Therapy

Top Mental Health Podcasts to Boost Your Well-Being

Margie Dale

With millions of podcasts available, there is something for everyone. Whether you want to hear other people’s coping strategies or just want straight science, there is a show for you.

Podcasts

However, a podcast should not replace real treatment with a licensed professional. Nonetheless, these shows can be helpful in reducing stigma and promoting mental health. Keep reading the article below to learn more about Mental Health Podcasts.

For many people, mental health has moved from the sidelines to the forefront of our national conversation, but it’s still a topic that can be difficult for some communities to talk about. Joy Harden Bradford, a counseling psychologist who founded the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, is helping to change that by encouraging women of color to seek help and discuss their feelings. She also works to demystify the notion of therapy by discussing issues that are relevant to women of color, like being a single woman in the workplace and dealing with microaggressions in day-to-day life.

This podcast, produced by Psych Central, is a weekly chat between clinical psychologists and celebrity guests on various topics related to psychology and mental health. Each episode ranges in length from under ten minutes to Q & As that can last for more than an hour. People report feeling a sense of validation, encouragement, and connection when listening to this podcast.

If you are looking for a more intimate, personal podcast, check out Naming It with Bay Area psychotherapists Bedford Palmer and LaMisha Hill. They address the intersection of Social Justice, Psychology and Blackness in their candid conversations that are both informative and empowering. Their first season focused on topics like church hurt, dating and diet culture.

Another popular podcast for women of color is Latinx Therapy, which tackles the stigma surrounding mental illness by inviting guests from all walks of life to share their experiences. Each week, the hosts speak with a different guest who has faced challenges ranging from OCD and ADHD to the suicide of a loved one. By sharing their stories, the hosts hope to give listeners a sense of community and hope that they can overcome the difficulties they are facing.

Although these podcasts are excellent resources, they should never be viewed as a substitute for seeking professional mental health support. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, it’s important to speak with a therapist as soon as possible. Bryant & Stratton College is proud to provide students with access to mental health services that are both affordable and convenient. To learn more about our programs, please visit our site today!

Brene Brown

If you’re looking for a podcast to help you feel more grounded and connected to your own mental health, this one is definitely worth checking out. Featuring conversations with therapists and other professionals, the episodes explore everything from overcoming anxiety to dealing with self-harm. The hosts also encourage listeners to share their own experiences and ask questions in a safe environment.

Brene Brown rose to fame in 2011 after her TED talk “The Power of Vulnerability” went viral. She has since written a series of books that address themes of shame, vulnerability, and courage. She has a warm and genuine presence that makes her an accessible and inspiring speaker.

The Dare to Lead podcast features empowering conversations with change-catalysts, culture-shifters, and innovative troublemakers. It focuses on the importance of being vulnerable and embracing your true self. The episodes also emphasize the value of knowing your moral compasses and being willing to stand up for what you believe in.

This is a must-listen for any student-athlete or anyone who works in a high-stress environment. This podcast explores the stress-response cycle and how to manage it effectively. It covers topics like managing emotions and coping with the rigors of competition and working hard. The host, Barrett Guillen, is a Chief of Staff at the Brene Brown Education and Research Group and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology.

With over a million downloads, this podcast is the #1 best-selling podcast on the psychology of relationships. The hosts are renowned relationship experts who use evidence-based techniques and tools to offer practical advice on everything from healthy communication to effective conflict resolution. They interview a wide range of experts, from psychologists to chefs and celebrities. They also discuss a variety of relationship issues, including infidelity, addiction, and mental illness.

This is a great podcast for people who suffer from anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Caroline Foran interviews specialists in mindfulness, trauma, yoga, and mental health to uncover the secrets behind this pervasive condition. By sharing her own experience and insights, she helps listeners to understand their symptoms and develop actionable strategies to manage them.

Other People’s Problems

When it comes to mental health, podcasts are a great way to learn about a wide range of topics in the comfort of your own home or while on the go. They can provide education on how to cope with stress and anxiety, teach mindfulness techniques, and even give you coping skills for dealing with trauma. However, podcasts should never be a substitute for mental health care or therapy sessions.

While some podcasts are more focused on mental wellness than others, all can provide valuable insight into the world of mental health. They can help you understand the root causes of your emotional struggles, encourage self-care and empathy, and reduce stigma. In addition, podcasts can offer a safe space for open and honest conversations on sensitive subjects.

The podcast Other People’s Problems features real-life stories of mental illness from different perspectives. The episodes discuss how major issues like racial injustice or sexual assault can impact an individual’s mental health and what they can do to cope with the trauma. They also tackle the social stigmas that can make it difficult for people to seek psychiatric help.

Developed by comedian and author Paul Gilmartin, this podcast explores mental illness from a personal perspective. The episodes are designed to normalize the experiences of people with mental illnesses, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction. They aim to help listeners recognize their own psychiatric symptoms and encourage them to seek medical assistance when necessary.

This podcast from Psych Central features guests from a variety of fields. They discuss a broad spectrum of topics, including the impact of historical events on our current collective mental health, strategies for active happiness, specific types of therapy, and more. They also talk about the challenges of acclimating to change, finding joy in everyday life, and the role of spirituality in boosting one’s well-being.

With so many options available, it’s important to choose a podcast that aligns with your goals and interests. Consider how much time you want to spend listening, whether you’d like to focus on a particular topic, and how often the show is updated. For example, some podcasts are updated daily, weekly, or monthly, while others may release episodes on an ad-hoc basis.

2 Dope Queens

With thousands of podcasts out there, it can be overwhelming to sift through the endless amounts of content. But, if you’re looking for advice, insights or laughs, there is a podcast to meet your needs. 2 Dope Queens is the hit comedy podcast from Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson that has recently expanded to a HBO special series. The pair’s lively chemistry and fun banter is a welcome addition to the ever-changing landscape of late-night television.

The show is a recording of the eponymous comedy show they perform twice a month in Brooklyn, and features both stand-up comedians and storytelling segments with their friends (like Naomi Ekperigin and Michelle Buteau). Both women say they feel a responsibility to highlight voices that aren’t always heard on the radio or TV. The Queens talk about their experience navigating the male-dominated world of comedy, and how it’s especially important to include female comedians of color and those with different sexual orientations.

While the Queens’ observations and riffs may be controversial, they’re never mean-spirited or hurtful. In fact, they often use humor as a way to address sensitive topics in a safe space.

Unlike the more rote interviews you’d see on The Tonight Show or Late Night, 2 Dope Queens is often improvised. This is evident from the first episode, in which Jon Stewart shares early memories of living in New York and Phoebe and Jessica test his pizza knowledge.

The ladies also discuss the importance of hair in their lives, breaking down Black beauty for Sarah Jessica Parker and sharing their failed attempts to hook up with a celebrity. The show also showcases some of their favorite stand-up comics, with guest appearances from Tituss Burgess, Uzo Aduba and more.

While 2 Dope Queens isn’t the first podcast to transition to a visual format, it’s an important step forward for the genre. It is a valuable resource for the brown girl audience it’s designed to reach, while highlighting more diverse voices than you’d find on your average late-night talk show.

Septic Services

Innovative Septic Tank Solutions For Modern Homes

Alyssia Anderson

Septic Tank Armadale systems are vital to homeowners, but they also pose some environmental concerns. These concerns include nutrient runoff, soil contamination, and other issues.

septic tank

Fortunately, advanced wastewater treatment technologies can reduce these concerns. These innovative solutions offer high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility.

If you’re looking for alternative septic tank solutions, consult with a septic pro. They can assess your property and recommend a system that meets your needs.

No-Leach Field Technology

There are several different ways that homeowners can divert and treat their household wastewater, including alternative septic systems. These systems use innovative septic tank technology to improve wastewater treatment without relying on soil-based leach fields, which are often problematic in certain conditions. These new technologies can also be used in combination to provide a more comprehensive solution for septic system failure.

Traditionally, a septic system includes a septic tank for solid waste separation and a leach field for liquid effluent treatment. However, some environmental concerns, limited space, or specific soil conditions might prevent the installation of a traditional septic system with a leach field. Fortunately, some alternatives can be used to provide efficient and effective wastewater treatment for homes with limited space or environmental limitations.

For example, an aerobic septic system can remove organic materials and nutrients from wastewater, which can then be used for irrigation or toilet flushing. This can save homeowners money and reduce their impact on the environment. Another option is a constructed wetlands system, which uses natural processes to clean wastewater while reducing the risk of groundwater contamination.

