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Can your office take a tip from the library to improve performance? Experts say some of the best creative work gets done when people have time for reflection away from the interruptions of the regular day. One way to do this would be to create a quiet work room in the office for times when solo concentration is needed. Source Link
If eating out is taking a toll on your diet plan you can try these tips. Choose a restaurant with healthier fare, like Asian cuisine or Greek or Spanish that feature fish, grilled lean meat and vegetables. Look for online menus and know what you’ll have before you arrive. And instead of an entree try sharing several appetizers and have one dessert for all. Source Link
It’s a morbid-sounding way to declutter your home and some say it works. Death Cleaning has you downsize your possessions as if you were clearing things after you die. That means keeping what you absolutely love or definitely want to pass on to your family. You can even create a box with keepsakes that you want but will be thrown out after you’re gone. Source Link
One simple change to your computer habits could make you a lot safer from hackers. Experts say Windows users can switch from being an Administrator to a Standard user. That will prevent any malicious programs from making changes to your computer. You can create a new Standard user under Accounts from the Settings icon in your Start menu. Source Link
If you’re adding a child to your family phone plan think inexpensive and take control. Offer them a hand-me-down iPhone or a low-cost Android device. Establish ground rules like you get all passwords and can check their phone at any time. And set up parental controls on the phone for kid-safe searches and to limit what apps they can download. Source Link
Getting the most from your health insurance isn’t something to do only when you’re sick. Many policies include wellness programs to improve your health and help you avoid chronic conditions. Nutrition, smoking cessation, fitness, combating substance abuse and stress management are among the common wellness offerings that are often free or discounted. Source Link
If you’re one of the millions of people who buy or sell items on Craigslist or Facebook there are ways to make the final face-to-face transaction smooth and safe. Experts suggest meeting in the parking lot of a police station or sheriff's department to exchange money. These locations are well lit and usually under video surveillance 24 hours a day. Source Link
How can you lower blood pressure, ease depression, improve digestion and sleep better without medicines or treatments? By practicing meditation. Getting started is simple, too. Sit or lie down for about 5 minutes and let your mind wander without trying to control it. Another technique is to focus on your breathing or stare at an object while you meditate. Source Link
In the battle against Alzheimer’s and memory loss, joining the fight early is important and your heart is a good place to start. Experts say the same seven steps that promote heart health can protect the brain. They include losing extra weight, eating a healthy diet, managing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, getting physically active and not smoking. Source Link
Need a good reason to avoid doing personal business online while at work? Experts say most employers track every website you visit and could even record every keystroke from a work computer. The good news is that these tracking files are seldom reviewed unless there’s a security issue or a problem with worker productivity. Source Link
You could ease jet lag on your next long-distance trip by watching your mealtimes and when you go outdoors. Not eating after Noon on the day of your flight and then eating at your destination's meal time can help reset your body clock. And exposing yourself to sunlight or avoiding it to match your destination's daylight hours might also help. Source Link
It can happen a dozen times a day but may be deadly if it occurs when you’re driving. Researchers say a ringing phone could be the worst distraction behind the wheel. Testing showed that drivers can adjust their attention while talking or even texting, but a ringing phone is an unexpected distraction that gives the brain no time to react. Source Link
The car company with the world’s most popular hybrid is going all-in on electric vehicles. Toyota says by 2025 it’s entire line of cars will include a gas-electric hybrid or a pure electric version. The Toyota Prius is the best-selling hybrid car. The company says it will have 10 battery-powered vehicles on sale by 2020. Source Link
So what was the most popular Google search in 2017? Think Mother Nature because the top search this year was “Hurricane Irma.” Following in second place was fired Today Show anchor Matt Lauer, the late rock icon Tom Petty, the Super Bowl and the Las Vegas shooting. No political topic made the top 10 list. Source Link
Want to set the holiday mood on your TV without a virtual fireplace? The Hulu streaming service has a collection of films that might help you kill some time during your Christmas break. You can spend 45 minutes watching a stuck Santa try to free himself from the chimney, spy on a holiday roast as it cooks in the oven or witness a snowman slowly melting. Source Link
Customizing a car could help more seniors drive safely. Experts suggest simple modifications like seat cushions to improve the sight line, pedal extensions to create a safe distance from the airbag and steering wheel covers that improve grip. A survey found that only one in ten senior drivers are using such safety accessories. Source Link
How can you be a smartphone super user? Press and hold the period key for a menu of punctuation and web extensions. Calculate the travel time to any destination from where you are by pressing and holding that spot on Google Maps. And get to your favorite web pages in one click by saving them as icons on your smartphone home screen. Source Link
Movies about a superhero who soars, a romantic disaster and a flying elephant will be among those preserved forever as the newest additions to the National Film Registry. “Superman,” “Titanic” and “Dumbo” are on this year’s list from the Library of Congress. Other films being honored include “Die Hard,” “Field of Dreams” and “The Goonies.” Source Link
You could be free from type-2 diabetes in a year with a doctor’s help and a weight loss plan. A study found that eight out of ten people who lost at least 33 pounds had reversed the disease within a year. And nearly half in the study who followed a low-calorie diet for three to five months were able to stop taking diabetes medication. Source Link
