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You’re not a morning person, so how can you make wake-up time less of a chore? Start the night before by choosing the clothes you’ll wear and getting the tools of the workday ready to go, such as laptops or paperwork. Set your alarm to a motivating ringtone and head to sleep visualizing yourself having a successful day. Source Link
That treadmill or set of resistance bands might offer the same benefits as medication for some people with high blood pressure. Studies have shown that endurance or dynamic resistance exercise can lead to lower blood pressure readings similar to those achieved with medicines. But researchers say more study is needed before anyone will stop taking their prescription. Source Link
Tweens and teens who struggle in school may need better study habits to improve those grades. Use a paper or electronic calendar to track progress and due dates for assignments and have your child create a daily schedule for study time. Designate a space for study and post a daily to-do list that can keep your child motivated with every item they check off. Source Link
Before you make the switch to whole grains but be sure you’re getting all the benefits. Many foods that are labeled “made with whole grains” or “multigrain” could be using a tiny percentage of whole grains while the rest is refined flour. Only foods labeled “100% whole grains” use just that. Source Link
A fitness tracker can be an investment in better health but be sure to pick one that works for you. Read reviews and find one that’s best for walking, running, swimming or cycling. If there’s a health app on your smartphone you could already have a baseline to measure against the readings from a new tracker. Source Link
Inclusivity is a theme for the latest additions to the emojis we all love to use. Coming later this year are new symbols showing a hearing aid, a guide dog for the blind, prosthetic limbs, sign language, a cane and a wheelchair. And a series of new “holding hands” emojis will offer options to select skin color and gender of each individual. Source Link
Maybe cereal, eggs or oatmeal don’t sound good for breakfast but you can mix it up with that first meal of the day. Try leftover veggie pizza or peanut butter and sliced bananas on whole wheat toast. Or roll up a tortilla with sliced turkey, lettuce and low-fat cheese for a homemade grab-and-go breakfast. Source Link
How could the timing a baby’s first bath affect success with breastfeeding? Researchers found that babies who didn’t get their first bath until 12 hours after being born were more likely to breastfeed. It’s believed the extra skin-to-skin time with Mom can transfer the familiar smell of amniotic fluid to a mother’s breast and encourage a newborn to feed. Source Link
Sometimes it’s what you don’t do that can make your workday more productive. For example, don’t load up that daily must-do list -- keep it to five items. Don’t skip breaks that can help you stay on track mentally. And don’t be afraid to schedule downtime every day when you can think big without a deadline. Source Link
Getting kids to eat their veggies starts long before they’re eating anything. Moms can help develop that taste by eating vegetables during pregnancy. Model good habits for infants and toddlers by eating the same vegetables they do during a meal. And let kindergartners help in the kitchen to see how vegetables can be an important part of a meal. Source Link
Don’t get fooled by these car care tips that could hit you hard in the pocketbook. Overfilling your tires won’t improve mileage but will give you a rougher ride and wear out the tires sooner. And don’t drive with less than a quarter-tank of gas because it makes your fuel pump work harder and wear out faster and replacing it could cost up to $700. Source Link
Be sure to mind these rules of the sky if you want to be a good fellow passenger on your next flight. The middle seat gets both armrests, don’t recline in economy seats and don’t grab the back of seats while walking down the aisle. And stand up when someone needs to get past you and into the aisle. Source Link
What are some of the warning signs that you’re about to be hacked? When you respond to emails for contests that you didn’t sign up for or take a phone call that asks you to update your bank or credit card credentials. Another way you’re just begging for hackers to hit you? When you use the same password for everything. Source Link
When you need to break a bad habit you should consider taking a vacation. Experts say getting out of your normal routine can help because the environmental cues at home that might lead to mindless eating or skipping those chores aren’t there. Seeing new sights may make it easier to achieve your goals. Source Link
If your entire life is on your phone, do this before you hand it over to someone to fix a cracked screen or replace the battery. Log out of all online accounts and delete your browser history and consider doing a complete encrypted backup and a factory reset to protect all your personal information. And look for a reputable repair shop with good online reviews. Source Link
