What to Do When a Loved One is Struggling With Depression

 When faced with a friend or family member who you suspect or know is struggling with depression, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless. Depression is a serious mental health problem that affects every aspect of someone’s life, and if someone you love is struggling it can feel like you don’t have any way to help them. Common signs of depression include losing interest in formerly loved activities and withdrawing from loved ones, so it’s likely that your friend or family member won’t make it easy for you to help them. Fortunately, there are ways that you can help. Here are some of the things you can do when a loved one is struggling with depression.

1: Talk About Your Concerns With Your Loved One

If you’ve noticed that your friend or family member has been withdrawing from friends or activities or showing other signs of depression, the first step in helping them is to calmly and non judgmentally share your concerns with them. By sharing the changes you’ve seen in them and your concerns, you will create an opening for them to share what they’re feeling. 

Be careful to avoid well-meaning platitudes - not mentioning how many good things they have in their life or how worse others have it is important. Many people with depression already feel as though their mental health struggles are a failing or a sign of weakness, and reinforcing those thoughts can stand in the way of effective treatment.

2: Help Organize Professional Treatment

When your loved one is struggling with depression, they may need help and encouragement when it comes to getting professional help. They may need your support because they feel shame at needing to seek treatment or because their depression gets in the way of everyday tasks such as scheduling an appointment. Offer your support in whatever capacity they need it - whether that be in sending them a text to remind them of when their appointment is scheduled or accompanying them to the appointment to support them in the waiting room. 

If they’re hesitant about seeking professional help from a psychologist or psychiatrist, encourage them to see their primary care doctor instead - while a general physician won’t have the precise expertise necessary to help them, if they’re already comfortable with their doctor they will likely be more willing to listen to them and trust their recommendations.

3: Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Substance Abuse

Depression and substance abuse often go hand in hand. People struggling with depression will often turn to various substances, such as alcohol or marijuana, in order to cope with day-to-day life when it comes to living with depression. But these substances, when abused, will make their depression worse, leading to mental health spirals that cause them to reach for the substance more and more. Keeping an eye out for common signs of substance abuse, such as changes to their regular drinking habits or sudden mood swings, will allow you to better support your friend or family member who is struggling with depression.

4: Support Their Day-to-Day Routine

While treatment goes a long way to helping someone who is struggling with depression, it isn’t an instant fix, and your loved one will need care and support in the meantime. The casual offer to help in aspects of their day-to-day routine will go a long way - you will show your support, remind them that they’re not alone as they begin treatment for depression, and allow them to concentrate on effective treatment. 

This can range from offering to do tasks that they may find overwhelming, such as grocery shopping or laundry, to extending invitations to activities (especially in a smaller group setting). While it’s important not to become overbearing or condescending, the occasional invitation to work out together or meet up with a few friends for a cup of coffee can go a long way.

5: Be Prepared for the Long Haul

Depression isn’t something that can be fixed or made to go away. It’s a chronic illness, with symptoms that will flare up periodically and peaks and valleys. Some people with depression are able to reach an equilibrium, but many will struggle with this disease for the rest of their lives. Relapses and cycles of “good days” and “bad days” are common, especially when your loved one has only just begun treatment. Understanding the nature of depression and being prepared for the nature of it is important. If you’re struggling to support a loved one with depression, seeking out personal therapy is important so that you can take care of yourself and those around you.

Why it's Almost a Necessity to Soundproof Your Windows in a City

 Why it's Almost a Necessity to Soundproof Your Windows in a City

Soundproofing your windows is an important step to take in order to protect yourself from the noise pollution in a city.

Noise pollution is a serious issue for many people living in cities. It can cause fatigue, stress, and even mental health issues. It also affects our sleep patterns and quality of life.

Soundproofing your windows can help you sleep better at night and enjoy a quieter environment during the day.

How Soundproof Window Materials Work 

The main purpose of soundproofing glass is to reduce unwanted sound levels. The noise levels can be reduced for either the exiting of sound from a room or for keeping the outside racket from entering a room.

 Some treatments use rubber, glass, or plastic as the material that is used for noise-proofing apertures. In some cases, these materials are installed by the homeowner with their own tools. Window insulation materials use different ways of absorbing sound vibration and converting it into heat in order to prevent vibrations from traveling through the glass. Insulation materials are typically made up of acoustically absorbing material, such as cork, cellulose, cotton, foam rubber, or wool. Some insulation materials are used in conjunction with a sound-absorbing foam or an acoustical panel. 

Soundproofing glass panes and other types of openings may also be accomplished by using a solid core, double pane, and noise-reducing glass. Acoustical insulation is typically made up of materials such as wool, cork, cellulose, cotton, and foam rubber. 

