While three-quarters of the planet is water, many fear venturing into it. Fortunately, knowing how to swim helps overcome the fear of water and can save one’s life in a sea emergency. Swimming is an immensely popular recreational activity and sport, especially with the availability of community swimming pools in societies, gymnasiums, etc. In addition to being enjoyable and relaxing, swimming has several health benefits for the body and mind. Enhances cardiovascular fitness and lung health Since swimming is an excellent cardio activity, it causes the heart to pump blood and oxygen to different body parts more than usual. This way, the body learns to utilize oxygen better, improving heart and lung health. In fact, swimming is advised for many people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other respiratory conditions. Helps lose those extra pounds Since swimming engages the entire body, from arms and shoulders to legs, core, and glutes, it is a highly effective way to shed some extra pounds and burn calories. Studies have shown that a person weighing 155 pounds burns nearly 432 calories by swimming. Improves cognition Besides enhancing physical health and fitness, swimming also has several benefits for the brain, such as improved memory, cognition, mood, and immune response.

Individuals might have had junk items lying in their homes for years, which might take up lots of space. So, to declutter the interior of a home, one needs to get rid of junk materials and dispose of them properly. While one can do this independently, handling large amounts of old items can be stressful and time-consuming. Instead, one could hire a junk hauling company at a fair price, which comes with its suite of benefits. 1. Saves time A professional junk removal service helps save time, which one can otherwise spend with family, friends, or work. One does not have to waste time worrying about logistics. Moreover, some companies offer junk removal on the same day. 2. Regains space The junk that piles up takes up a lot of space at home. So, naturally, hiring a company to remove it will help create more space in the room. One could repurpose this space for several things, such as setting up a baby nursery, a guest room, or a parking space for the car. The possibilities are endless. 3. Reduces environmental footprint A junk removal company typically follows guidelines throughout the collection and disposal process. Most items today can be recycled.

Sleep apnea is a severe, sleep-related disorder triggered by airway obstruction. This condition causes a person’s breathing to suddenly stop and start when asleep . Sometimes, a change in the brain’s function related to breathing and chest muscles can cause sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is chronic and not curable; however, it can be managed by using a CPAP machine and avoiding some common mistakes people tend to make. Sleep apnea mistakes Here are a few common sleep apnea mistakes to avoid: 1. Following an unhealthy lifestyle When not managed well, sleep apnea is known to stress the heart by raising blood pressure and causing mood swings. It also affects one’s ability to think clearly. All of these get worse if one follows an unhealthy lifestyle. For instance, the symptoms of sleep apnea are aggravated if a person’s lifestyle is mostly sedentary. The lack of any physical activity causes oxygen and energy levels to go down, making it harder to sleep. 2. Not changing sleep position A common mistake many people with sleep apnea make is not changing their sleep position. This is especially true for those who have a habit of sleeping on their back. Sleeping on one’s back increases the likelihood of obstruction in breathing during sleep.

A 401(k) plan is a financially viable option for saving for retirement. But this is possible only if one knows how a 401(k) works. One must learn the fundamental aspects of a 401(k) and plan it properly. Besides, one must be sure they are making the right decision to maximize their long-term investment. Committing a mistake while investing may result in a longer time being spent to earn enough to afford retirement or consider downsizing. Ignoring to take advantage of employer match programs A lot of employers provide 401(k) matching programs.  This  is essentially free money. For instance, an employer matches 100% of an employee’s contribution to the 401(K) plan, up to 3% of the salary. So if the employee’s salary is around $75,000 and they contribute 3% of the salary to their 401(k) for the year, the 401(k) contribution will be around $2,250. Since the employer matches 100% of the contributions up to 3% of the employee’s salary, they will also contribute around $2,250 into the employee’s 401(k) for the year. Thus, around $4,500 will go into the 401(k). Not taking advantage of this means one is leaving money on the table. Leaving the job before the account has been  vested When employers match the 401(k) contributions,  there is usually a regulation that  requires the employee to stay in the organization.

Lupus is  a condition where  the body’s immune system begins to attack its  own  healthy cells, muscles, tissues, and organs, causing severe inflammation. It can occur in any body part, such as the joints, skin, blood cells, brain, kidneys, heart,  and/or  lungs. Symptoms of this autoimmune disease begin to appear  between the ages of 15 and 44 and can  often be difficult to detect due to their similarity with other ailments. Early signs of lupus One of the most common signs  of lupus is the appearance of a butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and  the bridge of the nose. Other signs and symptoms may include: – Fatigue – Unexplained fever, between 98.5˚F (36.9˚C) and 101˚F (38.3˚C) – Joint pain, stiffness,  and/or  swelling – Skin lesions that change depending on sun exposure – Fingers or toes that appear blue or white  when exposed to the cold – Shortness of breath – Chest pain – Dry eyes – Headaches, confusion, and memory problems – Hair loss or the appearance of bald spots on the scalp – Kidney inflammation with symptoms like swelling in the lower legs and feet, high blood pressure, blood in the urine, darker urine, pain in the side of the body, or a frequent urge to urinate at night – Gastrointestinal problems like heartburn and acid reflux – Thyroid problems – Dry mouth Lupus treatment Currently, there is no known cure for lupus.  However, the condition can be managed using a combination of treatments to prevent flare-ups and minimize damage to the  organs in the body .

