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When it comes to promoting your brand, awareness is everything. Creating an identity for your brand is essential to standing out from the competition and connecting with your target audience. But how do you go about doing this?  

Here are a few key things to keep in mind when creating your brand identity:  

What Is Brand Awareness?   

Brand awareness is how familiar consumers are with your brand and business. Brand awareness creates customers that are more likely to shop at or become clients of your business. Consumers are more likely to buy from and become reoccurring consumers at businesses they are familiar with.  

You want your business to have a personality that consumers can relate to. That’s what brand awareness does. You can create awareness of your brand by creating a personality that creates a bond with consumers. If you can foster trust and familiarity with your consumers, then they will keep coming back!  

Once a brand is popular enough, people can instantly recognize them anywhere. Make sure your business has a recognizable logo that connects your brand with consumers. Most of us can tell instantly what a business is just by looking at the logo. Have you ever driven down the street and seen the golden arches? You probably recognized that it was a McDonald’s. This is peak brand awareness.   

To reach this level of brand awareness, you’ll need to put in some serious work. But don’t worry—read on and you’ll know where to start!  

How to Build Your Brand Awareness  

For starters, you can’t expect to significantly raise your brand awareness by running a few advertisements! It takes quite a bit of work to be familiar with consumers. Advertising will help spread your name and what you do—but it’s not guaranteed that people will follow through unless your advertisements are unforgettable.   

Here’s a list of things to do with your business marketing that can help you raise your brand awareness:   

Social Media  

If you don’t already have social media accounts for your business, you should make them. Social media is one of the best ways for brands to interact with their consumers. Having a distinct personality through your social media will attract your target audience. Just make sure you post on your accounts regularly. You should be creating content and interacting with your followers. Create engaging posts your followers will like and share. When your followers share your content, it’s like free advertising.   

Great Customer Service  

Customers remember when customer service is good, and they remember even more when it’s terrible. Avoid scathing reviews by offering consistent, high-quality customer service that your customers will be happy about. Respond quickly with a friendly tone.   

Everyone loves good customer service that cares about their needs. If a customer has an issue with a product, make sure it is resolved quickly and peacefully. Consumers are likely to rave about how great the customer service was in a review even if they had issues with a faulty product. Customers that don’t have good customer service will likely leave a horrible review of your business and services and potential customers will see it. That’s why it’s super important to have amazing customer service to help handle customer complaints.   

Promotional Products/Services  

Everyone loves a good discount—even more if it’s free. Consumers are more likely to check out your products and services if you are offering a good discount or a free sample. Depending on the type of business you are running, you may want to consider a discount on the first month of service or include a free “gift” with your purchase. Consumers remember this and will appreciate it. They’ll be more likely to continue paying for your products or services because they view your business as trustworthy.   

Online Presence  

Your online presence is key to the success of your brand. Most people don’t go past the first page of search results, so make sure your page is SEO friendly! Work hard to make sure your website has a high ranking. You can do this by having plenty of content (pages & blogs), using focused keywords, and having a good, user-friendly layout.   

There’s no doubt that brand awareness is important for businesses. After all, if customers don’t know about your brand, they’re unlikely to buy from you. Make sure to maintain your presence to grow a following in your community!   

If you need business insurance to help protect your business, contact one of your local insurance agents to discuss a quote!   

Having a house maintenance checklist and keeping up with it can significantly improve the life of your home and can also save you money on repairs later on. Some home maintenance projects are better to do in the summer than in winter. If you plan on doing any work to the exterior of your home, it’s much easier to finish when no winter storms are getting in the way! Here’s a list of home projects you may want to complete this summer:  

Outdoor Cleanup  

There may be a few exterior projects you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t been able. Summer is the best time to landscape your yard or fix up the exterior of your home. Look at your local weather forecast before taking up some projects. If you’re planning on staining or painting your fence, deck, or house, you’ll want to make sure it’s not raining for a few days to ensure it properly dries.   

New Siding  

Is it time for new vinyl siding? Vinyl is a popular choice for home siding as it is highly durable. However, if any pieces of vinyl are not properly attached, your home will likely suffer from water damage. Make sure you have any loose vinyl siding replaced by a professional. Older homes may need all-new vinyl siding installed. Modern vinyl is durable and can last up to 100 years if it’s well-kept.   

