Economic uncertainty has many families skipping expensive vacations and opting for so-called “staycations” in their own backyards. They’re cooking, camping and enjoying outdoor activities right at home, making their lawns the perfect spot for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Because people are spending more time around their homes, there is a renewed emphasis on the health, maintenance and vitality of grass, trees, flowers, shrubs and other plants and natural areas in the yard. Rising sales at garden centers for items like shrubbery, decorative accessories, fertilizers and pesticides show that consumers are creating inviting, usable lawn and landscape environments.

The benefits of healthy lawns and landscapes are numerous. Trees, shrubbery and plants can create a private and tranquil personal retreat. Well-maintained green spaces have been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension related to stress, and reduce feelings of fear, anger and aggression. Lush lawns act as a soft cushion for play areas, remove dust, dirt and allergens from the air, and can significantly decrease carbon dioxide levels. Lawns also act as a filter to help improve water quality by reducing erosion and absorbing runoff so it doesn’t find its way into the gutter and eventually into public drinking water and other sources.

“When healthy and functioning at their best, lawns and natural areas provide a limitless array of benefits for individuals, communities and the environment,” says Allen James, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) — a national organization representing the manufacturers, formulators and distributors of pesticide and fertilizer products. “To reach their full potential and keep them free from harmful pests, many lawns and landscapes require the judicious and responsible use of fertilizer and pesticide products. Especially as people are spending more time in their yards, using these products as directed to grow healthy plants and protect against potential pest threats is increasingly important.”

While this is the time of year when people can enjoy their lawns and other outdoor settings with pets, family and friends, it is also important to remember that encounters with certain common pests are more frequent during warmer weather. Tick activity and the prevalence of Lyme disease, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is especially high during summer months. According to information from the CDC Web site, approximately 75 percent of all reported cases are acquired from ticks picked up during activities in back yards and around home. Lyme disease is an increasingly common problem, now documented in 49 states as well as parts of Canada, Europe and Asia, and the number of positive cases here in the United States is on the rise. In the 15 year span from 1992 to 2007, CDC reports of Lyme disease across the nation have steadily increased from approximately 10,000 cases per year to more than 27,000 cases nationally.

Though Lyme disease and similar pest-related health risks are a problem, paying attention and taking a few simple, preventative steps can help homeowners and their families reduce the risk of these pest dangers that affect millions of Americans each year.

“Human health conditions like Lyme disease, West Nile virus and others are spread and transmitted through the bites of ticks, mosquitoes and other pests we encounter in our backyards almost every day,” James says. “Taking the time to eliminate high grass, standing water and other potential pest habitats is a very simple, very effective measure for reducing the prevalence of these unwelcome and unhealthy annoyances.

“Also, insecticide sprays can be applied to turf, plantings and natural areas,” he adds. “As for personal protection, applying insect repellents and inspecting ourselves and our children regularly and thoroughly after having been outside are some simple precautions that go a long way toward preventing many of these common, but serious health risks.”

By taking the proper precautions and a few easy steps to maintain a healthy, vibrant and pest-free yard, it is easy to create an enjoyable, usable backyard oasis for outdoor fun all year long.

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Being eco-friendly isn’t just limited to the car you drive or the appliances you buy, and it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing convenience, quality or budget. In fact, it’s time to stop feeling guilty about not being able to do it all and make a few small changes to help the environment.

One easy way to live a more earth-conscious lifestyle is to turn brown bag lunches green this school year. By thinking green every time you pack a lunch, you can save money and take a small step forward for the environment.

Do right by your wallet and the environment with these simple tips:

* Buy local foods
Look for a farmer’s market or grocery store that promotes locally grown and produced food.

Local foods are produced close to home and deliver the freshest taste. Buying local supports a more sustainable food system, since real sustainability goes beyond the methods used in food production. The closer a food source is to where you live, the less fuel it will take to get it to your table.

* Tote a reusable lunch bag
Instead of using an old-school brown paper bag, invite your kids to help pick out a reusable lunch bag. This small lesson in sustainability is an easy way for kids to help the environment. Older kids won’t have to settle for a lunch box covered in cartoon characters — stylish bags are available that will satisfy even the pickiest seventh grader.

Many reusable bags are insulated to help keep lunches cool. Reusable lunch bags come in a variety of fabrics from neoprene, recycled plastics, polyester and canvas.