• Cork has a natural ability to absorb sound and act as an insulator. It is used in places like wine cellars, where it absorbs the sound of a cork popping from bottles. It is typically installed on vents, doors, and other surfaces by drilling a small hole through it and placing it over the surface being treated. 

• Cellulose insulation works by absorbing sound waves through its use of water, which allows the sound waves to be dispersed into the atmosphere.

The ideal placement of sound treatment material

For maximum reduction, acoustical insulation should be installed on a wall or ceiling that is perpendicular to the noise source. The lowest point of a wall or ceiling is typically located at the centerline of the room. When placing insulation on a wall, it should be placed so that the lowest point of the material is approximately 1/2 inch below the surface being treated. If installing insulation on a ceiling, place it so that the lowest point of the material is approximately 1-inch below the surface.

Soundproofing and its various tangents with a city

City dwellers have more clatter to deal with than ever before. Loud clamor can be a nuisance and can disturb the peace of others. It is important to consider the effects of your clatter on your neighbors and try to avoid disturbing them. 

Noiseproofing is not just about protecting yourself from outside sounds, it also helps protect your neighbor from your loud music or TV which is a common phenomenon in a city like New York. The walls of condos and apartments are usually not very thick and mostly need noise proofing if you choose to be a little noisy in life. To get the sound treatment done quickly, you can search for soundproof windows nyc on google and you will get some good options to go for. This can be particularly helpful during the summer or winter when outside commotion is more noticeable. Try to keep disturbances to a minimum by installing sound insulation and mini-blinds on apertures that face away from neighbors. 

Your neighbor's babies and toddlers can be especially susceptible to noise, so it is important to consider its effect on them. On top of that, continuous commotion can cause headaches and hearing loss even in adults. Loud music is a common source of stress for babies, so avoid playing the radio or TV at high volume levels when they are nearby. 

Sound-Proofing vs. Acoustical Treatment Methods That You Should Avoid

Sound-proofing is a process that involves sealing the gaps in a room to prevent sound from escaping. 

Acoustic treatment is not the same as it deals more with the quality of the sound in an area. Acoustical treatment methods are more affordable and provide a better acoustic solution. There are several different methods to enhance the sound quality of space including various sound-absorbing materials, reflective materials, and diffusers. These options work together to provide a better acoustic solution.

Most people know about soundproofing as it is the most common type of acoustical treatment. Acoustic treatments are used in different ways and can be found in many types of buildings, such as homes and offices.

Sound-proofing methods are pricey and may not provide the best acoustic results for your space. Acoustic treatments reduce the levels by eliminating unwanted background sounds. This can save a lot of time and effort and give you more to focus on important aspects of your business. They are also gentler on the budget than other solutions, as they don't need to be replaced very often.

Why Should You Hire Professionals for Window SoundProofing?

The main advantage of hiring professionals for such treatment is that they are experienced in the field. They have a chance to save you a lot of time and money. They will be able to identify the problem and do a solution that is effective in eliminating or reducing the issue. They could also provide you with information about how to maintain the acoustic proofing without re-doing it. 

Another advantage is that professionals are able to give you the best advice on what type of window treatment would be suitable for your needs. With this, they can help identify where a noise problem may occur and recommend solutions that will reduce or eliminate it. When looking for professionals, you should always ask them to show you their credentials. They should also be willing to provide you with additional materials such as certificates and references.

Reasons Why You Shouldn't Buy Cheap Window Sound Proofers Online

You should not buy cheap sound proofers online because you are likely to get a product that is not worth the money. Cheap insulators can be found online but they might not be worth the money. Often, they do not have good insulation properties and will also let in more noise than you want. The best way to find out whether a product is good or not is to test it out yourself. Only after testing it out will you understand the true quality and grade of the treatment but the extra work is always a hassle plus there is also a waste of money involved. 

Thus it is always better to start dealing with professionals and quality companies from the very start.

Virtues of Insulating Windows with Foam or Carpet

Insulating windows with either foam or carpeting can help to reduce the utility bills. Foam insulation is more effective than carpeting in insulation. Foam insulation is used in a wide range of applications, such as soundproofing, acoustic treatment, and sound absorption. Carpeting can also be used to insulate noise and heat.

Insulation has been proven to reduce utility bills by as much as 40%. It also helps to keep the temperature inside your home comfortable during the winter months.

Even if you are super caring and courteous towards your neighbors when noise pollution is involved, there will always be times when you will not be able to help it. In such instances, you would wish you got at least some grade of sound treatment done at your place. So all in all, soundproofing is slowly becoming a must in most cities.

5 Tips for Having a Stress Free Moving Experience

 This is a guest post by Alex Berger from The Berger Bungalow.

