Make your own masterpieces - freshly painted focal points for any room

(BPT) - Still love the overall design scheme of a space, but feeling a little bored? The best way to breathe new life into it - without revamping the entire area - is by creating a new focal wall. Instead of a decal, stencil or pricey artwork, make a statement that's one-of-a-kind with a little creativity and painter's tape.



Heavy patterns on every wall can be overwhelming; adding zest to just one is your best bet to make a positive impact. Before you begin, scan the room to determine the best wall to update. When you enter the space, where do your eyes naturally gravitate? If it's an area that you love, amp up the style to make it really stand out. But if it's something that catches your eye for all the wrong reasons, pick a different side of the room. Repositioning the focal point will draw attention away from the elements you don't like or can't easily change, like architectural features, window placement or heating and cooling returns.



Once you've determined where you're going to paint, it's time to think about what. Here are a few easy ideas to get the creativity flowing.



Awesome artwork



Purchasing oversized artwork can be pricey - ranging anywhere from hundreds to even thousands of dollars. Don't shell out a ton of cash to add personality to an empty wall when it's easy to make your own art. Bring your design ideas to life with new FrogTape Shape Tape - a painter's tape cut into unique patterns that allows you to quickly and effortlessly create works of art on walls, accessories, furniture and more. The three Shape Tape patterns - Wave, Scallop and Chevron - can be positioned on surfaces in various ways to achieve different results; by staggering the tape or varying the placement widths, you can make your own impressive designs. Best of all, patented PaintBlock Technology on the edges of FrogTape Shape Tape helps prevent paint bleed and leaves precise lines, keeping your artwork looking sharp. For more information visit frogtape.com.



You can create one oversized piece of art directly on the wall, or paint a number of smaller canvases that can be arranged as a DIY gallery. Whatever you choose, you'll have a new focal point that will surely serve as a conversation starter at your next get-together.



Natural touch



Creating a mural on one wall is extremely popular, especially one that helps bring the feel of the outdoors inside. Trees are an easy element to paint on any wall. For a sophisticated look, keep it simple with silhouettes. Use painter's tape to create the outline of birch trees from the floor to the ceiling, leaving six to 12 inches between each trunk. Paint all the trees using the same color. Be sure to use a shade that coordinates with the rest of the room, or a neutral like white, gray or beige delivers a crisp look.



Fabulous faux framing



If your house is lacking interesting architectural features like decorative molding, you can mimic the look with paint and painter's tape. Measuring and installing the real deal can be time-intensive and tedious, but using paint is an easy way to dress up a space without the cost and labor of installing numerous pieces of trim. From crown molding to wainscoting, using paint to imitate intricate trim work will add high style to your home.



For a stunning makeover, apply FrogTape brand painter's tape three feet up from the floor along the entire wall to emulate a chair rail. Then, add additional squares and rectangles in a repeating pattern below. Apply a fresh coat of paint in a color that coordinates with the original wall color; and once you remove the tape, you'll have crisp lines that look like molding... without all the work.



Next time you're looking to spruce up a space, think beyond painting your walls a solid color. With a little imagination and painter's tape, you can design eye-catching rooms throughout the entire house.

The psychology of seasons: Caring for your mental health

Those who face this type of depression, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), feel a physiological response by the body to decreases in light exposure associated with the fall and winter months, according to Dr. Gary Bruss, program dean of the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Southern California.



"This is one of the more biologically based forms of depression," says Bruss. "SAD can be characterized by moodiness, heightened irritability, lack of interest in those things you usually take pleasure in, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, and difficulty concentrating that take place during those fall and winter months every year."



Simply put, you may not feel as peppy as you normally do or have the same energy level or you may not want to be around people or follow your regular routine. If you are a student, you could see your grades declining and if you work, you may see your performance slipping.



Being proactive about your mental health and taking care of yourself can help address depression and mood swings. Bruss recommends engaging in exercise, going for a walk or meeting friends or family for coffee or some fun activity. He also adds it is important to eat a balanced diet, get enough rest at night, do nice things for yourself or find a hobby to help occupy your time.



"In the fall and winter, we tend to see an increase in seasonal affective disorder and in overall stress," says Dr. Devin Byrd, dean of the College of Health Professions at South University. "Becoming more acutely aware of your habits, stress levels and social activities can help assess and counter-balance the onset of seasonal sadness or depression."



If you sense that the season may be negatively affecting your well-being, Byrd recommends you initiate a new hobby, increase exercise, watch what you eat and take measures to take an active role in social activities.



Light exposure therapy can combat the signs and symptoms of SAD. During this type of therapy, you sit near a device called a light therapy box. This box gives off a specific kind of light that mimics the natural light from the outdoors and can ease SAD symptoms.



