Over the years, science has been on the side of meditation. Faultfinders will tell you that it is just another New Age name for napping and spiritual hogwash, but that is not true at all. In actuality, science has proven you are better off when you meditate than your peers who choose not to. In recent times, a wealth of scientific research has been carried out to provide undisputed evidence that meditation indeed has healing properties. Take a look at the following health benefits of meditating below:

1. It slows down the aging process

Telomeres are tiny strings of DNA that shield the end of chromosomes. Naturally, these small strings tend to shorten over time as they perform their duty, and as they compress, aging takes place. In 2013, Harvard carried out research that measured the telomeres of 37 people. The result showed that the people who engaged themselves with meditation had longer telomeres than those who did not meditate. 

2. It relieves chronic pain

The journal of pain reported a study examining the use of meditation on 89 patients with constant neck pain. Some of these patients were put on a home-based exercise program while the others were set apart to a 90-minute weekly guided meditation practice. The guided meditation practice proved useful in decreasing the pain in contrast to those who used the home-based exercise program.

3. It treats Addiction

In another study, 248 people practiced qigong meditation on a short-term alcohol and drug addiction treatment program. After the study period, the participants confessed to having less anxiety, self-control, and reduced craving.

4. It reduces stress

Several studies have shown that people who practiced loving-kindness meditation more often feel less stressed and can better deal with stressful situations. Also, people who practice loving-kindness meditation feel very confident about themselves and have a lesser probability of getting depressed.

5. It improves fertility

Meditation reduces stress, and science proves that reducing stress can improve the chances of a woman getting pregnant. An Oxford Journal study reports that the stress level of women decreases on the month of conception. Furthermore, in the International Journal of fertility, scientific research proves that couples who practice meditation while trying to conceive are less stressed and more fertile than couples who do not. Regarding these studies, being calm and relaxed plays a significant role in fertility.

6. It keeps the heart in good shape

Meditation helps prevent cardiovascular disease and strengthen heart muscles. A variety of scientific studies shows that people who meditate have lesser chances of developing heart failure, stroke, and blood pressure.

Meditation is an inexpensive way to manage stress and stay healthy. Go on YouTube to find videos tutorials on various meditation techniques or visit your local gym to inquire about taking a class.

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If you've spent much time online seeking ways to sell your home, you've probably run across "professional home staging" options. While many of these are a great choice, they can be cost-prohibitive if your agent doesn't include those services with your sale. You aren't left in the lurch though, you can do a variety of things with your existing furnishings to clean up your home and make it more appealing to buyers. The hardest part of this process is to take yourself out of the house. It no longer matters what you love or what each room means to you, its now about creating a blank but appealing canvas that your potential buyers can see ways to make their own.

Properly staged homes, and that usually means neutrally staged, often sell up to 50% faster and for up to 10% or more over the asking price. Want in on this extra profit?

It’s easy as 123…

1. Clean and Neutral Colors: give your rooms a fresh coat of paint in neutral tones. Creams, warm grays and sand tones can brighten up your rooms without going all the way to white which creates an inviting look. It's not just the paint though, apply the same rules to your furniture and window coverings. Try to get as much natural sunlight into each room as possible and use bright and light tones to reflect that light around the room. Don't forget the bathrooms here, going for brighter neutral patterns on shower curtains, rugs and towels as well.

2. No More Hoarding (at least not in public): Yes, those pictures of your wedding or your kids are incredibly important to you, but this is about your buyers. Too much clutter or too many personal items in a design can make it difficult for potential buyers to decorate in their mind. You want your buyer to see themselves in the space, not you. That means removing family photos, trophies, kids' art and basically anything that speaks to your family life in the home. If you’re living in the home and showing at the same time, try going through your belongings and packing up things you don’t need into a storage unit. Keeping your closets only comfortably full and storage spaces empty of holiday decorations makes them more appealing to buyers.

3. Simple Spaces for Anyone: Remember that storage unit? Use it again for extra furniture. Keep only the items that work best in the space. Remove over-sized or extra-personal items to help your buyers see the house and what they can do with it. Stick with furniture that goes with the home itself, rather than the pieces you have for sentimental value. Also, remember to remove all or the majority of items that make a space age-specific where possible. Unless you're explicitly showing off a nursery, make the rest of the home design work regardless of children or buyers' ages. 

Your real estate professional can give you specific advice based on your particular possessions and home layout.

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