New Roof  

Summer is also the ideal time of year for roof repairs! If your roof has a leak and needs repairs, now’s the time. Or, if you need a new roof, it’s best to do it when it’s not snowing. Roofs typically need replacing around every 20 years or less depending on the materials. Older, worn roofs are more susceptible to water damage. Water damage doesn’t go away on its own and will only get worse. If your roof leaks, it’s time for a new roof! If you’re replacing your roof, it may also be time to consider installing new gutters.   

Replace Windows   

Summer is an ideal time to have your windows replaced. It’s better to replace windows when it’s not freezing outside. However, you may want to have them replaced closer to autumn when it’s a tad cooler outdoors. You probably won’t want your air conditioning on when replacing windows because it wastes energy.   

Old windows are often inefficient and drafty. New windows can boost your home’s curb appeal while lowering your heating and cooling bill. Installing new windows in your home can be costly, but you’ll save on your energy bills later on. If you plan on selling your house anytime soon you can expect a significant return on your investment.   

Pest Control  

When you’re working on the exterior of your home, keep an eye out for any pests that may be trying to take up residence! Look out for hornets or signs of termite infestation. Hornets and birds sometimes try to make a nest in your attic, so keep an eye out for any openings they may be able to get through and be sure to seal them up.  

Rather than spending a hefty amount on pest control to come and eradicate pests, consider signing up for a plan where they visit your home regularly. You can save money in the long run with a monthly pest control visit that will deter pests from infesting your home.   

Maintaining your home regularly will keep your home healthier longer. No one wants to live in a run-down house. Taking care of your home will make it worth it in the long run—especially when it comes time to sell. You may also want to make sure your home is properly insured with a good home insurance plan. Talk to one of your local insurance agents today to discuss your home insurance policy.   

More and more companies have switched to a “blended” office model. This means that employees can work in the office or work from home. Global Workplace Analytics estimates that 56% of workers have jobs that can work remotely. Many of us are already familiar with video calls from our social-distancing days, so a blended office post-pandemic isn’t a drastic change for many workers.   

A blended office environment may allow employees to work from home a couple of days of the week. After the pandemic, many employees have grown comfortable with remote work. Working from home can be more relaxing than coming into the office for many workers. It’s up to the company and office leaders to decide what works best for their office and to set an example.   

Remote Concerns  

Many companies are concerned about whether or not employees will be productive at home. It might help to change the focus from time spent in the office to how efficiently employees can accomplish their tasks. Home-life distractions may be a predicament for some employees, but they also don’t have to work from home, and they can also work flexible hours rather than the standard 9-5.   

Some companies have been “hybrid” since long before the pandemic. A hybrid company has offices in different locations. Rather than traveling to and from offices, businesses can opt to use video conferencing tools to communicate. This holds the same for blended work environments. Communication doesn’t have to fall to the wayside because an employee isn’t in the office. Encourage workers to use the phone or video call benefits to collaborate on projects.   

Mental Health of Employees  

Blended working can help the mental health of your employees. It can keep them happier and healthier knowing they can work from home a few days of the week. It can reduce the stress of coming in to work—we all have those days when we don’t want to be around others. Work from home days can also be beneficial when employees have medical appointments. It can make scheduling easier for them, and they don’t have to worry about the time lost when they can make it up later.   

Working from home a few days a week can save employees money on gas, which makes them feel more financially secure, and it can save the company money on water and electricity bills. The time they save on the commute can go towards bettering themselves via exercise or mediation. This will help improve their mental health, which can make them more productive at work.   

Blended Work Balance  

You may need to find your office’s perfect balance for blended working. Some companies allow employees to work from home two or more times per week. It might be a concern for employers that remote work will negatively impact their company’s culture. For new employees, you may want to consider establishing a baseline for days that they must be in the office. This way, new employees get to know their coworkers and acclimate to the company culture.   

Your company may want to establish days that all staff should appear in the office for a team meeting to help with team-building. Consider having an office calendar where people write down the days of the week, they plan on working from home. You can also use the calendar to schedule team meetings or days when you’d prefer people to work in the office.  

Use Technology to Your Advantage  

Many offices opt for laptops for employees to allow their staff more freedom where they work. Many offices have different workspaces or rooms for employees to work. Laptops let employees work from home more easily and allow more flexibility. Finding the right technology and programs for your team can help with communication and scheduling. Using a communication/messaging app or software can help with tasks and scheduling.   

You may need to update your business insurance policy if your business changes to a blended work policy. If you have any questions, talk to a local insurance agent today and get a quote for a new business insurance policy!   

