Ah, those first warm breezes of spring! Soon even the most devout winter couch potato’s dreams turn from football on television to those long-harbored visions of a major landscaping project, exterior and interior home refreshing, and maybe even a spring purge of those overcluttered areas of the house or garage.
A word of caution before you jump right in! Weekend Warrior Syndrome is real and can be painful. Sudden activity shifts after a long winter of hibernation need to be approached with care.
And who knew that weekend warrior syndrome can also be seasonal? Thousands of injuries, severe sunburns, and other afflictions are suffered every spring when formerly sedentary folks get outside and begin gardening, climbing ladders, using lawn equipment such as mowers, and, in the process, breathing fumes from chemicals.
At V.F. McNeil Insurance, we understand the emerging warriors of spring, and we would like to offer some simple advice that may help prevent your spring dreams from turning into spring pains. Review our list of tips before you get started:
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Read more: Weekend Warrior Syndrome is Real - Tips to Help You Avoid the Pain
A Checklist for Homeowners
- Know the difference between reconstruction cost and replacement cost. Your home’s reconstruction cost and its market value can vary significantly, especially if your home is older. Reconstruction cost is what it would cost to replace your house by rebuilding it completely at current prices. Market value is what someone is willing to pay for your home including the lot. The limit of insurance carried on your home should be based on its reconstruction cost.
- Check your limits at least annually. It’s estimated that 60% of homes are underinsured, most by at least 20%. Underinsured means exactly what you think it means: You will not be a happy camper if your home suffers major damage and must be reconstructed.
- Don’t forget about your possessions. Ensure that your personal property is covered on a replacement instead of actual cash value basis. Don’t underestimate how much you’ll miss that brand-spanking new couch, closet full of clothing or bicycle after they’re reduced to a charred mess by a fire!
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Where Is That Smoke Smell Coming From?
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In case you didn’t know, a standing desk, aka a stand-up desk, is a desk that can easily convert to a working platform that allows you to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the workday. In some organizations they’ve become increasingly popular. But, are they truly a benefit?
We’ve been curious for some time about this but found that research seemed to be in the early stages and feedback about the benefits vs. the drawbacks was not quite clear or definitive.
Our Pioneers Share Their Experience
Therefore, two of our employees opted to trial the stand-up desk to provide feedback to the local business community in the event it may be a consideration in your place of business.
These employees volunteered to do so because each employee, both considered to be physically active, reported that sitting all day was often difficult and was making them feel lethargic during the afternoon.
“When you are used to being a very physically active person on nights and weekends, an 8-hour sit can really cause a crash in your energy level,” commented Pauline Handy, Marketing Director at V.F. McNeil. Also, Handy, top right, was experiencing a moderate, lower back pain in the tailbone area, which she noticed was only happening during the work week after long periods of sitting.
Although we cannot offer any specific medical proof that the stand-up desk improves overall health, we can provide feedback from these two employees who have reported their experience of each using two, height-adjustable work desks since the summer of 2018.
Pro: Beating the Afternoon Crash
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Read more: Standing Desks: Feedback From the Pioneers at V.F. McNeil Insurance