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MAY 2024
SINGING IN THE SHOWER Does It Make You a Better Property Manager?
And on the “it makes me happy side,” there is quite a bit of research to back that up. One 2017 study measured the cortisol (stress hormone) levels of people before and after singing in the shower and found that cortisol levels were significantly lower after singing. A different study points to the immune benefits of singing as well. They found that people who don’t just listen to music but sing with the music (in the shower or otherwise) have marked increases in immunoglobulin A, an antibody your body secretes to help fend off infections. Researchers have also found that singing in the shower increases your pain threshold (because of endorphin release), brain functionality (studies show improvement in seniors with aphasia and Parkinson’s), improves speaking abilities, and more. Wow, with all of those benefits, why don’t 100% of people sing in the shower. The interesting thing is while most people sing when they are happy, the reverse is true too. If they are not happy, they don’t sing. The singing is an outward expression of their mood. But I learned a long time ago that if you do things that make you happy you will become happy. When you smile, it can actually make you happy. And the reverse is true too. I remember one time when I was much younger, I was
I took a straw poll at a recent “all hands” meeting. A full third of the people who work for RCW admit to regularly singing in the shower. While I am a “sing in the shower type,” I typically don’t because I shower in the morning when most of the house is still sleeping. We talked about why people do it, and a bunch of different reasons came up. “I sound great in the shower” and “It makes me happy” were two of the top reasons. And there is fact-based support for both of those reasons. In the “I sound great in the shower” camp, the fact that the shower is a small space with hard surfaces (tile typically) affects the reverb and thickness of people’s voices. In fact, the acoustics are so good that some musical artists have had their own recording studios modified with tile, etc., to emulate the shower-singing experience. Growing up in the church choir as a kid, I would not say I have a bad voice, but I wouldn’t say I have a great one either. That being said, I do belt it out like I have a great voice … in the shower. If it is the afternoon and I am showering, watch out. You will likely hear me “performing” some unknown-to-my-kids song like “Werewolves of London” (while mumbling or humming all the words I don’t know until the refrain).
Luke getting ready for his next performance
goofing around and pretending to be mad at my future wife. Literally, it changed me within a few minutes. I found myself becoming short and frustrated with her, even though I was in a great mood just a little while earlier (and she didn’t do anything to trigger those emotions).
That was a wake-up call for me.
At the “all hands” meeting this came up too. Actually, it was kinda my point in bringing it up (and I used the above example). We can choose to be happy and take action to make ourselves that way. And we can, often unknowingly, choose to be frustrated, or more or less any other emotion humans feel. My big push was because we work stressful, conflict-heavy jobs, we need to put on “happiness armor.” We need to prepare ourselves for unplanned, but expected, situations that can break us down and change our mood for the worse. I told them I need them to sing … and smile … and laugh … and remember great
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SPRING-CLEANING YOUR HVAC MAKES CENTS
As winter finally bids farewell and spring blossoms, it’s the perfect time to shift our focus to the heart of home comfort — your HVAC system. Spring maintenance is more than just a routine check; it is a key investment in the longevity and efficiency of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. As the temperature rises, investing in spring HVAC maintenance becomes essential for a worry-free and efficient home climate control system. Here are four reasons why committing to seasonal upkeep ensures a comfortable and trouble-free home. No. 1: Efficiency Boost Spring HVAC maintenance involves a comprehensive inspection of your system, cleaning or replacing filters, and checking for any worn-out components. This meticulous approach enhances the system’s efficiency by allowing it to operate smoothly. A well- maintained HVAC system translates into lower energy consumption and reduced utility bills, contributing to environmental sustainability and cost savings. No. 2: Preventing Costly Repairs Regular maintenance helps identify and address potential issues before they escalate
Functional and Sustainable Trends for Your Home in 2024
This year brings a new wave of interior design trends, transforming homes into havens of style and functionality. These trends offer a glimpse into the evolving landscape of interior design, but they’re not entirely new. Let’s explore the key trends shaping the homes of today and tomorrow. Sustainable living takes center stage. Sustainable and eco-friendly materials are gaining popularity, reflecting our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint in our living spaces. This isn’t new, as many homeowners and renters try their best to find and refurbish furniture made of recycled materials and use energy-efficient appliances and lighting. This trend continues as we embrace more sustainable designs. Biophilic design contributes to tranquil spaces. Biophilic design incorporates nature within a living space, such as putting plants in living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Integrating this and other natural elements like water features and ample natural light will help blend these spaces. The trend also includes plant-inspired textiles, e.g., pillows, curtains, upholstery, etc. These details bring tranquility and continue a tradition of melding the inside and outside without harsh boundaries. Maximalism makes a comeback. The minimalism of the 2010s is out. Maximalism is in, which means bold and vibrant colors and eclectic decor choices are gaining momentum. More people are embracing the idea that more is more, creating visually stunning spaces that reflect their personalities and diverse interests rather than opting for a sterile, monochrome ambiance. Home offices evolve. The rise of remote work has transformed the way we use homes. In 2024, the home office continues to evolve to accommodate this work-from-home hybrid model. Versatile yet ergonomic furniture, innovative but out-of-sight storage solutions, and personalized technology integration are becoming staples, creating home environments conducive to work and everyday living. Multifunctional furniture enables flexible living. With space optimization becoming increasingly important, multifunctional furniture is gaining popularity. Homes must adapt to various needs, so why shouldn’t your furniture do the same? Sofa beds, convertible tables, and modular storage units are some popular ways to ensure your furniture is efficient and beautiful.