The septic tank in your home separates solid waste and wastewater into three layers: the scum layer, which floats on top of the wastewater; the middle layer, which is made up of the wastewater; and the bottom layer, which is the sludge. The sludge is then broken down into a liquid effluent that percolates through the soil and reaches the water table or leachate chamber.

While these conventional septic systems work well for many homeowners, they can’t be used in areas with high water tables or dense soil that fails to percolate. In these situations, a mound septic system might be needed. These systems are built above ground and include a pump chamber, which separates the scum and sludge before it empties into the septic tank. Contractors then cover the pump chamber with topsoil, creating a small hump on your property.

Another option can be used to replace a septic tank that fails or to rehabilitate a failing leach field. This system uses a pressurized dosing mechanism to distribute the liquid effluent into the leach field in more even and controlled doses, improving the performance of existing or failed leach fields.

Smart Monitoring Systems

Unlike basic systems that only monitor and react to events like smoke detection or fire sprinklers, smart monitoring takes the data generated by these different devices and turns it into one powerful current you can direct. This advanced analysis also correlates complex variables to help you pinpoint vulnerabilities and find ways to prevent them from occurring.

The best way to prevent these issues is to take a proactive maintenance approach. Instead of waiting for problems to manifest themselves in catastrophic equipment failures, tenant complaints, or unusually high utility bills, smart building monitoring allows you to detect issues as they arise and address them before they escalate. Structural health monitoring (SHM) sensors can be used to do this by continuously monitoring vibrations, displacement, and strain through piezoelectric, accelerometers, ultrasound, and pressure measurements.

Modified Septic Tanks

The conventional septic tank has been in use for many years, but innovations in septic tank design have opened the door to more sustainable wastewater treatment. These new systems can provide cleaner water and healthier soil, without the need for a costly leach field. They also offer more options for wastewater disposal and treatment, and may even reduce the frequency of desludging.

Septic tanks are an important part of a home’s wastewater treatment system, but they can cause environmental and health problems if they aren’t properly maintained. These new technologies allow septic systems to be more environmentally friendly and efficient, while still meeting regulatory standards.

In the most basic septic tank system, wastewater drains from the house into a series of underground pipes and chambers that are covered with soil. The microbes in the soil treat the wastewater before it flows down to the groundwater below. The septic tanks are also used to remove solids and gases.

Traditional septic tanks are typically made of concrete, steel, or fiberglass. The fiberglass versions are lighter and less expensive to install, but they may require more frequent inspections and replacement parts than their steel or concrete counterparts. They are also more likely to be damaged during a seismic event. In contrast, a concrete tank is more durable and resistant to environmental conditions, but it can be difficult to transport and install on a site.

New septic tank designs are using technology that enhances the pretreatment of wastewater, providing greater nutrient and pathogen removal in the effluent than conventional systems. The process uses an oxygen-infusing device that combines air with the wastewater, which helps the microbes start to break down organic waste. This technology is called aerobic treatment.

The aeration process increases the number of aerobic bacteria in the wastewater, which eliminates most of the pollutants and heavy metals in it. This also makes it easier to remove the sludge from the septic tank, which cuts down on desludging and maintenance costs.

The aeration process can be combined with other treatments to create a complete wastewater treatment system. One example combines the septic tank with a plastic chamber leach field. This type of system eliminates the need for gravel in the leach field, saving both installation and maintenance costs. It is also a good option for sites that are not suitable for traditional septic systems.

Precast Concrete

Concrete is one of the most popular construction materials, and it offers architects and builders a wide range of creative opportunities. However, creating and curing concrete on-site is a time-consuming process that requires constant monitoring of temperature and moisture. With precast concrete, construction professionals can eliminate the need for these tasks and accelerate the building process. In addition, they can also ensure that the concrete meets all required specifications.

Precast concrete is a proven industrialized construction method that transfers most of the work away from the building site to the factory, which allows for faster completion and cost efficiency. It is also highly durable, so it can withstand even the most extreme conditions. Furthermore, it can be molded into complex shapes and designs to create stunning architectural features.

The best precast concrete manufacturers have a strong focus on quality and customer service, making it easy for you to get exactly what you need for your project. They offer a variety of precast concrete products, including walls, slabs, and beams. They can be customized to fit your specific needs and are available in many different sizes. They can be used for residential, commercial, or industrial projects.

In addition to its strength and durability, precast concrete is mold-resistant and has good fire-fighting properties. It is also extremely resistant to abrasion and corrosion. It can withstand even the most severe weather conditions, such as tornadoes.

Concrete has long been a trusted building material, dating back to ancient Rome. Its durability has made it a preferred choice for many different projects, including bridges, culverts, and tunnels. It is also a popular choice for foundations and retaining walls.

Another benefit of precast concrete is that it has an inherent resistance to traction and impact, which makes it ideal for transportation and use in seismic areas. Precast concrete is also lightweight and can be transported easily by truck or rail.

Concrete is a highly sustainable building material that is recyclable. It is non-toxic and environmentally safe. It is also a great choice for sewer systems and water/sewage storage tanks. It is also suitable for use in seismic or tornado-prone areas.

Dental Services

Why You Should Get a Teeth Cleaning

Ross Mcneil

Every six months, it’s recommended that you see a dental professional for a teeth cleaning. In addition to promoting overall oral health, these professional cleanings also help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease and other serious medical conditions.

A professional cleaning begins with a thorough examination of your mouth and surrounding areas by a dental hygienist. Next, a special tool removes hardened deposits called plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and in between your teeth. Contact Teeth Cleaning Las Vegas now!

Bits of food and other debris cling to the teeth and gums. Over time, these particles can form a sticky film called plaque that, if not removed, hardens into tartar. Regular brushing helps remove plaque and prevent tartar buildup. But if you have built up a lot of tartar, your only option for removing it is to visit the dentist for a professional cleaning. During a dental cleaning, the hygienist uses a small mirror to guide them as they use a tool called a scaler to remove the hardened plaque and tartar from around the gum line and in between the teeth. You will hear scraping as this is done, but you should not experience any discomfort.

The hygienist may also use an air/water syringe, which is a handheld device that sprays water, air or mist onto the teeth and gums to rinse away any remaining debris from the mouth. This is particularly useful if you have had trouble brushing certain areas of the mouth.

When you brush your own teeth, position the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet. Make a circular motion with short strokes to scrub the outside surfaces of the teeth. Gently brush the insides of the front and back teeth as well. Finally, scrub the chewing surfaces of the teeth, as well as the pits and grooves. Be sure to brush your tongue, too.

If you have questions about proper brushing technique, talk with your dentist or hygienist. They will be able to give you specific tips and recommendations for your personal situation. And remember to replace your toothbrush regularly – every three to four months – and to choose a toothbrush that fits your hands and mouth (both adult and child brushes are available).

You can help reduce the amount of plaque bacteria in your mouth by using an interdental brush daily and eating a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks. In addition, you can reduce the number of cavities and periodontal (gum) disease by visiting the dentist for regular teeth cleanings.

Flossing

The gaps between teeth can be hard to reach with a toothbrush. This is why flossing is a vital part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Flossing helps remove food particles, bacteria and plaque from areas where your toothbrush cannot reach. This helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.

Flossing involves using a piece of thin, thread-like material to clean the spaces between your teeth and along the gumline. It can be used in place of or in conjunction with a dental pick or interdental brush. Depending on your personal preferences, you may choose string floss or ribbon floss that is either waxed or unwaxed.

When you’re flossing, it’s important to take your time so that all surfaces of each tooth are cleaned. You also want to be sure that you’re targeting the gum line, as this is a common area for plaque deposition. To do this, anchor the floss between your thumb and forefinger and carefully navigate it between each tooth, moving in a back-and-forth motion. Avoid abruptly snapping the floss against the gums, as this can irritate them.

Once the floss reaches the gap between teeth, a “C” shape should be made with it to ensure all sides are clean. Then, gently scrape each side of the tooth to remove any food debris. Be careful when removing any plaque from the sides of teeth, as it can cause damage to the enamel. After each tooth, move on to the next and repeat the process. When the floss becomes soiled, use a fresh section.

Incorporating flossing into your daily oral health routine can help you maintain a healthy smile for life! If you have questions about flossing, you can always consult a professional dentist or dental hygienist.

