Why Soundproofing Your Property Can Change Your Life

Noise pollution is frustrating. However, what you may not realize is that exposure to excessive noise can also be deadly. Can decibels kill you? Science says yes. A report on the effect of noise on health by the WHO has found that noise pollution can create serious health complications. The most obvious health issue everybody can think of is insomnia. When the city is too loud at night, you find yourself lying down in bed and being unable to sleep. While you may be able to catch up with the lost sleep over a few nights, when it becomes a recurring occurrence, there is nothing you can do. Insomnia weakens your immune system and can, in the long-term, shorten your life expectancy. Even something as banal as feeling annoyed by loud sounds can impact your heart health, and lead to premature death. Noise can kill you. As such, if you’re going to boost your life, you need to understand how to best soundproof your property. 

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Protect your hearing

Hearing health deteriorates with age for most people. Protecting your hearing is an integral part of your social activities. You probably know that you should attend concerts with earplugs to limit the deafening effects of loud music. But what you may not know is that your neighbor’s lawnmower can be just as devastating on your hearing. Indeed, noisy neighbors can, in the long term, damage your hearing if they expose your household to high decibels. Home improvement works, engines, and prolonged exposure to party music can lead to hearing complaints. Soundproofing your property will act as the ultimate protection against decibels intrusion. 

More profitable as a landlord

If you own a rental, you can also add soundproofing and sound monitoring elements. How to manage sounds in your rental? You can find out more, here. But, in essence, you can use a sound monitor to track loud noises in and around the property. This can be useful not only to find out if your tenants are too loud but also to identify potential sources of noise pollution. Loud neighbors, for instance, can be an issue in rented properties. Most landlords refuse to soundproof the place. However, if you can record evidence of noise pollution, you can not only find a soundproofing expert but also refer your neighbors to the authorities. Making your rental more welcoming makes it easier to keep your tenants for longer. 

Create a peaceful environment

Your home is a sanctuary of peace. It is the place where you should feel safe and comfortable. Noise can create a stressful environment. Simple changes, such as replacing your windows with a modern or double-glazing option, can help reduce urban sounds. If you’re going to change your doors and windows with soundproofing in mind, do make sure to research the most efficient design for your interior, both in noise reduction and energy saving. After all, there’s no point in creating a quiet space if it’s freezing cold in winter! A relaxing and soothing home can help reduce stress levels and become a source of inner health. 

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Managing your exposure to sounds can transform your life. Sounds affect your mental and physical health, but also your financial health. A place that is exposed to constant loud noises is less profitable for landlords or other property investors. Noise, in short, is an enemy you need to tackle effectively in everyday life. 

5 Bedtime Routines to Help You Ease into Sleep

In such uncertain times, it can be hard to shut our minds off and relax — especially for a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s checking the news before bed or stressing about work the next day, the worries that run through our mind can often prohibit us from getting proper sleep. 

One way to relax before bed is by creating a soothing bedtime routine for adults. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine signals to our brain that it’s time to go to bed and can result in a deeper sleep. To help, we’ve outlined five of the best bedtime routines for adults below.  Set an Alarm  

Oftentimes we get wrapped up in a TV show or a good book and end up going to bed at a much later hour than we intended. Your bedtime routine should start and end at the same time each night. This consistency is great for sleep. To help, set an alarm an hour to 30 mins before you want to head to bed. Use this time to unplug and unwind before you hit the hay.  Take a Hot Shower or Bath  

Taking a hot shower or bath before bed lowers the body’s temperature and promotes healthy sleep. Even if you prefer to shower in the morning, taking a shower at night allows you to wash off the day you just had. Take your time in the shower and consider putting on a relaxing playlist.  Write a To-Do List  

Lying awake thinking about the laundry list of things you have to do the next day will only increase your anxiety and make it harder for you to fall asleep. To help, write down a to-do list of the top seven to ten things you need to get done the night before. This will ease your mind and help you drift off into sleep.  Practice Yoga  

Yoga has many positive benefits including the effects it has on sleep. Certain yoga poses can relax your muscles and mind, making it easier to fall and stay asleep. Consider practicing five minutes of yoga before bed. Try muscle-relaxing moves like the wide-legged forward bend, seated spinal twist, and knees to chest stretch.  Use Aromatherapy  

Aromatherapy is a common technique used for stress management. Various types of essential oils can be applied to the skin or a diffuser to help you relax. Scents like lavender are great for helping you doze off. 

While there is no one-size-fits-all bedtime routine, there are some great all-natural methods to signal to your body that it’s time for bed. Nightly yoga and aromatherapy are just two of the many all-natural bedtime routines that are extremely beneficial for your health. To learn more about bedtime routines for adults, take a look at the infographic courtesy of Casper below. 

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Don't Get Tackled By Fitness

Are you trying to get fit? The struggle is certainly real, and one of the reasons people shy away
from fitness is due to the problems they find when they first try and get healthy. We have good news
on that front though because there are a few simple steps that you can take to keep your health in
check and avoid the usual issues that mean people tend to end up back on the sofa rather than in a
fitness schedule. Updated to add 15 Apps to Keep You Healthy While Sheltering in Place

Forgetting To Wear The Right Gear

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What you wear is important when trying to keep fit. You might think that people choose their exercise
wear to look stylish and cool, but they don’t. Well, okay, some do, but most are choosing the clothing
and items that are going to benefit them the most. For instance, you don’t wear sweatbands to look
good. You use a head sweatband to stop it dripping down your hair or face and into your eyes while
running. Trust us, when you’re trying to finish a two-mile jog the last thing you want is a blurred vision!

