BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Extreme weather events are becoming more commonplace thanks to climate change. For homeowners and for those on the market, considering a home’s potential vulnerability to natural disasters is becoming a top priority.  Proximity to work and good schools, or the number of bathrooms are still important, but flood zones, weather patterns, and resilient grids matter too.  “Too few consumers are empowered to ask simple, upfront questions about disaster-resistant home features that can prevent costly damage and save lives,” says Leslie Chapman-Henderson, the president and chief executive of Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (or FLASH) a non-profit that helps prospective homeowners prepare for natural disasters. According to Darius H. Grimes, president and chief executive of Disaster-Smart Inspection Consulting, those who already own homes are seeking strategies for making their homes more resilient. “If people were more aware of the risks, they would be much less likely to suffer a total loss,” Grimes stresses. Preparation can make a huge difference. Here are four steps that homeowners and buyers alike can take to assess the risk of their (potential) home, as well as ways to better protect it against disaster. Tap into available resources A good first step is to visit FLASH’s website, flash.org. From their drop-down menu, users can select their state and see the top threats in their area. The site asks for a zip code, and based on that information can share that region’s disaster history.  For instance, those living on the Gulf Coast or Eastern Seaboard will already know about hurricanes. What they may not know is their property may also be in an earthquake zone.  FLASH can help them see what’s up.   FLASH also offers a free tool called the “Buyer’s Guide to Resilient Homes.” The guide provides a framework for determining the best ways to protect a home and offers resilience and disaster-preparedness checklists. Another good resource is disastersafety.org.  They offers both DIY and professional suggestions that will help home and business owners protect their properties. On inspecttoprotect.org, users can look up the building code for the time a certain home was constructed. Users can also find their community’s disaster history, and whether or not the code under which the home was built complies with current standards. If not, the site recommends retrofits and upgrades. For those living in a wildfire zone, contact your local fire department to learn how to connect with an inspector who can assess your risk. To determine a structure’s risk of flooding, realtor.com allows users to check neighborhoods using the map view for flood zones. Review your home checklist Once a thorough understanding of a home’s risk is achieved, users can look to the “Buyer’s Guide to Resilient Homes” to help them come up with more questions and checklists to ask themselves, or that can be given to a real estate agent or inspector. “We give people questions to ask on the front end, then things to do—a recipe for things they can tackle,” says Chapman-Henderson. Get a specialized inspection As Grimes says: “you get what you inspect, not what you expect.” While buyer and seller inspections are standard for the completion of a sale, they don’t usually include assessments for the risk of natural disasters. To get a specialized inspection, search for an inspector who specializes in peril.  (We know, it sounds awful.) For those who already own their home, you can seek a fortified home evaluation that assesses what your home is already equipped with to withstand a storm as well as ways the home can be improved. This is a new field, so some hunting may be necessary. If it’s proving difficult to find a suitable inspector, insurance agents will usually have a recommendation. If not, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety maintains a membership list of insurers who could point you in the right direction. The expected price tag on a specialized inspection is between $500 and $1000, according to Grimes. Take appropriate steps Once the risks are determined, there are many affordable strategies to mitigate the effects of potential natural disasters. Here’s a few tips for common weather events. Hurricanes Chapman-Henderson recommends caulking and bracing roof ventilation soffit vents to reduce the amount of water blown into the attic during hurricane-force winds and rain. Trees that may pose a hazard to the home during high winds should also be trimmed. Floods Older foundation vents should be replaced with engineered hydrostatic vents (flood vents). Check that the sump pumps are in working order and that the batteries are fully charged. Furnaces and air conditioning systems should also be flood-proofed or elevated. Thunderstorms To keep electrical equipment safe, disastersafety.org suggests installing a lightning surge protector. If hail is common in the area, installing screens around air conditioning units will protect them from damage. Wildfires Ensure that there is a five-foot minimum buffer around the home that is free of yard debris and dead plants. Also, covering attic vents and chimneys with wire mesh or installing non-combustible metal leaf guards over gutters can