Want to do your part to battle global warming? Try caulking some windows. Researchers say one of the best ways you can lower greenhouse gas emissions is by using less energy in your home with more insulation and a heating system tune-up. And ditch those old incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LED lights. Source Link
So what was the Word of The Year for 2017? The folks at Merriam-Webster Dictionary say it’s “feminism” based on the number of searches for the definition on their website. Also in the top five were “complicit”, “recuse,” “empathy” and “dotard” meaning old and feeble-minded. That word was used by North Korea’s Kim Jung Un to describe President Trump. Source Link
When planning your holiday menu you can make healthy choices without spoiling the season. Skinless white meat turkey is high in protein and low in fat. Skip the gravy and serve homemade cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes minus the sugar, butter and marshmallows. A baked apple with cinnamon and nuts is a sweet way to top off your holiday meal. Source Link
It’s a kind of genealogy that can strengthen your family roots. Create a family health tree that’s a record of medical conditions and lifestyle habits of your close relatives. A family health history helps you see any increased risk of developing serious problems like heart disease, cancer and specific illnesses that are passed from one generation to the next. Source Link
Letting kids top off their day with technology could make them tip the scales. Surveys of parents found that using a smartphone or watching TV at bedtime led to a greater body mass index in children. Using any kind of technology at bedtime also meant kids got an hour less sleep and poorer sleep and were tired after they woke up. Source Link
There could soon be a new treatment to help prevent migraine headaches. Testing showed that a new class of drugs using antibodies can dampen a system in the brain that modulates pain to prevent the full range of migraine symptoms. The new drugs are under FDA review and could be available sometime next year. Source Link
What are some tech essentials to pack for your next trip? Experts say bring a portable battery to power your phone but leave the expensive computer or tablet at home and bring an old laptop for email and web browsing. Pick up power converters for international travel and pack a paper clip that can come in handy to swap-out a SIM card or remove a memory card from a phone. Source Link
If you need a good reason to get that flu shot, here’s a big one. Doctors say you’re twice as likely to suffer a stroke and up to five times more likely to have a heart attack in the weeks after recovering from the flu. That's because the body’s inflammatory response to the flu virus raises the odds for a heart attack or stroke. Source Link
Don’t worry about having that second or even third cup of coffee because it could lengthen your life. A review of studies concluded that drinking three to four cups of coffee a day might protect against heart disease or an early death. The biggest benefit came with three cups a day but drinking more was not linked to any harmful effects. Source Link
Your phone is lost or maybe stolen -- what’s the first thing you should do? Experts say report it to your carrier immediately and then change all passwords for services that are linked to apps on your phone. Be sure to file a police report but don’t be tempted to use a tracking feature to find the phone and confront the thief by yourself. Source Link
If you don’t spare the rod will it endanger the date? A study found that children who were spanked grew up to have higher odds of being violent toward their dating partners. Researchers say kids who learn that physical punishment is a way to solve conflict may carry that over into their dating relationships. Source Link
The old adage, “cold hands, warm heart” may have some scientific evidence to back it up. Researchers found that women’s hands typically were a few degrees colder than men. One reason may be that the women’s core temperature was higher, so cold air feels even worse on their hands. Source Link
If you want to have a better bond your baby, look them in the eye. A study found that eye contact between parents and infants helped to synchronize brain waves. A locking gaze could prepare parents and babies to communicate, by synchronizing when to speak and when to listen, which would also make learning more effective. Source Link
The roads are busy with holiday shoppers but some of the most dangerous driving may be in the parking lots. Data from insurance companies suggests that parking lot accidents run higher than normal throughout the holiday shopping season. Experts say more people may be less attentive as they’re texting or setting GPS while driving in a parking lot. Source Link
You might be able to turn that old smartphone into new cash with just a few clicks. Websites like Decluttr, Gazelle and Swappa will buy phones but the price may be as little as $5 unless it’s a late model iPhone or Samsung. Another option is to donate that old phone for use by survivors of domestic violence or to be sold to buy calling cards for overseas military Source Link
The little blue pill that’s popular with men and women is changing color and getting cheaper. A new generic version of Viagra is a white pill that’s about half the $65 retail price of the name brand. It’s still a prescription drug in the U.S. but in England, the generic version of Viagra will be sold over the counter beginning next year. Source Link
You can decorate for the holidays with an eye towards safety for your pet. Experts say you should avoid edible tree decorations like popcorn strings or holly berries and skip the tinsel that can be harmful if eaten by a cat. And remember that winter holiday plants like poinsettia and lilies can be toxic to pets if ingested. Source Link
It works for aches and pains, but could a few Tylenol ease your hurt feelings? A study found that the main ingredient in Tylenol seemed to reduce the sting of rejection that people experienced after they were excluded from a game. But doctors say don’t start popping the pills for social pain because large doses can have serious side effects. Source Link
If you plan to fill a holiday stocking with dog treats you’ll want to skip the real bones. The FDA is warning that dozens of dogs have become ill or died after eating real bones that had been processed and packaged as treats. The agency recommends that you consult with your veterinarian about the safest treats for your dog. Source Link