I haven’t exactly moved a *ton* in my life. However, I’ve done it enough to know the basic dos and dont’s when it comes to moving, and I’m going to have to tune-up my skills very soon, because we are moving next month! I know that a ton of others are moving right now, as well, so I thought that it would be very handy and timely to share all of my best tips for having a sress-free moving experience, because I know that a lot of the time, it is FAR from stress-free. I think that with a little intention, a positive mindset, and of course, lots of handy tips, it can be a relatively stress-free (and dare I say, fun?) experience! Here are some of the tips that I am using for this moving experience of mine, that you can hopefully copy and use for your move, too! – 

Be prepared to spend more than you expect

Be prepared to spend more than you expect

If you can be prepared about this aspect of the move, that would save you so much trouble! To be honest, it’s been seven years since I last moved and when I purchased our home last time, I really didn’t have many out-of-pocket expenses because 1) we moved ourselves, 2) we were still in college when we purchased this house, so we rolled all closing cost expenses into our loan, and 3) we didn’t spend much up-front on any renovations, additions, etc. With this upcoming movie, we are spending much more. I mean, our down payment alone is a huge cost, and although I sort of expected it, I didn’t remember how much all the things added up to be (like a $600+ appraisal, a $1,000+ home inspection, repairs, moving costs, etc. etc. etc.). And as a seller, the agent commissions will also be factored into your budget. Since this is our first time selling, that was news to me! Needless to say, just go into the process knowing what to expect and always prepare to spend more than you are estimating so that you aren’t shocked during the process. You may find it helps to send money ahead of you, so do a money transfer to Brazil if you are moving there for instance. This way, you'll have money waiting for you too.

Start prepping as early as possible

So, the timing of our move is a bit crazy. We are headed to Ireland in two weeks, and the day after we get back, we close on our current home. Then, the next day, we close on our new home. Seriously crazy timing! Hopefully, if you are moving, you won’t have as crazy as a timeline as we do, but either way, you will want to start prepping as early as possible. Create a packing plan - don’t wait until the last minute, or else you will be majorly stressed. Trust me on that one! How are we doing it? Well, we are trying to pack up at least one box a day, until we can’t anymore. There will be some things that you just won’t be able to pack up until the week-of, or day-of. But, everything else (like things in your attic, clothes that are off-season, guest rooms, etc.) can definitely be packed away until your move. In addition to the one box a day plan, we are also setting aside each weekend to tackle one major room at a time. Last weekend, we tackled the guest room. Everything in there is packed up now! This upcoming weekend, we asked my sister to come help us with our daughter, and we are packing up the entire attic and garage. Needless to say, prep and pack as early as possible, to reduce your stress in the long-run!

Give yourself flex time

If it is at all possible, give yourself flex time. We have an extra week between the time we get our new home and the time that we have to move out of our old home. This means that we will be able to clean before we move in our things, do any renovations, and slowly move in, instead of having to rush to do everything on 1-2 days. Spreading things out, taking it slowly, and not having to rush or worry DEFINITELY reduces your stress during this process.

Consider pets and kids

If you are moving with pets and kids, you know how stressful things can get, even without a move on your plate. To make sure that you are having a stress-free moving experience, make sure you consider your pets and kids and make a plan. Hire a babysitter, have family help, or board your dogs (or cats!) for a few days. Just think through every scenario and make a good plan based on your life situation, wants, and needs. Thinking this through ahead of time will help you greatly, especially when it comes to your stress. Plus, having someone help with animals and kids will help you get things done faster, too.

Spend the extra money on movers

Last but not least, spend the extra money on movers. I know, I know - it can be challenging to spend that extra money during an already expensive move, but it’s worth it! This time around, we have HEAVY things to move. A washer, dryer, gym equipment, a fridge, beds, couches, etc. etc. I don’t think it will be possible to move it all ourself, with our daughter and 2 dogs. Even if we had a babysitter! I am 30-years-old and I am strong, but I’m not up for moving my entire house anymore (am I getting old?!). You will want to find movers with a great reputation, such as Movin’ which is a moving company that has great reviews. They do commercial moving near Salt Lake City, safe moving, residential moving, apartment moving, packing services, and more. They say, “We are a Moving Company based out of Salt Lake City, UT. We offer white glove moving services which mean we will accomplish any job with the utmost quality. We take pride in our effort to be the best and it shows in our quality of work. Give us a call or stop by our website for a quote today! Combining years of experience in the moving and service industry, Movin’ has established a reputation for quality work and the highest customer satisfaction. Our VISION is to cater to all of your moving day needs personally and professionally. Our GOAL is to provide you with a great moving day experience that will alleviate all the financial, emotional, and physical stress caused by the many challenges of moving. Our CALLING is to serve our community.”

