Learn How to Beat Stress

Learning some simple stress reduction techniques can help you stay focused and healthy when your stress levels are high.

Stress becomes dangerous when you experience it too often or for long periods of time. Prolonged stress has been linked to a host of physical ailments including headaches, stomachaches, pain, insomnia, and weakened immune systems. Stress can also affect your mood, making you anxious or depressed.

Luckily, you can ward off these harmful symptoms with some easy stress reduction techniques.

Exercise to relieve stress
Exercise is one of the most effective stress reduction techniques because it affects your nervous system by releasing mood-enhancing chemicals. Studies have shown that regular exercise makes people think more clearly, have better morale, and be more productive. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity three times per week is all it takes to reap these benefits.

Can’t think of a way to fit 30 minutes of exercise into your day?
Try these ideas:
Hit the workout room in your apartment community before or after work

Sneak in some exercise at your desk

Take a brisk walk around the parking lot on your lunch break

Purchase a yoga or Tai Chi DVD

While a single bout of exercise can lift your mood for several hours, the most effective way to use exercise for stress management is to make it a habit.


Massage the stress away
Massage is a great relaxation technique that can also be a useful part of your regular stress management plan.

Massage relieves stress by triggering what’s known as relaxation response: a state of rest that brings your body back into balance. During relaxation response breathing deepens, production of stress hormones decreases, heart rate and blood pressure slow down, and muscles relax. Relaxation response also affects the mind, increasing energy and focus and boosting your motivation.

If you want to get the best stress-reducing benefit from a massage, schedule an appointment with a professional. Look for massage therapists who offer Swedish or Shiatsu massages since these two types promote overall relaxation.

Calm your mind with meditation
As a stress reduction technique, meditation is one of the easiest to carry out: it’s free, doesn’t involve any special equipment, and can be learned easily.

Meditation relieves stress by training your brain to stay calm. To make meditation work for you, all you have to do is find a quiet, comfortable place and take five to 20 minutes to concentrate on “mindfulness” — a state of being in which you focus on living in the present moment without overanalyzing the experience. The more you practice meditation, the easier it will be for you to remain calm when life gets crazy.

If you’re new to meditation, try the “body scan” technique: focus your attention on various body parts, starting with the feet and progressing up to your head. Take a few moments to concentrate on how each body part feels without labeling the sensations as “good” or “bad.”

Music for stress management
Scientific research shows that listening to music can be a powerful stress reduction technique. Soothing music calms overactive brainwaves, lowers breathing and heart rate, and creates a positive mood.

Music therapists often suggest nature sounds and New Age music to relieve stress. However, experts caution that if you do not enjoy a certain type of music, it can actually cause you stress. The key to using music as a stress reduction technique is to choose something you like that has a slower tempo.

Once you’ve chosen the right music, you can use it in a number of ways: promote focus as you meditate, create a relaxing feeling at your work desk, or ward off the stress of your commute while you’re stuck in traffic.

No matter what stress reduction technique you favor, the key is to deal with your stress before you get overwhelmed. When things get hectic, taking just a few minutes to focus on your well-being will help you avoid dangerous stress levels that can lead to health problems.


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Prepare Your Car for Winter

Driving in cold weather can put both car and driver to the test, so don’t be caught unprepared when temperatures drop. Before the chill is on, make sure that you’ve prepared yourself and your car for the winter weather ahead.

Tune it up
Breaking down in the summer is no fun, but having car trouble in seriously low winter temperatures puts a whole new element in the picture: namely, the weather! Be sure to have any nagging problems, such as occasional stalling, taken care of now. Also have routine car maintenance performed to check and correct:

Tire pressure (check monthly)

Tire tread

Battery — cold weather drains power and also requires more starting power

Antifreeze

Heating and cooling system

Any leaks

Wipers

Washer fluid — keep it filled

Rear defroster

Accessorize for winter
You might want to add a few things to your car to equip it for inclement weather. A block heater, for instance, can be handy in extremely cold climates. It is a small electric heater that plugs into your house current and gets your engine ready to start even on the most frigid Minnesota morning. It will also give you instant heat once the car is started.

Chains or snow tires will be required for any extended driving in the snow. Be sure to practice putting on the chains before you need them, so you won’t have to have your first run-through in the dark, by the side of a road.


Emergency kit
You never know if a winter storm, an accident on an icy road or garden variety car trouble will leave you stranded indefinitely in your vehicle. Always be sure to carry the following with you in your car during winter months:

Fully charged phone
Jumper cables
Gloves
Ice scraper
Shovel
Flares
Sand or cat litter for traction
Flashlight
Boots
Spare tire
Jack
Spare bulbs/fuses
Water and energy bars

Winter car tips
As a driver, you will also need to make some adjustments to your winter routine. The most important thing you can do is slow down!

It also helps to learn everything about your car, such as the type of brakes, tires and drive it has (rear, front, four-wheel) and how those variations react in snowy or icy conditions.

Winter doesn’t have to put the freeze on your driving. With a little preparation and adjustment, you and your car will be ready to take on whatever Jack Frost has to offer.


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Pet-Proofing Your Apartment

Dogs and cats, like young children, require their caretakers to take safety precautions in their home. Just as you would want to avoid having your child eat or play with something harmful, you will want to take these basic steps to keep your pets healthy and happy.

