Everywhere you turn, there’s someone talking about COVID-19, and it can honestly get a little overwhelming. We’ve all felt that way at one point or another. One thing you may not have heard, though, is how you can use the COVID-19 crisis to do something besides worry. Instead of it being a doom-and-gloom conversation, you can think of a few ideas on how to react. We all know the global markets took a hit in the first quarter of 2020. The numbers go up and they go down — rapid changes … [Read more...] about Using COVID-19 to Benefit Your Retirement Strategy
Columnists
Yoga, Meditation for Beginners
August is National Wellness Month as well as International Peace Month, so the holistic benefits of yoga and meditation immediately come to mind. People all over the world practice yoga and meditate as part of their mental and physical maintenance plan, and you can, too! All ability levels can be accommodated; you just need a desire to begin, a little free time, and a willingness to try something new. Readying Your Space You can meditate or practice yoga nearly anywhere, but your space … [Read more...] about Yoga, Meditation for Beginners
How Stress Impacts Our Immune System
When we think of our immune system – not something most of us think much about – it is when it is failing us in some way, either unable to fend off infection, or even worse, attacking our own body. Most of us have some idea that stress and fatigue affect our immune system negatively, but does that translate into any change in how we take care of ourselves and each other? With the recent intense focus on the COVID-19 outbreak, this has become an issue that is possibly timelier than ever. While … [Read more...] about How Stress Impacts Our Immune System
NAU Supporting Businesses, Communities During COVID-19
Outside of the critical work of preparing Northern Arizona University for the return to campus, researchers, faculty and staff have been working hard to find vaccines, improve testing and support stressed communities and local businesses as they live through the various effects of the pandemic. One recent effort to enhance consumer confidence is an NAU partnership with Coconino County Health and Human Services to provide a COVID Aware Enhanced Food Handler’s Certification. The curriculum … [Read more...] about NAU Supporting Businesses, Communities During COVID-19
Supporting Those Feeling Isolation, Loneliness
We have an increasing population of older adults moving to the Quad Cities area to enjoy all it has to offer. Being healthy and active and able to travel can ease the sense of loss of family and friends who may live some distance away. Most older adults are able to enjoy this independence into older age, but as we know, life can change in an instant or over time. Many who have lost a life-long partner find themselves living alone for the first time, often far from close family and friends. Loss … [Read more...] about Supporting Those Feeling Isolation, Loneliness
Identifying Plants Rabbits and Deer Dislike
Not all baby bunnies are cute, especially when they eat a new Euonymus to the ground, or wipe out those pretty pansies and tulips! Jackrabbits are born with a full coat of hair and open eyes, and only spend one day in the nest before beginning to forage. Cottontails are less precocious but may spend their entire lives living and breeding in one suburban backyard. Rabbits gravitate toward their favorite plants throughout the growing season: devouring pansies and tulips in the spring, and snacking … [Read more...] about Identifying Plants Rabbits and Deer Dislike
Getting to Know Christie Board
Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” Sit back, relax and enjoy. As you know, Tom and I have been sharing our column on a monthly basis with the community for several years now – and what fun it has been. Starting a couple months ago and continuing forward for a few more publications, Tom and I have been introducing you to our community/industry partners so you can get to know them better. Last month, you met Jim Reed of Reed Brothers Construction and before that was Steve Simpson of Blue … [Read more...] about Getting to Know Christie Board
Understanding the Reverse Mortgage
There are many misconceptions about what a Reverse Mortgage is. So let’s clear the air on what it is and what it is NOT. Reverse Mortgages are now commonly referred to as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, or HECMs for short. Previously, they were known as Reverse Annuity Mortgages, or RAM. A HECM is designed to help a homeowner tap into the equity in their home while not making any mortgage payments. In its simplest terms, an HECM is a Home Equity Line of Credit that does not have a payment … [Read more...] about Understanding the Reverse Mortgage
Relax, Reset and Repair
Life can be hectic, crazy and downright out of control. We live in a world surrounded by chatter and noise, whether it is someone talking on a cell phone in front of you at the grocery store or sirens roaring past you. We have TVs, computers, cell phones, iPads, even phones on our wristwatches. Technology puts us in an incredible position to be more efficient than any generation before us, but I challenge you to define the cost of all of this. How do we determine if we are at risk and what … [Read more...] about Relax, Reset and Repair
Giving Skin a Break During Hot Summer Months
To say it is dry out is a big understatement. Summer finally arrived and the monsoons can't get here soon enough. The climate is overly dry and in desperate need of moisture. That also means our skin is need of moisture and TLC. The dry Arizona environment takes a toll on our skin, which is often neglected. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and requires care to keep our bodies healthy and protected. Good skincare isn’t only for women. Men of all ages and professions can and … [Read more...] about Giving Skin a Break During Hot Summer Months