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Spray Foam Insulation – Benefits, Cost, and Tips to Find the Top Companies

Do you want to insulate your home and reduce energy bills? Consider spray foam insulation, also called spray polyurethane foam (SPF), which effectively keeps heat in. It is a suitable alternative to traditional insulation and can be used on lofts, walls, and flooring. But if you’re wondering whether it is better than other types of insulation options, there are a bunch of factors that you ought to keep in mind.

Spray Foam Insulation – Benefits, Cost, and Tips to Find the Top Companies

Spray vs. traditional insulation
Spray foam is one of the most advanced insulation options in the market today compared to its traditional counterparts. It is more effective than other options, such as organic and fiberglass insulation. Therefore, several insulation contractors usually recommend spray foam as the best option over the other choices.

The benefits of spray foam insulation
When choosing spray foam insulation, there are several benefits you can expect from your investment. A few pros of going with this option include:

Using spray foam insulation could help cut down energy bills by a significant margin. Research indicates that it could reduce the loss of heat by about 50%, which would otherwise escape through walls, roofs, and other air leakage points.

The spray foam is flexible, which allows it to insulate areas that are tougher or impossible to cover with other materials like fiberglass.

The formula is designed to last in a home for about 80 years.

The spray foam composition helps keep pests and rodents out of the home.

The insulation material can also naturally restrict exterior noise, which could help reduce sound levels inside the home.

The formula may help keep allergens and other airborne contaminants out of the home.

The cost of spray foam insulation
The cost of spray foam could depend on the type of insulation you may or may not have in your home. This type of insulation could cost two or three times more than other options like fiberglass insulation. However, when you opt for spray foam insulation, you must consider its long-term benefits, which include reducing bills that could stem from your heating system. The cost of the insulation will also differ based on the type of spray foam that you use. The typical cost to install spray foam insulation is between $1,200 and $4,000, with a national average cost of $2,500. It is also important to account for installation equipment, the removal of older insulation, and other unforeseen expenses that may arise during the process. Furthermore, you should also bear in mind the labor costs associated with installing insulation. Based on the size of the insulation area, this cost could range from $50 to $100 or higher per hour.

DIY spray foam kits
You could opt for DIY spray foam insulation kits to save on costs. The kit costs between $300 and $350 and could yield about 200 board feet’ worth of spray foam. If you are carrying out a medium-sized project, such as insulating a wall junction, sealing the roof, or covering attic walls and basement sill plates, the DIY kit is a suitable option. If you want a more advanced insulation kit, you should opt for open-cell spray foam insulation kits. While they may cost about $700 or more, they could yield between 600 and 650 board feet’ worth of insulation. This makes open-cell kits ideal for larger projects, such as insulating the entire home.

Tips for choosing a spray foam insulation company
If you have the budget and have decided to hire a professional, you should look for a reliable contractor. However, if you look for them in your area or search for contractors online, you’re bound to come across a ton of professionals and companies that claim to be the best. Therefore, following these tips may help you make a more informed decision when selecting a contractor to insulate your home.

Get them to inspect the home
Before hiring an insulation contractor, check if they carry out a walk-through and inspection of the home. Professionals who assess the area of the project before drawing up a quotation are far more reliable than those who quote a round figure without even inspecting the space.

Ask for recommendations
One of the best ways to select a contractor for the project is to ask friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. They could share their experiences if they’ve had similar work done in their homes. You could ask them about the contractor’s responsiveness to questions, their customer service skills, and if the professional adhered to timelines. You can also look online for reviews from users who have hired insulation experts for projects in the past.

Verify the contractor’s license and insurance
When choosing a contractor to install or replace your home’s insulation, it’s important to make sure they’re qualified. Start by checking their status with your state’s licensing board or agency to confirm that they’re fully licensed to do the job you require. You should also ask the contractor about their insurance proof, such as the carrier, certificate, and coverage details. This could come in handy in case there are damages or accidents during the project.

Get a written quotation
A written agreement from the contractor before the work begins may help ensure that there are no surprise costs once the work begins. The contract could contain elements, including the total fee, project timeline, scope of work, and itemized budget (labor, permits, fees, and materials). However, it is also important to note that there could always be additional unforeseen costs that may stem during the course of the job.

