BusinessVoice News Network

It’s tough to be patient when you want to lose weight now, but what’s a safe level of weight loss? People who succeed do it gradually at about 1 to 2 pounds per week, which translates into 4 to 8 pounds a month. Remember that fad diets or highly restrictive eating plans may prompt fast weight loss, but not permanent weight loss. Source Link

Call it the “Comic Sans” technique for total recall. Research has shown that people can remember something better that’s written in a weird font. You can also use a larger type size or put it in boldface. The harder the text is to read, the more you concentrate on it, and the easier it is to remember. Source Link

The health benefits of stopping smoking can start just moments after you take that last puff. In 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure begin to drop, and blood carbon dioxide levels normalize in a few days. And in a few weeks, blood circulation improves and lung function increases. Source Link

Can the order in which you eat the food in your meal make a difference for health? Researchers found that eating fiber-rich vegetables or lean proteins first, rather than bread or carbs may help to lower blood sugar levels. This may also help you eat less because it causes your body to secrete higher levels of the hormone that gives you the feeling of fullness. Source Link

Using over-the-counter CBD products should be on the list of supplements you share with your doctor. That’s because the active ingredient in CBD may interact with prescription medications. Antidepressants, sedatives and blood thinners are some of the drugs that could be adversely affected by CBD. Source Link

It doesn’t take that many more steps per day to help older adults with hypertension lower their blood pressure. Research showed that adding 3,000 steps to a typical 4,000 step-per-day routine can help protect against heart failure, heart attacks and strokes. The speed of walking doesn’t matter, as long as you walk a total of 7,000 steps per day. Source Link

If you’re getting too many junk robocalls, the sound of silence may be the answer. When it’s a number you don’t recognize, pick up the call but don’t say anything right away. Automated calling systems often wait to hear a voice and the silence can make them disconnect quickly. Source Link

A sticky household staple should also be part of any home emergency kit. Duct tape along with plastic sheeting can be used to cover a broken window, patch a leaky roof, or build a makeshift shelter. Duct tape can also mend torn clothing, or a hole in a shoe or glove, patch a leaking hose on your car’s engine or even reinforce a sprained ankle or keep a bandage in place. Source Link

You might be surprised at some things that’ll cause problems when you’re going through airport security. A wrapped present may need to be unwrapped and small sports equipment like that tennis racket or pickleball paddle could be used as a weapon should go in checked baggage. And loose batteries are more likely to be confiscated, so keep them in the original packaging. Source Link

Take care to avoid these things that can shorten the battery life of your smartphone. Using vibration for calls and notifications, giving location permission to apps that don’t need it and not using auto-brightness for your screen can drain a battery faster. And leaving your phone under your pillow at night or out in the sun can cause it to overheat and damage the battery. Source Link

When you can’t wait for that beer or soda to get cold, a hack that uses a paper napkin can speed up the process. Wet the napkin before wrapping it around the drink’s container. Now set the beverage in the freezer for 15 minutes to enjoy a frosty drink in a fraction of the time. Source Link

You can ditch your to-do list and instead focus on first things first. Making a list of smaller tasks to tackle right away can help build momentum for the day. And here’s a bonus tip – check off completed items instead of crossing through them on the list so you can see exactly what you’ve accomplished. Source Link

Diet or exercise may not be key to managing your weight because the effectiveness of both depends on something else you may be shirking. Not getting enough sleep makes you tire faster during exercise and boosts the hormone that makes you feel hungry. Less than six hours a night is considered to be chronic sleep deprivation. Source Link

A piece of colored tape might help you avoid wasting food that gets lost in the fridge. Use the tape to make a line down a refrigerator shelf and put your need-to-eat foods on one side. You can also put items that spoil faster in clear open-topped plastic trays so they’re more visible and easier to grab. Source Link

100 percent isn’t necessarily the best score when it comes to charging the battery on your Android phone. The sweet spot for efficient charging and less stress on the battery is 80 percent. Some Samsung and Pixel models have an Adaptive Charging feature in Settings that monitors this for you, but you can also find apps that will do the same thing. Source Link

When clutter is a constant problem, you can fight back by creating a refuge from all the refuse. Choose one spot like a kitchen counter, a dining room table, or a bathroom vanity to keep tidy and clear. Once this clutter-free zone takes hold, consider beautifying it with something like a small vase of flowers. Source Link 

Starting with a list can help you make the right choice about giving your child that new tech gadget. Write down the pros and cons – are they tech savvy and will make good use of features that can be educational, or will the device be little more than a digital pacifier? Then set up parental controls and draw up a contract with rules for use including time limits. Source Link

You can fight back against high food prices by watching, clicking and stocking. Watch the sales and aim to buy most of your groceries when they are on sale. Click on coupon apps to use while you shop and start stocking-up on foods you regularly use, beginning with one item at a time. Source Link