BusinessVoice News Network

Some home holiday cheer could be taking its toll on your web surfing and streaming. Christmas lights can interfere with WiFi signals, so be sure to keep them away from routers or computers. And it’s a good idea to keep your router away from other electronic devices, such as a TV or a baby monitor. Source Link

Two simple steps in the morning could help you get better sleep at night. Outdoor light exposure soon after waking plays a significant role in regulating our sleep-wake cycles. And physical activity in the morning acts as an additional cue to your body that it’s time to be awake and alert. Source Link

What time of day is best for booking a flight? It depends on your travel style. Early morning flights often mean shorter security lines and leave more of the day once you arrive, but a midday flight is a much gentler way to travel without those early wake-ups. And an evening flight is often cheaper and lets you enjoy most of the day at a destination before heading home. Source Link

To lose water weight, avoid this four-letter word. Salt is a big part of processed foods and makes it more likely that your body will retain water. Natural foods, such as vegetables, seeds and nuts are low in salt and help keep water weight down. And drinking more water aids in kidney function that flushes excess salt and water from the body. Source Link

We’ve all faced a mess in the microwave when food explodes while reheating it, but how do you prevent that? Turn down the power to 60 percent for most foods and 70 percent for denser things like meat. Stop several times and stir foods with lots of liquid and slice thick items into smaller pieces for more even heating. Source Link

A slim piece of string could help connect you to better brain health. People who practiced daily flossing and brushing and got regular dental checkups had MRI’s that showed more healthy brain cells, and that could lead to a lower risk for stroke and dementia in later years. Source Link

You don’t need to drop $1,000 or more on a new phone when a little DIY maintenance can revitalize your current one. Start with a thorough cleaning of the screen, body and case using a microfiber cloth. For the inside of your phone, delete unused apps, and old emails and text messages, and consider doing a factory reset to start fresh with your operating system. Source Link

A cancer patient undergoing treatment will appreciate a care package that’s stocked with these thoughtful items. Chapstick to soothe dry and irritated lips, fuzzy socks or slippers, hand sanitizer, a neck pillow or heating pad, a lap blanket and hard candy or gum are all welcome. And include something sentimental like a framed photo of family or friends. Source Link

You want to make more money, but should you ask for a raise or look for a better-paying job? Changing jobs means learning a new routine and job hopping every few years can look bad on a resume. If you’re asking for a raise, have a specific number and a minimum or maximum salary range in mind and consider whether you’ll compromise or walk away if the answer is “no.” Source Link

Here’s a timely home maintenance tip that could save you money as the thermometer drops. Remember to flip the switch on the side of a ceiling fan to reverse its direction during months when you heat your home. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling to better circulate it in the room. Source Link 

Multitasking leads to overstimulation that can cause physical and mental stress, but you can take steps to avoid it. First, try to remove yourself from situations where this happens, and practice mindfulness and relaxation exercises. Also be sure to eat well and get good sleep, along with more movement and a dose of sunshine every day. Source Link

What are some things that food safety experts never do in the kitchen? They don’t assume that a dish is cooked to the proper temperature and always use a food thermometer. They don’t wash raw meat before cooking because that can spread bacteria in and around the sink. And they keep that kitchen sink clean so fruits and veggies aren’t contaminated during washing. 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

How could sitting be a great form of exercise? When you use a wall. Start by standing with your back against a wall and lower yourself into a sitting position while still holding your back to the wall. Try this for two minutes followed by two minutes of rest, and repeat this four times for a workout that’s good for your heart and might even lower blood pressure. Source Link

Your smartphone has built-in tools to help you use it with one hand. Android phones have a dedicated one-handed mode that lets you shrink any app down to the bottom half of the screen and make it easier to reach. And an iPhone has a setting called “Reachability” that lets you shrink an app with a downward swipe to work more easily with one hand. Source Link

It’s happened to all of us – you settle in to watch that movie on TV and before you know it you’ve dozed off. To prevent this, don’t drink alcohol during your movie night and eat a lighter meal beforehand or when snacking during the show. Don’t get too cozy on that plush couch and never do your movie viewing in bed, because your mind knows that’s the place for sleep. Source Link

Letting your kids help with cooking is a fun way to connect. Involve them in meal preparation, like adding veggies to a tossed salad or mixing ingredients. Younger children can play with food and kitchen-themed toys while you’re at the stove, and empty pasta or cereal boxes or oatmeal and spice containers make great homemade toys. Source Link

When an emergency calls for you to do CPR, remember these “dont’s.” You don’t need certification, don’t waste time checking for a pulse, don’t be squeamish about loosening clothing near the chest, don’t do mouth-to-mouth if it worries you, and don’t be afraid of hurting them. Most of all, don’t wait – start CPR immediately after calling 9-1-1. Source Link