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6 simple benefits of meditation
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6 simple benefits of meditation

A habitual process, mediation helps to train the mind to be more focussed by redirecting thoughts. Many people use meditation techniques to increase self-awareness. Some people use mediation as a way to alleviate stress and increase concentration levels. Whatever be the purpose of mediation, the process comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some of the well-known benefits of mediation and how it affects the brain. Improves sleep cycle Nearly everyone suffers from insomnia once in a while. Some experience a persistent lack of sleep. The reasons for a disrupted sleep cycle can be severe stress, anxiety, and worrying. Often racing thoughts and severe emotional distress can also cause insomnia. Medication helps in dealing with insomnia. However, by focusing all thoughts, meditation can be beneficial in controlling racing and runaway thoughts. Moreover, it will release the tension and help the mind and body relax, leading to improved sleep quality. Those who meditate often have better REM sleep and tend to fall asleep in a shorter time. Reduced perception of pain Everyone’s brain perceives pain with different intensities. However, when one is extremely stressed out or anxious, one’s perception of pain may be higher than usual. Pain receptors are directly linked to the emotional state of mind. When one incorporates regular meditation in their everyday routines, it can be effective in controlling pain sensations. With mindfulness meditation, pain can be alleviated. Moreover, the quality of life also improves. Those who suffer from chronic pain may find meditation useful as it lowers the risk of depression. Those who meditate have been known to develop higher tolerance towards physical pain. Improved concentration levels Mindfulness meditation increases the ability to focus on the present. It is similar to weight-lifting, but for the brain. This can improve concentration levels required for the other tasks in everyday life. According to research, mindfulness is linked to one’s ability to process new information. It gives a boost to emotional regulation, memory, and learning ability. Moreover, this can help in reversing patterns of worrying and wandering minds. All of this can give more clarity, allowing greater decision-making capability. Meta-awareness and attention can be trained through mindfulness meditation and focused-attention meditation. Lower risk of age-associated memory loss With meditation, there is improvement in attention. In addition, there is improved clarity of thought. A form of meditation that involves repeating a chant or mantra has been known to improve neuropsychological performance. Along with chanting, the meditating process also involves repetitive motions of the fingers. This helps to focus thoughts. Moreover, different forms of meditation have been known to boost memory, attention, and mental agility, especially in older adults. Along with slowing down age-related memory loss, meditating can help to control stress that is often a major contributor to memory loss. Better management of depression and anxiety Dwelling on anxious thoughts is one of the major factors contributing to depression. With mindfulness meditation, the mind can be trained to focus on the present. Practicing mindfulness over a longer duration can alleviate anxiety. It also helps in easing symptoms of depression. In many cases, meditation is often a part of comprehensive mental health treatment plans. From correcting troubled sleeping patterns, appetite loss, and moodiness, mindfulness-based mediation can go a long way in making it easier to manage anxiety and depression. Better self-esteem Mindfulness and meditation encourage a person to slow down. These practices help to follow deeper self-reflection. Along the way, a person gains the ability to discover positive attributes about themselves. A person is able to examine their feelings, emotions, and thoughts without any judgment. This boosts self-awareness. It also helps in improving social anxiety symptoms. All of these help in gaining a better sense of self-esteem.
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Important things to know about prayer beads
Tibetan prayer beads

