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How can you keep a social media life from interfering with your work world? Experts suggest using automation tools to write posts on your own time and schedule them for later publication. Have separate personal accounts that make it clear you’re not speaking for the company and remember that any post can be set for friends-only viewing. Source Link
Burning the midnight oil is really rough on you. Being a night owl can lead to higher blood pressure, make exercise more difficult, promote late-night eating that packs on the pounds and can increase your risk of diabetes. And night owls are more tired and less alert on their morning commute and that can lead to more accidents. Source Link
Visiting an urgent care center instead of the emergency room can save you time and money. Experts say you should go to the ER only if you have any sign of a stroke; persistent chest pain, trouble breathing or loss of consciousness; a high fever with a rash; a serious fall or injury involving the head or eyes; bleeding that won’t stop; a serious burn or a sudden, severe headache or loss of vision. Source Link
If online privacy is a concern you can stop Google from tracking your searches and browser habits. Go to myactivity.google.com to delete your search history and stop tracking and then clear your browser history. To protect your privacy in the future you can switch to a search engine like DuckDuckGo that doesn’t track online activity. Source Link
The 20/4/10 rule can show how much car you can afford. If you make a 20 percent down payment and take out a four-year loan, your monthly car expenses should be no more than 10 percent of your monthly gross income. That total includes the loan payment and cost of gas and auto insurance. Source Link
The sandwich is a lunchtime classic, but what if you want to skip those two slices of bread? Try wrapping ingredients in a whole-grain pita or tortilla or lettuce leaves. Scoop the seeds out of a cucumber, zucchini, tomato or bell pepper and stuff with a salad mix or pack hard-boiled egg whites with cubes of meat. Source Link
The latest software upgrade helps parents manage how a child can use an iPhone or iPad. The “Screen Time” feature in iOS 12 can establish daily time limits for overall use and types of apps, like entertainment or games. “Downtime” lets you set a period of the day when the device can’t be used and you can monitor all of this with your iPhone. Source Link
If elective surgery is on your calendar there are things you can do now to make recovery easier. Aerobic exercise will strengthen the lungs to prevent collapse after anesthesia and learning deep breathing can help calm any anxiety you’ll feel. And a healthy diet of fruit, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains can boost your body’s ability to heal. Source Link
Don’t like the taste of skim milk or low-fat yogurt? This could be good news for you. New research found there was be no increased risk of cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes and better odds for losing weight from drinking whole-fat milk and eating regular yogurt. Current guidelines recommend three servings of low-fat dairy each day. Source Link
There may be a scientific reason why some people aren’t huggers. Research has shown that not being hugged as a child could stunt the development of the vagus nerve between the spine and abdomen and reduce the output of the hormone oxytocin. The so-called “love hormone” is what helps humans form bonds with other people. Source Link
It a checkup that every retiree with a pension should do now to avoid a nasty surprise in the new year. The change in tax law could leave some people underpaying withholding taxes on pension income. The IRS has an online calculator that can help anyone determine if your withholding is on the track to avoid a tax bill for 2018. Source Link
Adding a child to your family phone plan doesn't have to be expensive. Offer them a hand-me-down iPhone or a low-cost Android device instead of an expensive new model. Establish ground rules like you get all passwords and can check their phone at any time. Then set up parental controls for kid-safe searches and limit what apps they can download. Source Link
The change of seasons could temporarily turn back the clock on Alzheimer's. Researchers found that patients can be better in the late summer and early fall than in the winter and spring. Improvements at this time of year were equal to about 5 years less age-related declines. Source Link
You’re concerned about that next security breach, but don’t be quick to pay for a credit monitoring service. They can cost around $120 a year but aren’t the best protection if your identity is stolen. Putting a freeze on your credit with each of the three national reporting agencies is free and will ensure that no one can use your name to get credit. Source Link
You may be better off tapping out a message than talking to your teen. A national survey found that the favorite form of communication for teenagers is now texting. Face-to-face communication was a close second. Social media was in third place and teens said using it made them feel more confident and less lonely. Source Link
It takes more than ultimatums to manage your kid's screen time. Experts say you need to monitor with apps or in-person to know what they’re doing but also spend time together on that phone, tablet or TV and model good behavior yourself. Studies show most kids get about twice the screen time that parents estimate. Source Link
The 20/4/10 rule can show how much car you can afford. If you make a 20 percent down payment and take out a four-year loan, your monthly car expenses should be no more than 10 percent of your monthly gross income. That total includes the loan payment and cost of gas and auto insurance. Source Link
A morning routine can help you have a better day. Experts say doing something routinely after you wake up calms the decision-making part of your brain that also controls anxiety. Your routine could be eating the same thing for breakfast or waking up, exercising or walking the dog at the same time every day. Source Link
Taking a low-dose aspirin to protect against a heart attack may not help healthy seniors. A study found that the danger of stomach bleeding outweighed any benefits for those who had not suffered a heart attack or had other risk factors. Taking a low-dose aspirin has been shown to protect against a second heart attack. Source Link