The front door of a house creates a first impression for outsiders as well as acts as a welcoming portal to the residents’ personalities. Having the right front door enhances many aspects of a house, including aesthetics, safety, and privacy. So, it is important for homeowners to choose the right front door. Making certain mistakes when choosing a front door can have bad consequences for homeowners and dampen their mood. Not choosing the right  material Having the right material for a door is as important as the overall choice of door. Certain factors determine how good or bad a particular material would hold up for specific homes.  For example, if a home is located in a rainfall-prone area,  then  choosing wooden front doors  may not be the best idea .  Similarly, one must consider climatic conditions such as sunlight, snow, and humidity before selecting the front door for their home. If a door with an unfavorable material is installed, the overall durability and reliability factor of the front door will be greatly impacted. Ignoring energy efficiency Energy-efficient doors are useful to reduce the overall power consumption of a house and, in that way, reduce the electricity and other utility bills  for the homeowner .

Home upgrades are a rewarding investment. They can enhance functionality, elevate aesthetics, improve utility, and provide a refreshing change. Some remodeling projects also offer higher returns while house flipping. One can tweak a few things here and there and demand a higher price for the property.  But  to increase the home’s value, one must make the right upgrades.  Some remodeling projects help homeowners earn good returns without spending too much. Renovating the bathroom Before purchasing a home, people look at the bathroom’s overall utility and aesthetics. That’s why one should consider adding enhancements like extra storage, better ventilation, LED lights that save energy, and water-saving features like showerheads or low-flow toilets. Replacing outdated pipes and fixing rust or plumbing problems can  also  increase home value. Remodeling the basement People often consider the basement an added space for their needs. To increase the home’s appeal, one can turn the basement into a recreational zone, game room, or guest room. It’s also best to ensure safety, ventilation, and lighting here. Adding a deck or patio A deck or patio is an inviting area that enhances one’s outdoor living space. For these add-ons, it’s best to go for durable and sturdy materials like hardwoods or premium softwoods, pressure-treated wood, or PVC since they may require minimal maintenance.

Assisted living facilities ensure that elderly members receive the best care and help with daily tasks. Many factors, like the costs involved, the kind of food served, and the behavior of the assisted living facility staff, need to be considered when one decides to move a loved one. This decision can be emotionally taxing and challenging for personal reasons, which is why one may make certain mistakes during the process. Making a hasty decision In many cases, older individuals may require assisted living services urgently. However, it is important to take the time to make an informed decision and not rush into enrolling them into a facility. Prior research is needed before finalizing the decision. This research involves visiting at least three to four different facilities and assessing how their staff performs their job. It may not be immediately apparent on the first visit. Still, one can observe factors such as cleanliness, suitability to the needs of loved ones, and personalization of the facility and its services for individuals. Focusing entirely on aesthetics This is a common mistake when one judges a place based on its interior design and decor alone and do not delve deeper into its services and overall quality.

The ketogenic eating plan has grown in popularity over the last decade or so. It is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat, and high-protein nutritional plan that can help manage conditions like epilepsy and high blood sugar. With this food regime, the body utilizes ketones as fuel, instead of sugar, helping people lose body fat quicker. To encourage this state of ketosis, many people have started turning to keto gummies, which are marketed to offer several health benefits. Energy and performance booster Keto gummies can be a great way to extract energy from the body. This is because they contain L-carnitine, a substance responsible for locating extra fat in the body to convert into energy. Many keto gummy variants also contain DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), which helps the body get instant energy from food, improves fat breakdown, and promotes muscle build-up. Improved immunity Many keto gummies are also enriched with vitamin C and other antioxidants. These can go a long way in reducing the occurrence of free radicals in the body and bolstering immune function. Better nutrient absorption Some keto gummies contain capsaicin, the main active ingredient found in peppers. This compound is crucial for breaking down food and making it easier to absorb vitamins and minerals in the body.

With the rising price of hire-cab services, car renting has become the easiest and most economical way to get around, especially on vacation. Despite the obvious benefits of car rentals, many people continue to avoid hiring a car due to the fear of being fleeced by a disreputable company. This confusion can easily be prevented by steering clear of certain simple mistakes people make when renting a car. 1. Hiring from the very first company One of the biggest mistakes people make when renting a car is not doing enough research and going with the first option they find. This could result in huge losses! Always verify the car rental company before hiring them. Check their online ratings and reviews, and speak to loved ones for recommendations. Before signing the contract, pay attention to the fine print so one does not end up stuck in any sort of shady business. 2. Not covering toll costs No car rental company offers free toll payments. While some of them may have a car pass or a transponder, these services often come with an added surcharge. It is always better for customers to cover them to avoid paying this extra cost at tolls.