1. Wash Your Hands; Carry Sanitizer

Wash your hands throughout the day to keep germs away. Always wash before touching food, before (and after) playing with your little one and after going to the bathroom. Carry hand sanitizer around with you, so you'll have a backup plan if the bathroom at work doesn't have soap. All that washing can dry out your skin, so switch to ultra-moisturizing hand soap at home. 

2. Get Enough Sleep

Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours per sleep, but it's very common for adults to get less sleep than they need. Rearrange your schedule to ensure that you're getting the right amount of sleep every night. Sleep deprivation is associated with a weakened immune system. If you're not getting enough sleep, you could find yourself struggling with illnesses throughout the winter. 

3. Avoid Touching Your Face With Your Hands

Your hands will get germs on them even if you're washing them a lot. Avoid touching your face to your hands to stop the spread of those germs. 

4. Clean Frequently at Home

Disinfect surfaces in your kitchen and bathroom on a regular basis. Wash your sponges or dishrags on a daily basis. Use a cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water to disinfect surfaces like your kitchen sink, counters and floor. 

Clean the germ hot spots, such as your bathroom counters and sink, at least twice per week. Resolve to clean other parts of your house once per week.  

Come See the Fun

Living among friends makes life better. Come take a look at the available units at Highland Village Apartments. In our apartments in Flagstaff, AZ, we're always excited when new people join our community. Call today to schedule an appointment.

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Tips for Cleaning Before the Holidays

Clean the Bathrooms

One thing that is inevitable if you have people over is that your guests will need to use the restroom. You want to make sure that the bathrooms are clean and have everything that someone would need. Make sure you have plenty of toilet paper available as well as soap and lotion. Remove any clutter from the space and sanitize everything so you know that the bathrooms are clean and tidy. 

Clean Gathering Areas

Wherever you are going to have your guests gather, you need to make sure that there is not only plenty of space for them to come together but also that it is clean. You want to remove any clutter from the area while taking the time to vacuum, mop, and sweep. While you are doing this, you also want to clean the counters in the kitchen and make sure you have plenty of clean space to really ensure you can cook what is needed and that people can be in there if they want to be and if you have space. 

Prepare Guest Bedrooms

If you are planning to have guests stay with you for the holidays, it is necessary to prepare your guest bedrooms. This includes making sure the bed is guest-ready with clean linens, vacuuming, and tidying up any clutter.

The holidays are a great time for people to spend time together. Ensure friends and loved ones have a wonderful time at your home by offering a clean space for them to enjoy. If you are looking for a new place to call home and host the holidays, be sure to check out our Flagstaff apartments!

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If you're like most busy people, you struggle with finding time to go to the gym on a regular basis, yet you realize the importance of getting enough exercise. Fortunately, a variety of fitness apps exist that can help you keep in shape without depending on visiting a gym. Following are three of the many apps that residents of apartments in Flagstaff can access from their smartphones.

Down Dog

If you're a yoga aficionado, Down Dog lets you choose from a variety of yoga classes, complete with audio instruction and music. Classes are available in full class lengths or in short forms and can be used either for fill-in purposes when you can't make it to your favorite local yoga studio or to replace brick-and-mortar studios altogether. This app is completely free, although a pro-version is available for a small monthly charge. 

Couch to 5K

As its name implies, Couch to 5K is aimed at those who've never tried running and would like to give it a go. You'll be able to access a nine-week program designed to have your body ready to run over three miles in that time period. You'll get audio coaching from your choice of four narrators that will guide you through three runs per week, and allow you the capability to track your progress via GPS. This program is totally free. 

Nike Training Club

This app allows users to choose from numerous workout options, making it ideal for cross trainers or those who haven't yet settled on a favorite workout routine. You can experiment with everything from yoga to weight training as well as fine-tune workouts to sync with your individual needs and preferences. The Nike Training Club is completely free to use. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at your earliest convenience if we can be of assistance in your quest to get the most out of life in the beautiful city of Flagstaff.

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Did you know that the first 10 minutes of your day are significant and starting on the right foot will set the tone for the whole day? You want to set a positive and productive tone in the morning immediately after waking up for a fantastic start. We discuss five things you should do every morning to start your day the right way.

Quit the Habit of Snoozing

We have all been culprits of this habit. The alarm beeps, and you're too lazy to get out of the bed. You convince yourself that it's still early and you can relax for a few minutes. So, you hit the snooze button and chill. The next time you wake up, you have less than ten minutes to prepare. Getting late for work or school only adds to the stress. So, set your feet on the floor immediately the alarm rings and goes off.