Important things to know about prayer beads

If you have been practicing meditation or yoga for a long time, you probably have come across prayer beads. You can find these Buddhist beads, alternatively referred to as Tibetan prayer beads, in sculptures or paintings of Buddha where he is seen holding these beads. Although it is quite a common sight, few actually know about Tibetan prayer beads. This article elucidates on some important points related to prayer beads. Prayer beads have been used across the globe for thousands of years. They play a vital role in various cultures and countries for meditation purposes. Some records claim that beads were first noticed in Nepal and India. They have been used across different religions, such as Catholicism and Hinduism, among others. Advantages of prayer beads Prayer beads can help you with various aspects of meditation, a practice that provides numerous health benefits. Meditation can contribute to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and reducing stress levels. However, many people face difficulties while meditating, particularly at the start. This is when prayer beads prove to be useful, as they keep you focused while meditating. The constant movement of your fingers around the beads helps in grounding you. When you touch each bead, you say a chant so you can keep a count of the number of times you have repeated the chant. Composition of prayer beads Traditionally, they consist of 108 beads along with a guru bead, which has a tassel and is bigger than all the other beads. How significant is the number of beads Usually, traditional Tibetan prayer beads have 108 beads. This number is considered sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism. However, if you feel that 108 is a lot, you can purchase a necklace with 27 or 54 beads. Some necklaces have beads of different shapes after the 27 th bead. So, you can keep track of your repetitions efficiently. Such prayer beads also allow for shorter meditation periods. How can you use prayer beads for meditation? Breath control and repetition of the chant are two key starting points while using prayer beads during meditation. It is advisable to focus on your breathing while meditating. You can use prayer beads for managing your breath by: Holding the prayer beads in one hand Allowing the beads to drape around your fingers so that you may move them with ease Inhaling and exhaling one full breath Moving the fingers to the next bead; breath in and out once for each bead Concluding at the guru bead to finish 108 breaths Moving your fingers in the other direction until you again reach the guru bead if you wish to do another round. While following these steps, you may repeat a chant, which can be a sound, word, or phrase to be aware of during meditation.
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Health

Healing Prayers and Their Health Benefits

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Help people cope with difficulties During difficult or stressful times, prayers can help one feel hopeful and resilient or release their sense of control, relinquishing it to a higher power or truth. This can provide a powerful framework for coping with stress or grief, reducing the risk of anxiety or depression. Enhance gratitude Prayers often involve practicing gratitude and compassion. This may help people let go of any ill or negative feelings they may be harboring, helping them feel lighter and boosting overall health. Promote mindfulness Some forms of prayer and spiritual practices, such as meditation, promote awareness of the present. This could help people control their thoughts and emotions, ground them in the current moment, create a connection between the mind, spirit, and body, and offer peace or mindfulness. According to a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology, engaging in a daily 10-minute centering prayer significantly reduced stress levels among college students. Help support physical health Some studies also suggest that prayers may help support physical health in the following ways: Reduce stress: Healing prayers often induce a relaxation response, which can aid in reducing stress and anxiety levels and calming the cardiovascular system. This can have physiological benefits, such as lowered heart rates, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption. Praying can help reduce stress levels, boost immunity, and manage pain. Raise immunity: High stress levels may also lead to chronic inflammation. According to research, there is a strong correlation between chronic inflammation and aging. This may result from the negative impact of stress on the thyroid and adrenal glands. Over time, this may lead to low immune function and raise the risk of conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s: Spiritual practices such as praying and meditation may also act as a natural buffer against age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and arthritis. While praying may not be enough to prevent the onset of these conditions, it may help delay them, reduce symptoms, or slow down their progress. Based on research and anecdotal evidence, prayers appear to have several healing qualities – both physical and emotional. To introduce this practice into one’s daily life, here are some tips that may help: Form a habit: Praying at the same time every day may help one establish some time apart for connecting with themselves and the powers they believe in. Set aside five to ten minutes daily to pray or meditate, and do it consistently. Keep it simple: Praying and meditation do not require significant investments. A calm, quiet space is enough. If interested, one may consider investing in plants, inspirational books, essential oils, etc., over time. Find a partner or community: Praying with others may help one feel more connected. This could be a spiritual teacher, healing prayer group, friend, family member, or partner. In these settings, one may devise creative ways to stay engaged and give back to society. Healing prayers and meditation practices can be a boon for one’s overall well-being, with benefits that transcend the physical realm. They may play an essential role in helping one stay grounded and healthy, promote good habits, cope with difficulties, reduce anxiety and stress, get in touch with their greater purpose, and stay connected with the community.
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Natural Remedies That Boost Sleep Quality
Health & Wellness

Natural Remedies That Boost Sleep Quality

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Buy bean bag chairs to relax in style
Chairs

Buy bean bag chairs to relax in style

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Natural Remedies for Depression
Health

Natural Remedies for Depression

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