10 Simple Ways to Make Your SoCal Home More Modern

10 Simple Ways to Make Your SoCal Home More Modern

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Living in SoCal is often like being in a world full of sunshine. And it makes sense that you’d want to bring some of that fun, vibrant energy into your home as well. No matter where you live in sunny Southern California, there are so many ways that you can make your home match your own personality while you modernize and clean it up in order to make it sleeker and more current. From simple fixes to larger projects, it truly is all about what you want to bring into the space. Of course, every home is different and every style is different, so there are so many options you can explore.

1.  Embrace Simplicity

One of the easiest ways to make any home look more modern is to embrace simplicity in design and furnishings. Although it can be tempting to deck out a space with the most fun, bright and colorful accessories, using simplicity in the form of neutral colors, clean lines and simple decor can make a space feel much more uplifted and current. Simplicity is timeless!

2.  Bring In More Light

This isn’t always an easy fix for everyone, but if you can manage it, it’s well worth it. Having plenty of natural light in your space is one way to make it feel more modern and current, as it helps everything feel much more uplifted. If you happen to have big windows or open doors, now might be the time to open them.

3.  Add a Home Office

This might be a case of practical modernization, but one thing that everybody needs a little bit more of nowadays is space to get work done and to have a little bit of solitude. There are so many ways that you can add a home office into a space that you might not of expected before. Consider adding a home office in your sunroom, basement or even an accessory dwelling unit if you have one.

4. Lighten Up the Walls

One of the easiest ways to make a space look brighter and more modern automatically is still bringing some lighter colors. Specifically, using lighter neutrals on the walls can open up a space and leave more room for other accessories to take the spotlight. If your house feels dark and dingy, this can be a great step that you can take.

5. Get Rid of Wallpaper

On the same subject, if you happen to have wallpaper on your walls, especially outdated wallpaper, one of the best things that you can do to modernize your space is two get rid of the wallpaper. This is often a very easy fix, and it can do a lot for a space, including freeing up room for other, more sophisticated and current decor.

6. Declutter

One of the easiest ways to transform a space without actually transforming the space itself is to declutter and clean. Whether you are already a bit of a minimalist or you find yourself to be a bit of a collector of things, there’s no reason why you can’t take a day or two for a full deep clean in order to make room for a more intentional space around you.

7. Remove Carpeting

Carpeting is often considered to be outdated, especially in terms of modern decor. If you can rip up carpeting and find some beautiful hardwood or even industrial concrete underneath, you can easily transform an entire space into a modern paradise.

8. Update Light Fixtures

Lighting can be extremely transformative, even if we aren’t talking about natural lighting. If you have clunky, outdated light fixtures all around your home, replacing them with a simple, sleek light fixtures can be the exact shift you need to make your space feel much more modern and authentic.

9. Art You Care About

One thing that can drag the house down tremendously is art and decoration that isn’t thoughtful or personalized. No matter what kind of art you’re interested in, it’s important to find decorative pieces that you actually enjoy and want to spend time around. That way, your space will feel uplifted and personalized, in addition to feeling modern.

10. Get Smart

One fantastic way that you can make your home not just look modern, but also feel modern, is to invest in some smart home technology. From smart thermostats to lights that go off on command, having a smart home can make your life easier and make your entire space flow with an ease that you’ve never known before.

Making Your Home More Modern

There are so many ways that you can modernize your home, from the way that it looks to the way that it feels. By adding functional elements and finding decoration that you truly love, you can make your home a modern paradise in the Golden state.

 

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7 Ways to Manage Your Family’s Health This Summer

7 Ways to Manage Your Family’s Health This Summer

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Most parents know to keep healthy snacks, sunscreen and yard games around during the summer months. However, there are so many other things parents can do to ensure their kids have a safe, healthy summer. While these habits and lifestyle changes may be small, they’ll ultimately change your perspective on wellness and help you discover better ways to keep your kids healthy and happy. 