Summer is the time for taking your off-roading vehicle for a spin. Make sure your off-road vehicle is properly insured beforehand! Off-road vehicles usually are not covered under your homeowner’s or auto insurance policy. Even if you are off-roading on your property, you may still need an off-road policy depending on the laws in your state.   

Some vehicles that are considered off-road are snowmobiles, golf carts, ATVs, or dirt bikes. Many of the coverages that you may find in your auto insurance policy are similar to off-road vehicle insurance. These are the types of coverage you may need for your off-road vehicle:   

Collision Coverage may help with repair costs if you damage your vehicle from hitting a tree, fence, or another vehicle. This is standard for most vehicle policies.   

Bodily Injury Liability policies may help cover the cost of a person’s medical bill if you’re found liable for their injuries after hitting them with your off-road vehicle.   

Property damage liability can help cover the cost of repairs if you damage someone else’s property with your off-road vehicle. This includes their vehicle or other personal property like fences.   

Comprehensive coverage is a policy that may help cover the cost of repairs or replacement for your off-roading vehicle if it has been damaged from something other than a collision (like hail damage or a fallen tree) or if it is stolen.   

Like many insurance policies, you may need to pay a deductible before your insurance will help cover the cost of repair. There are often coverage limits, which means that the insurance may only pay up to a max amount.   

Depending on your location you may be required to have proof of liability insurance. Even if it isn’t required in your state, you should still carry it because you never know what may happen. If you were to injure someone or cause damage to someone’s property while on your off-road vehicle, you may have to pay out of pocket for the medical bills or repairs.   

Off-Road Vehicles on Roads   

In most states, it’s illegal to operate an off-road vehicle on a public road. Most insurance won’t even help cover the cost of repairs to your off-road vehicle if damage happens while operating on a public road. If you are transporting your off-road vehicle in a trailer then it may be covered.   

You should always research your state and local laws and be well aware of what your insurance covers. Most state parks don’t allow off-road vehicles unless otherwise stated. If you happen to get in an accident and aren’t following the laws, then you will likely have to pay out of pocket for repairs.   

Many insurance agencies offer substantial discounts if you already carry an auto/home insurance policy with them. Consider packaging your insurance plans together to get the most out of your money. Reach out to one of your local insurance agents today to get an off-road vehicle insurance quote!   

Have you ever gone on vacation and worried that your stuff won’t be there when you get home? Your homeowner’s/renter’s insurance may provide coverage for damaged or stolen personal items, but sometimes it’s not enough. This coverage is typically limited to a certain amount of money for standard plans. If you have valuable items and you want to ensure they’re properly covered and that you’ll receive a decent amount of money for your claims, then you should consider a valuable items policy.  

What is Valuable Items Insurance? 

“Valuable” item refers to expensive, rare, or collectible items that are worth a significant amount of money. Most people think of valuables as fine jewelry and your silverware/fine China, but it also includes artwork, coin/stamp collections, musical instruments, medical devices, cameras, and various electronics.  

Double-Check Your Policy 

If you’re unsure of what your personal items policy covers, you should go over it again and double-check to make sure you have enough coverage. Does your personal items coverage include all perils or named perils? Peril is something that would cause damage (like a fire or a tornado).  

All Perils means the insurance company has to prove if your item is not covered. This option is more expensive because it covers everything except perils that are specifically excluded (think flood or earthquake).  

Named Perils means the insurance company can only cover it if it’s damaged as a result of a peril listed on the insurance policy. This typically covers your basics like vandalism and theft, storms, and more depending on what your insurer covers.  

Have Valuables Appraised 

Did you inherit something from grandma and have no idea what it’s worth? Get an appraisal done by a professional! They can tell you how much your valuables are worth. Some items appreciate (or depreciate) over time, so have your valuables appraised every few years so you’re aware of their current value. Insurance agencies typically have a cap on the amount they’ll cover, so you may need to take out extra coverage if your policy’s limits aren’t enough.  

Create A Home Inventory 

Don’t be at a loss any more than you need to be after peril occurs. Create a home inventory so you have a list of exactly what is in your house and what your items are worth. This helps both you and your insurer with claims. Catalog everything and include pictures and descriptions of each item. It’s even better if you include receipts with the date of purchase with the original value if possible. If you had your valuables appraised, be sure to include those appraisals as well.  

Actual Cash Value versus Replacement Cost Coverage 

Most personal item coverages have actual cash coverage, meaning that your insurance will cover the amount an item is worth. Many items like furniture and appliances lose their value as time goes on. If you upgrade to a replacement cost coverage plan then the insurance will have to cover the original cost of the item. This plan is pricier, but it can be worth it in the long run if you live in an area prone to peril. Also, if you have this plan make sure you keep the receipts for the items you buy!  