Aside from flossing, eating a well-balanced diet, and visiting your local dental office on a regular basis, it’s important to get regular professional cleanings. The dental professionals at Maple Dental Health can provide you with the high-quality care and services that you need to enjoy a long, healthy and vibrant life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Plaque Removal

Plaque is a sticky substance that builds up on teeth. It contains bacteria, leftover food particles and saliva. When a person brushes their teeth properly after every meal, plaque usually dissipates into saliva and does not remain on the teeth. However, if oral hygiene is neglected, plaque may harden into a yellow-brown substance called tartar. If tartar is not removed, it may damage tooth enamel and cause gum disease.

During a dental cleaning, a dentist or dental hygienist uses a specialized tool called a curette to remove the hardened plaque and tartar from the teeth. This curved tool has a hook-like tip that allows the professional to scrape below the gum line and between teeth. This helps to prevent gum disease and ensure that the roots of the teeth are clean.

While it is normal for teeth to develop plaque, it is not normal for this to build up for long periods of time. When the buildup is allowed to stay on the teeth, it can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and other health issues.

To prevent plaque from building up, a person should brush their teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. They should also floss daily and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria that causes gum disease.

People should also visit a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. A dental hygienist can remove any hardened plaque or tartar that has developed, and they can also help a person improve their brushing technique to reduce the chances of developing cavities and gum disease.

To remove the most amount of plaque, a patient should schedule visits to their dentist every six months. However, people who build up plaque and tartar quickly or those who have poor oral hygiene habits may need to visit more often for a cleaning. A dental hygienist will be able to recommend the best teeth cleaning schedule for an individual based on their unique needs.

Sealing

Sealants are thin plastic coatings that dental professionals paint on the biting surfaces of molars and premolars with deep grooves (called pits and fissures) to prevent tooth decay. More than 75% of dental decay starts in these deep grooves on teeth, which are hard to clean with a toothbrush. When a tooth is sealed, the deep grooves become smooth and are less likely to harbor plaque. Dental sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth after their permanent molars come in, but they can be used on adults’ teeth as well. A tooth that has been sealed can remain protected for many years, but a dental professional will evaluate it at regular checkups and may reapply the sealant as needed.

A dental sealant is a painless and non-invasive procedure. Before applying a sealant, the chewing surface of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned to remove any bacteria or food debris. The tooth is then dried and a bonding agent is painted onto the tooth to help the sealant adhere. After the teeth are dry, the dentist will apply the sealant to the grooves of the tooth and use a curing light to harden it.

While the majority of sealants are made from resin, some are created from glass ionomer materials that release fluoride over time to strengthen teeth. Patients with sensitivities to chemically-derived sealants should ask their oral care provider about a glass ionomer option.

Despite their name, sealants do not actually’seal’ the teeth but rather block the deep grooves from food particles and bacteria. Think of it as a raincoat for your teeth. When cavity-causing bacteria and leftover food meet they produce acids that can erode the enamel of your teeth, forming holes in the tooth (caries). Sealants block these grooves to stop bacterial buildup and acid from damaging the teeth. While the teeth are protected, brushing and flossing are still recommended as part of a comprehensive oral health routine.

Roofing

Importance of Roofing

Alissa Collins

Denver Roofing Companies are one of the most important parts of any house. It protects everything inside the house from rain, snow, wind and other weather elements.

Roofs are typically made of shingles, either asphalt, wood or clay/terra cotta. There are also solar roof options now available. Regardless of material, a good roof will last a long time with little maintenance other than periodic inspections and removing debris such as moss.

Weather protection is a critical part of any construction project. It’s important that the worksite remains protected from rain, snow, sunlight and other harsh weather conditions. These conditions can make the work difficult and even dangerous for workers, so it’s essential that proper construction weather protection is available at the jobsite.

Roofing is the process of covering the top surface of a building with a waterproof layer of material. Typically, this is achieved by interlocking sheets of ply sheeting with bitumen. The bitumen is usually asphalt, tar or a cold-applied adhesive. Asphalt and tar require heating before they can be applied to the roof, while cold-applied adhesives don’t.

APAC offers a variety of high-quality construction weather protection solutions, including metal flashing weather proofing, weather-resistant barriers and lead weather proofing. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services. We’re always happy to provide advice and recommendations based on your specific needs. Our experts are well versed in the industry and can find you exactly what you’re looking for. We’ll also help you determine the best method of protection for your specific site and environment.

Energy Efficiency

The roof is a key component in the thermal regulation of buildings. Energy-efficient roofing solutions are designed to effectively insulate homes and regulate temperature levels, reducing the strain on artificial heating and cooling systems. As a result, this type of roofing reduces energy consumption and costs, offering numerous benefits for homeowners and businesses alike.

Choosing the right materials is crucial for energy-efficient roofing. Various roofing materials can have varying effects on energy use, so homeowners should be sure to research the potential impact of each option. For example, metal and clay tiles offer excellent insulation properties and can help minimize heat transfer. They can also reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it, keeping the interior cooler and lowering the need for air conditioning.

Energy-efficient roofs are also made from recycled materials, thereby decreasing the demand for raw resources and minimizing waste. As a result, these types of roofs are highly sustainable and provide a strong return on investment for homeowners.

Many homeowners also report a reduction in their energy bills following the installation of an energy-efficient roof, making them a great choice for those looking to save money on utilities while making a positive impact on the environment. In addition, these roofs can also extend the lifespan of HVAC systems by reducing their load, thereby protecting investments in this essential piece of household equipment.

Homeowners can further contribute to the conservation of energy and the environment by integrating solar panels into their roof. This will allow them to generate their own electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to the mitigation of climate change.

The energy efficiency provided by roofing can be significant, especially for those living in hot areas. As a result, many people are turning to cooling technologies like cool roofs to help mitigate their energy costs and protect their homes from the extreme summer temperatures. Cool roofing consists of a layer of reflective shingles, tiles, or coating that reflects sunlight rather than absorbs it. This helps keep the interior of a building cooler and reduces the need for air conditioning, helping to cut energy costs and lower utility bills.

Durability

Depending on the material, roofing lasts from 15 to 20 years for flat roofs to 50 or more for slate and metal. Often, the lifespan of a roof can be extended with regular maintenance and by having leaks repaired immediately. Leaks are usually caused by a problem at a penetration such as a plumbing vent or skylight, and fixing this can extend the life of your roof.

Tile roofs – particularly concrete or clay tiles – have one of the longest average lifespans for a roof, lasting 50 to 100 years or more. However, they can be expensive and heavy, requiring a home to have special framing and supports and requiring homeowners to consult with a structural engineer before installation.

Wood shakes offer rustic beauty and insulating value, and can last 30 years or more when properly maintained. However, they are more prone to fire damage than metal or tile roofs.

Aesthetics

Roofing materials can provide aesthetics to homes and buildings. Some of these aesthetics are obvious, while others are subtler and less visible to the naked eye. For example, a roof may feature pleasing shapes, colors, movement, patterns, scale and visual weight. The aesthetics of a design are important in that they make a design more appealing to the eye and, thus, increase its usability. Aesthetics play an important role in architectural and urban planning, but they also contribute to the general feel of a home or building.

The scope of aesthetics has been broadened in recent decades to include not only works of art but natural objects and phenomena, built structures and even human activities. One reason for this broader definition of aesthetics has been the growing prominence of ecological and environmental concerns in Western philosophy, as well as a revival of interest in popular art and architecture (Vihalem 2016).

It is important to recognize that some everyday experiences are more aesthetic than others. For example, certain qualities – messiness, shabbiness, cuteness and prettiness – are experienced as aesthetic but are not appreciated in the same way as a painting or a flower garden. This is because these experiences do not require the same level of background knowledge, aesthetic sensibility and reflective process as a work of art.

Moreover, some people do not consider these experiences to be worthy of being the subject of an aesthetic inquiry. In some cases, this is due to the dominance of judgment-oriented discourse in mainstream Western aesthetic theory. This mode of inquiry tends to consider anything that does not involve a judgment as hopelessly subjective and relativistic.

However, a phenomenological approach to aesthetic experience has emerged in response to this limitation. This approach focuses on the sensory dimensions of aesthetic experience and does not require a judgment-oriented framework. Rather, it provides a theoretical foundation for understanding how and why certain qualities are perceived as aesthetic by some and not by others.

The emergence of everyday aesthetics has been accompanied by increased efforts to blur the distinction between art and life. This movement has been facilitated by the growing availability of digital technology that allows for the replication of real-life events and objects in the form of simulations. This has allowed for a proliferation of art installations that re-create aspects of daily life. It has also led to a shift in the emphasis placed on non-Western cultural traditions as a source of inspiration for the development of everyday aesthetics.