into expensive repairs. Mechanical components like belts, motors, and electrical connections are examined to catch
any signs of wear or malfunction. It’s financially smart to address these small problems early on instead of allowing them to snowball into major, expensive repairs down the road. No. 3: Extended System Lifespan Everyone knows that regular oil changes extend the life of your car, and spring cleaning your HVAC similarly prolongs the lifespan of your heating and cooling system. By addressing regular wear and tear, cleaning coils, and ensuring proper lubrication, you’re investing in the long-term health of your HVAC unit. As mentioned, this can save you from premature costs incurred by an unmaintained system. No. 4: Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Over the winter months, dust, debris, and allergens can accumulate within your HVAC system, compromising indoor air quality. Spring maintenance involves a thorough cleaning of the interior mechanics like air ducts and filters, ensuring the air in your home is clean and you are healthy. As the pollen count rises with spring, it’s especially crucial for households with allergy sufferers.
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Create a Stunning Flower Planter — WITH MINIMAL EFFORT
As any gardener will tell you, gardening is hard but has an incredible payoff. Yet rewarding as it may be, much toil and sweat goes into every plant. Not everyone wants to spare the time. If you long for flourishing flora around your home but are leery of the time commitment, you’re in luck. Creating a vibrant flower display with little to no effort is easy. The end goal of this project is to fill an outdoor planter with flowers. To call this a “project” at all does a disservice to projects, which typically require some degree of work. This undertaking only requires a few minutes and zero maintenance. You’ll need a planter, a hanging basket full of blooming flowers, and a pot. Planters come in all shapes and sizes; square, wooden planters look especially nice. It can be any planter if it fits your chosen basket. The hanging flower basket should overflow with blooming flowers with a hanger in the middle you can remove. Lastly, the pot will be used to elevate the basket in the planter, and it won’t be seen, so use whichever vessel you have lying around. Just a simple clay pot will do. It should be about half the size of the planter. Turn the pot upside down and stick it in the planter. If you’re using the right pot, you won’t be able to see it from the outside, and you’ll have enough space for the basket to sit on top without it being taller than the upper rim of the planter but not too low, either.
Lower the hanging flower basket onto the pot in the planter. The flowers in the basket should fill the entire space, creating the illusion of a beautiful, stunning flower arrangement you grew and potted yourself. If you see gaps between the flowers and the planter rim, adjust the height of the pot underneath or find a smaller planter. Take the hanger off the basket. The hanger is easy to remove on most baskets; you can usually just twist it off. A few aren’t removable, necessitating cutting tools to snip the three wires attached to the pot. Congratulations, you’ve done it! In less than 15 minutes, you’ve created a stunning display to liven up your outdoor space. Nothing is preventing you from doing it for inside arrangements, either.
Citrus BBQ Chicken Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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situations. Because if they are in better moods, they will be able to respond better, with more clarity, and they will be able to serve better. I told them to sing in the shower, even when they don’t feel like it. Because if they do, they will feel like it. And that is the goal in the end. To putting on “happiness armor” every day, in any way you can.
Ingredients
• 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 skin-on chicken leg and thigh pieces
• 1 1/3 cups ketchup • 2 tbsp brown sugar
• Juice and zest of 1 orange • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Directions
1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. 2. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce and add the rest to the plastic bag. Toss to evenly coat the chicken and marinate overnight. 3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add remaining sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to thicken sauce, about 10 minutes. Set aside. 4. On grill set for medium-high heat, arrange chicken skin side down. Cook until grill marks form, about 4 minutes. Flip chicken, cover grill, and cook until a thermometer inserted into thighs reads 165 F, about 20–25 minutes. 5. Serve with remaining sauce.
P.S. I have talked about why you should absolutely, positively sing in the shower. But to be balanced, I wanted to share the dark side of singing in the shower. There is a made-up quote attributed to the “Minions” with a warning: “Never sing in the shower! Singing leads to dancing, dancing leads to slipping, and slipping leads to the paramedics seeing you naked in the shower. So remember … no singing!”
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INSIDE
1
The Secret Benefits of Singing in the Shower
2
A Symphony of Colors, Patterns, and Bold Statements 4 Reasons to Spring Clean Your HVAC System
3
Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Outdoor Flower Arrangements
Citrus BBQ Chicken
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Affordable & Sustainable Home Design
ART OF THRIFT THE SECRET TO STYLISH AND SUSTAINABLE HOME DESIGN
Revamping your living space shouldn’t have to break the bank. Thrifting home decor has become a popular and sustainable trend, with people navigating through thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales in their neighborhoods to breathe new life into their homes. Thrifting allows you to explore diverse styles from many eras made from many materials. For example, vintage furniture at low prices, unique picture frames , throw pillows , lamps and light fixtures , and old mirrors are just a few offerings in a treasure trove of possibilities. Moreover, thrifting is sustainable and gives pre-loved items a second chance. Some may need laundering or a fresh coat of paint, but the money you save is well worth the effort.
Whether you’re a seasoned thrift enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of secondhand treasures, try out the art of thrifting to turn your home into your own comfortable, carefully curated decor collection.
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