprisingly underrated benefit that few people seem to understand, but it’s certainly an effect we
feel whenever we watch a show that is interesting to us and shakes up our brain a little.

Avoid These Five Mistakes When Buying Or Selling a Home

Buying or selling a house isn't like any regular transaction. After all, the item being exchanged between two parties is a massive property worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The slightest errors could prove costly. When this much is on the line, you want to make sure every decision is calculated and every possibility is considered. Here are five common mistakes made by home buyers and sellers:

Mispricing the Property

Over- or under-pricing your property is a common mistake that could net heavy losses and prevent your property from ever being sold, according to Rusty Tweed, noted financial specialist and economist. Though you might be adding sentimental value onto your property's asking price, keep in mind that it has to stay objective and within a reasonable level. It's essential to know your market beforehand and get familiar with the comps of identical properties currently on the market and those that have recently sold. This will help you narrow down a good price tag for your property.

Skipping Brokers

Not hiring a broker to sell your property is risky. Simply put, you need the years of experience and in-depth market expertise that a professional property salesman brings to the table. In fact, there is statistical data backing this up - home sellers who try to manage the sale of their property on their own end up taking too long to sell the property and/or getting far less than homeowners who choose to work with a broker. While the average six percent in commission fees you pay to your broker does seem like a huge amount of money, it's dwarfed when compared with the potential value you get from working with an agent.

Working With the Wrong Agent

The realtor market is brimming with agents who are dying to sell your house or find the right property that best fits your individual circumstances. It's a big mistake not working with a broker, but it's an even bigger mistake working with the wrong one. Partner with a realtor who knows what they're doing and who knows the market like the back of their hand. Ask people you trust, such as family and friends, for references on a good agent that they worked with in the past to sell or buy their home. This is a good way to find suitable candidates without spending that much effort or money into the search and vetting process.

Neglecting Damages

Your property's structural integrity has a significant impact on its asking price. Weak foundation and deteriorating interiors not only devalue your property, but you can also be held legally responsible for any damages to surrounding properties or injuries to guests. The fines for such cases can reach thousands of dollars. From the buyer's perspective, it's a common mistake to not check every level and corner of the property. They get easily pulled into price and curb appeal, without paying attention to the underlying structure condition. As advised by Rusty Tweed, always do a thorough inspection before buying or selling a big-ticket item, such as a house.

Ignoring Financial Programs

Home buyers fall into the trap of making a down payment for their home early on. This sounds like a prudent approach to home ownership, yet you should be aware that there are other government-subsidized programs that allow you to finance a home with minimal down payment, if not zero. According to Rusty Tweed, VA loans are a very popular alternative to financing a home.

Final Thoughts

Buying or selling a home is no minor responsibility or feat. It takes a clear understanding of what to do and what not to do. For the latter, start with the five common mistakes listed above.

Author Bio: Adrian Rubin is a graphic designer and freelance writer who recently closed on his second home.

8th Annual Plaza 10K Sunday, September 6, 2020?

The 10th annual Plaza 10K is coming up Sunday, September 6, 2020 (?). You can find all the information about it here and register for it as well.

The Plaza 10K starts at 7:30 am and is followed by the kids fun run at approximately 9:30 am. Food and beverages will be available in the post-race area beginning at 8 am.

Information about the Plaza 10K from KC Running Company:

Don't pay more to run, register today and beat the upcoming price increase for the Plaza 10k. The price to register increases Sunday evening at midnight!

The Plaza 10k is a flat and fast course that runs along the banks of Brush Creek and goes through the heart of the Country Club Plaza! The Plaza 10K benefits Saint Luke's Homecare & Hospice. Enjoy live music, great food, a high quality technical shirt and a great finisher's medal after you set a new PR at the Plaza 10K! Participants in the Plaza 10K will enjoy a variety of great food and beverage options provided by Kansas City area restaurants, together with live music, in the post event area just north of Brush Creek at Central Street and Ward Parkway.

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

Rock the Stockyards 5K August 18, 2018

Saturday, August 18, 2018 is the Rock the Stockyards 5K here in Kansas City! Start time is 7:30 p.m. and the price is $36 race fee + $3.75 signup fee. Price increases to $40 after August 16 at 11:59 p.m.

New start location!

West Bottoms - Intersection of American Royal Dr. & Wyoming Street

Just north of the new Hy-Vee Arena (Formerly Kemper Arena)

KC Running Company is awesome about sending out information about local runs and walks, and I love passing it on. I hope to get back into some walks, and I have a huge goal to start jogging this month! Just a little at a time until I can work my way up to a 5K.

Check the Rock the Stockyards website for more information!

That's right save $4 now with code: RTS4OFF

Hurry! Code is only valid through August 5th

Rock the Stockyards 5K is the hottest 5K in Kansas City! This evening race, hosted by Stockyards Brewing Company on Saturday, August 18th, 7:30 pm, will take you and a thousand or more of your sweaty friends through the streets of the historic Stockyards District in Kansas City's West Bottoms.

Your reward for beating the heat will be a free concert after the race. Admission is free for participants; $10 on site for everyone else. The event benefits the Police Athletic League (PAL).

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

Becoming Parents for the First Time – A Guide

Baby Samuel nursing and sleeping while I was working

When you actively decide to have a baby before you get pregnant, you have more opportunities to better your health, your finances, and your home before you even conceive. Regardless of whether you plan for the conception or not, however, there are a few steps you will need to take to ensure that both the mother and your new baby will be healthy and that you are ready for the new life you are bringing into your home:

How to Prepare Your Health Before You Get Pregnant

The best way to give your baby the best chance at life is to visit the doctor before you begin trying to conceive. A lot of health conditions and factors in your own body will determine the health of your baby, and it is wise to address these issues head-on first. This is particularly important if you have a chronic condition, both physical and mental, as the condition and even the medication you take can be dangerous to a growing baby. Some medication can even make it difficult to conceive at all. That is why it is always wise to go for a checkup before you take yourself off of birth control so that you can find the right alternatives to any medication you need, can address your mental health concerns and deal with health issues you may not have known about beforehand.

Doctor’s Health Checklist

Once you address these health concerns, it is time to create a health regimen to put your body in the best position to have a baby. Before you conceive, this will mean starting a series of prenatal vitamins so that you can improve your baby’s development and decrease the risk of your new baby developing any congenital disabilities.

Attend Birthing Class

For new mothers, attending a birthing class is very important. It can help you get through your pregnancy more calmly than trying to go into it without any prior knowledge. The birthing class can also help by teaching your partner about what they can do to help you. Always sign up and schedule this class so that you can finish it before your baby arrives. Though it is possible to have a premature birth, scheduling your birthing class to finish before your third trimester is usually a good time frame to aim for.

Getting the Baby’s Room Ready

The last step will be to create the baby’s room. It will mean stocking it up on supplies, finding furniture, and even decorating it. If you can, always choose for reusable and organic options, to ensure that your baby’s health stays a priority and that you can save as much money during this time as possible. This can even mean borrowing baby furniture from friends and family instead of getting your own. Put that money instead on quality items like the hybrid diapers offered on thegreennursery.com. There’s no reason to spend thousands on a crib, but when it comes to items that will touch your baby directly, spare no expense.

It is also important to never forget the fun activities like a baby shower. Celebrate your new life, and get your friends and family involved, because there is nothing quite like having your own child and you deserve to celebrate this milestone in every way you can!