Eversole Law Firm - Summer 2023

SLEEP LIKE A CELEBRITY WAKE UP REFRESHED WITH SLEEP SYNCING

Alarms 7:00 AM Wake up! Repeat: Every Day 7:00 AM Wake up! Repeat: Weekdays 10:00 AM Sleep in ... Repeat: Weekends

If one thing is for sure, Americans are not getting enough sleep. One in three people report not getting enough rest, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 40% of people admit to falling asleep during the day without meaning to at least once a month. Celebrities are no exception, which is why many stars use “sleep syncing” to ensure they get their beauty rest every night. And you can use it too! So, what is sleep syncing? Sleep syncing aligns your circadian rhythm, your body’s natural internal clock, with your daily routine. Unlike many celebrities, ordinary people don’t have much control over what they do every day; things like work, appointments, children’s schedules, and family duties more or less set our daily schedules for us. That’s why the trick with sleep syncing is to align your body around that schedule so waking up for work or taking the kids to school feels natural. After a while, you may not even need an alarm!

How to Start Sleep Syncing The first step to sleep syncing is to create a consistent sleep schedule, which requires a bit of self-research. Start by writing down the time of night you feel sleepy, when you fall asleep, and how many hours of sleep you need to feel rested. Collecting data may take a week or two, but once you know how much sleep you

need and when you start to feel sleepy, you can choose your new sleep and wake times. Pick a realistic morning wake time to get ready (no snoozing!), and then reverse engineer your sleep time. For example, if you need eight hours of sleep and must be up by 7 a.m., you likely need to be in bed by 10:30 p.m. to fall asleep by 11 p.m. The key to successful sleep syncing is to stick to your schedule — even on the weekends. With consistency and practice, you’ll wake up naturally feeling more rested and ready to take on your day!

The Pros and Cons of HOAs WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU BUY

Whether you love or hate them, homeowners associations (HOAs) are a reality every homebuyer must contend with. Some people vow never to live under an HOA, while others are uninterested in living elsewhere. Those in the ambivalent middle should consider an HOA’s pros and cons before submitting offers. An HOA can radically change your experience as a homeowner, for better or worse. First, consider the fees. Buying a home in an HOA-managed community means additional monthly costs on top of a mortgage. Depending on the HOA and its services, the costs can be a small additional upcharge or a significant portion of your financial obligation as a homeowner. Further, while it’s usually a last resort, HOAs can foreclose on homes when owners get behind on their payments.

On the plus side, those additional costs pay for amenities other homeowners usually live without. HOAs generally take on lawn care, landscaping, and other maintenance. Communities with HOAs also tend to have pools, fitness centers, and other perks most people have to access farther away from home. But the sticking point for many people on HOAs is the community rules and restrictions. The idea excites some people who care about a homogeneous neighborhood that maintains its curb appeal, but it can send a shiver up the spine of many individualists. All HOA rules are different, but many restrict how you can decorate the outside of your home and whether you can legally rent the house you own. Most people with experience attest that working with an HOA comes down to

management. Many people on HOA boards are kind people who want to make the neighborhood a great place to live for everyone. Others can make the lives of homeowners difficult with pettiness or a failure to perform upkeep. HOA members shape how any homeowners association is run, so it pays to attend meetings and help influence the outcome of decisions. Before purchasing a property subject to an HOA, carefully read the by-laws and fully understand the costs, rules, and responsibilities you’ll have as a homeowner. If you are working with a realtor, ask him or her for a copy of the Covenants and Restrictions before you sign the contract. HOA benefits create many happy homeowners but are not a good fit for everyone. Be honest about what you want before you finalize a purchase.

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