Want to give your college student the most popular gift card this year ? Think about food. A survey found that the McDonald’s gift card ranked number-one and Olive Garden and Red Lobster were in the top five. The rankings were based on popularity as well as resale value if your recipient decides they want something other than a free meal. Source Link
Switching your family to bottled water for better health may backfire in one way. New research shows children and teens who avoid tap water have lower levels of lead in their blood but are also more likely to have tooth decay. Most municipal water is fluoridated to protect teeth but older water systems may have higher lead levels. Source Link
The home nursery has gone high-tech with gadgets to safeguard babies and soothe the nerves of new parents. The Hisense Breathing Monitor attaches to a crib to keep track of baby’s movement and breathing rate. The MonBaby Smart Button monitor clips to an infant sleeper and the Owlet Baby Sock monitors heart rate and oxygen level from your baby’s foot. Source Link
How can you shop for the holidays without a store? Experts suggest an “experience gift” that can help create a memorable moment. This could be tickets to a concert or play, an introductory flight lesson or a cooking class. And the best gifts are experiences that can be shared with someone else. Source Link
Call it Facebook Lite for the elementary school crowd. The new Messenger Kids app will be open to boys and girls under 13, but parents must sign up a child through their Facebook account. Only the parent can add friends or delete messages, but kids can add filters and draw on photos they send to one another. Source Link
All that glitters may not be golden for the environment. Scientists say glitter that’s used in crafts is made of plastic and the tiny particles make it a potential health hazard in waterways. The risk is fish eating glitter that releases a dangerous chemical and then that seafood makes its way to humans. Source Link
Besides skipping the obvious high-fat and sugary foods, what else shouldn’t be in your pantry? You can swap out the white flour and pasta for whole grain varieties and get rid of bottled sauces and dressings with added fat and sugar. Canned low-salt tomatoes and tomato paste can work for soups and sauces and flavor food with vinegar or a squeeze of lemon or lime. Source Link
A new diet craze promises you can eat whatever you want and as much as you want, as long as you burn as many calories as you take in each day. But experts say the “Calories In, Calories Out” diet may not include key nutrients found in healthy foods like dark green vegetables and that could increase the risks for osteoporosis, cancer or heart disease. Source Link
If the Land Down Under is any clue, we can get ready for a tough flu season. During Australia's recent winter the flu vaccine was only effective in one out of ten cases, in part because this year’s vaccine may not target this year’s dominant flu virus. The U.S. is using the same vaccine. Source Link
There’s new evidence to fuel the eternal debate over whether dogs are smarter than cats. Researchers found that dogs have twice as many brain cells responsible for thought, planning and behavior as compared to cats. But they admit the “who’s smarter” question can’t be fully answered without a head-to-head comparison of brain abilities in dogs and cats. Source Link
It may be a silver lining to the drudgery of doing household chores. Researchers found that simple daily activities could help older women live longer. More women over 65 lived longer when they had 30 minutes of light physical activity each day, such as folding clothes, sweeping or washing windows. Source Link
How can you avoid the minefield of a political discussion at your holiday party? Experts say a host can set down ground rules for topics or designate a room where you can talk politics. Remember that few political arguments will change minds and if you need to escape, step away and find a fun game to play with the kids. Source Link
Linking your credit cards to your smartphone is the ultimate in holiday shopping convenience, and that's the problem. Financial planners say carrying a digital wallet instead of cards makes it even easier to spend too much. Research has shown that people spend up to 30 percent less when shopping with cash instead of plastic. Source Link
Think twice before putting all your digital life in the ears of Alexa or Google Home. Security experts say voice-activated door locks might make it easy for a burglar to talk his way into your home. And having that virtual assistant listening for commands all the time could allow a child to place online orders when you’re not in the room. Source Link
You might open the door to better sleep by literally opening the door or a window. A study found that bedrooms with a open door or window had better ventilation and that reduced the levels of carbon dioxide in the air from human breath. Those lower carbon dioxide levels may be linked to better sleep. Source Link
So what will be the new food fads for 2018? The people at Whole Foods Market predict you’ll see mushroom-infused coffee that can boost your immune system, sushi that uses tomatoes instead of tuna and meatless products that are juicy like the real thing. And expect to find more floral flavors in food like rose and hibiscus. Source Link
Mom was right -- you shouldn’t be eating raw cookie dough, especially with the latest news about how it’s bad for you. Scientists have discovered that E. coli bacteria can thrive in dry substances like the flour used in making cookie dough, so don’t eat it but do wash your hands after handling flour when preparing any foods. Source Link
If thought of making small talk at the holiday party has you panicked, there are ways to overcome social anxiety. Experts suggest coming prepared with several topics to discuss, but maybe not politics. Rehearse in front of a mirror beforehand, don’t drink too much at the party and set a goal to speak to three new people for five minutes each. Source Link
Facebook is using artificial intelligence to discover posts that might indicate someone is planning to commit suicide. The service will scan posts and live video to look for signs such as comments from friends asking, "are you okay?” The posts will be sent to live reviewers who can call local authorities to check on someone’s safety. Source Link