Stucco Roofing

Stucco is an exterior cement plaster wall covering that has long been popular for residential and commercial structures. The material has a natural appeal and is durable enough to protect your home against the elements. It can be painted or stained to match your home’s color scheme, and it is easy to maintain. However, stucco is not always the best choice for heavy rains or snow, as water can seep through the surface and cause damage.

When properly maintained, a stucco roof can last for decades and is a good choice for any climate. The material is also non-combustible and fire-resistant, which can help protect your family and belongings in the event of a fire. It is also a great insulator and can keep your home cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. In addition, stucco is resistant to insects and other pests, making it a great option for homes in wooded areas.

There are several different types of stucco, including rock dash and smooth stucco. Rock dash stucco has a rough texture that adds contrast to your home’s design, while smooth stucco is more refined and subtle. Smooth stucco is more popular for modern houses because it is easier to clean and maintain. Both types of stucco are available in a variety of colors, so you can choose the one that best complements your home’s style and surroundings.

It is important to inspect your stucco regularly for cracks and other signs of damage. If left unchecked, these issues can lead to moisture and water leaks that can wreak havoc on the interior of your home and damage valuable items. In addition, cracks in the stucco can allow heat and air conditioning to escape, which can increase your energy bills.

Stucco can be applied to a number of different surfaces, including wood framing and light-gauge steel framing. If your home has a wood frame, we recommend putting on a waterproof barrier such as an asphalt-saturated paper or a manufactured plastic-based sheet called a building wrap before applying the stucco. On flat or rubber membrane roofs, we can put on a layer of tarpaper or plastic taped down with masonite, and then apply the stucco.

Eye Doctor

What to Expect From Your Eye Doctor

Kate Barton

Your eyes reveal a lot about your overall health. An eye exam may help you detect diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure or autoimmune disorders. Click https://dryeyecenterofmd.com/ to learn more.

Eye Doctor

You should see an ophthalmologist for routine exams, as well as to treat any sudden changes in vision. Getting a referral from a friend or family member is the best way to find a qualified doctor.

Many people who have not had eye exams in a long time may be unsure of what to expect. The eye doctor will usually begin by asking questions about your current symptoms and general health. They may also ask about whether any family members have had problems with their eyes or vision. It is important to provide a complete and accurate patient history to ensure that your exam is as accurate as possible.

Once the patient history is completed, the examination itself begins. A visual acuity test is the first thing that most patients will have done, which involves reading letters on an eye chart at various distances. The doctor may then use a handheld lighted instrument to check the surface of the eye and the surrounding tissues for signs of damage or disease. This part of the exam can include an inspection of the sclera and the conjunctiva, and palpation of the eyelids to check for abnormalities like ptosis (drooping of the upper or lower lid).

Next comes the refraction assessment, which determines your lens prescription. To do this, the doctor will place a device called a phoroptor in front of your face and have you look at an image through different lenses. They will then ask you which one appears clearer and record the results. This is a subjective test and will determine your final eyeglass or contact lens prescription.

Refraction is a crucial part of the eye examination because it measures how well you see at all distances, determining your need for corrective lenses. This includes testing for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Other parts of the eye exam can include a visual field test, which checks how much of your surroundings you can see. This can be done by covering one eye and telling the doctor when a finger appears in your field of view, or by using an automated machine that lights up a set of dots and prompts you to identify them. A glaucoma screening can be performed by either shining a bright light into your eyes and watching how your pupils dilate or using a non-contact tonometer, which blows air into the eye to measure intraocular pressure.

Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses are an excellent solution for a lot of vision problems. They help correct a number of refractive errors (like myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia (which causes blurry close-up vision). They also help protect the eyes from harmful UV light. Eyeglasses are a safe and convenient way to improve your vision.

There are a variety of frame styles and materials to choose from, so it’s important to find the right frames for you. It’s also a good idea to choose a pair that is comfortable enough to wear throughout the day. You should avoid tight or narrow frames, which can squeeze the nose and ears and are difficult to clean. The shape of the lenses is another factor to consider. Round, rectangular and oval lenses are more comfortable for most people. However, a pair of square or angular glasses can be a good choice for some.

The type of lenses you’ll need will depend on your prescription and the kind of vision correction you need. Single-vision lenses are good for correcting distance issues, while multifocal lenses treat both distance and near-vision problems, such as reading. Bifocals have a separate area on the lens for each correction, while trifocals have three areas.

Most eyeglasses are made of plastic, which is lighter and more flexible than glass. Polycarbonate is a popular choice because it’s impact resistant and helps protect against damage. It is also less prone to distortion than other types of lenses. Trivex is a newer material that provides similar benefits, and it’s even thinner than polycarbonate.

Before the final lenses are inserted into the frames, they go through a rigorous inspection process. The lenses are visually inspected for dust and other debris, and a mechanical inspection is performed. The lenses are then “stamped,” which indicates they meet ZEISS’ strict quality assurance requirements.

When you’re ready to pick out your new glasses, it’s a good idea to bring in the prescription from your eye exam and any other information you have about your vision needs. If you have insurance, it’s often possible to use it to cover the cost of the glasses and frames. If you don’t have insurance, ask the eye care specialist about cost assistance programs or resources.

Contact lenses

If you have been wearing glasses, your eye care professional will help you make the transition to contact lenses. These thin plastic lenses fit over the front part of your eyes (the cornea) to correct a range of vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. They also can address presbyopia by providing bifocals. Many people wear decorative contacts to change the color of their eyes or to add a pop of color. However, even these kinds of contacts require a proper prescription and regular annual checkups.

Your eye care professional will help you choose the best type of contact lenses for your needs and will explain how to insert and remove them. They will also teach you the best way to clean and store your contacts.

Most contact lenses are soft and made of gel-like plastics that absorb water, making them comfortable to wear. They are usually worn on a daily basis and need to be removed at night before you go to sleep. Some types of contact lenses are designed for extended wear, allowing you to keep them in overnight and for up to 30 days. Extended wear contacts must be removed at least once per week for cleaning. Your eye care professional will evaluate your tolerance for extended wear and will determine the safest length of time for you to keep them in.

When you first start wearing contact lenses, a period of mild irritation may occur. This is caused by a difference in the pH and salt content of the lens solution and your natural tears. This discomfort usually fades as your eyes adjust to the contact lens and your tear content stabilizes. If you continue to experience irritation, your contact lens may be dirty, damaged or inside-out. Removing the lens, inspecting it for damage and cleaning it, should relieve the discomfort.

Be sure to keep multipurpose contact solution and a case on hand. These will come in handy if you lose or tear a lens. And remember, it is important to never use tap water to clean or store your contacts. The water can carry bacteria that can cause an eye infection.

Eye surgery

Your eye doctor can perform several types of surgery, including traditional open surgeries and minimally invasive options. The exact type of eye surgery you need will depend on your individual condition and its severity.

If you’re considering refractive eye surgery, your doctor will take a few measurements and complete other tests to make sure that you’ll be a good candidate. You’ll also need to sign a consent form to confirm that you understand the risks, benefits and alternative options for treatment.

During cataract surgery, your eye doctor removes the natural lens of your eye from its position on the edge of your cornea and replaces it with a synthetic plastic lens. This procedure can correct severe nearsightedness and farsightedness, as well as astigmatism.

Other refractive surgeries include LASIK, in which your eye doctor creates a flap on the front of your eye and then uses a laser to flatten the cornea and change the way that light rays focus on the retina. This can reduce your dependence on glasses or contacts. Other refractive surgeries include corneal transplants, in which the doctors replace the natural lens of your eye with a donor one; and glaucoma implants and procedures, such as a trabeculectomy, in which the doctor inserts a tube to help extra fluid drain from the eye, lowering eye pressure.

For retinal detachment, your doctor may perform a vitrectomy, in which some of the fluid in your eye — called the vitreous — is removed and replaced with saline or a bubble of gas that helps the retina reattach. He or she may also use laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy to seal the retina in place. An in-office procedure called pneumatic retinopexy can also repair a retinal detachment by injecting a gas bubble into your eye, pushing it against the retina and then using laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy to “weld” it in place.

This is an outpatient surgery, but you’ll need to be sedated for it. After the surgery, you might have a burning or itching sensation in your eye, and vision might be blurry or hazy. You’ll need to take nonprescription pain relievers if needed, and you should avoid rubbing your eyes because that could dislodge the flap that was created during surgery. You may also need to wear a protective shield while sleeping for a few days after surgery.

