April tends to be a busy month for most people. It’s all-too-easy to feel drained and even burned-out. Unfortunately, you may not have the luxury of time to relax with a good book or go to a yoga class. So, with that in mind, here are some proven ways to quickly unwind and boost your energy:

1. Take a short walk. Scientists say your body will often de-stress significantly after just a 12-minute stroll.
2. Drink a glass of water. Dehydration, which can come on without you realizing it, can quickly lead to fatigue and tension.
3. Do something completely different. Often, if you completely remove yourself from a situation or activity, even for just a few minutes, you’ll come back feeling better. So, take a moment for yourself!
4. Breathe and stretch. It’s almost impossible to feel tense after a few deep breaths and some stretching exercises. In fact, that’s where the urge to yawn and stretch comes from. It’s your body’s way of boosting energy!
5. Write it down. If you’re worried or frustrated about something, writing it down will feel like deflating that balloon of stress. Taking it off your shoulders and onto paper will put the concern into perspective. 

Try one of these tips the next time you feel overwhelmed.

The top retail store chains invest heavily in creating just the right lighting to make their products look great. Why? They know that lighting makes a measureable difference to sales.

The same is true when you sell your home. Lighting can make a big difference in the impression your home has on buyers.

There are two types of light sources, manufactured and natural. You need to consider both when staging your home for sale.

Think about the mood you want to create in each room. For example, you might want the kitchen to seem bright and alive. If yours isn’t quite like that, check whether you are using the highest wattage light bulbs suitable for your fixtures. Also, look for ways to bring in more sunshine. Switching curtains for blinds might do the trick.

In the living room, you might want a cozier feel. That can be accomplished by using lamps that cast a softer and gentler light than more imposing overhead fixtures.

Pay particular attention to dimly lit rooms in your home, including nooks and crannies. Even adding small track lighting to a pantry cupboard can make the space seem brighter and more inviting. Check that lighting is adequate in the garage and walk-in closets too.

Finally, make sure all lights in your home work during viewings. Have spare bulbs available in case one burns out. You don’t want a buyer to try to turn on a light and discover it’s not working.

During a marathon, organizers typically set up signs along the route to indicate distances completed. For example, one might say, “You’ve just finished 4K!” They do that for two reasons: to let runners know where they are; and, to motivate them.

Why are these signs motivational? They give runners an ongoing sense of accomplishment. The runners have “finished” a certain section of the marathon. They’ve reached a milestone. That part is done! As a result, they feel inspired to continue on.

You may feel the same way when you finish a project or task. Energized!

You can use this phenomenon to help you reach your 2022 goals. If you have a big goal, you can divide it into specific milestones that will give you that motivating sense of completion. Say, for example, you want to lose weight. Your milestones might include:

• Make a nutritional eating plan.

• Find a weight loss buddy to share the journey.

• Lose your first 5 pounds.

As you check off each milestone, you’ll become motivated to take on the next. Give this technique a try!

Many people decide to move for practical reasons. For example, some might be required to move due to a work relocation and others may realize that their household has changed and they are ready to downsize or upsize.

But, personal goals play an important role too.

In fact, when deciding whether or not to sell your property and find your next dream home, it’s essential to consider personal goals—your own and those of other family members too.

After all, where you live, and the type of home you live in, can greatly impact your goals and dreams.

For example, if you’re active in a particular sport or other hobby (such as hiking), being able to enjoy that activity locally might be an objective. If your goal is to live in a certain type of setting—urban, country, wooded, etc.—then that will definitely impact your decision to sell and move. But, even if your dream is seemingly unrelated to real estate, such as learning how to cook fine cuisine, moving might get you closer to classes or into that dream chef’s kitchen.

A helpful exercise is to make a list of your personal goals. Then, next to each one, note how moving might help you achieve that dream. When you do this exercise, ask yourself if you would be more likely to reach an important goal if you took the leap and moved. You might discover that making a move will bring you closer to your dreams than you initially thought.

So, don’t wait for practical reasons to sell. Personal goals are just as important a factor, if not more so. Consider them when you’re deciding whether or not to move.