reduce the chances of wildfire embers getting into the home or igniting debris. Here’s to keeping our homes safe and secure!The post Is your home at risk for natural disasters? Here’s what to do if it is first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Simone Biles, one of the best and most beloved gymnasts of all time, once again demonstrated her unrivaled abilities by departing the 2024 Paris Olympics with three gold medals and one silver. However, her achievement extends beyond the medals. Biles’ path has become as much about mental health as it is about gymnastics, demonstrating to the world that caring for one’s mental state is as important as honing physical skills. Biles, 27, is not only dominating on the mat but also winning in life by putting her mental health first. After dealing with the “twisties” at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Biles made her well-being a priority—a decision that has clearly paid dividends. “More than my wildest dreams,” she remarked on Instagram following her most recent Olympic victory, showcasing her ability to strike a balance between mental and physical greatness. Her recovery is a source of hope and inspiration for everyone dealing with mental health issues. Here are five effective behaviors from Biles’ mental health playbook that we can all apply to our lives. Embrace mindfulness to calm a busy mind In an age of endless distractions, mindfulness is a lifesaver. Biles has embraced this practice wholeheartedly. After winning gold in the individual all-around event, she posted a peaceful photo of herself, eyes closed, sitting quietly on the sidelines. The caption was simple yet profound: “Mental health matters.” The response was amazing, with both fans and mental health specialists applauding her for emphasizing the value of mindfulness. Dr. Joshua Norman, a sports psychiatrist at Ohio State University, says, “Mindfulness practices are a great way to ground yourself and reduce anxiety.” This is a technique that can benefit everyone, not just Olympians. Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, a clinical psychologist, stresses the importance of this habit: “It helps you to get out of your head and stay within your body,” she says, implying that even a quick meditation moment prior to a stressful event can have a significant influence. Therapy can happen anywhere In an era when mental health resources are becoming more accessible, Biles demonstrates how therapy may be easily integrated into a hectic existence. Before the individual all-around final in Paris, she casually stated in a TikTok video, “I did have therapy this morning, so I feel a little bit better.” This candid admission resonated with many, including Hillary Ammon, a clinical psychologist, who expressed her joy at Biles’ openness: “This incredible athlete, who so many admire, is comfortable sharing that even she needs therapy before a competition.” Therapy, whether virtual or in-person, offers invaluable support, and Biles’ example normalizes seeking treatment, regardless of location. Dr. Lily Brown of the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes the accessibility of virtual therapy, writing, “The added benefit is [that virtual therapy is] accessible to more people.” This versatility enables anyone—from busy professionals to parents—to get the mental health care they require. Set boundaries and stick to them In today’s hyper-connected society, setting boundaries is more important than ever. Biles, who has frequently been in the spotlight, has realized the value of safeguarding her personal life. She recently responded to internet detractors of her husband, NFL star Jonathan Owens, with a strong message: “Leave us alone.” Hillary Ammon describes Biles’ attitude as “a refreshing reminder that you can set your own boundaries.” Dr. Brown concurs, emphasizing that boundaries are crucial for everyone: “We’ve become a society where our boundaries have been lowered… But it’s OK to give yourself permission to just focus on the relationships that matter.” Biles’ experience serves as a compelling reminder of the need to set good limits for our mental and emotional well-being. It’s okay to put yourself first In a culture that frequently demands constant people-pleasing, Biles has demonstrated the fortitude to prioritize her own needs. When she arrived in Paris, she was overwhelmed by the attention at the Olympic Village café, where admirers kept asking for selfies. Rather than deal with the anxiousness, she stocked up on food and ate in her room. “It takes courage to put yourself first,” says Dr. Norman. He goes on to say that making these decisions “helps encourage a healthy environment” around you. Dr. Zuckerman agreed, highlighting the importance of avoiding the trap of being a people-pleaser: “If you say yes to everything, you end up with a watered-down version of yourself.” Biles’ actions demonstrate the importance of self-care and the bravery to prioritize one’s own mental health, even if it means making unpopular decisions. Use social media with care Social media can be both a blessing and a curse, but Biles has learned to navigate it on her own terms. Before leaving for Paris, she told Today that “Limiting social media and stuff like that is going to be [important].” While