Ozempic

Ozempic Side Effects

Margie Dale

Ozempic San Diego is a medication that helps manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It also lowers the risk of certain heart and blood vessel problems. Ozempic comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled injection pens. You inject it yourself under your skin in the thigh or abdomen. Your doctor will show you how to do this.

What is ozempic?

Ozempic

Ozempic is a medication that has been approved to treat type 2 diabetes. It is also used for weight loss and has been shown to be effective in helping people lose weight and keep it off, when combined with other lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. It is the only injectable medication of its kind that has been proven to work for weight loss, and as a result it is very popular and there are shortages across the country.

The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which has been studied in people who are overweight or obese and found to help them lose weight. It is thought to affect parts of the brain that control appetite, so it makes people feel full after eating and decreases cravings for certain foods that are high in calories. This can help people eat less and make it easier to lose weight.

Other benefits of Ozempic include the ability to lower blood sugar levels, which can reduce the risk for heart or blood vessel problems associated with diabetes. It can also help improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It may also help prevent kidney disease in people who have diabetes.

It’s important to talk with your doctor before taking this medication, especially if you have any preexisting health conditions or other medications that you are currently using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies. You should also let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you could become pregnant in the future.

There is limited data on the use of Ozempic in pregnancy, and there are concerns that it may increase the risk for birth defects if it is given to an unborn baby. It is recommended that women avoid becoming pregnant while on this medication or for two months after stopping it. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids while taking this drug, as it can cause dehydration.

This medication comes as a liquid solution inside of prefilled, disposable pens. The pens are available in several different strengths, which are written as the amount of semaglutide per milliliter of solution (mg/mL). Your doctor will determine the right strength for you. You will inject Ozempic once each week, and you should try to do this on the same day each week.

How does ozempic work?

If you have diabetes, you may already know that the medication semaglutide — also known as Ozempic — works to dial down food cravings and make it easier for patients to stick with their dietary changes. But the drugmaker is facing questions from lawsuits filed by people who claim it’s causing serious side effects, including ileus (a bowel blockage) and gallbladder problems.

As a type of GLP-1 receptor agonist, Ozempic works by increasing the amount of insulin your body makes when blood sugar levels are high. This helps the glucose in your blood pass from your liver into cells, where it can be used as energy.

But some people who’ve taken Ozempic have gotten serious side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, that prevent them from being able to stick with their diet plans. That’s led to some patients stopping treatment, including Barbie Jackson-Williams, 54, of Des Moines, Iowa, who said that she started taking Ozempic in 2021 to lose weight and manage her Type 2 diabetes. But in early 2022, she stopped taking the injections after a year because of the nausea.

Her doctor advised her to continue with other medications to treat her diabetes, but she wasn’t able to make enough progress with those drugs alone. In late 2022, she got a sleeve gastrectomy and began to see improvement in her nausea, but she was still not able to eat the amount of food needed to get to her target weight.

She started taking the Ozempic again in early 2023 and has lost about 10 pounds so far, but she says her gastrointestinal issues — particularly reflux that causes her to need antacids twice a day — are the main reason she’s continuing on with the medication.

Other possible side effects of Ozempic include low blood sugar, gallbladder problems, and a decrease in appetite. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. You should also tell your doctor if you take other medicines to treat diabetes, such as sulfonylureas or insulin, because they may increase your risk of low blood sugar.

What are the possible side effects of ozempic?

Almost everyone who takes Ozempic experiences mild side effects like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and constipation. However, these symptoms should not last long and are easily managed with medication and diet. More serious side effects of Ozempic may include a rash, gallbladder problems and jaundice. If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor right away.

In one clinical study, more people taking Ozempic (3%) developed diabetic retinopathy than those who received a placebo treatment (1%). Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where the blood vessels that supply blood to the retina of the eye are damaged by high levels of glucose and can lead to blindness. This form of retinopathy is more common in people with type 2 diabetes and in those who have had the condition for a longer time than others.

Ozempic is sometimes used to help reduce the risk of heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes and other conditions, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It works by stimulating the release of insulin after a meal or snack, helping to regulate blood sugar levels. It is also used along with other medications, such as sulfonylureas and oral diabetes medicines, to treat type 2 diabetes.

There are also concerns that Ozempic and another medication in the same class, liraglutide (Victoza), can increase the risk of thyroid cancer in some people. While it is unclear whether the drug itself is to blame for these cases, if you have any risk factors for thyroid cancer, such as a family history of thyroid disease or thyroid surgery, you should not take this medication.

A recent FDA warning also cautions that Ozempic can lead to a rare side effect called ileus, a condition where your intestines become blocked and make it difficult or impossible for you to have bowel movements. However, it is not clear why this happens, and Betul Hatipoglu, a professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University, says the medication should still be beneficial for most people. The FDA is currently investigating the link between ileus and Ozempic.

How should I take ozempic?

It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions when using Ozempic. Your healthcare provider will show you where to inject the medicine, usually in your stomach, thigh or upper arm. You can change the injection site each week if you like. If you’re having trouble with the injection, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can offer suggestions or offer training on how to use the pens properly.

In animal studies, this medication caused thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer. It’s not known if this will occur in people. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It’s also not clear if Ozempic will harm your unborn baby. Also let your doctor know if you have a family history of medullary thyroid cancer or a rare endocrine condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

You can take Ozempic with or without food, but it’s best to eat something before taking it. Before giving yourself an injection, wash your hands with soap and water. Priming a new pen is a good idea, and always use a clean needle each time. Keep extra pens and new needles in case you lose or break one. Before you inject, check the liquid medicine to make sure it’s clear, colorless and free of particles.

Some medicines, foods, vitamins and supplements can affect how Ozempic works. Tell your doctor about all the medications and supplements you are taking. Especially tell your doctor if you take other diabetes medications or any other blood sugar control medicines. It’s best to start with a low dose of Ozempic and gradually increase it over the course of 4 weeks, as directed by your doctor.

If you have health insurance, the cost of Ozempic may be covered by your plan. But if you don’t, the price of this drug can be high. You might be able to find a coupon or savings program that helps lower the cost of your prescription. For example, you can get a discount on your prescription with a company such as Optum Perks*. You can also visit the manufacturer’s website to learn about their support options.

Publication

Natalie Wood

Gabrielle Walker

In 1956, Natalie Wood became a major star with her Oscar-nominated turn as a rebellious teenager in the film Rebel Without a Cause. She would earn two more nominations, for the period drama Splendor in the Grass and the romance Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Natalie Wood

In November 1981, she was shooting her final film, the sci-fi thriller Brainstorm. She and her co-stars, husband Robert Wagner and boat captain Dennis Davern, took a weekend trip to California’s Catalina Island.

Natalie Wood was born Natalia Nikolaevna Zacharenko in San Francisco to Russian immigrant parents. Her mother, Maria Gurdin, a housewife who had multiple aliases, and her father, Nick, a janitor and prop builder, moved to Santa Rosa when she was three or four. In 1942, she and her family bought a home in the city, where she was noticed by members of a crew during a film shoot downtown. The film’s producer, Irving Pichel, helped her get a screen test. She made her first film at age five in Happy Land (1943), playing the role of a girl who drops an ice cream cone and gets blamed. Her scene lasted 15 seconds.

Wood’s dark ethnic beauty helped her stand out in the film business. She began to receive leading roles, beginning with her Academy Award-nominated performance in Splendor in the Grass (1957). As she entered her teenage years, she became a star with her appearance in Rebel Without a Cause (1955). In 1961, she appeared as restless Puerto Rican youth Maria in West Side Story.

The sixties were a productive time for Wood, both professionally and personally. Her films often reflected the times, such as West Side Story, which dealt with racial prejudice; Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, about middle class housewives; and Gypsy, in which she played burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee.

Wood’s volatile personal life also garnered media attention. She dated actor Dennis Hopper, hotel dynasty heir Nicky Hilton and other high-profile men. She married director Richard Gregson in 1957 (divorced 1962; remarried 1972) and had a daughter with him, Courtney. She also had a daughter from her second marriage, to actor Robert Wagner.

Early life

A young Natalie Wood grew up in the shadow of her mother’s unfulfilled dreams of stardom. Mary Tatuloff, who had danced professionally in the Russian city of Ussuriysk before emigrating to America with her husband Alexander Zacharenko, passed her passion for film acting onto her daughter. Despite a skewed moral compass, she used her talent to manipulate her daughter’s life.

Wood’s early career was marked by child roles and by her mother’s maniacal obsession with her image. She feared losing her audience once she outgrew the child actor stage and tried to control every aspect of her daughter’s public image. She also manipulated her daughter’s dating and marriage choices. Ultimately she caused her daughter great heartache with her constant need to curry favor with powerful men in order to further her career.