* Try sandwich bags that are better for the environment
Feel better about using plastic sandwich bags to pack your family’s lunch with new Ziploc evolve sandwich and storage bags.

The protective, ultra-light bags are made using 25 percent less plastic than traditional sandwich bags, and manufactured using wind power – a cleaner, renewable energy source. The bags are also manufactured with less energy overall, which is a step towards reducing greenhouse gases.

The bags, which are widely available in grocery, mass merchandise and drug stores nationwide, offer the same quality seal, freshness protection, convenience and price that you rely on to preserve lunches and leftovers.

Visit www.ziploc.com to learn more about Ziploc evolve bags and discover new food storage tips and ideas.

* Double fruits and veggies
Make lunches extra green by packing plenty of fruits and vegetables. You will encourage a lifetime of healthy eating habits by making fruits and vegetables part of every meal, including lunch. Additionally, whole foods typically consume less energy and water compared with processed foods.

Teach your kids to eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables to get the most nutrients. Think beyond carrot sticks and apples and try a simple salad of red peppers, cucumbers and green beans dressed with vinegar.

The hectic pace of day-to-day life shows few signs of slowing; however, the peaceful sanctuary couples are seeking may be closer than they think – in their own bedrooms.

For many of today’s couples though, the terms “bedroom” and “peaceful sanctuary” are more an oxymoron than a reality. A recent survey from the National Sleep Foundation found 25 to 33 percent of couples feel their relationships are negatively impacted by their partner’s bad sleep habits, and Tempur-Pedic’s 2009 Wellness Survey supports this notion, finding 61 percent of adults admit they wish the bedroom was a place where they could relax.

All this said, relationship expert and Tempur-Pedic Wellness Advisor Dr. Scott Stanley found that a few simple changes to a couple’s sleeping habits can ensure their bedroom offers the restful retreat they need. Stanley, a research professor and co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver, studies how to improve relationships, with growing attention to the crucial role of being able to get a good night’s sleep.

First and foremost, Stanley says couples need to set the mood for a good night’s sleep by creating a relaxing, “conflict-free” sleeping environment. By keeping the stress of the day on the other side of the bedroom door, partners will be able to achieve the right frame of mind to sufficiently wind down for a restful night, so be sure to shelf anything that may be upsetting for a more appropriate time and place.

“Good sleep requires your mind and body to be moving into a calmer, settled state,” says Stanley. “Conflict, anxiety and stress will interfere with falling and staying asleep. When you feel like you have to be on your guard, you will find it hard to calm down into the state where you most easily fall asleep.”

Secondly, couples must find a way to deal with common sleep distractions, including regular movement from one’s partner during sleep. Research has shown sleep movement is more prevalent when sharing a bed, and as such, it is critical for individuals to keep their partner’s sleep quality in mind. Investing in mattresses that minimize motion transfer, like those in Tempur-Pedic’s line of Swedish Sleep Systems, allow couples to be close without disturbing each other when moving.

Additionally, different sleeping patterns and schedules can cause couples to imperil what Stanley calls the “Sleep Zone.” However, with a little planning, and maybe even some compromise, couples can create a sleep schedule that works for both bedmates – whether they are the lightest of sleepers or the latest of night-owls. Setting a bedtime that works for both parties and establishing a routine allows couples to work around the differences in habits and biology that get them out of sync to begin with. “It’s important to talk openly together – to be a team – about what you each can do to help the other get better sleep,” says Stanley.

Finally, some couples need to tackle the unpleasant issue of snoring – a prevalent bedroom offense. Have a plan for how to handle the situation when it arises. Agreeing ahead of time that it is alright for one’s partner to roll, poke or wake the snorer can avoid an argument and effectively abbreviate what could otherwise become an all-night snoring session or sleep-disrupting argument.

“Couples should keep in mind that if snoring is a chronic occurrence, a serious health issue may be to blame,” warns Stanley. “Because of this, couples should consult a doctor to ensure the pattern is not a symptom of a more serious problem – and if nothing else, to get some suggestions for how to alleviate the snoring.”

“Studies have proven that better sleep will benefit your relationship,” says Stanley. “If you do all you can to help each of you, individually, get a good night’s sleep, you will find it easier to be your best for and with each other.”

For more relationship research, visit www.slidingvsdeciding.com, or to learn more about the Tempur-Pedic sleep experience from satisfied owners, visit www.tempurpedic.com/owners.