BusinessVoice News Network

You don’t need an evening class or an online course to become a more valuable employee. Focus on improving communications with the careful crafting of emails and overall attention to detail. Get more organized by using to-do apps or keeping your work area cleaner. And be a team player by reaching out to co-workers to help them when you can. Source Link

Giving yourself a break when weight loss gets hard may improve the odds that you reach your goal. Practice self-compassion and talk to yourself with the same encouragement you might offer to a friend or loved one. Self-compassion doesn’t let you off the hook completely because it works hand-in-hand with accountability to reach a weight loss goal. Source Link

It’s convenient, but putting that bill on autopay can cost you more than just the monthly tab. Not having to think about paying a bill every month makes it easier to forget what you’re paying for. One solution could be an autopay “cleanse” in which you shut off all autopay. Watch for bills to see what all of that is costing you and cancel what you don’t need before resuming autopay. Source Link

Some simple hacks can help your health without a lot of effort. Improve your balance by standing on one foot when brushing your teeth and wash those bed linens once a week to get rid of bacteria and fungus that makes us sick. Use colored plates if you want to eat less white bread or rice and satisfy that sweet tooth with natural sugars in fruit instead of candy. Source Link

How do you know which streaming services are right for you? Start by tracking your TV viewing for a week to see if you need things like news and sports or kids programming. Then look for services or bundles that can save money. If you don’t mind commercials, subscribe to lower- priced plans with ads, or use free ad-supported streaming services. Source Link

To create a successful exercise routine, think about what you want from it. Maybe that’s being able to play more with your kids, go on a hike with friends, or reduce stress and improve sleep. Then use the “SMART” method to set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and fit your time in order to build a long-term exercise habit. Source Link

That old cell phone or unused tablet can help make your home safer. Turn it into a security camera with an app that records when something moves and stores images on the device or in the cloud. Set up outdoor motion lights that can catch a prowler in the act, and stop hiding keys under a rock by using a smart deadbolt that has a keypad or a phone app to unlock your door. Source Link 

Having a seat in the dentist’s chair could uncover more than problems with your smile. Nearly 100 diseases can show symptoms in the mouth, like severe gum disease that could be a sign of undiagnosed diabetes. Dentists who perform a blood pressure check can also find warning signs of hypertension that can lead to heart disease or stroke. Source Link

There are some simple ways to get your child to take medicine. Give them choices, like taking a liquid dose in a dropper or a cup, or choosing water or juice to wash down a pill. Be consistent with medicine times and explain simply how the medicine helps them. And don’t hide medicine in food because if your child discovers this, it could lead to eating problems. Source Link

What’s the orange-colored produce that’s best for your eyes? Here’s a hint – it isn’t carrots. Studies show that eating oranges may greatly reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration that’s a common cause of blindness in older people. Researchers say the flavenoids you get from an orange a day can protect against eye disease. Source Link

You hear about health screenings for cancer or heart disease, but there’s also a series of questions to gauge memory and brain function Even if you’re not experiencing problems, a memory screening may detect the potential for memory issues. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free screenings by video on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Source Link

Here’s a ten-minute cleanup plan to get your house in shape when unexpected guests are on the way. Grab a box and relocate all clutter into a closet, and stash that bathroom mess in the tub or shower behind the curtain. Clean all flat surfaces and vacuum visible areas starting at the front door. And freshen the air by putting spices like cinnamon, allspice or cloves in a pot of water on medium heat. Source Link

The window in an oven door gets grimy, but there’s an easy way to clean it. Make a paste using baking soda and water and add a few drops of a grease-cutting dish detergent. Spread this on the glass and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then scrub with a non-abrasive sponge and wipe with paper towels or a microfiber cloth. Source Link

With voice cloning becoming easier, getting a fake call from a child or grandchild needing money for an emergency is a common scam, and you can fight back with one word. Create a unique family code word and ask for that if you get such a call. If they don’t say the word, hang up. You can make it even safer by using a common word but mispronouncing it as the code word. Source Link

We’ve all had times when you can’t fall asleep because your mind is racing. You might overcome this by listening to soothing sounds or a calming meditation on your phone. You can also try rhythmic breathing like the 4-7-8 exercise, with a four-second inhale, a seven-second hold and an eight-second exhale. Source Link

A parking lot, a flight of stairs, a street corner and even your bathroom can be places for exercise. Try a combination of fast running and then walking 50 yards in a parking lot or take a flight of stairs two steps at a time. When waiting to cross the street, alternate standing on each leg for 10 seconds or add 10 reps of standing up from sitting on the toilet. Source Link

It’s called a “baker’s week” and it might be the best choice for planning that next vacation. A seven-day getaway with an extra day at the end for traveling home can give you the feeling of a real break from a Monday thru Friday job. Booking a three-or-four-day trip may not be enough time to get into that relaxation groove. Source Link

Let’s see if your bedtime routines among America’s favorites. In a survey, 39 percent of people took a bath or shower before bed, 29 percent read, and one in five used meditation or deep breathing. About half ran a fan to help them nod off, 29 percent had blackout curtains, and one in five used weighted blankets, sleep masks, noise machines, apps or ear plugs. Source Link