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Taking a breath before you dive into a task can pay big dividends. A study found that people who practiced relaxation breathing improved decision-making performance and experienced less stress. Repeat a 5-2-7 pattern with a five-second inhale, holding that breath for two seconds and then exhaling for seven seconds. Source Link

Email etiquette includes some basics that help you and the recipient. Make sure your subject line clearly describes the topic and use :cc and :bcc for those who need the information but don’t have to participate in the discussion. Close with an expression of gratitude like “Thanks” or “Thanks in Advance” and don’t expect a speedy reply like you might get with text messaging. Source Link

You can feel better about yourself and enjoy life more by investing in experiences instead of buying stuff. Materialism can be key to feelings of loneliness because it prompts envy, but people who spend money on experiences say they feel more connected to others. Shared events increase connections between friends and people in general. Source Link

If you’re not getting a tax refund this year, you’re doing it right. Adjust withholding so tax refund money goes to your paycheck instead of Uncle Sam. Using that extra money to pay more on a credit card bill or to invest in a 401-k can earn more for you instead of being a zero-interest loan to the IRS Source Link

Scammers who impersonate someone else are the number-one source of fraud but you can fight back. Remember that government agencies will never contact you to ask for your Medicare or Social Security number or a password, and don’t click links in emails or texts that look official. Visit the agency’s website separately. And use free spam blocking apps offered by wireless carriers to limit junk calls. Source Link

Opening a good book might be a prescription for a better heart. Research showed that as little as six minutes of relaxing by reading or listening to an audiobook could lower stress levels as much as 68%. Lowering stress levels reduces production of the hormone cortisol that can raise your heart rate, slow digestion and fragment your sleep. Source Link

Gardening can benefit your body in three ways. Growing some of your own food gives you fresh and healthy alternatives to processed food and maintaining a garden can be good exercise. And gardening has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety, especially when you’re working with others in a community garden. Source Link

You can battle spring allergies with some unique weapons. The herb butterbur is a natural antihistamine. Green tea can reduce sneezing and itchy eyes, and spicy food can help clear nasal congestion. Or add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of steaming water to breathe in a natural remedy for allergies caused by inflammation. Source Link

Anxiety can hit right when you’re ready for bed, and you can keep those worrying thoughts from ruining a good night’s sleep. Cut off caffeine consumption at least five hours before bed and try getting rid of your worries by putting them down on paper with journaling. And give yourself something to look forward to in the morning, like a nice breakfast, a walk or a favorite podcast. Source Link

You never know what kinds of household items will do double duty when you’re cooking or cleaning. A quick rub with a piece of chalk can remove stains from clothing by absorbing oils and grease. And a plastic shower cap can tightly cover a dish while heating it in the microwave. Source Link 

There’s a feature in Google Maps that can help you see the future, sort of. “Immersive View” covers some 500 landmarks around the world and uses AI to create an image that lets you fast forward up to five days to show what the scene might look like, including things like upcoming weather and typical traffic. Source Link

Try these clever hacks to help your groceries last longer. A bit of plastic wrap around the stem can keep bananas fresh and storing whole mushrooms in a paper bag extends their shelf life. A drizzle of lemon juice will help preserve half an avocado and trimming the greens from carrots will help to keep them from drying out. Source Link

The home stretch of tax filing season is prime time for scam artists who want to steal your identity. Don’t fall for emails that appear to be the IRS asking you to go to a web site to update your personal information. The same goes for similar emails that claim to be from your tax filing software. Source Link

What does it mean to have your home fully insured? Most policies include a dollar amount for repair or replacement costs but there are some big exceptions. You’ll probably need a separate policy for flood insurance and expensive items require an add-on called a rider. This could be jewelry and other pricey collections or all that computer equipment in your home office. Source Link

All you need to clean your kitchen cabinets may already be stored inside one of them. A mixture of mild dish soap and warm water can be used to clean most types of cabinets, but avoid any abrasive tools with wood cabinets. And a paste made of baking soda and water can take care of grease buildup on kitchen cabinets. Source Link

You can celebrate the rebirth of vinyl and pick up some special releases on Record Store Day Saturday, April 12th. Independent record stores nationwide will be offering dozens of new titles and special releases of classic albums. See the full list of offerings and participating store locations at RecordStoreDay.com Source Link

If your wallet is bursting at the seams from too much stuff, take these things out right now. Spare keys, a social security or Medicare card, birth certificate, passport card, a blank check, old receipts and that password cheat sheet all need to go. And carry one credit card to use and a backup instead of a wallet full of plastic. Source Link

Be on the lookout for three words in a text or email that could be a tipoff to a scam. The phrase “would you kindly” is a red flag because “kindly” is rarely used in American conversation and often points to someone who is a non-native English speaker. Beware of any request to “kindly” submit your credit card or bank information. Source Link