HEALTH

MANAGE STRESS WITH THESE HELPFUL HINTS

Has the COVID-19 pandemic left you feeling out of sorts? Beyond the physical toll it takes on those who experience symptoms, almost all of us feel an emotional heaviness these days. Thankfully, wellness experts can help us cope with the day-to-day challenges by following these tips:

DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY.

If you’re feeling stressed, find something you can get completely lost in doing. Look for an activity that you get so engrossed in that you lose track of time when you get started. Psychologists call this “flow.” Other things that can help lower your stress levels include taking a walk on a sunny day, learning something new, reading a good book, spending time with friends (socially distanced) and enjoying time with your pets.

MAKE WORKING FROM HOME WORK FOR YOUR DIET.

Take advantage of being home by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat daily. Try to “eat the rainbow,” by eating as many different colored fruits and veggies you can. The healthy nutrients in fruits and vegetables are some of the things that give them their colors, so the more colors you eat, the more variety of nutrients you get.

STAY ACTIVE.

Make regular exercise a part of your daily routine by putting it on your schedule. Strive for a workout early in the morning, because as the day goes on more things can pop up and get in the way of your activity time. First thing in the morning can be a great time to get the day started on the right foot. Throughout the day, take regular breaks from your work and move around. You can even set a timer to remind you to get up every hour and walk around a little.

STAY CONNECTED—EVEN FROM A DISTANCE.

People are social animals and we enjoy being connected to our friends and family. There are lots of good ways to keep up with your loved ones, even if you can’t see them in person. Catch up with friends and family by phone, video calls or email, or even send an old fashioned letter or card. Social media can be a good way to stay in touch, but try to ignore the negative posts. Too often, the negatives dominate our thoughts. One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to take time to appreciate the positives in your life. Before bed each night, try thinking of a few things in your life that you’re grateful for, and why you’re grateful for those things. That simple mental exercise can really give your spirits a lift.

GET SOME SLEEP.

Your body does a lot of physical and mental repair each night as you sleep. If you are not getting quality restorative sleep on a regular basis, you are losing the opportunity for all of that repair work. It’s like not doing any preventive maintenance on your car or house. There are several things you can do to help get a better night’s sleep on a regular basis. Establish a routine—try to go to bed and get up about the same time every day (even on weekends). Do something that lets your brain know that it’s time to start winding down, like reading a book or drinking some warm, caffeine-free tea. Avoid caffeine and other things that wake you up (like hard exercise) within a few hours of bedtime. And lastly, make your bedroom as conducive to sleep as possible. Keep things cool and dark, and use white noise, like a fan, to mask noises like traffic.

Need help creating healthy practices like these? Dr. W. Scott Black, of Owensboro Health Lifestyle Medicine and Sports Medicine works with individuals to replace unhealthy behaviors with positive habits so they can improve their health and quality of life. This approach works to prevent, treat and even reverse diseases affecting patients’ lives. To make an appointment, call 270-688-2110 or visit OwensboroHealth.org/Lifestyle to learn more about wellness resources available.

HOME &

GARDEN

READY FOR A CHANGE FROM YOUR ALL-WHITE KITCHEN? Natural woodstained cabinets are replacing or being used in combination with white cabinets. Warm finishes like burnished brass, brushed gold and rich matte black are trending in plumbing and lighting. We’ve got the latest fixtures in these new finishes on display. Stop by our showroom for a peek!

2110 Grimes Ave. Owensboro, KY 42301 270-691-6040 Lighting: winideacenterowensboro.com winsupplyofowensboro.com

What is the difference between a Pre-Approval and Pre-Qualification?

A Pre-Qualification is simply the estimate of how much you can probably afford to spend on a home. A Pre-Approval is a verification of your personal and financial information, by the lender, giving you a concrete idea on what you can afford to spend on a home. Realtors prefer a buyer to have a Pre-Approval letter from their lender before they begin showing them homes.

Ruoff Mortgage Company, Inc., d/b/a Ruoff Home Mortgage, is an Indiana corporation. For complete licensing information visit: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/ COMPANY/141868. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS#141868. 02/2020

234 Frederica St Owensboro, KY 42301 270-240-2828 Ruoff.com

At the end of the day, NiteLiters is there.

KY: 270-685-7070 IN: 812-431-7250 TN: 615-674-9950 // niteliters.com

People choose to add outdoor lighting to their homes and businesses for many reasons, including: creating outdoor living spaces; accentuating specialty features; enhancing security; and increasing the value.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN AN OUTDOOR LIGHTING DESIGN FIRM?

1. A company with verifiable experience, credentials, insurance, and a belief in continuously updating their techniques and technology.

2. A designer who listens to your desires, as well as your concerns; who utilizes a variety of high-quality fixtures and lamps, and creates a custom design for your home or business.

3. A production crew trained in low-voltage lighting systems and expert installation.

4. A dependable service team who supports and maintains the integrity of your system.

3130A COMMONWEALTH COURT OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY 42303 270.926.2060 www.martincustombuilding.com

270-683-7100 // jmjhomes.net jmj@jmjhomes.net

2601 W 4th Street Owensboro KY 42301

Gary Murphy: 270-929-6283 Jamie Murphy: 270-929-2987

TIPS:

Make sure to call 811 before you dig. Not getting underground lines marked can be a costly mistake.

When you decide you want to build, make sure you get an estimate for land clearing, site grading, and drainage. These could all be potential pitfalls when building.

5789 Millers Mill Rd Philpot KY 42366 270-683-3969 stevebakerbuilding.com

3149 Commonwealth Ct B, Owensboro, KY 42303 270-281-0260 riverfrontappraisals.com

Have you ever wondered what’s going on in your neighborhood’s real estate market? The Riverfront Appraisals team is excited to introduce to you a new podcast we recently launched, called the Owensboro Real Estate Update! This will be a weekly podcast bringing the latest news and information about our local real estate market directly to you. Each week, appraiser Ryan Bays will be giving a brief update about the real estate activity in the Owensboro/ Daviess County market. In addition to this, from time to time, we will have a conversation with a guest from our real estate community. Together, we’ll look at a five-year history of one of many local neighborhoods in a segment called ‘Neighborhood Deep Dive’. If you’re a homeowner interested in knowing what’s going on in your neighborhood or interested in buying, selling, investing, or refinancing, or if you work in the real estate industry this podcast is for you! We want to help you make the best-informed decisions possible when it comes to your real estate investments.

Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

SHOP LOCAL BUY AMERICAN

420 Triplett St.,Owensboro, KY 42303 270-684-7872 // murphysew.com

TIPS:

Riccar and MD vacuums are both designed & assembled in the USA. Whether you prefer a whole-house vacuum or a lightweight portable, we have the one for you.

Murphy’s has supplied personalized, top-level, local service to the Owensboro area since 1951. Now owned and operated by the third and fourth generations, they continue to strive for the best quality in products and service.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Bob Vila and Tim Allen have MD central vacuum systems in their homes?

• Exceptional filtration and cleaning power. • Lightweight and versatile • Perfect for multi-floor surfaces • Warranties up to 5 years • Local service

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: BILL’S RESTAURANT p. 60 → FLAVOR