Are you fibbing to your physician about those bad habits? You’re not alone. Studies have found that many people often lie to their doctors about certain behaviors like not eating right or not exercising or forgetting to take medication as directed. Experts say it’s hard for your doctor to provide the right care if you’re not being honest with them. Source Link
Why don’t we send more thank-you cards? Often because we’re worried about how they’ll be received. A study found that people underestimated how much others appreciate a written “Thank You” and fretted about using the right words to express their gratitude. It’s a loss for both sides because sending thank-you cards can make you feel happier. Source Link
If your dog could talk he might tell you to stop patting him on the head. Animal experts say dogs prefer chin or chest scratches and they don’t like it when you stare directly into their eyes. Dogs usually hate the smell of those cute outfits you make them wear but they love your scent and often will cuddle with a piece of clothing or one of your shoes. Source Link
If you want to make the most of your workday make sure your phone is out of sight. Research has shown that simply being able to see your phone - even if it’s silenced or shut off - can reduce your cognitive ability. That happens because you’re using brain power to actively fight the urge to check that phone. Source Link
Answer these questions first when you want to welcome a new four-legged member to the family. Are you looking for personal companionship or a playmate in a pet? How long will you be away from your pet during the day and who will care for it when you’re gone? And what life changes might affect your ability to keep your pet in years to come? Source Link
Don’t blame yourself if you can remember someone’s face but not their name. It’s only human nature. Knowing a face requires recognizing them but remembering a name takes recall and the brain is better at recognition than recall. Studies show the average person can remember about 90 percent of faces but only 70 percent of names. Source Link
If you use shortcuts while texting you can teach your smartphone to turn those snippets into complete words. On an iPhone, you can add to your list of shortcuts under Settings, General, Keyboards and Text Replacement. On an Android phone, you'll find the same feature under Settings, Languages and Personal Dictionary. Source Link
For the best use of antibiotics, ask about what type is being prescribed. Some that attack a broad spectrum of disease-causing bacteria may not be necessary and could lead to drug resistance. And be sure testing has shown that an antibiotic is needed before it’s prescribed. Source Link
You don’t need a closetful of them, but your feet will thank you if you don’t wear the same shoes every day. That can cause fatigue and pain because you’re always using the same areas of the foot for support and walking. Have a few pairs of comfortable shoes and rotate them throughout the week. Source Link
Keep these “do’s” and “dont’s” in mind when updating your resume. Don’t list every job you’ve held unless it relates to the position you want and do not use cliche phrases like “hardworking” or “detail-oriented.” And do explain any gaps in your work history that might be a red flag for would-be employers. Source Link
A three-pronged approach to fitness over 50 should focus on muscle, heart and head. Resistance training can delay the loss of muscle mass that happens as we age and aerobic exercise will get your heart beating faster. And balance exercises can help prevent falls that are the number-one cause of disabling injury for seniors. Source Link
You can get more whole grains in your diet by going beyond rice and bread. Cooked barley can be a hearty addition to your favorite vegetable soup or substitute buckwheat, millet, couscous or polenta in a risotto or pilaf side dish. You can cook whole grains in a big batch that will keep in the fridge for up to four days. Source Link
There are plenty of places in the typical office where germs are just waiting for you. Things that get lots of touches like elevator buttons, escalator railings or doorknobs are hot spots and so is the conference room phone. And watch out for break room coffee cups and disposable lids that might be handled by others as they grab for one. Source Link
You can reduce the risk of an electrical fire in your home with a safety check every six months. Make sure all bulbs in lamps are the proper wattage and that all electrical outlets and switches feel cool to the touch. Flip circuit breakers to see if any are stuck, check for damaged power cords and unplug all bathroom and kitchen small appliances when you’re not using them. Source Link
If you’re tasting chocolate in your head and it’s making you hungry, try putting the other senses to work to combat food cravings. Picture an image of some place or something you enjoy that’s not food or look at actual photos that you load to your phone. You can also counter the real aromas of food with a whiff of perfume or scented oil carried in a purse-sized vial. Source Link