If signs of depression appear in a family member, friend or co-worker, Bruss recommends talking with them and encouraging them to seek help if depression persists or worsens. He also points out that the holiday season can have a major impact on depression if a person has experienced the death of a family member, close friend or a pet. If the severity of the depression interferes with a person's ability to function socially and/or professionally, then it's time to seek help from a mental health professional, says Bruss.



"Seeking professional help is an increasingly common practice and people should not feel anxious about seeing a psychologist for psychotherapy or taking medication for depression if it's needed - especially for a disorder that is based so heavily on our biology. The most important thing is to connect with a professional who can help you restore emotional balance, peace and happiness to your life," Bruss says.

Adding or replacing deck railings a great do-it-yourself project

Adding a good railing system to a deck can add a variety of positive aspects for homeowners. The style, color and placement of a railing system can make an outdoor living space look sophisticated and stylish.

Whether a railing is designed for personal pleasure, to meet a building code before selling or renting, to increase the value of a home, or an old outdated railing needs to be replaced, the do-it-yourself method can be the best route for your stress level and your wallet.

The first thing to consider before you purchase materials for a do-it-yourself railing project is the style and color. If the idea of staining and painting a railing is not appealing, a wooden railing may not be the best option. You may want to consider a composite railing.

Composite railings are gaining popularity for all different styles of homes. When installed according to the manufacturer's installation instructions, composite railing offers similar support and safety to a wooden railing and is low maintenance because of the exterior of the product. Like a wooden railing, the colors of a composite railing can be chosen to complement, balance or offset the deck and the styles can provide a rustic look or add polish for the outdoor living space.

Some composite railings systems are designed for do-it-yourself projects, and many railings are offered in a variety of colors so that color coordinating with a home's exterior is easy. Certain lengths of composite railings also offer support and strength without the requirement of metal reinforcements which makes them easier and less of a hassle to install.

To ensure that the aesthetic beauty of a deck will be enhanced by a railing system, consider using a brand that comes complete with options like hidden fasteners, a variety of railing lengths, fixed-angle bracket adapters and stair kits. Using a brand with a variety of different options will help ensure that your deck is unified and appealing to the eye.

The post mount is also a consideration when deciding on a brand of railing. Different brands will offer different post mounts. Some will offer products that contain post mounts that work with a variety of different surfaces, such as wood or concrete.

TAMKO Building Products, Inc. offers the TAM-RAIL Railing System which is designed to make installation fast and easy which makes it ideal for a do-it-yourself project. It is a patented triple-layer railing system that offers incredible performance and protection that is conveniently packaged in kits for easy merchandising, selection and assembly. The system features thick walls and a foamed composite core for added strength, all in a product that is light in weight and low-maintenance. The 25-year limited warranty includes a five-year full start period and TAM-RAIL composite railing materials are building code approved when installed correctly and according to TAMKO's installation instruction.

With different color options such as white, grey or taupe, TAM-RAIL is an attractive option of composite railing that has recently been formulated for even greater strength and durability. Colonial and square balusters make these railings distinguishable from other composite railings and post caps are available in New England Post Cap or Pyramid Cap styles. These systems also offer the option of hidden fasteners, a wide variety of railing lengths, fixed-angle bracket adapters, and stair kits.

Five tips to help chart a path toward financial success

Understanding how to build credit and how to use it responsibly helps consumers make decisions that lead to financial success. And making responsible decisions that can help you chart a path toward a successful financial future is easier when you're well informed. Free tools from sources such as the American Bankers Association, National Foundation for Credit Counseling and Wells Fargo's free, online Hands on Banking program can help consumers of all ages increase their credit know-how. These five tips can help you take control of your finances, manage your money and build a stronger credit history.



Five steps to strong credit



1. Check your credit report: Once a year, consumers can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and Transunion - at AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228. Review the reports carefully and correct any errors.



2. Understand the factors that affect your credit: Whether you are new to credit or have been using credit for some time, your credit score gives lenders a snapshot of your credit risk. By understanding what impacts your score, you may be able to improve it.



3. Raise your credit score: Managing your credit responsibly over time is one of the best ways to build, maintain, and improve your credit score. Five key criteria are generally used to calculate a consumer's credit score:

• Payment history: Information about whether you've made on-time payments has the most impact on your score.
• Credit accounts: A balanced mix of different types of credit can help improve your score.
• Credit usage: Owing a lot or being near your credit limit on multiple accounts negatively impacts your score.
• Length of credit history: Reviewers check to see if you can responsibly manage credit accounts over time.
• Credit applications: Opening multiple new credit accounts may represent a greater risk for lenders.