Or, how about socks. A lot of people wear socks that aren’t seen because this is stylish, apparently?
But you should really be wearing exercise socks. Exercise socks for women and indeed men are
available online. The right socks can make sure that you don’t get a blister on your foot which can
be a fantastic excuse to give to yourself why you can’t exercise.

Hitting The Gym Too Hard

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Determination and positive energy are both fantastic traits to have when you’re trying to get fit, but
you don’t want to be too active too fast. Weightlifting is a good example here. Weightlifting can
benefit your body in a number of ways but lifting too much when you start off will have catastrophic
effects. You’ll wake up the next morning unable to lift your arms above your chest.

If you do have this issue, then you won’t be able to workout again for a couple days at least, which
can throw your exercise routine completely out of whack.

Relying On Alternate Methods

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There are lots of alternatives to a good hard workout that people put forward to try and get fit. For
instance, you might have heard of supplements. While health supplements can be beneficial, it’s
important to realize that they should be used with exercise, not on their own. You also need to eat
well, or you will continue to put on extra pounds, regardless of how many supplements you take.

Going It Alone

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Last but not least, it’s not a smart move to try and exercise alone. It’s far better to actually get out
there with friends or even make it a family activity. Why should you do this? Well, you need someone
to keep pushing you to do more and get you moving. Otherwise, you will end up back binge watching
shows on the TV. Usually, if you head to the gym, you will find someone on your exercise schedule
happy to help out.

A Guide On Roth and Traditional IRAs

Controlling your money is difficult, but the worry of running out of money throughout retirement can be overwhelming. 46% of people say that they haven’t started saving for retirement, but setting up an IRA account is easy. With this guide, you’ll know the in’s and out’s to Roth and Traditional plans with Accuplan. 

When taxes are involved, it can be reasonably complicated. Still, with Traditional plans, you pay your taxes once you retire, but remember when you withdraw an amount from your account, that it will be taxed before it gets to you. Roth plans are a little different from how their taxes work as you pay your fees upfront. So when you contribute an amount of money, you will be taxed on this amount before it hits your account, meaning your withdrawals are free. 

If you are after a cheap way to invest while the idea of your tax bracket changing one in a while changing, a Roth plan will be the better option. Otherwise, if the idea of a moving tax bracket worries you, then the Traditional method is for you. Ensure that you retire by seventy and a half to ensure the RMD doesn’t become active. 

If you choose the Roth plan, you will only be taxed if you decide to withdraw funds before you are fifty-nine and a half while early withdrawals with the Traditional IRA are taxable. If you are under the age of fifty-nine and a half, you will most likely need to pay an additional 10% on top. 

A Guide On Roth and Traditional IRAs Accuplan

What to Know Before Replacing Windows in Your House

Replacing windows in your house is a significant project that needs careful consideration and investment of time and money. So, you should plan well.

Replacing Windows in Your House; What Experts Want You to Know

Before the idea of replacing windows in your house comes to your mind, you have probably inspected your home and saw that the windows need replacement. Various reasons may necessitate window replacement. They include old and drafty windows, damaged windows and broken glass, among others. However, one thing that you should know is that window and door replacement is not something you should rush into. It takes time and resources, and therefore you need to plan well. Here are some things Total Home Barrie wants you to understand before diving into a windows and doors Barrie replacement project. Take a look.

1. You May Not Need Replacements, But Simply Repairs

Before you waste a lot of time and resources putting in replacement windows and doors, consider the fact that it may not be necessary. However, whether to replace your windows and doors or repair them will depend on various aspects such as the extent of the problem you are trying to fix. That is why it is essential to do a thorough inspection of the windows and doors before making a decision of what to do. For instance, the cost of replacing basement windows may be high compared to the cost of repairing them.

2. You Don’t Have To Use The Same Style

Assuming that you have decided replacing windows in house is the better option than repairs, should you install the same style of window that is currently installed? No. Nowadays, there are many window options that you can consider. You will be overwhelmed by many options available in the market. Your window installer will help you choose the best option that complements your home's architectural style.

3. Energy Rating Is A Key Consideration

As professions from Total Home Barrie will tell you, energy ratings is a key consideration when selecting windows and doors Barrie. Many aspects determine this feature, but the key thing you would want to make sure is that your window offers the best insulation. As such, you would want to opt for triple or double pane windows. You should also consider the material making your doors and windows. The material affects the amount of heat or cold getting into your home.


With the help of your contractor, you will be able to understand various energy ratings and what each rating means. That will make it possible for you to select the right one for you. Remember that through investing in energy-efficient windows and doors Barrie in your home, you stand a chance to enjoy tax benefits.

4. The Professional You Choose To Work With Matters

When it comes to replacing windows in house, most homeowners emphasize on the selection of the window materials and style. Those are essential considerations. However, you shouldn’t underestimate the need to choose a professional to install your windows and doors. Window and door installation companies vary significantly; therefore, you would want to choose the best company to work on your project.