If you’re concerned about the insurance for your valuables, don’t wait until it’s too late. Talk to your local insurance agent to discuss a quote for a valuable items policy today!  

You’ve spent a lot of time and money on your products so that they will satisfy consumers. Don’t let that all go south when one defective product or a misinterpreted label goes wrong. If someone claims your product causes injury to their person or damages their property, then you could be held responsible for the bill.  

What is Product Liability Insurance?  

Product liability insurance is an insurance policy that helps cover the cost of legal expenses in the event someone claims your product injured them or damages their property. Most businesses that sell, manufacture, or distribute products should have this insurance coverage under their belt. This policy covers defective products or products that aren’t labeled with enough warnings (for example peanut butter contains nuts). Even if it seems obvious if there isn’t a warning label your business could potentially lose the lawsuit.  

Whether it’s a design defect or a manufacturer defect, a product liability claim is considered a strict liability. This means that the seller, manufacturer, and distributor are at fault for the person’s injury or property damage.  

Product liability also covers contractors or construction workers for completed work and installation professionals who install a product in someone’s home. If they install something in the home that leads to the damage of something else (like a new refrigerator leak that causes water damage to the floor), then they will be covered under product liability insurance if they hold a policy. Depending on the claim, business owners could easily lose thousands of dollars or more if they didn’t have a product liability policy. 

If you sell a product that doesn’t do as it promises (like a microwave that promises to turn potatoes into gold nuggets—it’s impossible) then it will not be covered under product liability insurance.  

Why Your Business Needs Product Liability Coverage 

You never know when a product could be defective, so it’s better to be safe than sorry and purchase a product liability plan. Some insurers bundle it along with general liability or a business owner’s policy (BOP), but you should always double-check and make sure that you have this coverage before selling or installing any products. Most BOPs provide property, general liability, and business income coverages in one plan.  

General liability policies cover your business from claims of bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury (like slander). This doesn’t cover the products or services that your business sells or provides. It typically covers scenarios like someone slipping on a wet floor or a ceiling tile falling on them. If someone bought something from your store and it caused them harm outside of the store, then you would need product liability coverage to ensure you’re covered from any claims they may make.  

While product liability insurance isn’t required for businesses to operate, not having it could lead to a major monetary loss that shuts down the business. Reach out to your local insurance agent to ask about a product liability insurance quote for your business today!  

Keep your home safe and prevent damage with yearly cleaning and upkeep. Plan maintenance for your house so it stays in better condition for longer. Here are some tips to prepare your home for summer:  

Clean Your Gutters   

If you didn’t clean your gutters before the wintertime, it’s time to do it now. Leaves and other debris can get stuck in your gutters, which makes it more difficult for them to function properly. The water won’t be able to travel through them, and the water will find other ways to escape, like leaking into your roof or down the side of your house.   

Make sure your gutters are clean before the frequent summer storms to ensure you don’t have any unnecessary water damage. If your gutters become too heavy with rainwater and debris, there’s potential for them to fall off your home, causing even more damage and costly repair bills that are easily prevented.   

You may want to consider installing gutter guards to limit the number of leaves and debris that stick in your gutters.   

Service Your HVAC Unit  

Make sure your HVAC unit is serviced and clean before the weather becomes too hot. It should be serviced once a year to ensure your HVAC is properly working and stays in better condition for longer. It’s best (and less expensive) to have it serviced regularly than to have it break and need to be replaced. If it’s too hot outside, you don’t want to be without an air conditioner.   

Clean the Chimney   

Have your chimney cleaned by a professional at least once a year. If you have a wood-burning chimney, then soot and a substance called creosote can build up in the flue. Creosote is an oily residue left behind that is highly flammable and can cause dangerous chimney fires that can burn up to 2,000 degrees.   

If it isn’t already, make sure to close the damper in your fireplace. It should be closed whenever you’re not using it. Insects and other pests can make their way into your home through your chimney, so you should take extra precautions to ensure that it is closed.   

Look Over Your Deck/Patio/Driveway  

Have a good look over your deck, patio, and driveway to ensure they are in good condition. The winter weather can damage any wood, concrete, or asphalt that may make up your outdoor space. You’ll want to make sure there are no safety hazards along walkways—you don’t want to be sued by the postman for unlevel walkways!   