Grocery shopping by color can be your first step toward a healthier heart. Choose foods with lots of color by starting in the produce section to stock up on a rainbow of fresh fruits and vegetables. And avoid white in bread, potatoes and rice and check labels for added salt and sugar that can be found in many processed foods. Source Link
If you use the Google Chrome web browser it can now check to see if your passwords are safe from hackers. When you sign into a site using the new Password Checkup extension it will scan a listing of 4 billion data breaches to see if a username and password have been compromised. If so, the browser will alert you to change that username or password. Source Link
Reading handwriting can be hard - even when it’s your own - and that could mean problems at work. Half of those surveyed said they sometimes struggle to read their own handwriting and more have trouble with the handwriting of co-workers. And one in four people were terrified at the thought of being asked to write on a whiteboard during a meeting. Source Link
If you load that toothbrush with a long stripe of toothpaste, you’re using too much. A pea-sized dollop is all you need to get the job done. Using lots of toothpaste can give you too much fluoride and that’s especially bad for youngsters whose developing teeth can become streaked or spotted. Source Link
Managing your family’s digital life takes diligence and some basic rules. Know which software and apps your children are using, which sites they are visiting and what they are doing online. And set limits on media use with rules like phones and people don’t sleep in the same room. Source Link
It’s a twist on the old suggestion to beat sleeplessness by counting sheep. If you suffer from insomnia caused by stress, try counting every breath in and out and count up as far as you can. Another technique to get back to sleep is to stare at a point on the wall until your eyelids get so heavy you have to close them. Source Link
Can a bed or a smartphone help you get better sleep by scientifically monitoring your slumber? There are new smart mattresses equipped with sensors to track you and adjust the bed’s temperature, support and surrounding light in real time. Or try an app that uses the microphone or your smartphone or tablet to evaluate room noise and pick the right audio to mask it. Source Link
There are still too few teens getting a vaccination that could protect them from deadly cancers. A study found that only four out of ten teenagers were fully vaccinated against HPV, the virus that can cause cervical cancer and oral cancer. The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls beginning at age 11. Source Link
Drinking too many calories is a problem that can escape some people who try to watch their weight. Start by making water, black coffee or tea your default drink. Beware of any beverage that gets most of its calories from sweeteners, whether real or artificial and keep smoothies to the smallest size with only non-fat yogurt or milk and real fruit but no added sugar. Source Link
Using that smartphone or tablet as a reward for good behavior might make your kids even more addicted to a screen. Researchers found that what seems like good parenting could actually condition children to want technology even more. Kids with parents who used a device as a reward spent more time looking at screens. Source Link
Dying from a broken heart is a real thing. Experts say the stress and grief that accompanies an event like a loved one’s death or the breakup of a relationship is linked to higher levels of inflammation in the body. For some people, that can increase the risk for heart attack and stroke by up to 40 percent. Source Link
How can you avoid being shocked by what you see when you step on the bathroom scale? You can stop sneaky weight gain by evaluating your activity level and checking to see if some bad food habits have crept into your diet. Swap those low-nutrition items with more fruits and vegetables and commit to 30 minutes of exercise each day. Source Link
Being anxious about a visit to the dentist isn’t unusual but there are some things that can help. Tell the dentist or hygienist about your anxiety so they can help ease your fears and offer the best options to reduce pain. And keep to a regular schedule of checkups so that problems can be caught before they require major work. Source Link
When you want to begin your workday right, avoid the urge to multitask. Testing has shown that trying to tackle several things at once right off the bat can set you back for the rest of the day. And don’t start with small talk that can derail your focus on the important tasks at the beginning of your workday. Source Link
The average American throws out $600 worth of food each year, so how can you stop wasting and lower your grocery bill? Creating a weekly menu will help you match activity plans with food shopping. Leftover fresh produce can be frozen for smoothies, sauces or casseroles. And remember that “sell by” dates are about quality and not safety. Source Link
