BusinessVoice News Network

A few simple steps can help to keep hackers out of your phone. Use two-factor authentication on your Google account or for your iPhone. You can sign out of unknown devices that are connected to your Google or iCloud account. And strengthen passwords by adding symbols like an exclamation point or pound sign for added protection. Source Link

Making small talk at a party can be hard for an introvert, but you can get the ball rolling by being observant. Look for conversations where the circle of people is more open and they’re smiling or laughing. Talk with others who are hanging back and consider how long it’s comfortable for you to mingle. You may only have the energy for an hour of socializing. Source Link 

If you didn’t sleep well last night, here’s how you can avoid problems the morning after. Don’t sleep in too late because that can mess with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and get 15 to 30 minutes of sunlight to boost hormones that help you feel alert. And consider going to bed a bit earlier tonight to help your body catch up on some of that lost sleep. Source Link

Helping your child balance screen time with the rest of life takes clear goals, prioritizing and persistence. Start by setting real limits like a number of minutes per day or no screens at dinner or bedtime and be ready to enforce this by confiscating devices. And teach kids to prioritize so that screen time isn’t the first thing they do. Source Link

Make the most of a day off and divide it by three. Spend three to four hours each in three types of activities – relaxation, productivity and pleasure. Relaxing could be sleeping in late, listening to music, drawing or doodling, or people watching. Productivity is getting some tasks done and pleasure is things like reading, playing board games, doing puzzles or binging on TV. Source Link

Could a plant-based diet be the prescription for survival after prostate cancer? Men who ate plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains cut the risk of progression or recurrence of their prostate cancer by half. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds and more fiber that improves glucose control and reduces inflammation. Source Link

It’s something found in most medicine cabinets, but you might want to ditch the cotton swabs. Thousands of children suffer ear injuries each year and many occur when kids try to use cotton swabs by themselves. It might be good advice for everyone because the ear is self-cleaning and a cotton swab usually pushes wax deeper into it. Source Link 

A half-dozen smart habits may help slow memory decline and lower your dementia risk. Doing at least four of these – moderate or vigorous physical exercise, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, cutting back or cutting out alcohol, no smoking, exercising your brain by reading, playing cards or doing puzzles, and engaging with others socially –. helped people avoid memory problems. Source Link

Your house is a mess and you don’t know where to start the cleanup, so try doing these five things. First, collect trash and dispose of it. Then, pick up clothes and shoes and place them in a basket. Put all your dishes in the sink but don’t do them yet. Everything with a space to store it should go there now, and then find a place for the rest of things to go. Source Link

We’re not quite into Spring but right now is the time to tackle those seasonal allergies. Step one is testing to identify exactly what you’re allergic to and then avoid that. Treatment can include steroid sprays and inhalers or immunotherapy shots or oral treatments to desensitize your body to those allergens. 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 “don’ts.” 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

Keeping years worth of emails with attachments that could have your personal information is a security risk. To trash all of these from your Gmail account, enter, “has:attachment” in the search bar and then click on “Select all conversations that match this search.” With just one more click you’ll send all of these old emails to Gmail Trash. Source Link 

Take some steps before you dive into that new phone or tablet to avoid becoming the victim of a hacker. Backup and transfer old data and consider using a cloud service to safeguard it from loss or theft. Create strong, secure logins and use new passwords for those vital services. And register your device with the manufacturer to help with recovery if you are hacked. Source Link

Deleting online accounts you no longer use can safeguard you from the next website hack. Look in your password manager, search email for old “welcome” messages or check Facebook or Google to find connected accounts. You can search the name of the service and the words “delete account” or visit the support page to find out how to close an unused account. Source Link

It means an early wake-up call, but booking that first flight of the day has some big advantages. The risk of thunderstorms and turbulence is lower. The flight crew is rested and ready and the plane is clean. Delays will be shorter because you’re first in-line for that route and the ticket price will be lower than a late-morning or afternoon departure. Source Link 

The convenience of scanning a QR code to reach a website can have a dark side. Scammers use QR codes to link you to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, and downloads that infect your phone with viruses or malware. Check with the source before you use a QR code that’s in an email or is posted in a public area. Source Link

You won’t find a D-I-Y way to whiter teeth with these popular hacks. Rubbing orange peels or strawberries on your teeth can expose them to damaging natural acids. There’s no proof that coconut oil or store-bought hydrogen peroxide can whiten teeth, and making your own abrasive toothpaste from charcoal or baking soda can damage soft tissues in the mouth. Source Link