Kitchen
The kitchen is loaded with temptation and potential problems for your pet. Make sure all cupboards and cabinets are latched and that all chemicals, cleaners, laundry products and insect products are high and out of reach.

Some pets even like to pry into the refrigerator, so if yours is extra curious, consider a child-proof latch for that too. Garbage cans should be covered or put into a latched cabinet. There are plenty of dangers in that “delicious” smelling trash, such as food wrappers.

Seemingly innocent food items could prove harmful to your pet as well. Make sure that the “treat” you’d like to indulge your cat or dog with does not contain chocolate, bones, high fat or alcohol. Onions, grapes and raisins can all cause digestive problems for furry friends. Even things you wouldn’t imagine a pet would want to taste such as tobacco products, coins and many household plants could all find their way into your dog or cat’s stomach, causing poisoning or choking.

Living areas
Make sure that there are no dangling power cords to lamps, televisions, DVD players, computers or other electrical items that your pet could run across or pull down and that all children’s toys, batteries, craft items and knick knacks are put away and out of reach of a pet that could knock them over or chew on them. Be vigilant about leaving shoes and clothes on the floor as well, especially around teething pets — buttons and drawstrings can spell disaster if ingested.

Bathrooms
Just as you would secure all medications from your child, make sure that no medicines, animal or human, are within your dog or cat’s reach. Also make sure toilets are covered to prevent drowning or drinking of harmful chemicals.

Laundry, storage and other areas
Be cautious about using any kind of chemical or insecticide in areas your pet might access, reading all labels carefully to make sure such products are not harmful to them. As elsewhere in your home, be sure to store all cleaners, soaps and chemicals safely out of reach.

Check your dryer for kittens before using and bang the hood of your car before starting to make certain there aren’t any cats (yours or a neighbors) who’ve taken shelter there for warmth. You’d be amazed at what lengths felines will go to for a snug sleep.

Special gatherings
As wonderful as having guests over can be, get-togethers at your home can also create opportunities for your pet to get into trouble. Be sure to ask guests not to feed your pets from the table and monitor discarded plates to see that the food makes it to a sealed garbage can before your dog or cat can intercept it. Also be aware of who is coming in and out of front or back doors and where your pets are, so that your dog or cat doesn’t take off unattended.

Holiday plants such as mistletoe and holly are bad for your pet if ingested, as is the water from a live Christmas tree. Tinsel, ornaments and practically anything you hang on a Christmas tree can create dangerous temptation for your pet, so if yours is especially curious or drawn to bright and shiny objects, you might want to consider keeping the tree behind a closed door.

Having a pet is a lot like having a child and requires, especially in regard to safety, the same kind of planning and precautions. Don’t assume your dog or cat knows what’s good for them to eat or safe to play with. You’re the parent to your furry family member so make sure to act like one!





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Security Options for Your Apartment

Most apartment buildings will have certain security provisions, including lighted hallways and gate codes. But you can also take steps to feel safe once you’re inside. Here are some tips for improving security while living in an apartment.


Protective measures
First, there are some common sense things you can do: don’t broadcast when you’re not in the apartment — that means no leaving notes for delivery men or friends on your front door when you’re in another part of the building or running errands. (Read: How To Be Safe In Your Apartment). Keep your door locked. A peephole can be useful if you get a knock you’re not expecting. Don’t hesitate to call and check in with your landlord if a maintenance person shows up without your prior knowledge. Renter’s insurance is relatively cheap (you might be able to bundle it with your car insurance) and will give you some peace of mind if you’re ever burgled. (Read: Why Renter’s Insurance Is Good For You)

Door Locks
Your landlord should have had the locks changed when you moved in. To be safe, check with your management company to ensure the only that you and the property management are the only ones with a key. If you have just a chain lock, you might want to look into getting a deadbolt installed, with your landlord’s permission. Deadbolts are harder for unwanted visitors to force their way through.

Home security systems
Another step you can take is to install an alarm system of some sort. Home Security Systems Advice has descriptions of the types of burglar alarms currently available. You can buy systems that range to basic entry alerts to those with motion sensors and alerts in cases of fire.
You should be able to install your own wireless burglar alarm yourself. Some apartments are prewired for Security systems. Check with the your property management team to see if they have any reason for not allowing such alarms, or a particular brand they recommend.

Keeping your information safe
The final item you might want to invest in is a paper shredder. This will ensure you don’t have to worry about throwing away paper with valuable financial information that can be used for identity theft.

Fire Protection
But keeping your things — and yourself — safe isn’t just about lowering your risk of crime. You’ll also want to protect yourself from other threats, such as fire. The Seattle Fire Department has a number of tips for apartment dwellers. You may want to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, or one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom.
If your landlord doesn’t provide you with a smoke detector (and that is a requirement in many places), buy one immediately and test it monthly. Some models also test for carbon monoxide, which may be your only warning that this colorless, odorless gas is building to lethal levels. Separate carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased and should be maintained the same way you maintain a smoke detector. Finally, if you keep valuable items at your apartment, you might want to look into a fireproof safe. KL Security, a security firm, has ten tips for evaluating a fireproof safe. Computer media, such as hard drives, melt at a lower temperature than paper burns, so a safe rated fireproof for documents may not protect your media. Figure out which items you want to protect and then buy the appropriate safe.

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