One of the nation’s largest health insurers wants its customers to “watch” their health and is willing to pay for it. Aetna says using their new app that’s part of a wellness program can earn credits to pay for an Apple Watch. The watch works with the app to set personal activity goals that you meet to earn the credits. Source Link
Your mom was right - it’s better to sit up straight, especially if you’re in class. A study found that students who didn’t slouch in their seats scored better on math tests. Researchers say that slumped-over position is a defensive posture, triggering negative memories in the brain and body that can lead to poor performance. Source Link
Need a better strategy to quit smoking? Start with medications before you snuff out that last cigarette. Testing found that starting anti-smoking drugs four weeks in advance can increase the success rate. The extra time also helped people get in the right frame of mind to quit smoking. Source Link
It’s using the carrot instead of the stick to help you lose weight -- try bribing yourself to shed those pounds. You could put a dollar in a jar that's the money you saved by eating less and then buy yourself a non-food item at the end of every month. Testing showed that adults were willing to eat less for the chance to win a prize like a gift card. Source Link
If you battle with Jack Frost after every snowstorm here’s the right way to clear off your car. Start by parking as close to the street as possible to minimize what you need to shovel to get out and make sure your tailpipe isn’t blocked by snow. Use a soft brush and gently start from the top of the car while you let the defroster do the work on the windows. Source Link
When you’ve got a gripe with a utility, a retailer or a brand, social media could be the fast lane to better customer service. Many companies monitor Twitter and Facebook, so hashtag their name and state your complaint in detail but without personal information and include photos if possible. Experts say after regular business hours might be the best time to get some attention online. Source Link
You might see your child boost those grades if they join the band. Studying music helps improve the brain’s sensitivity and help a child learn how to learn. Ideally, music instruction should begin by middle school but even those who didn't take up an instrument until their teen years saw improvements in their ability to handle advanced studies like high-level math. Source Link
If your phone’s photo gallery is overflowing there’s a technique popular with home cleanup experts that also works on a cramped camera roll. Look at each photo and ask yourself if seeing this makes you happy or if you’d want to see again. If you answer “no” to either question, the photo can probably go in the trash bin. Source Link
Cabin fever. The winter blues. Whatever you call it, there are some simple ways to stop it. Help your body compensate for shorter days by turning on lights and opening blinds in your home. Fight the temptation to stay indoors and take a walk outside even if it’s a cloudy day and avoid caffeine later in the day and keep to a regular sleep schedule. Source Link
Being bored can boost your creativity and brain power but only if you do it the right way. Don’t confuse relaxation with boredom, which can happen when you’re doing a familiar activity that requires no thinking or you’re just sitting quietly. The key to reaching boredom is letting your mind wander without stimulation from anything like music or a screen. Source Link
Even in this online age, that resume is still an important tool for a job search, so make sure yours is working for you. Customize your resume for your industry - a designer’s should be creative but someone looking for a finance job needs more numbers. Either way, keep it simple because employers are more likely to read a clean and concise resume. Source Link
Man’s best friend is facing an uphill battle toward a long life because his human is often too generous with the food bowl. A study found that overweight dogs lived an average of two and a half years less than normal-weight canines. It’s estimated that one out of three dogs and cats in America is overweight. Source Link
You can make this a better day on a count of three. Start by taking three deep breaths every time you sit down at your desk or step to your work spot. Deep breathing calms the nervous system and is the first step to learning meditation that can reduce stress and help you deal with emotional issues. Source Link
When it comes to your teeth, the most effective brushing is not so fast, not so hard and not just on top. Plaque builds up at the gum line so focus your brushing there with smaller, gentle strokes. Don’t hold the toothbrush tightly in your fist - a fingertip grip will help you brush correctly - and be sure to brush for at least two minutes twice a day. Source Link
We all know to keep tabs on our credit report, but other records could affect your chances of getting a new job. Doing a background check on yourself could uncover mistaken arrest warrants or ID theft that led to a suspended license. Experts say you need a professional background check and not the kind offered to consumers online. Source Link
