BusinessVoice News Network

For the best use of antibiotics, ask about what type is being prescribed. Some that attack a broad spectrum of disease-causing bacteria may not be necessary and could lead to drug resistance. And be sure testing has shown that an antibiotic is needed before it’s prescribed. Source Link

Some small steps could make upping your daily fiber intake easier. Start by leaving the skin on fruits and vegetables that you eat, choose fiber-rich pasta alternatives, skip juices and make smoothies instead, or try air-popped popcorn as a snack. And aim to eat at least one vegetable in every meal. Source Link 

One way to combat inflation is to shop at a warehouse store and some of those great buys don’t need a shopping cart. Prescription drugs, eye care, hearing aids, gasoline and even gift cards can have big discounts at warehouse stores that also have in-house travel agents to arrange discounted vacations including, airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises. Source Link

Keep these “do’s” and “don’ts” in mind when updating your resume. Don’t list every job you’ve held unless it relates to the position you want and do not use cliché phrases like “hardworking” or “detail-oriented.” But do explain any gaps in your work history that might be a red flag for would-be employers. Source Link

Sitting could be a way to reduce high blood pressure, but your butt won’t touch a chair or the floor. With a wall sit you lean your back against a wall and lower until you’re in a sitting position. Holding a wall sit for two minutes in four reps with a two-minute break between each three times a week could lead to a meaningful reduction in blood pressure. Source Link

Tending a garden can help young kids develop healthy attitudes about food that will influence their health years later. Researchers found that kids who participated in a gardening and food education program during elementary school were more likely to eat healthier as they grew up. The test program started with three-year-old’s and continued through fifth grade. Source Link

You may believe in the old adage, “No pain, no gain” but when is that pain after exercise an injury? Look out for swelling or stiffness around a joint after a workout, especially if it slows you down when walking. And notice how quickly the discomfort starts because soreness can take a day or so to appear but you’ll feel an injury right away. Source Link

Some Airbnb hosts are using hidden cameras to keep an undercover eye on guests and there are ways to spot them. Turn off the lights in a room and use your phone’s flashlight to slowly scan and look for reflections from a tiny camera lens. Examine out-of-place objects that could have a hidden camera and unplug or cover up anything that might be suspicious. Source Link

You need a late-night snack that won’t keep you up until the break of dawn. Look for foods that give you the most nutritional bang for your buck and won’t upset your stomach, such as walnuts, bananas, Greek yogurt, or a rice cake with peanut butter. Dark chocolate-covered nuts are another choice, but go easy on them because the caffeine in chocolate can be a real eye opener. Source Link

Before you start running for exercise, remember these steps to get off on the right foot. Begin with a good pair of name brand shoes that are fitted for you at a sports shoe store. Learn how to do a dynamic warmup with air squats, lunges and jumping jacks to prepare leg muscles for running. And start off by walking a block, jogging a block and then running a block. Source Link

Here are some smart hacks that make it easier and cheaper to fill your home with WiFi. Don’t hide the router in a cabinet – get it up high in a central part of your home. To save money, consider buying your own modem instead of renting one from your internet provider. And start with a more-affordable lower-speed service that might work fine for you. Source Link

Cleaning a cast-iron skillet the right way involves some special techniques and cleaning tools to preserve the seasoning. Add some warm water a few minutes after removing it from the heat and scrape with a wooden spoon or soft-bristle brush. For stubborn, stuck-on foods, sprinkle some kosher salt in the pan without water and then scrape. Source Link

Drinking too many calories is a problem for people who are trying to watch their weight. Start by making water, black coffee or tea your default drink. Beware of any beverage that gets most of its calories from sweeteners, whether real or artificial and keep smoothies to the smallest size with only non-fat yogurt or milk and real fruit with no added sugar. Source Link

Certain visual problems could be a warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Difficulty writing, judging whether an object is moving or stationary, or having trouble easily picking up a dropped item could signal the impending arrival of Alzheimer’s. These tasks can become difficult even if a person’s eye exam comes out fine. Source Link

The 20-5-3 rule could be a stress reliever and all you need to do is go outside. To improve feelings of well-being, spend 20 minutes in an urban park or other green space three times a week, and five hours each month in a semi-wild place like a state park. But do this without tech distractions because people who looked at their phones during a nature stroll did not see any of the benefits. Source Link

It’s a twist on the old suggestion to beat sleeplessness by counting sheep. If you suffer from insomnia caused by stress, try counting every breath in and out and count up as far as you can. Another technique to get back to sleep is to stare at a point on the wall until your eyelids get so heavy you have to close them. Source Link

These long standing myths about water don’t wash in the face of scientific study. Moderate use of caffeinated drinks will not make you dehydrated and few people exercise hard enough to need a sports drink instead of plain water. And drinking water only helps with weight loss if it’s used as a substitute for sugar-sweetened drinks. Source Link

How can you resist those “buy one, get one free” or “free gift included” offers when shopping? Ask yourself whether you’d spend the money without a gift and whether it’s cheaper elsewhere. Focus on the bottom-line cost because it’s only a deal if you needed that second item or free gift in the first place. Source Link