Let the Phone Be

The first thing most people do in the morning after waking up is to grab the phone and check the social media, news, email, and weather while still lying in bed. Save that ten minutes to doing something to help the rest of the day.

Stretch

A few stretches after waking up will get your blood circulating to the muscles and the brain, which will increase strength and concentration in the morning.

Focus on Today

At times, we get so hung up on what happened yesterday that we forget what’s done is done and there’s probably little we can do. So, do not get fixated and stressed by the past, but direct your attention to today and the future.

Drink a Glass of Water

Hydrate your body, fire your metabolism, flush out toxins and fuel your brain with a glass of water the moment you wake up.

How you begin your morning will influence how your day progresses, which is why you should adopt healthy morning habits. If you're looking for one of the available Flagstaff apartments, Highland Village Apartments are your best bet. For directions and floor plans, call us at (844) 819-1677.

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Did you know how useful aluminum foil could be in helping with your daily chores? We think that residents of our Flagstaff apartments would really benefit from these tips. Try fitting these aluminum foil hacks into your household routine.

Clean Off Rust

Use aluminum foil to clean rusted metal furniture you may have outside on your balcony or patio. Just follow the steps below.

Steps To Clean Rust

• Tear off a piece the size of printer paper
• Ball it up so that there are still some air pockets left inside
• Make sure it’s big enough for the area you wish to clean
• Rub it over the rusted areas

Sharpen Your Scissors

Don’t continue struggling with dull scissors. Fold a piece of aluminum foil over to form several layers. Cut through it with the scissors a few times. It works as well as a sharpening stone.

Scrub Your Glassware and Pans

Out of steel wool? Ball up a piece of aluminum foil to use as a substitute. It’s great for removing stuck on food from your glass cookware. You can also use this hack on the racks in your oven or any of your metal cooking pans.

Iron Your Clothes In Half The Time

Want an easier way to get a nice iron press on both sides of your clothes? Just slide a piece of aluminum foil under any pieces you’re ironing. The aluminum reflects back the heat, so both sides of your garment gets taken care of with one pass.

Keep Paint Off Your Fixtures

Need to do some painting in your apartment? Wrap aluminum foil around things like your doorknobs, drawer handles, or other fixtures you want to protect. It’s easy to remove once you’re done.

The staff at Highland Village Apartments in Flagstaff work hard to keep their residents happy. Call us at (844) 819-1677 to experience this hospitality for yourself.

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Do you have a limited amount of time and too much to get done? If so, it’s time to learn how to manage your time. Let’s jump right into ten rapid-fire time management tips.

Add Time Limits to Tasks

As you create your to-do list, add an allotted amount of time to complete each task. This will keep you from getting absorbed in a specific task and keep you aware of the passing time.

Use a Calendar (Physical or Digital)

Keep track of your future commitments by maintaining a physical or digital calendar.

Understand Your Deadlines

Every task on your to-do list should have a deadline. If it doesn’t, assign a deadline or ask for a deadline from the person who gave you the task.

Create a Daily Plan

Craft a plan every day when you get into the office, or even when you wake up.

Have a Clock in Your Line of Sight

Whatever it is you're working on, add a clock (beyond the one on your computer) to your line of sight. This practice will make you intimately aware of the time, which in turn will keep you on task.

Practice Ignoring Distractions

Distractions are the enemy of time management. Become aware of your distractions and eliminate them.

Track How Much Time You Spend

How much time is each task taking you? Is it in line with the allotted time that you designated?

Eliminate Tasks that Waste Time

Don’t be afraid to cut a task, or reduce, such as checking email throughout the day.

Delegate When Possible

Can someone else take a task off your plate? Let them.

Prioritize Your To-Do List

Not all tasks have the same priority. As you create your to-do list, assign priorities.

Are you in the market for a new apartment in Flagstaff, AZ? We’d love to help you find it. Contact our office today to view our floor plans.

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You Stop Rewinding

No one ever really forgets the past, but meditating can help you accept the past and move forward with your life to more positive outlooks. 

You're Calmer 

This is the normally why people start meditating. They feel as though they can't control their surroundings, and turn to meditation to remind themselves of all the things they can control. We're all powerless in a lot of ways, but with practice, we can at least control our breath and our thoughts. 

You're Happier 

Happiness comes from having a better sense of self, and meditation can help you get there. When you stop hanging onto things that drag you down, you'll feel lighter than you could have imagined. 

You Notice Things 

Ever walked by a beautiful garden without even bothering to look? No one can stop and smell the roses all the time, but meditating can help you do it on a more regular basis. It teaches your mind to pick up on all those little things that are so easy to miss.  

You're Kinder 

When you're calmer, you automatically have more patience with people. It can help you feel more empathy towards people, and increase your positive effect on the world.