The film West Side Story was a pivotal point in Wood’s career. Her role as the restless Maria portrayed an important cultural phenomenon for young Americans at the time, and her performance earned her an Oscar nomination. Wood’s next significant role was in Gypsy Rose Lee, which gave her the opportunity to showcase her witty dialogue and deeper emotional range.

Throughout the 1960s, Wood was cast in a number of “girlfriend” films that she found less gratifying. But in 1970, she starred in the well-received melodrama Intimate Strangers. It was the first film to show that she could handle adult roles.

In the last decade of her life, Wood acted on occasion in television shows such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Cracker Factory and Hart to Hart. She remarried British producer Richard Gregson and had a daughter with him before her death in 1981.

Education

Natalie Wood’s acting career started at age five with a brief scene in the 1943 film Happy Land. Her performance in that film earned her media attention, and she received a contract from 20th Century Fox. Her film roles became more numerous after that, usually playing the daughter of star actors such as Fred MacMurray, Margaret Sullivan, James Stewart, and Joan Blondell. California laws at the time required child actresses to attend three hours of school each day. Wood took her lessons on the set of her films, and she was considered a straight-A student.

By the time she was 16, Wood was a teen idol. She starred with James Dean in the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause, and the movie earned her an Academy Award nomination. She followed it with the box office hits West Side Story and Gypsy. She also appeared in the movies Splendor in the Grass and Love with a Proper Stranger, receiving Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her work in both of them.

In 1957, she married actor Robert Wagner, eight years her senior, and their relationship attracted media attention. In her later years, she struggled with depression and sought therapy. She reportedly was influenced by her mother and her husband, and she made some movies that were not to her liking. She was a fashion icon of her time, and she influenced many trends in dressing. She was an avid reader, and she enjoyed cooking and hosting parties for her friends and family. She was also a vegetarian. Her untimely death at the age of 47 while on vacation with her husband and co-star Christopher Walken off the coast of Santa Catalina Island, California in 1981 was ruled a suicide. However, in 2018, fresh evidence prompted authorities to reopen the investigation into her death. Wagner was named a person of interest in her case.

Career

After making her screen debut in the 1943 film Happy Land, Natalie Wood appeared in a few more films before moving into teenage and young adult roles. Her work in these early films earned her critical praise and the attention of 20th Century Fox studio chief Irving Pichel, who signed her to a contract after she made a minor appearance in the 1947 Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street.

In 1955, she starred with James Dean and Sal Mineo in Rebel Without a Cause, the groundbreaking depiction of teenage rebellion and angst that cemented her as one of Hollywood’s top young stars. In the next several years, Wood’s work in a variety of films won her two more Oscar nominations—for Splendor in the Grass (1961) and Love with a Proper Stranger (1963)—and numerous Golden Globe nominations.

While she often found herself cast as the girlfriend of her male co-stars, Wood made a few exceptions to play a more substantial character. In the 1956 Western The Searchers, she played abducted Native American girl Debbie Edwards, the daughter of John Wayne’s character, a role that broke ground for its use of a white actress in a Native American role.

Later in her career, Wood portrayed Maria in the Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise musical West Side Story, which was also a box office success. As Tibbetts writes, Wood “represents a modern allegory on the themes of Romeo and Juliet—in particular, youth gangs and juvenile delinquency, rock and roll music and its sexual freedom, private restlessness and public alienation.”

Wood also had more serious dramas to her credit, including This Property Is Condemned (1966) and Inside Daisy Clover (which was based on a true story). After finding herself in demand as an older actress, she turned down many roles—including that of a woman seeking emotional stability in Bonnie and Clyde opposite Faye Dunaway—and pursued professional therapy. Toward the end of her life, Wood was cast in four more theatrical films, including the mystery comedy Peeper (1975), science fiction film Meteor (1979) and the comedy The Last Married Couple in America (1980).

Death

Natalie Wood was a popular actress and the object of intense media attention. Her first marriage to Robert Wagner, eight years her senior, in 1957 made headlines and she was a regular feature in fan magazines. The fairy tale union didn’t last long, however, and by 1962 the two were separated. By that time, she had begun dating Hollywood heartthrob Warren Beatty.

When she died in 1981, the mystery surrounding her death grew even more complex. The official cause of her death was listed as accidental drowning, but in 2012 the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reopened the case, citing new information that called into question the original ruling. Bruises found on her body were a key piece of the new evidence.

On the night of her death, Wood, Wagner, and her Brainstorm co-star Christopher Walken were cruising on their boat Splendour off California’s Catalina Island. They stopped for dinner at Doug’s Harbor Reef, where the manager later testified that all four were drunk. After the meal, they were drinking ashore when Wagner became agitated and jealous of Walken, who was flirting with another woman.

Wagner then broke a bottle over Walken’s head, and the rest of the night turned violent. The couple eventually separated, but they were back together by the end of the filming for Brainstorm.

Despite her turbulent personal life, Wood continued to act in films like West Side Story (1961), Gypsy (1962), Inside Daisy Clover (1965), Pepper (1975) and The Last Married Couple in America (1980). She also appeared in two TV series, including the critically acclaimed Western The Big Valley (1984) and the less successful The New Frontier (1989). In 1969, she married British talent agent Richard Gregson, with whom she had one child before they divorced in 1972.

Landscaping

Landscape Lighting – Elevate Your Yard’s Curb Appeal

Margie Dale

Landscape Lighting Harrisburg PA is an essential part of any outdoor design. Whether you’re looking to create a welcoming pathway or illuminate a safety hazard, the right fixtures can elevate any landscape.

From bold feature lights to soft, radiant highlights, landscape lighting has the power to transform any outdoor space into a mesmerizing wonderland. But where do you begin?

Using landscape lighting to highlight a statue, pond, flower garden or any other feature in your yard can boost the curb appeal of your home. It’s also an ideal way to set a festive mood for evening entertaining. But before you invest in this type of lighting, think about the goals you want to accomplish. Safety – Illuminating walkways, patios, gazebos, fountains and other gathering spaces will keep guests safe from tripping hazards and other dangers.

Curb Appeal – Illuminating your driveway, walkways and entryways can help you greet visitors and guests with a warm and welcoming glow. It’s easy to accentuate your favorite features, like a statue, flag pole or centerpiece tree, with the right lighting fixtures.

Uplighting focuses the light upwards, making it perfect for highlighting focal points like trees and other tall objects in your yard. It also draws attention to a tree’s branches or leaves, creating dramatic visuals. This technique can be used on any type of foliage or hardscaping element, and varying the distance and angle can change the effect.

When uplighting a large feature, like a stone wall or hedge, it’s important to choose a fixture with a wide beam to “wash” the area with light and avoid creating shadows. The lumen output you choose should also be based on how bright or dark you’d like the feature to appear.

Downlighting focuses the light downwards, which can be an effective way to illuminate walkways and other outdoor surfaces. It’s also an effective way to highlight a driveway or doorway, helping to make it safer for people to use at night.

As you can see, there are many different ways to highlight your Memphis property with landscape lighting. It’s a good idea to lean on the expertise of a professional when it comes to selecting the best techniques for your yard. But there are some basics that every homeowner should know. Uplighting and downlighting are two of the most popular options, and knowing when to use each will make your project a success.

Silhouetting

Landscape lighting transforms outdoor spaces into enchanting settings for relaxing and entertaining, adding beauty, curb appeal, safety and security to your home’s exterior. A range of styles from traditional to contemporary and techniques like uplighting and silhouetting can elevate the look and feel of your yard. The specific areas you want to light and their intended purpose guides your selection of lighting fixtures and techniques.

Silhouetting is a technique in which a light is placed directly behind a plant, fountain or medium-sized tree to create a silhouette effect at night. It’s particularly effective with subjects that won’t benefit from being lit directly from the front, such as dense shrubbery or arbored trees with close branching structure. The soft light washing from the back of a silhouetted object produces an intriguing set of shadows on walls and other surfaces, creating a magical look.

Accent lighting is often used in the form of spotlights or floodlights. These lights are generally hidden from view, allowing you to highlight features without them causing glare in the eyes of your guests or disrupting the aesthetic of the outdoor space. These types of lights are also ideal for illuminating steps and other obstacles, helping ensure safety in high-traffic areas after dark.

