What Does It Take to Be the Best Neighbor?

Getting to know your neighbors doesn’t have to be a thing of the past- you may need that cup of sugar one day.  Getting along with your neighbors can make a huge impact on your daily life and how you feel about your home or neighborhood.  Below are some tips on getting to know your neighbors- you may even want to start after reading this!

Be friendly- If you are new to the neighborhood be sure to give a wave or smile when you see your neighbors.  Introduce yourselves when you run into your neighbors- small baked goods are also a great treat to help establishing rapport with them.

Be considerate of the noise coming from your home- Try not to have loud conversations or play music after 9:00pm and try not to start any power tool before 9:00am.  However, if you are planning a party, talk with your neighbors before the party or even invite them.

Deal with problems in person- All issues should be addresses promptly and in person. Sure, a note may be easier to deal with but give your neighbor a chance to hear what you have to say face-to-face. Your neighbors probably aren’t going anywhere for a while so it’s best you get everything resolved in a timely fashion.

Be respectful with your pets- The biggest complaint a neighbor may have is a dog barking into the night and early in the morning.  Make sure you don’t allow your pet to disturb your neighbors.  Be sure to clean up after your dog when you are out in the neighborhood.

Parking etiquette- Try not to park in front of your neighbor’s home if possible and never block other’s driveways.

How Can You Get Better Sleep at Night?

It is recommended to get eight hours of sleep a night to keep a healthy lifestyle but most of us are getting a lot less than that. Maximizing our comfort in our bedrooms is one way to help us get more sleep! 

Choose the colors that soothe- Tones of gray create a calming design that is also rich in detail and can be cool too so try to incorporate a yellow or pink base to add some comfort.  Try to avoid blue based versions.

Upgrade your bed- The bigger the bed the better sleep you and your partner will get. You will avoid disturbing each other while you sleep.

Ditch the TV- The TV in the bedroom will delay the release of sleep-inducing melatonin. If you must have a TV in the bedroom allow half an hour between viewing and sleep time to start the countdown to better sleep.

Ditch the cellphones too- It’s easier said than done but remove all phones from the bedroom.  Charge your phone well away from the bedroom.

Reduce the light- Street lights shining in your room can hinder your rest so bring on the darkness! Install window treatments that block light out completely.

Get a new mattress- If the mattress is causing you aches and pains, it might be time to get a new one. Find a new one that is compatible to both you and your partner.

Take a warm bath- Taking a warm bath before heading into a cooler bedroom can get you to sleep quicker and let you rest better.

Turn down the heat- If your body is too warm it can cause restless sleep. Try turning it down a few degrees to help you sleep better.

Don’t turn your bedroom into an office- Keep your office outside of your bedroom. If it helps, get a desktop instead of a laptop to completely avoid it.

Stick to a schedule- Even on the weekends, wake up and go to sleep at the same time.