BusinessVoice News Network

‘Tis the season to know the signs of heat-related illness. Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, headache, lightheadedness or weakness are early warnings and muscle spasms in the legs or stomach can be a sign of heat cramps. A good starting treatment is to move to a cool place and give small amounts of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks. Source Link

The old advice to, “fake it till you make it” might apply if you slap on a fake smile when you have a case of the blues. Researchers found that people who smiled when they were low were better able to overcome sad feelings. But the technique isn’t effective for someone who’s suffering from serious sadness like depression. Source Link 

If a long workout isn’t your thing, how about an activity snack? Researchers found that taking a quick walk or doing squats after you eat may help retain muscle mass as you age because moving helps you use the food you’ve eaten to build muscle. The small spurts of activity should be in addition to the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. Source Link

Boosting your credit score can save big money on that next loan and these credit card hacks can help improve your number. Pay down credit card debt and ask for an increased limit but don’t use it. And when you pay your credit card bill, do it before the payment due date and the balance that’s reported each month will be lower. Source Link

You learned the right way to install a child car seat when your baby was born, but what about when they get older? It’s common for parents to make mistakes attaching the top tether or when using seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at nhtsa.gov lets you search by zip code for local resources to help with proper use of child car seats. Source Link

Breathing is about more than getting air into your lungs. Relaxed breathing can decrease heart rate, reduce blood pressure and allow more blood flow to help with digestion. And deep breathing can improve blood glucose in healthy people, and help anyone lower their stress levels and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Source Link

Achieving personal goals may be easier if you approach the challenge in a new way. Consistently working toward a goal in a specific way every day helps your brain turn it into a habit. And setting and achieving small goals triggers your brain to release “feel good” chemicals that will encourage you to stay the course. Source Link

You can save money on homeowner’s insurance and repair bills by hardening your abode against natural disasters. Things like removing vegetation near your home that could be fuel for a wildfire or installing a stronger roof to stand up to higher winds. You could also use a sump pump to avoid basement flooding or install storm-proof windows and doors. Source Link

It may be a handy choice but some things should never be cleaned with dish soap because it’s too strong. This includes hardwood floors, leather or dishes that are in the dishwasher. Don’t use dish soap on your skin or hair, for a dog bath or to wash your car because dish soap can strip skin oils and damage the clearcoat finish on an automobile. Source Link

If there’s a DIY painting project on your to-do list, remember these tips to get the job done right. Start with a pint of paint to see if you like the color on your walls and then buy the best paint to get quality coverage that will last longer. And have the primer tinted to match your color and you’ll need only one coat of paint. Source Link

Mindfulness meditation may be helpful for a wide range of physical and mental ailments. It’s been shown to reduce chronic pain and treat addiction issues, as well as help with depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. With mindfulness meditation, you learn to focus on your thoughts, emotions and body sensations as you’re experiencing them. Source Link

A rental storage unit can do more than hold your overflow stuff from home. You could use a storage unit as a location for online meetings or to produce videos, to maintain inventory, as an art studio or to create a home gym away from home. The one thing you can’t do is use a storage unit as a place to live. Source Link

The tools of the trade in car detailing will also work when the job gets done in your driveway. Ditch the old t-shirts and cotton towels and use a microfiber cloth to dry your car and avoid scratches. Use a car wash cleaner and not dish soap and have two buckets — one for soapy water and one with plain water to rinse dirt out of your sponge. Source Link 

There are some simple steps that can help curb excessive screen time for tweens. Start by restricting their screens at meals and at bedtime and model this good behavior yourself. In testing, researchers found that using screen time as a reward or punishment for a child didn’t change their habits. Source Link

Summertime protection for your eyes involves what you wear in many ways. Start with 100 percent UV blocking sunglasses and wear a hat that also protects your eyes and face from the sun. Keep sunscreen out of your eyes by using one that doesn’t run when you sweat. And consider wearing swim goggles to protect your eyes from pool chemicals and bacteria found in lakes, rivers and oceans. Source Link

Stop and ask yourself a few questions before you share health stories on social media. Is the source trustworthy, like a major medical center or national organization? Is it a personal story that may not reflect the big picture, or does it make you feel emotional? If it does, try waiting to post because the impulse to share it might pass. Source Link 

Streaming TV subscription fees add up fast and you can save money with a little planning. Make a calendar note for when a trial subscription ends to avoid paying for an extra month, and bundle or get an annual subscription for services you know you want to keep. And if there isn’t a show you’re watching now on that service, cancel and re-subscribe later. Source Link

There’s a good chance you have a free hotspot or free public WiFi available nearby now, but how do you find it? Apps like Instabridge or WiFi Map will show you where to find a free hook-up that’s near you, and many public libraries offer free WiFi. Consider using a VPN with any free internet connection to safeguard any personal data during the session. Source Link