Build an Ideal Home Gym

Taking care of your physical health doesn’t have to mean making time for trips to the gym or paying for an expensive membership. Creating a designated workout space at home makes exercising more accessible and may even boost your home’s resale appeal. Whether you’re into weight training, cardio or yoga, consider these tips to design a home gym that fits your health goals.

Find Your Zone
Garages, basements and spare rooms are great options. If you’ll be using heavy weights or large equipment, try to stick to the main or lower level.

Set the Foundation
Put down rubber mats or interlocking tiles to help reduce stress on your joints, prevent slips, and protect your floors from scratches and dents caused by equipment. Installing a wall mirror enables you to monitor your form, which may help reduce injury.

Gear Up
Equip the space with your goals in mind. If you want to focus on a specific workout, select equipment made for that type of exercise. If you prefer broader options, start with more generalized equipment like a treadmill, dumbbells, resistance bands, and kettlebells.

Max Out
Keep the layout open and efficient by putting large equipment along walls and leaving plenty of floor space. Install storage to keep your gym well-organized.

With a little creativity and the right equipment, your home gym can help you stay on track to hit your fitness goals — no gym membership required.

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Best Meditation Style

Meditation isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you haven’t found a technique that resonates with you, don’t give up — the right method can make all the difference. Explore these styles to help you find your calm.

Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on your breath while you observe any thoughts or sensations that pass through you. Don’t mull over any reflections that might arise — simply let them pass.

To improve concentration, try focused meditation, which involves using all your senses. It can include things like counting beads, watching a candle flicker or keeping track of your breaths.

If you have difficulty being still for longer periods, movement meditation might be right for you. It can help foster a deeper association with your body through gentle activities like walking, yoga, gardening, or tai chi.

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Trash Talk: Compost Edition

Whether you’re new to composting or a seasoned pro, you might be surprised by these unexpected things you can add to your compost pile.

Ashes from a Wood Fire
The next time you enjoy a fire, scoop up the cooled remnants and deposit them into your compost for a potassium boost.

Natural Materials
Silk, leather, wool, and felt can all be composted. Just be sure to cut them into small pieces so they decompose more quickly.

Coffee and Tea
Add coffee grounds to your soil for a nitrogen boost. Tea bags that are labeled compost-friendly can also be tossed in.

Single-Use Pieces
Items like toothpicks, wine corks and parchment paper are compostable.

Dust and Dryer Lint
Those dust bunnies and lint clumps are mostly made of organic materials or natural fibers that can be broken down quickly and easily in a compost system.

Unbleached Paper Products
Paper items like plates, napkins, paper towels, newspapers, and tissues can all be added and broken down into soil.

If you use a compost service, check their guidelines for acceptable items.

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Journal Your Way to Better Sleep

Sleep journals are a popular tool for helping you better understand your habits and get a more restful night’s sleep. Journaling regularly can help you uncover unexpected things that might be affecting your rest. Track these key details each day, and you may start to see patterns emerge.

• Bedtime (How long did it take to fall asleep?)
• Wake time (How long did it take to feel alert?)
• Sleep quality
• Nap timing and duration
• Sugar, alcohol and caffeine consumption
• Timing and intensity of exercise

After you’ve journaled for a while, take a look back. You might be surprised by what you find. It’s possible that a few simple shifts in your routine could make a big difference.

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Overnight Oatmeal

Ingredients
2 cups steel-cut oats
¼ cup brown sugar
2 cups milk
2 cups water
2 tsp. cinnamon

Toppings:
Sliced bananas
Fresh berries
Cinnamon

Directions
In an oven-safe bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, milk, water, and cinnamon. Stir gently. Place bowl inside a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour additional water into slow cooker to a level halfway up the side of the bowl.

Cook on low for up to 8 hours. Carefully remove bowl from slow cooker and stir oatmeal. Serve warm with desired toppings.

Serves 4

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