While the effects of meditation are real, do not expect them without a lot of time and a lot of hard work. Just like with life, you get out what you put in. Meditation is luckily just one beautiful way to use your space in your Flagstaff apartments. Highland Village has apartment homes and amenities that go far beyond the ordinary—call us for more information on our available floor plans!

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Dogs Rule

Although there are so many, here are the main reasons why we love dogs and offer pet-friendly apartments at Highland Village Apartments in Flagstaff:

Top 4 Reasons We Love Dogs

• Dogs love you unconditionally: Dogs are truly man’s (and woman’s) best friend. They are always waiting happily at the door to greet you when you come home. It’s obvious they are always so deliriously excited to see you arrive. This is true love at its purest and that makes us love them, too!  

• Dogs make us laugh: Face it–dogs are hilarious and they make us smile. From the funny photos on Facebook to the outlandish videos on TV, and even our own zany pooch; dogs are entertaining to have around!

• Dogs help keep us healthy: Your friendship with your dog is a healthy one, and it is good for your heart! A healthy life consists of positive feelings, enjoyable activities, security and love. Your dog helps fulfill your life, reduces stress and increases physical activity.

• Dogs teach us how to treat other people: Dogs give the best lessons on how to treat others. They are loving, loyal, and kind. Dogs don’t hold a grudge, they live in the moment and show people how they truly feel. Be the person your dog thinks you are!

If you just can’t live without your dog, live at Highland Village Apartments in Flagstaff, AZ. Contact us today to learn more about our unique and stylish apartment homes for you and your favorite furry friend!

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Here at Highland Village, we're proud to be part of the Flagstaff community … and that means giving back when and where we can! This month, our team is proud to give back to the Coconino Humane Association with a day of volunteering!

The Coconino Humane Association works to provide shelter and aid for the "unwanted, abandoned, and mistreated" animals of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. We love their statement of pride in being "a voice for dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals in Coconino County!" Following the CHA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is enough to show anyone just how much they care about our animals. By hosting events, providing training, and posting pictures of adoptable and lost animals, they help to "speak for those who cannot speak for themselves."

Coconino Humane offers numerous opportunities for volunteers to serve the Flagstaff community's animals! Some opportunities include helping to provide animal care, socializing animals, supporting offsite adoption events, and much more! We're excited to work with them to do our part for the precious furry friends we all love!

The Coconino Humane Association could always use more volunteers! To learn how you can help, visit their Volunteer Page! We'd love for you to join us in making a "paw"-sitive difference right here in Flagstaff!

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If you’re anything like us, your bracket for March Madness is all but destroyed … if not already a totally lost cause. So, what should you do with your bracket now that you won’t be winning your office pot? We’ve got some ideas.

1. Write a Strongly Worded Letter
Your team’s done let you down, man. Somebody needs to hear about it. So flip that bracket over and write a strongly worded letter with its abysmal remains. We recommend writing the head coach, or your favorite player. Actually, you know what? Bad idea … Let’s face it, you may be disappointed but it’s nothing compared to the actual players. So have a little compassion, and instead send your expressions of bracket-busted grief to your roommate. Or your mom. Maybe even your apartment leasing office? We’re not promising a response, but at least you put it out there. Which is more than we can say for your team.

2. Rewrite Your Bucket List
It’s time to start living your own life again. So what if all your dreams of perfect bracket glory went down in a ball of flames after round one? The world is still out there! You can still do something amazing! Write out that bucket list! Make it all the things you would have done with your bracket winnings … Or maybe all the things your bracket loss makes you want to do. Like eat an elite eight pack of ice cream. Or take a road trip down the mountain long enough to have a long hard think about how your bracket went so wrong. Or learn to perfect your free throw percentage and three-point shot…

3. Use It to Fix a Wobbly Table
Come on … what else is it good for? Your bracket is busted. That doesn’t mean your table has to be busted, too. Create some good out of this disaster.

4. Find Love
If Villanova can lose, anything can happen, right? Flip your bracket over and write a letter to the guy or gal of your dreams. What else have you got to lose? Keep the letter simple, and maybe let it rock some thinly veiled NCAA puns. We’re talking: “Do you like me? Yes or ‘Nova?”

5. Recycle It
Your bracket is dead. But the earth is still spinning. Help keep it that way by recycling it. Technically all the above options are ways of recycling your bracket sheet. You can love both basketball and the environment. Don’t take this year’s tourney disappointment out on Mother Earth, bro. Keep it classy and save a tree.

What's your plan for your bracket now that it's busted? Or are you a lucky one who's bracket is still going strong? Let us know!

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