BusinessVoice News Network

Should you turn off the tunes when you’re trying to create? Testing showed that listening to music significantly impaired verbal creativity. The sound of a library was no problem but songs with words and instrumental music were bad and the worst was listening to a song with familiar lyrics. Researchers say music can interfere with the brain’s verbal memory. Source Link

You can organize your kitchen to make cooking easier. Stair-stepped risers are perfect for seeing spices and a turntable lets you spin to access things instead of digging. Store the most–used items like plates and dishes on easy-to-reach shelves, and put silverware next to the dishwasher or mugs near the coffee maker. Source Link

These simple habits are hard on your teeth. Chewing ice can cause small chips in tooth enamel that might develop into larger cracks and sipping an energy drink, soda or coffee exposes your teeth to higher levels of acid that can erode enamel. Drink with a straw if possible and always follow-up with water to rinse your mouth. Source Link

It may be the best way to use a 15-minute break to make your day go smoother. Workers who spent a quarter-hour on a leisurely walk through a nearby park and focused on the natural surroundings were able to concentrate better when they got back to work. If you can’t find any green space for a break, you could try meditation in a quiet place for 15 minutes. Source Link

These technologies can be a big help when making a home safer for someone with Alzheimer’s. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that use a human voice instead of a disturbing loud beep to warn of danger. And app-controlled thermostats and video doorbells make indoor comfort simpler and can help with remote monitoring should someone leave the home. Source Link

Ultra-processed foods have been shown to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer and even dementia, but how do you get these junk foods out of your diet? Make fresh food your first choice and opt for minimally processed food like frozen vegetables. If you love crackers, choose those with just wheat, oil and salt and no other additives. Source Link

‘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