Is your digital world prepared for an attack? Experts say it’s easy to safeguard your computers and mobile devices with free or inexpensive programs to back up data and create and store strong passwords. Be sure to allow automatic updates of software and review which apps you don’t use that can be deleted from your phone. Source Link
Making fitness a habit takes some lifestyle changes. Decide what you’ll cut back on, like TV watching or web surfing, to make the time to exercise. If you go to a gym or workout at home look at what time of day fits best for you. And find ways to add exercise to everyday life such as walking with the whole family. Source Link
If yo-yo dieting has your weight going up and down the scale, try these tips to stabilize that number. Eat in moderation and practice mindful eating to be aware of what you’re eating and why. Weigh yourself every day and aim for small changes over time and find ways to reward yourself that don’t involve food. Source Link
Taking a break away from your desk for lunch is becoming a rare treat for many workers. Half of people surveyed felt they were unable to take a full lunch break and 30 percent usually eat at their desks. More workers are filling their drawers with store-bought snacks and vending machine buys to make eating at your desk a day-long event. Source Link
There’s a must-have personal care product you should pack for every flight and it’s not hand sanitizer. Experts say a travel-sized bottle of moisturizer can keep skin from drying out fast during your flight. It’s a real problem because the average aircraft has humidity levels of just 10 to 20 percent and that can cause skin discomfort and inflammation. Source Link
If you don’t get the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, you’re not alone. Half of American adults don’t, but experts say anyone can get started by walking. Begin at your own speed and walk for five minutes three times a day. Then gradually increase both length and intensity over time as you develop stamina. Source Link
The best way to freeze out identity thieves is now free. Under a new federal law, the three major credit reporting agencies must allow you to turn a credit freeze on and off at no charge. A credit freeze prevents anyone else from applying for credit in your name and can be temporarily lifted when you apply for a loan. Source Link
The heart-healthy benefits of fish oil are well-known and could also make for stronger, healthier kids. A study found that children of mothers who used fish oil supplements later in pregnancy had a higher BMI at age six but were not obese. The children had more lean muscle mass and stronger bones. Source Link
Beating those bad habits takes some planning and some alternatives. Avoid triggers like walking past a bar, seeing an ashtray or browsing the dessert menu. Replace a bad habit with a better one and give yourself concrete reasons to make a change, like more years with family if you quit smoking or having more energy after you lose weight. Source Link
What are some warning signs that you’ve been hacked? A computer with a fan that’s always on or a phone that suddenly needs more recharging and feels hot may be in high gear running malware. You may also see more pop-up ads or find that your browser homepage has been changed or your webcam turns on by itself. Source Link
You might have a happier life if you send more “Thank You” cards. In a study, people who sent letters of gratitude found that it was less awkward and more personally rewarding than expected. Researchers say you can keep “Thank You” cards on hand to compose a note whenever the mood strikes. Source Link
So you’re planning to buy a new iPhone and wondering what to do with the old one? That iPhone can work on WiFi to be a hands-free screen for use with Siri or you can make it a dedicated remote for your TV or smart home system. And your old iPhone can be a new handheld gaming device for a young child. Source Link
“Text neck” is the pain that happens when you spend too much time staring down at a cell phone screen. You can remedy this by holding your phone just below eye level and taking breaks to stretch your neck, shoulders and back. You can also avoid eye strain that causes headaches by adjusting smartphone settings to improve brightness and use larger fonts. Source Link
What’s the best way to wash fruits and vegetables? Smooth-skinned fruits like apples or pears can be rinsed with water and dried with a clean towel when you bring them home but other items should be washed just before eating to prevent bacteria growth. And submerging leafy vegetables in water might increase the risk of contamination. Source Link
It’s a question you should never answer if you hear it in a phone call from an unknown number. Scammers will ask “Can you hear me?” to get you to answer “Yes” and a recording of that one word could be used to approve unauthorized charges. Experts say don’t respond and hang up immediately and don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. Source Link
You probably won’t get a new bright smile with your toothbrush. Whitening toothpaste that uses abrasive ingredients to scrub your teeth may also damage the enamel and chemical-based whitening toothpaste isn’t on your teeth long enough to do the job. The best way to a brighter smile is a chemical treatment administered by your dentist. Source Link
Being a homework helper for your child should have its limits. Don’t hover over them and encourage your child to go back to the book or their notes to find answers. Check homework to see if it’s complete but don’t evaluate for quality because that’s the teacher’s job. And know how to contact the teacher for help if your child is struggling with homework. Source Link
You can make space in your fridge by removing any of these foods. Tomatoes keep their best on the kitchen counter and coffee needs a cool and dry place for storage. Bread can be kept in the freezer but not the refrigerator and onions and potatoes don’t need to take up space in your crisper because any cool, dry storage place will do. Source Link
Want a longer life? Use all of your vacation time. A new study suggests that people who experience long-term stress and take less time off work have a higher risk of dying young. Even following a healthy diet and lifestyle did not compensate for working too hard and refusing to take days off. Source Link