Cultivate healthy habits now by using these smart tips all summer long. 

1. Reapply Sunscreen

You already know that sunburns can increase your risk of developing cancer. That fact alone is enough to spray the kids with sunscreen. However, one application likely won’t be enough to protect your family if you’ll be outside for a few hours. 

Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. Choose one with an SPF of at least 60 and wear protective clothing if the UV index is extra high. These additional precautions will prevent burns and subsequent skin damage. 

2. Manage Portions 

You serve all the right food groups so your kids have healthy options at mealtime. But are you paying attention to portion size? Generally, you should choose foods every day from the following :

  • Two to three cups of vegetables
  • One and a half to two cups of fruit
  • Five to eight cups of grains
  • Three cups of dairy
  • Five to six ounces of protein foods 
  • Five to seven teaspoons of fats and oils 

So, if you’re serving more macaroni and cheese than fruits and vegetables or your little ones are sneaking extra portions of the former, it’s time to focus on improving your plating. 

3. Take Care of Your Gut 

Good health starts in your stomach, and the same goes for your kids. That’s because your gut is home to millions of bacteria that form a microbiome. This group of microorganisms holds the key to digesting and utilizing food, a process that can affect your entire body. 

Therefore, it’s important that you care for your gut by eating fermented foods like Greek yogurt, sauerkraut and pickles. If your kids are picky eaters, try probiotic and prebiotic supplements instead. Regardless of how you go about boosting those good bacteria, you’ll surely experience a plethora of health benefits once you start prioritizing gut health. 

4. Stick to a Bedtime 

Most parents let their kids stay up late into the night during the summer months. However, children still need eight to 13 hours of sleep each night, depending on their age — and regardless of whether school is in session. 

Establish a bedtime for yourself and your kids and try to stick to it by developing a nighttime ritual. Waking up at the same time every morning may help, too. By the time this new schedule becomes routine, everyone will already be experiencing better sleep and happier, healthier outlooks. 

5. Don’t Forget to Floss 

While you’re at it, make flossing part of your family’s nightly routine. This simple yet oft-forgotten habit is crucial to your dental health and hygiene as it protects against plaque buildup and subsequent tooth decay. 

Teach your kids how to floss by modeling the behavior yourself. Younger kids might need extra help as they develop their fine motor skills. However, if you want to boost their independence, try having them use y-shaped floss picks. With a little practice and patience, they’ll soon be flossing their teeth all on their own. 

6. Try Mind-Body Exercises

Whether your family works out together or not, it’s important to incorporate mind-body exercises into your lives. These exercises will help you use your thoughts to gain influence over your body’s physical responses. With practice, your whole family may experience better sleep, less stress and a heightened sense of well-being. 

Try a few deep breathing exercises or meditate for a few minutes to develop and deepen this mind-body connection. Yoga, tai-chi and other similar traditions can be beneficial as well. Plus, they’re easy for kids to learn and practice. The more often and consistently they participate, the more apt you’ll be to see positive results. 

7. Take a Proactive Stance 

With more vaccines rolling out every day, now’s the perfect time to schedule your kids’ annual wellness check. This appointment will clue you into any underlying health issues so you can help your children make healthier life choices. 

Ask your pediatrician about routine inoculations and whether or not they recommend the COVID-19 vaccine. Remember to schedule any routine appointments afterward to get ahead of the wellness curve and take a more proactive stance on health care. 

Lead By Example 

The devil’s in the details and, if you want your family to stay healthy and active, you must take the lead. Your kids — and maybe even your spouse — often look to you for direction, so take charge and lead by example. Once they see you prioritizing sunscreen, sleep, gut health and the like, they’ll likely follow suit. With some practice and a little bit of luck, these healthy habits will stick with your little ones well into adulthood.

 

For more information: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/AAP-Supports-Childhood-Sleep-Guidelines.aspx

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