Monday (or Sunday night) is typically the best time to map out your goals and most important tasks for the week ahead. And for many of us, the “most important things” revolve around work deadlines, projects, and planning. But experts in mental health and stress reduction say that mapping out your personal and down time is as important - if not more so - than those “urgent” put-out-the-fire things we have to manage every day.

Here are 3 easy steps to make sure you’re planning your recharge/restore times with intention. Give this a test run for a week, then tweak your system so it really works for you.

1. Give a name to the TIme Blocks (TB) during which you’ll unplug and recharge. It could be “Family and Friend Focus” or something as simple as “Unplug/Recharge.” Now that you’ve named it. 


2. Look at your calendar and decide when YOU will most benefit from committing to this Time Block. For some, it’s first thing in the morning, e.g. 6-8 am over coffee, you take a 20 minute soak in the hot tub BEFORE you begin other “blocks.” It might be evening during or after dinner when you shut down everything and walk in nature or around the city with your partner or pup. Or it could be a midday break when you go outside with your kids to plan a simple, healthy grilled dinner. Whatever you choose - DO set an alarm on your watch or phone and when it rings - GO DO IT!

3. At the end of each day, mark your calendar or just take a moment to give yourself thanks that you’ve allocated this important restore/reconnect/recover block to yourself. 




Hope you’re off to a great start, fueled with plenty of coffee, and looking forward to your R & R time block set for today! ... See MoreSee Less

Nobody said it better than rocker Tom Petty when he sang, “The waiting is the hardest part.” And for alot of us, that’s never been truer than during the pandemic. Waiting to see people we love. Waiting to travel. Waiting for goods and services delayed by surging demand and shortages of every kind along the supply chain.

Like so many other businesses around the world, we’ve felt the wait too - and the challenges (and frustrations) of not being able to do business as usual as we have for the past quarter century.

As restrictions and ‘life’ begin to swing open again, the silver lining has been the patience and understanding of our customers, many of whom are more excited than ever to re-envision their spaces.

Hearthside locations have many products in stock and on order, including perennial summer favorites, the Big Green Egg, our line of grills and accessories, and Eastern Jungle Gym play and swing sets. If you are in the market for these, get in touch soon before they’re gone!

While the waiting may be the hardest part, research has shown that anticipating something can be a powerful, positive emotion. Given that we do anticipate some continued delays and back orders through the fall, it’s not too soon to plan for winter! If you have projects envisioned for the colder months, now is the perfect time to give a call or come in to start planning and putting your orders in.

Stay safe, and enjoy the beautiful spring! ... See MoreSee Less