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“Taking five” during the workday could be the ticket to improved productivity. Researchers found that people who took five-minute microbreaks bounced back from morning fatigue and sharpened their skills for the rest of the day. A microbreak could be having a snack, chatting with a coworker, stopping for a stretch or doing a quick crossword puzzle. Source Link

There are plenty of ways to make kitchen tools from what you already have. An old wine bottle can be used as a rolling pin and you can peel a clove of garlic by shaking it inside a jar with the top on. Two deli container lids pressed together can hold small things like cherry tomatoes for fast slicing and kitchen scissors can be used to cut pieces of homemade pizza. Source Link 

Parents are often too quick to give meds to reduce a child’s fever. In a survey, many said they would give their child medicine to reduce any high temperature, but a low-grade fever can help the body fight off infection. With an infant younger than 3 months, any fever is a danger sign, as is a fever with decreased activity for those from 4 to 12 months old. Source Link

You can learn a lot about kitchen organizing by watching old episodes of Julia Child’s cooking show. Hang a magnetic knife strip vertically so it’s safer and easier to grab a knife and sort utensils into multiple storage crocks. A burner cover can turn seldom-used cooktop space into room for extra storage and keep dried goods in pull-out bins for easier access. Source Link 

“What’s coming in the mail today?” is a question you can answer by using a free program from the Postal Service. “Informed Delivery” sends residential and post office box customers an email with digital images of the front of the envelope for items arriving that day. You can also keep track of mail when you’re away and need to know if something’s been delivered. Source Link 

Body slings and other baby-wearing products may put infants at higher risk for injury because parents don’t use the fabric carriers correctly. You should first practice wrapping the sling around your body using a doll or stuffed animal and then make adjustments. And having your baby in an upright position in a sling rather than cradled allows them to breathe easier. 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

Identity theft isn’t just something to worry about when you’re online. A lost or stolen wallet can expose you, so limit what’s in there and never carry anything with your social security number. A mailbox with a lock can keep someone from stealing credit card offers or bank statements and shredding important papers before tossing them is an easy way to prevent identity theft. Source Link

When you ask, “How was your day?” your child may only say, “Fine” or “Okay”, so try these other questions. For young children, ask about stories they read in class or something they learned today. Tweens and teens might respond to, “What’s the most unexpected thing that happened?” and most kids can probably tell you what was their favorite part of the day. Source Link 

Sharing time with your long-distance grandchildren doesn’t have to be a phone call or a FaceTime session. You can work on projects together, whether that’s drawing in a shared sketchbook or building the same hobby items. You can also read the same books and then discuss them with your grandchildren. Source Link 

When it comes to an allowance for your kids remember the four C’s. Be clear on what the money’s for, be consistent on the amount of allowance and use cash so they only spend what they have. And remember that you shouldn’t pay money for household chores. Source Link

Google can help you find out if what you’re seeing in an online product listing is what you’re really getting. Take a screenshot of the product photo or enter the page’s web address at images.google.com and do a reverse image search. It’s a warning sign if you see the same image in many other listings because it could be a stock photo and not what you’re actually buying. 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

Spring weather has you ready to join a gym to get back in shape and there are ways to save money doing it. You can often negotiate to waive a joiners fee and many gyms allow free visits so you can try before you sign up. Beware of pricey lifestyle-oriented studio classes and remember that low-cost gyms may be packed when you want to work out in prime time. Source Link

You might fall asleep faster with these hacks to your nightly routine. Disable auto-play on streaming services to avoid a binge that goes well past bedtime and have non-screen activities like a book or word puzzles to fill your time before bed. And finish dinner at least two hours before bedtime because a big meal triggers your brain to wake up. Source Link

Remember these rules when preparing your child for spring sports. Get a preseason evaluation from their doctor to uncover health issues that could affect their play and check that all sports gear is in working order, especially protective items. And teach them to stretch before and after practices and games and never to “play through” an injury. Source Link