Fill any cracks that may be in your concrete or asphalt. If they are becoming too uneven you may need to hire someone to fix them. Replace any broken wood that may be in your deck and check the handrails for stability. You may need to stain your wooden deck again if it doesn’t repel water as well as it used to. Staining your deck helps to protect it against the elements. If your deck absorbs the water, then it is at risk of rot.   

Seal Gaps in Windows/Doorways  

Walk around your house to ensure there are no gaps in your windows and doorways. You can take caulk to fill in the gaps to ensure your home stays weatherproof and energy efficient throughout the summer. If your windows are too old, you may want to consider having new windows installed that will provide better insulation in both the summer and the winter.   

Tree Trimming  

If there’s a tree branch or two looming over your house, you may want to call an arborist or landscaper to have them trimmed. Summer storms can easily break tree branches, so have your trees checked to make sure there are no safety concerns that could harm your home.   

Update Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy  

If you haven’t updated your homeowner’s insurance policy recently, contact your local insurance agent to ensure your home is covered with the insurance policies that suit your needs.   

Your farm and ranch aren’t just your business, they’re also your livelihood. That’s why you should make sure they’re protected with the proper coverage. Farm and ranch insurance offers a dual coverage plan that protects both your home and your way of life. Each plan is customizable depending on your needs.  

Types of Coverages  

There are many different types of coverages that can be included in your customized plan—it mixes homeowners insurance and business insurance, after all. Here are some coverages you should consider: 

Dwelling Coverage protects your home and personal belongings against fire, lightning, storms, vandalism, and theft. This is like your typical homeowner’s policy. Depending on your area, you will need separate policies for floods, earthquakes, or tornados.  

Farm Personal Property Coverage covers your livestock, machinery, feed, and equipment so you don’t have to worry about incurring a loss if something happens to the goods that keep your farm running. Farm machinery is especially expensive, so make sure to have it properly covered!  

Rental Value Coverage helps cover the cost of renting a place to live if your farmhouse becomes inhabitable. It covers the cost of rent until you are able to move back in. If you rent out any space to tenants on your farm and their space becomes inhabitable and it incurs a loss of income, you’ll also have coverage under the policy.  

Additional Living Coverage covers your living expenses in the event you need to live elsewhere while your home is inhabitable. This includes the cost of hotel, rent, or food until your home is habitable again.  

Outbuilding Coverage covers any barns, sheds, stables, detached garages, and any other buildings on your property. These structures help your farm operate to the best of its ability, so it’s important to keep them insured so your business doesn’t incur a loss.  

Liability Coverage covers bodily injury, medical expenses, and farm property damage. If you have workers on your farm, this policy is a necessity. Machinery can cost an arm and a leg, literally. Don’t get sued and suffer a drastic financial loss.  

You may need to consider more coverage depending on the season. Peak Season coverage can add extra coverage during peak times of the year like harvesting and planting season.  

If the farm is your primary source of income, then you should consider Farm Income Coverage. This covers the financial loss incurred in case the farm is damaged due to an event like a storm that would be covered by your insurance. 

The amount of coverage you need for your farm or ranch is completely dependent on your individual needs. That’s why farm and ranch insurance is customizable because not every farm is the same. Talk with your local insurance agent about a quote for a farm and ranch insurance policy today!  

You never know when an emergency will happen, and that’s why it’s best to always be prepared. Depending on your location, your business may need to prepare for natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, severe winter weather, or forest fires.  

Make Sure You’re Prepared

Each business will have different needs during an emergency. It’s best to focus on disasters that affect your business directly. If you’re in an area prone to certain natural disasters, you should have a plan in place on how to deal with the situation should it arise.  

Every business should have a first aid kit, but it’s important to make sure that it’s well-stocked. If you’ve had the same first aid kit for years, then it may be time to replenish the items inside. Certain things like medicine or ointments can expire, so check the dates on them and replace them as needed.  

You may have a first aid kit, but do you have a generalized emergency kit? You might need to prepare your business with enough emergency water and food for your employees to last a few days. Your emergency kit should also include flashlights, batteries, a radio, and a tool kit. Make sure it is in an easily accessible area.  

Make sure you have safety procedures and evacuation plans for your building. Each emergency is different, so you may need different plans for each one. It’s important to go over these plans and procedures with your staff.  

Put people into groups with designated leaders to keep each other accounted for. Perform regular drills to stay prepared and make sure everyone knows their role and responsibilities. Make sure you are considering the needs of all individuals. Do you have disabled staff or people with medical conditions? Have established procedures for helping each other. The group system can help ensure no one is left behind.  