she chose to abandon X (previously Twitter), she maintained contact with her followers on Instagram and TikTok. Dr. Brown points out the importance of being mindful of social media use, noting that it can have a significant impact on mental health: “The research on social media is only in its early days… Ask yourself how much time you want to spend on it and what is healthy for [you].” Biles’ judicious usage of social media serves as a model for others to achieve a balance that benefits rather than harms their mental health. Biles’ path is about more than simply recovering her position as the world’s best gymnast; it’s also about regaining her peace of mind. Her candor regarding her mental health issues and successes serves as a model for others going through similar experiences. “Simone highlights that mental health is health,” Dr. Brown stresses. “To be in your best physical condition, you also need to be on top of your mental health—and she’s thriving because of it.”The post Simone Biles’ mental health victory: 5 practices we can all learn first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'I was alone and unconscious. And then conscious'

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Victor Robles is staying in the Emerald City

He wore the jacket during his last-ever NBA game

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Two kittens, having been through thick and thin, gave heartwarming reactions to the people who saved their lives. WinstonFoster the FurbabiesWinston and Miller, two bonded feline brothers, came from a tough beginning. At 3-4 days old, they had already used several of their nine lives.Found abandoned in a bag and covered in gunk and debris, they were the only survivors of their litter. When Gianna Cirucci and her sister Gab, co-founders of Foster the Furbabies, learned about their plight, they immediately stepped up to take them."For the first two weeks, they refused to eat on their own, so I had to tube-feed them every two hours," Gianna shared with Love Meow. Foster the FurbabiesIt was touch and go for a while, a "very nerve-racking time." Gianna worked around the clock to provide the kittens with critical care and prepared herself for the worst every time she entered the foster room.She took it one day at a time and ensured the kittens were fed, warm, clean, and given the best care possible. Winston and MillerFoster the FurbabiesAfter several trips to the vet's office and countless sleepless nights for the foster mom, the two brothers started to improve, and their vexing stomach issues began to subside.Gianna put her all into the kittens, hoping they could get through this rough patch and start thriving. When Winston and Miller latched onto their bottle for the first time, Gianna could breathe a long sigh of relief. Foster the Furbabies"The moment I knew/hoped they'd be okay was around the 3-week mark when they started taking the bottle really well and no longer needed to be tube-fed."Winston, a polydactyl, grew into an affectionate snuggle bug, and his brother was his ride-or-die, always by his side. Just when Gianna thought everything was going smoothly, life threw the kittens another curveball. Winston became quite a snuggle bugFoster the FurbabiesAfter having gone through treatments for infections and stomach troubles, the kittens were later discovered to have calicivirus. "They've been through a lot in their short little lives."Gianna never stopped fighting for them, and Winston never ceased purring and kneading with his big mittens whenever he cuddled in her arms. Foster the FurbabiesWith the help of their loving foster family and a dedicated vet team, the feline brothers have conquered many battles and emerged victorious.They are finally thriving with bright eyes, plenty of energy, and voracious appetites. Miller and Winston are a bonded pairFoster the Furbabies"Winston is my little love bug who still acts like a baby. He runs up to me the second he sees me and begs for me to pick him up. He loves giving kisses and smooshing his nose into mine.""Miller is a little more independent but loves kisses and belly rubs, too." Foster the FurbabiesThough small in stature, they have big personalities that light up the room and loud purr engines that never seem to turn off."They love to play with their friends and each other. They get the zoomies and run around their room like crazy, just bouncing off the walls and playing with any toy they can find. That usually ends in them getting tired out and finding my lap to nap in." Winston gave the sweetest reaction when Gianna tended to himFoster the Furbabies"Winston will choose me over food, but Miller chooses food over me."Having gone through so much together, the two brothers are inseparable. They bring endless joy and entertainment to their people, constantly filling the place with their rumbling purrs. Foster the Furbabies"I love that they've had each other throughout the good and bad moments. They're very bonded, and I hope to find them a home together soon." Foster the FurbabiesShare this story with your friends. More on Winston and Miller and Foster the Furbabies (South NJ) on Instagram and Facebook.Related story: Cat Found with Kittens that Don't Belong to Him, Months Later He Finally Has What He's Been Waiting for