Path and step lighting are generally short, downward-facing lights that line one or both sides of a walkway, sidewalk or driveway. They’re usually installed with safety in mind but can also add a functional element to your landscape design. Path lights help guide visitors safely to your door and can be combined with other landscape features like planters, flower beds and even water features to serve as focal points.

Spotlights and other similar light fixtures aimed at architectural features, plants and other landscape elements illuminate the details of your home’s exterior to showcase its charm after dark. They’re a great option for highlighting the detail of trim, columns and other architectural features as well as the shape of your home. Spotlights can also be used to frame a walkway leading to your front door and to accentuate the detail of an interesting wall or other vertical surface.

Shadowing

One of the most overlooked functions of landscape lighting is how it can elevate your home’s curb appeal. Your yard can take on a whole new personality at night, and the play of light and shadow can make your space look even more appealing. There are multiple techniques you can use to add depth and dimension to your landscape design, transforming it into a piece of functional art that will wow your friends and neighbors.

Highlighting is a simple and effective way to bring attention to your landscape features, especially those with interesting textures or shapes. You can use this technique to draw attention to retaining walls, water fountains, statues, or any other feature with a unique silhouette that you want to highlight. It’s also a great way to create safety by illuminating stairways and pathways so that your family and guests can navigate them safely.

Another popular form of landscape lighting is shadowing, which is used to create intrigue and contrast on your property. This technique involves placing the fixture behind the feature, aimed towards an adjacent wall. This creates a dark outline that showcases plants and other dense features, and it looks beautiful in the evening when the sun is setting. Spotlights and well lights are ideal for creating these types of shadowing effects.

Grazing is a similar technique that uses two or more lights to cross over the surface of the feature you’re trying to illuminate. This reduces the harshness of the light and gives a more natural, softer look to your landscape. This type of landscape lighting is ideal for highlighting stucco, brick or stonework, as well as flagpoles, trellises, and pergolas.

Washing is a different type of landscape lighting that uses a wide-beam light to illuminate a larger area with minimal hot spots and density. This is ideal for illuminating walkways, patios and garden beds, as well as landscaping elements like trees, fences, and walls. Washing is also a great option for illuminating larger areas of your home, such as a pool deck or outdoor kitchen.

Whether you’re looking for a dramatic effect, a subtle glow, or a combination of both, our team at Unique Outdoor Illumination & Mosquito Pros can create the perfect lighting setup for your property. Contact us today to learn more about our services and get started on your backyard transformation!

Washing

In some cases, less really does say more when it comes to landscape lighting. A subtle wash of light can be used to highlight a waterfall in a pond without taking away from the natural look of the feature. It can also be used to highlight rocks and other landscaping around the water. This type of transitional lighting is also a great option for highlighting a focal point such as a trellis or a piece of sculpture.

Another landscape lighting technique, grazing emphasizes the texture of a surface by lighting it from close up or at a low angle. It can be used to highlight a tree trunk, stone wall or climbing ivy and create a dramatic effect. This is often seen in hotel or restaurant design and adds a touch of upscale style to the outdoor space.

While shadowing, silhouetting and washing are all lighting techniques that help to define, accentuate or highlight your landscaping features, they all have one thing in common: creating an atmosphere. The right combination of these lighting effects can make your landscape feel unique and special, transforming it from a yard into an evening gathering place for family and friends.

Adding landscape lighting to your home is an investment that not only shows your neighbors and visitors that you care about the beauty of your property, but it can also boost your home’s curb appeal and resale value. Our team of experts can help you choose the best lighting options to illuminate your favorite landscape features and draw attention to your property’s distinctive architectural elements.

If you want to keep your landscape lights looking their best, it’s important to regularly clean them. This can remove dirt and grime that could affect brightness and performance. It’s also a good idea to invest in a lighting system that can withstand the elements and avoid corrosion. Choosing fixtures that are weatherproof and have an IP rating of at least 68 can help ensure your landscape lighting system is safe in all conditions.

Landscaping

How to Make Your Backyard Better

Alissa Collins

Creating a well-maintained landscape encourages you and your family to spend more time outdoors. This translates into more mental and physical health benefits.

landscaping

Choosing an environmentally-friendly landscaping company means avoiding equipment and lawn treatments that are harmful to the environment. It also involves planting species that require minimal additives to thrive.

A backyard is the perfect place for family and friends to gather, play games and relax. If you’re not using your backyard to its full potential, consider making some upgrades with the help of a landscape design professional. It doesn’t matter if your backyard is big or small — there are always ways to make it better.

Make a list of your household’s hobbies and interests, then find ways to incorporate those into your backyard design. For example, if you enjoy entertaining, create a patio complete with seating and a fire pit for chilly nights. Or, if you love to cook, a backyard kitchen makes it easier and more fun to prepare food for friends and family.

Backyards can also be a haven for those who enjoy gardening. Planting a variety of plants in your backyard helps ensure that you’ll have fresh herbs and flowers to use throughout the year. Choosing plants that thrive in your region’s climate will save you a lot of time and money on garden maintenance. Xeriscaping is a popular choice in desert regions, but it’s beneficial for anyone who doesn’t want to spend hours mowing and weeding their yard.

If you’re looking to transform your backyard into a peaceful oasis, try creating a sitting area that’s enclosed by flowering bushes and vines for a cozy, insulated feeling. You can even add a soothing water feature for added tranquility.

Another way to relax in your backyard is to entertain with a backyard bar, which will allow you to enjoy drinks and snacks without leaving the comfort of your own backyard. Whether you choose to set up a bar on a raised deck or in a corner of your backyard, you’ll find that having an outdoor space to host parties and gatherings will make your backyard feel like an extension of your home.

The key to a great backyard is making sure you have plenty of comfortable seating areas. Investing in the right patio chairs and lounge sofas will keep everyone happy, especially if you’re hosting an event. You can also create a cozy seating area around a fire pit with benches and a side table for drinks and snacks.

Hardscaping

If you’re a homeowner, you know that landscaping includes a lot of work. Mowing, weeding, planting and bedding are just some of the tasks that come with keeping your yard looking great. Fortunately, hardscapes help to reduce the amount of time and effort needed to keep your outdoor areas looking their best. Hardscapes are the non-living components of your landscape and can include everything from brick to concrete. They’re usually designed to add a decorative touch and can enhance your overall landscape design.

The most common types of hardscapes are patios, walkways and driveways. These are usually built using brick, flagstone or concrete pavers. They can also include retaining walls and custom outdoor lighting. Other hardscape features include sitting walls, water features and grill surrounds. Depending on your preferences, hardscapes can be functional or decorative.

When used correctly, hardscapes can make your yard feel like an extension of your home. They can also increase your usable square footage and create unique outdoor living spaces for entertaining friends and family.

A well-designed hardscape can also complement your architectural style and tie the whole landscape together. For example, brick patios are a classic choice for homes with traditional architecture, while a flagstone walkway can be used with a variety of styles.

Hardscapes can be a great way to add a sense of privacy to your backyard. Fencing, walls and other dividing elements can help to cut down on noise and light pollution from nearby streets or neighbors. They can also increase your privacy when entertaining guests or spending time with loved ones.

Adding hardscapes to your backyard can be a great way to enhance your curb appeal and boost the value of your home. However, it’s important to remember that hardscapes can be damaged by exposure to the elements. Taking steps to protect your hardscapes and ensuring that they are installed properly can help them last longer. Regular maintenance such as a protective seal can help to prevent damage from sun, wind and rain.

If you’re considering installing a new hardscape feature on your property, be sure to contact a professional. They’ll be able to advise you on the best material for your needs and create a design that will suit your personal tastes.

Trees

Trees are one of the most important elements of any landscaping plan. They offer a wide range of benefits that improve the overall look of your commercial property. Adding trees to your landscape can also increase the value of your property. The following tips will help you choose the best place to add a new tree.

Framing a view

Trees can frame a view without the expense and limitations of structural boundaries like walls, fences, or built-in seating. They also create outdoor living spaces, separating one part of the yard from another and defining a space without blocking views or creating visual clutter.

Privacy screening

Evergreen trees provide a cost-effective and attractive solution for blocking neighbors’ views from homes, decks, and patios. They can easily extend above fencing and are a good choice for blocking upper-story neighboring views as well. They can even serve as a windbreak to help shield yards from winter winds.

Seasonal color

Trees add beauty to the landscape through blooming flowers and foliage that change with the seasons, enhancing the beauty of your property throughout the year. They are also a focal point, attracting birds and other wildlife.

Sound barrier

Trees help to reduce noise pollution in urban areas by absorbing and deflecting sound waves. They can also help to filter air pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, and promote soil stability to prevent erosion.