Keep Backups

If your business deals with information and clients, it’s important to have backup files for all of your data. Many businesses now use cloud-based information systems that store information online. However, you can also use an external hard drive or keep backup files off-site.  

Sometimes power outages occur as a result of natural disasters and storms. Does your business have an emergency power system? Do you use surge protectors to ensure electronics don’t get fried? If your business doesn’t have a generator or an uninterrupted power supply (UPS), then it may be time to consider one. You will likely only need to keep the power on long enough to back-up systems and information, prevent damage to electronics, ensure they’re shut off properly, as well as evacuate your staff.   

Have a Recovery Plan

A lot of businesses aren’t able to open back up after a natural disaster because of severe economic loss. Make sure your business is properly insured with the right commercial insurance coverage. There are coverages for a business interruption which covers the economic loss due to the business not operating and coverages for the building & property, general/employee liability if someone gets injured on your property, as well as other coverages that may be suitable like equipment breakdown insurance. Depending on the area, you may need to purchase separate insurance policies that might not be included in commercial insurance like flood and earthquake insurance.  

Each business has different needs regarding its insurance policy. Talk to your local insurance agent to discuss the best commercial insurance plan for your business.  

Life is often stressful. Between work, family, and keeping up with other tasks, life can become overwhelming. Here are some tips on how to conquer your stress!  

Consume a Healthy & Balanced Diet

Consuming a healthy & balanced diet takes a big role in how you feel. If you consume too much “junk” or overprocessed foods, then you are more likely to feel groggy and not have enough energy to finish your tasks. This could cause you to feel more stressed than usual. Sometimes when we’re stressed, we want to eat comfort foods. This is ok in moderation, but overconsuming comfort food is not good for your overall well-being. Preparing a healthy meal for yourself can also be relaxing! Taking the time and effort to prepare a healthy and delicious meal can make you feel even more satisfied.  

If you’re tired, drinking too much caffeine can also make you stressed. It raises your heart rate and can make you feel more anxious than normal. Drinking too much caffeine can also make it more difficult to sleep at night, and a good night’s rest is an important part of being less stressed!  

If you’re stressed, you may be more likely to turn to alcohol or tobacco to try to reduce stress. However, this can cause more stress to the body and leave you not feeling your best. Consuming too much alcohol on a regular basis can also negatively impact your sleep schedule. Tobacco usage puts more stress on the body and reduces blood flow and breathing abilities. Becoming dependent on alcohol or tobacco can cause even more stress if you can’t get your fix.  

Practice Mindfulness  

Practicing mindfulness can positively impact your overall mental health. Mindfulness is being aware of what you’re doing and how you’re feeling. A good way to practice mindfulness is by keeping a journal where you collect your thoughts. Looking back on what you were doing and how you were feeling at the time is an important step in stress reduction. Knowing what triggers stress can help you figure out how to fix it.  

Take some time out of your day for yourself. This time can be spent journaling, or you can also meditate or do some form of exercise you find relaxing. Even simple movements like taking a walk or doing some yoga can be very relaxing. You can always find guided meditations or yoga videos online to help you.  

Practicing mindfulness also includes self-care. Taking a bath with Epsom salts or doing a face mask may seem trivial, but taking extra care of yourself and treating yourself can brighten your mood. Making sure you take care of yourself can help you to feel less stressed in the long run! 

Having someone to talk to about your stress or other problems can also help significantly reduce stress. It’s not good to bottle up these emotions, so journaling and having someone you can talk to, whether it’s a close friend, family member, or even a therapist, are a huge help.  

Set Realistic Expectations 

Many people are stressed because they simply have too much on their plate. Set realistic expectations for yourself and know that you can’t do everything. Part of relieving stress is accepting what you can’t control. If you know you have particular stressors, like the news or a certain family member, try to avoid them as much as possible! It can be difficult, but limiting the amount of time you find stressful can be a huge help.  

Don’t procrastinate. Even if you don’t want to do something now, it’s best not to put it off. Leaving tasks until the last minute can put unnecessary stress on you that you wouldn’t have to deal with had you not procrastinated. 

Realize that it’s okay to say “no.” Sometimes you just need to put yourself first. Creating boundaries can help reduce the amount of stress. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to please everyone. Accepting this as a part of life can make life less stressful.  

Leading a stressful lifestyle can put a significant amount of stress on the heart and other organs. Make sure you talk to your local insurance agent about your life and health insurance plans to ensure you’re under the most suitable plan for your needs.