4. Create and monitor your budget: A budget gives you more control over your finances and helps you eliminate unnecessary expenses.



5. Know what lenders look for. When consumers apply for a loan, lenders assess their credit risk based on a number of factors, often called the Five Cs of Credit:

• Credit history. Have you established credit and is your credit score high enough to qualify you?
• Capacity. Is your income sufficient?
• Collateral. Does the collateral you're borrowing against have enough value?
• Capital. Do you have assets set aside as another source for repayment?
• Conditions. Does the current economy or purpose for the credit make it a risk?

Wells Fargo offers a variety of free tools designed to help individuals at any life stage learn ways to manage their finances more responsibly. For more information and resources about how to use credit sensibly to achieve financial goals, visit www.wellsfargo.com/creditsmart.

The right omega-3 will nourish your child's brain

As the brain continues to grow and develop throughout childhood and adolescence, maintaining brain health through good nutrition is critical. Make sure your child is eating plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables and good fats, which will help support brain health now and in the future.

One good fat is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) omega-3, a major structural fat in the brain accounting for up to 97 percent of the omega-3 fatty acids found in the brain. DHA specifically plays a role in how well cells communicate with each other, which may help with memory function and clear thinking. While most people believe that fish produce their own DHA, it's actually the microalgae in their food chain that makes them a rich source of this key omega-3.

Children traditionally have a low dietary intake of DHA since they don't usually stack their plate full of fatty fish, including salmon, tuna and mackerel. New research points to the benefits of DHA for mainstream school children who are underperforming in reading.

The Docosahexaenoic Acid Oxford Learning and Behaviour (DOLAB) trial found that supplementation with 600 milligrams of DHA from algae a day for 16 weeks improved reading and behaviour in healthy school-aged children with low reading scores, as compared to placebo.

"Just as calcium is needed for strong bones, DHA is needed for a healthy brain," says Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist and author of Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten. "It's never too early to incorporate DHA into a child's diet. In fact, mothers deliver this important fatty acid to their infants in their breast milk during nursing. The DOLAB trial demonstrates that DHA is an important nutrient for school-aged children too, helping to close the nutrition gap between infancy and childhood."

If your child isn't stacking his or her plate full of fatty fish, there are algal DHA fortified foods, beverages and supplements on the market. Visit www.lifesdha.ca to see a listing of products fortified with the same source of vegetarian and sustainable DHA used in the DOLAB trial.

Ask the Pharmacist: Caregivers, take care

Express Scripts research paired an analysis of prescription claims with a telephone survey of more than 12,000 commercially-insured Americans ages 18 to 65, and discovered use of medications to treat stress-related conditions, including high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and ulcers, is higher among caregivers. In fact, the use of anti-anxiety medications is 29 percent greater with caregivers compared to non-caregivers.



"As a member of the 'sandwich generation' I know first-hand how hard it can be to care for everyone who needs you, including yourself," says Paul Reyes, Express Scripts' pharmacist and host of the Ask the Pharmacist radio series. "But if your role as a caregiver negatively impacts your own health, no one benefits."



Caregivers are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system, helping many people live with dignity within their community. With the demand for caregivers expected to increase as baby boomers reach age 65 (the 65+ age group is expected to top 70 million in 2030), it's important that caregivers know how to prevent their important role from deteriorating their own health.



Reyes offers these tips for caregivers to keep their health on track:



* Practice healthy habits: Daily exercise and a good night's sleep can reduce stress and improve health. Those with a busy lifestyle can start small by building in five to 10 minutes of physical activity into their day and going to bed a few minutes earlier each night.



* Make personal time a priority: Set aside time every day - even a few minutes - to socialize with family and friends, read or meditate. If your loved one receives Medicare or Medicaid services, speak with a caseworker about respite resources for extended time off.



* Don't ignore depression: Understand what signals signs of depression: continuous low mood, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, neglecting hobbies and unexplained aches and pains. If you think you may be depressed, talk to your doctor immediately and consider caregiving support groups or professional counseling.



* Use online resources: At Express Scripts, their website and mobile app can make managing prescriptions for you and your patient easier, and reduce the administrative burden associated with care-giving. Home delivery can be a convenient way to receive medications and ensure you don't miss a dose, and specialist pharmacists, who understand your unique needs, can provide additional support and counsel for you and your loved one.



* Don't do it alone: Talk with your family members, friends, neighbors, your religious community or local civic organizations like the Boy and Girl Scouts of America - about available support services. The Department of Health and Human Services has an online resource to help connect caregivers with locally available support services.



For more resources and information on ways to keep your health in check, visit Express Scripts' Healthcare Insights blog at http://lab.express-scripts.com/.