How To Help Your Aging Parents Deal With Loneliness

 How To Help Your Aging Parents Deal With Loneliness

Elder loneliness is a harsh reality in the US since older people are likelier to live alone here than anywhere else in the world. A recent Pew Research Center study discovered that 27% of adults aged 60 and above live alone compared to 16% of adults in the 130 countries and territories examined. The effects of loneliness on elders extend beyond mere social isolation since it puts them at a higher risk of several conditions and even death. Luckily, there's a lot you can do to make your aging parents less lonely. Here's how to help your aged parents deal with loneliness.

1. Keep in touch

Image Credit

Your parents may not be able to drive or may be afraid of taking to the roads due to more traffic and slower reaction times. As such, you will have to do all the visiting to stay in touch with them as they age. Regular visits can give your parents something good to look forward to, so they are never weighed down by loneliness. You can simply drop by for a chat or a cup of tea or plan fun days out with other relatives to make your visit more memorable. These visits will also help you identify and fix key problems in their home to take better care of them. Alternatively, you can keep in touch through regular phone calls, texts, and video chat if you can't visit. On the other hand, for more consistent support, you might also consider looking into home care services which can provide professional assistance and companionship tailored to their needs. Home health care agencies Philadelphia and elsewhere offer specialised services that make it easier to ensure your loved ones receive the care they need, even when you can't be there in person.

2. Put them in a nursing home

It is estimated that 1.5 million Americans currently live in nursing homes for various reasons ranging from specialized healthcare needs to assistance with daily living. Nursing homes are also excellent for their social needs since they provide several socialization opportunities that might not be accessible at home or elsewhere. Your aging parents will be surrounded by their peers in a nursing home, so they will always have someone to talk to. What's more, these homes organize fun social activities for seniors like karaoke, board games, group walks, and birthday parties. You can partner with a nursing home advisor to find the right place for your parents if you can't decide on the many available options, so keep this in mind.

3. Teach them about technology

Image Credit

Lonely seniors enjoy more socializing opportunities with technology, so it is best to teach them how to navigate it. If you cannot teach your parents how to use smartphones, social media, and computers yourself, you can send the grandkids over for a few helpful lessons. The mere act of teaching your aging parents something new is an excellent social opportunity itself, and the lessons will help them be even more social. For instance, you can teach them how to use an ai character chat bot to ensure they'll have someone to talk to at all hours of the day. Seniors can also learn how to reach their family members anytime through video chat to keep them amused and socially connected. Furthermore, they can additionally learn how to use social media, find classes in their area, and join forums to interact with like-minded people. However, the FBI reports that seniors lost almost $1 billion through elder scams in 2020 alone. Therefore, teach your parents about online privacy and how to spot common scams to keep them safe.

Food Prices Are Soaring, But You Still Needn't Get Burnt In The Kitchen

Image Source: CC0 License

As food prices increase at rates that we haven’t seen in decades, it’s easy to assume that increases in grocery costs are an inevitable part of life right now. The trouble is that, for families who were already paying a great deal for their weekly food shop, this additional cost can feel like too much to bear.

This is especially true when you pair raising food costs with general inflation of around 7.5%. Luckily, while we can’t impact general inflation and its effects on things like household bills, grocery increases are, at least, something that we can manage if we put our minds to it.

That’s not to say you can entirely overcome paying anything extra in this area over the coming months, but it does at least mean that you can try to keep costs around the level that they were before by simply perfecting priorities like the following. 

Step 1: Pay with the right card

Though it may seem strange to use a credit card to ultimately save yourself money, the fact that many credit card providers offer as much as 2-6% of cashback at nationwide supermarkets means that you can at least reduce the impact of increases by paying this way. By taking the time to consider the best possible options for this benefit with the help of companies like Compare Credit, you can especially ensure that you’re getting almost as much back as the extra you’re spending in the first place. If you pair this with the ability to pay credit card bills as soon as they come through your letterbox, you can at least ease the sting you’ll inevitably feel here otherwise. 

Image Source: CC0 License

Step 2: Cut back on meat

With meat currently costing around 21% more than it did in 2021, reducing meat products to one or two meals a week can also significantly help to reduce food expenses overall. This is by no means a new concept, but the cost-cutting benefits of surprisingly affordable protein and iron-rich alternatives like lentils and beans are coming even more into their own right now. Even better, the ability to store these items in the long term can save on food wastage, which will also help to cut back on overall costs here. 

Step 3: Cook in batches

Speaking of reducing waste, cooking in batches is another more financially sustainable way to continue cooking your own meals. As well as saving on the risk of having to throw away food, having affordable meals like chilis and curries in the freezer can especially cut down on the need for shopping trips that leave you at risk of the expensive impulse buys that many of us are guilty of otherwise. And, you’d be amazed how much of a difference that can bring to your monthly grocery outlays overall. 

Cost of food increases are undeniably daunting for those of us with families to sustain, but weathering the change using these simple techniques is guaranteed to make this an easier adjustment than you might be expecting.