BusinessVoice News Network

Who says the tools to improve your health have to carry a price tag? Meditating to reduce stress and improve sleep doesn’t cost anything, and you’ll find plenty of free workout videos on YouTube. You can improve your mental health with a pen and paper by journaling and drinking free tap water instead of soda is more healthy and will save you money. Source Link 

Living like it’s the old days before we had cell phones might be a good way to deal with today’s distractions. Smartphones can interrupt you with constant notifications, so turn those off whenever possible. While you’re at it, put away that phone for occasional breaks throughout the day because just the sight of it can raise anxiety and prompt you to pick it up. Source Link

To sleep or not to sleep – that’s the question on an airline flight. An overnight red-eye is a good time to sleep and watching a movie or listening to music can sometimes help you doze off. If you can sleep when you arrive, bring some work on the flight to occupy your brain. Either way, pack some good earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to reduce distractions. Source Link

Here’s how to be a power shopper at the thrift store. Check both the men’s and women’s sections because items can be placed incorrectly and pay attention to tags, dates and colors to find special sale prices. And give everything a second look in your cart on the way to the checkout to be sure you didn’t miss any damage. Source Link

Daydreamers rejoice – that so-called bad habit might just be good for you. Giving your brain an occasional break has been shown to aid in problem-solving, boost creativity, improve learning, increase productivity and inspire you to be kinder to others. Just 2 to 5 minutes of daydreaming a day can help you recharge. Source Link

This trick will help you cut clutter by managing the in’s and out’s of things in your home. With each new thing that comes to stay, you’ll get rid of one other thing. Having a designated “outbox” for the items you’ll donate or give away helps you keep the habit. Source Link

You can ease travel anxiety by putting your hands to work. Channel nervous energy by knitting, coloring, doing needlepoint, writing letters or postcards, or journaling. You’ll use the time you’re spending in transit in a creative and fulfilling way that can make it feel less stressful. Source Link

You might find your purpose in life with help from an Japanese practice. Ikigai focuses on four things – what you have a passion for, what you’re good at, what you do that the world needs, and what you can be paid for. The intersection of these four elements can reveal a path to more happiness for you and more service to others. Source Link

Here’s a way to get to sleep faster — make tomorrow’s to-do list tonight before you head off to bed. Testing showed that people who wrote a to-do list for the next day before bedtime were able to fall asleep more quickly. But researchers say the findings may not apply to those who suffer from true insomnia. Source Link

Here’s a one-two tip for better car maintenance and you don’t have to pop the hood to do it. First, be sure you read the owner’s manual to know the maintenance needs of your make and model. And while you have that manual open, learn the meaning of all those dashboard warning lights because some require immediate attention. Source Link 

How can you undo the damage when clothing is shrunk in the wash? Soak it for up to 30 minutes in a sink or tub with lukewarm water and a cupful of baby shampoo to loosen fibers. Gently squeeze the water from the clothing and lay it on a flat towel and roll it up and squeeze more. Place it on another dry towel and gently stretch back to preshrunk size and allow the item to air dry. Source Link

It can be a challenge to save enough for a down payment on a home, so help yourself with a few well-placed pats on the back. Break up the total into smaller goals and reward yourself when you reach each one. If you need to save $30,000 total, consider treating yourself to a nice meal with every $5,000 saved. Source Link

There are many reasons why you should keep your home WiFi network secured with a strong password. Freeloaders could slow down your streaming, send you over a data cap or even use your WiFi for illegal activity that’s blamed on you. If you need help changing the password, consult the owner’s manual for your WiFi router or contact customer service for a cable modem. Source Link

Inflation might make it cheaper to dine out than cook that meal at home. Restaurants can buy food products wholesale and lock in lower prices through long-term contracts and that means less inflationary pressure on menu prices. Inflation at the grocery store is running about 50 percent higher than the increased cost of eating away from home. Source Link

Lip and tongue piercings may do more than change the look of your mouth. Researchers found that many people with oral piercings had deep pockets and gaps around their teeth and receding and bleeding gums. About 5 percent of young people have oral piercings and four out of five of them are women. Source Link

Timing is everything if you listen to music as a part of studying. Researchers say listening to music before you start reading can help with recall. But listening to music while you study is a distraction, no matter what kind of tunes you prefer. Reading in silence helps your mind focus on comprehension. Source Link

The air you breathe at home can affect your everyday health, so be sure it’s as clean as can be. House dust can be loaded with allergens and airborne chemicals, so dust and vacuum once a week with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. And use a fireplace sparingly because burning wood indoors can lead to serious respiratory problems. Source Link

Your grammar school skills may help you spot an email scam. Misspellings of words or misplaced punctuation can be a tip-off and a misspelled email address from your bank or another business is a warning sign. And beware of an email that includes a link to update your personal information. Source Link