If the fingerprint reader on your Android phone is a bit finicky, try this tip to improve performance. Most phones allow you to register more than one finger and you can use that to scan the same finger more than once. Having multiple scans of the same fingerprint can improve the performance of the sensor. Source Link
You might jumpstart that weight loss plan by getting most of your food by Noon. In a study, people who ate 70 percent of their daily calories between breakfast and lunch lost 25 percent more weight. The early eaters also lost more body fat and used insulin more effectively, which can help prevent diabetes. Source Link
Google is making it easier for veterans to find the right job after serving their country. Search the phrase “jobs for veterans” and include your military job code to see listings for positions that require similar skills. It’s estimated that one in three veterans leave the military and take a civilian job that’s below their skill level. Source Link
Here’s how to craft a perfect response to that caustic office email without risking your job. Open your word processor and take a few minutes to let loose with all your feelings and then save that document to a special folder. Return to the folder later to read the reply and others that you’ve saved to remind you of mistakes that were avoided by not hitting “Send.” Source Link
When packing for that next trip think about what to carry with you on your phone. You can download content from services like Spotify or Netflix to enjoy music or movies when you don’t have a data connection. Remember that GPS won’t work without the internet but you can download directions and maps from Google Maps for offline use. Source Link
If hearing loss makes it harder to get the job done you can try these tips. Reduce room noise by placing a small rug under your chair and ask for a phone with closed captioning or increased volume capability. Consider using noise-canceling earbuds and ask for a copy of an agenda before a meeting and get meeting notes afterward. Source Link
Paying with a credit card is convenient but there are times when you should pass on pulling out the plastic. Experts say don’t use a credit card when purchasing something on a public computer, when making a charity donation on the street or when the card leaves your view to complete the purchase. And don’t use a credit card to buy something you can’t afford. Source Link
The calendar may still say Summer but your doctor is saying it’s flu shot time. The vaccine is most effective when given before the end of October and the sooner the better. There's good news if you don’t like getting shots because this year the flu vaccine nasal spray is once again available for children and adults. Source Link
You can stock your kitchen with helpful gadgets at the office supply store. Those classic orange-handled scissors are great for opening packages and binder clips can seal up food bags. A black sharpie marker can label freezer bags and write on masking tape for plastic containers and a dry erase board can be used to keep a shopping list. Source Link
The Red Delicious apple is no longer America’s top pick. After five decades, the Gala has edged out the Red Delicious as the favorite apple with more than 52 million pounds of Galas being shipped this year. The Granny Smith is the new number three after pulling ahead of Fuji apples on the bestseller list. Source Link
A tattoo may no longer be taboo on the job. A study found that even visible tattoos had no effect on job prospects, income, or advancement. Four out of ten Millennials have tattoos and experts say employers who don’t like body art could find it difficult to recruit new employees. Source Link
If you’d like a break from negative stories, Google has good news on request. Google Assistant will offer a selection of good news stories summarized by the nonpartisan nonprofit Solutions Journalism Network. You can get your daily briefing of good news stories by saying, “Hey Google, tell me something good.” Source Link
Want a breakfast meal that will fill you up for the day and then some? Order the Breakfast Burrito at The Cheesecake Factory. The gut-busting 2,700 calorie dish topped this year’s Xtreme Eating Awards from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Second place went to Chili’s for its 2,500-calorie Honey-Chipotle Crispers and Waffles. Source Link
Meal prep using some key ingredients is a great way to save time getting dinner on the table. Look for recipes that use roasted potatoes, hard-boiled eggs or cooked spaghetti. You can make smoothie freezer bags with your favorite ingredients to save time for breakfast and consider adding a meatless day with vegetable and pasta dishes that need less cooking time. Source Link
Sitting for long periods has been labeled a major health risk, but how can you get on your feet more if you have a desk job? Use every coffee break to take a brisk walk through the office or to the building lobby. Twice a day, stand up and do a series of stretches targeting the neck, shoulders, back and legs and wear a fitness tracker that encourages you to take more steps. Source Link
You can create some out-of-this-world selfies with the help of NASA. The space agency has a free app that puts you in a virtual spacesuit with a backdrop of gorgeous cosmic locations like the Orion Nebula or the center of the Milky Way. The NASA Selfies app is available for iOS and Android. Source Link
When it comes to carbs, getting too many or too few may mean you won’t live as long. A study found that people with moderate carb intake at age 50 lived up to five years longer than those who cut out carbs or didn’t count them at all. Researchers say a moderate level is getting about half of your daily calories from carbohydrates. Source Link
What you don’t know about health insurance could be hazardous to your financial wellbeing. Half of the people surveyed weren't sure if their health policy would cover them if they got sick or injured in a foreign country. And seven out of ten Medicare recipients were not informed when a doctor left their network, which could trigger higher out-of-pocket costs. Source Link
Google is giving you some time to re-think that email after hitting “Send” on your smartphone. The latest update to the Gmail app for Android adds an Undo option that lets you cancel delivery for up to 30 seconds after you’ve sent the email. The Undo feature is already available with Gmail on web browsers. Source Link