Accentuating the base of a tree

To make the most of the space under your trees, add landscape accents such as flowering shrubs or ornamental grasses to fill in gaps and keep weeds from growing. Alternatively, use large rocks or garden art to create silhouettes and shadows under the canopy of the tree.

Be sure to plant your trees properly, ensuring they are not planted too close to structures or buried utility lines. Check with your public works department to see if they offer free flagging services and to find out where underground utilities are located before planting. Make sure your tree is planted at least a half of its mature height away from buildings or paved surfaces to avoid damage or staining.

Outdoor living spaces

When you’re planning for outdoor living spaces, lifestyle is a key element to consider. Whether it’s curling up with a book in the morning sun or hosting friends for late-night drinks, you want your yard to feel like a comfortable extension of your home.

One way to help your backyard become more inviting is by creating a central space for dining and entertaining. You could create a cozy nook around a fire pit, add a dining patio or even transform your front yard into a social garden.

Focal points make the best backyard entertainment areas, and a fountain can serve as an eye-catching centerpiece for any landscaping project. Water also appeals to all five senses, providing a soothing sound and a dimension of cool tranquility that’s sure to enhance any gathering. For an affordable focal point, try adding a small store-bought fountain or opting for something more unique, such as a cascading waterfall or an elegant sculpture.

To define a seating area in your backyard, consider using paver stones or bricks to create a floor that sets it apart from the rest of your lawn’s grass. This simple design element gives the illusion of a defined room and helps separate the area for dining and relaxing from the rest of the garden. If you have the budget for it, a wall provides an even more effective separation, while also offering a sense of privacy and security.

When it comes to outdoor furniture, choose pieces that can endure a range of weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. Properly waterproofed wood or metal chairs and couches can resist rain, wind and sunlight for years without fading or becoming damaged. If you’re considering a pergola, look for one that features screens that can be opened or closed to keep mosquitoes and other pests away when you’re enjoying your outdoor living area at dusk or dawn.

The right lighting will also help your backyard be a welcoming gathering place at night. There are many ways to brighten up a space for outdoor living, including sconces, pendants and Edison-type bulbs strung overhead. You can also add a softer touch with candles, lamps and lanterns.

Flooring

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring: Beauty and Durability Combined

Alyssia Anderson

Flooring Middletown NY is one of the most important design elements in your home. The right floor can bring your interior together and create seamless room-to-room continuity.

Consider how much you’re willing to spend and the level of maintenance needed. Site-finished solid wood floors require more work than factory-finished laminate and engineered hardwood.

Wood

Flooring

Wood flooring brings a natural, warm and classic look to your home. It is longlasting and a timeless choice for most homeowners.

It can be installed in a wide variety of patterns and styles to suit different decors from modern to classical. Wood floors can also be sanded and refinished over time to keep your floor looking fresh and new.

Different species of wood have their own characteristics. Some are harder and more durable, others have a beautiful grain pattern or are more colour variant. Oak, for example, has a strong character and a gorgeous grain, with an elegance that only gets better with age. Other wood species such as birch are softer and more colourful with a rich golden hue that changes with the seasons. Hickory is another hard wood with a varied grain and rich hue that can lean red or orange depending on the stain used. Pine is a softer wood with a traditional look that has beautiful grain and characteristic knots that get even better with age.

A wood floor’s sheen level determines how easy it is to maintain and the amount of light it reflects. The options are matte, satin, semi-gloss and glossy.

The installation method for wood flooring can be either click fitting or tongue & groove, with the latter being more traditional. The tongue on the plank fits into the groove on the other side of the board to create a tight fit and no visible gaps between the boards. The tongue and groove system can be fitted over underlay which provides insulation against sound, heat and moisture.

A wood floor’s dimensional stability is affected by humidity. Too much moisture in the air can cause the wood to swell and crack. In extreme cases the flooring can even delaminate. It is therefore important to keep a good level of humidity in the home, which can be done by installing an efficient dehumidifier or by using underlay with a built-in dehumidifier.

Tile

Tile is a classic flooring material that can be used in many different ways. Its most common use is in kitchens, but it also works well in mudrooms and entryways as an alternative to expensive hardwood. Tile is a durable option that can handle heavy foot traffic, and it can stand up to years of wear and tear. It is naturally water-resistant and is an ideal choice for bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Tile comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. It is an ideal material for achieving a custom look, and its versatility allows homeowners to find the right style to complement their design aesthetic. The layout and installation process also have an effect on the appearance of a tile floor. For example, using smaller mosaic tiles in between the primary tiles can create a distinctive pattern that adds visual interest to the space.

Another advantage of tile is that it is easy to clean. It won’t harbor dirt, dust, pet dander and other allergens like carpet fibers, and it is resistant to mold and mildew growth. Furthermore, most tiles are fired at high temperatures, reducing the production of Volatile Organic Compounds that can contaminate indoor air quality.

The disadvantages of tile flooring include its hardness, which can make it uncomfortable to stand on for long periods of time and make dropped items more likely to break. Additionally, grout lines can collect dirt and stain over time, requiring regular cleaning and occasional regrouting. Finally, tile can be more expensive than some other flooring options.

With the right planning and professional installation, tile is a great option for any home renovation project. It is an especially good choice in high-traffic areas, as it will withstand the stomping of boots, the kicking of soccer cleats and other daily wear and tear. In addition, it is a good choice for bathroom and kitchen areas because of its durability, resistance to moisture and ease of maintenance. However, for bedrooms and living spaces, other flooring options may be more comfortable and offer better sound absorption.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a versatile flooring material with an attractive blend of aesthetics, durability, and affordability. It can mimic materials like wood or stone, and is easy to install and maintain. However, it can be scratched by heavy objects and may fade under intense sunlight, and some types produce high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — although there are low-VOC alternatives available.

The production of vinyl is an interesting story, starting with the discovery of the chemical PVC by a German chemist named Eugen Baumann in 1926. He had left a flask of vinyl chloride out in the sun, and when he returned, a white solid polymer had formed inside. He had no idea that he had stumbled upon an incredibly useful new product.

In the following years, researchers developed various processes to mold this new polymer into different products. One such process was to add carbon, which gave the vinyl a distinctive black color and improved its electrical properties. This was used in the production of vinyl records, which were colored black to reduce the amount of static electricity generated by their rotation and playback.

The most common use for vinyl today is as a floor covering. It is durable and relatively inexpensive compared with other flooring options, but it is not inherently water-resistant and must be sealed to protect against moisture damage. Some varieties of vinyl are made with a protective top layer that is resistant to stains, making it easy to clean.

It is important to note that most vinyl products are manufactured to look the same so that one section will look the same as another coming out of the boxes. This means that when installing the floor, it is best to work out of 2-3 boxes at a time and pay close attention to placement or you may end up with a section that looks identical to the rest.

When properly cared for, vinyl is extremely rugged and can last for decades if not longer. It is also easy to clean, requiring little more than a broom and mop. It can be damaged, though, so it is important to protect your vinyl by using rugs or mats in high-traffic areas, and placing felt pads on the bottom of furniture legs.

Carpet

Carpet is a popular flooring choice for many homeowners and builders. It is comfortable and warm underfoot, provides sound-absorbing qualities, and comes in a wide variety of textures and colors to match any decor. However, it is also prone to staining and requires regular upkeep and cleaning. As a result, it may not last as long as other types of flooring.

When choosing a new carpet, it is important to consider the room in which you will be installing it. Typically, heavy use areas like stairs and hallways require a higher face weight or “pile” of fibers per square yard. This helps the carpet resist flattening caused by foot traffic and furniture over time. It is also important to keep in mind that the type of fiber used in a carpet has an impact on durability.

Aside from fiber type, the way a carpet is constructed also impacts its durability. Tufted carpets have an upper layer of pile that is attached to a secondary backing. This backing is made of either a tough, woven material or a durable plastic. This material is used to reduce the risk of the carpet becoming soiled or damaged by moisture, odors, and mold.

While many homeowners choose carpet for its versatility and style, it is not ideal for every room in the home. If not maintained properly, it can harbor dirt and allergens deep within its fibers. These contaminants can trigger hay fever and allergies in sensitive family members. Additionally, if water or other liquids seep through the carpet and its backing, mold and mildew can grow, which is not only unsightly but can pose health risks for your family.

If you’re interested in installing carpet, speak to your local Flooring America sales professional about the various options available and how each type of carpet performs in different environments. They will be able to help you choose the right carpet for your needs and advise you of any additional maintenance requirements.