Neither Rain nor Snow?

Is your mail carrier REALLY bound by the rain, snow, gloom of night creed?

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." It sure sounds good – but your mail carrier is not bound by that creed. In fact, the U.S. Postal Service has NO official creed or motto. That verse is actually an inscription on the James Farley Post Office in New York City – and refers to the courier service of the ancient Persian Empire.

In reality – U.S. mail carriers are instructed NOT to deliver mail to boxes that are obstructed by snow or ice - but do anyway.  Many postal workers admit taking pride in the un-offical creed.

Wind Chill Factor

Unless you’re 5 feet tall, walking in an open field at night – that wind chill factor might be off a bit...

If you’ve ever wondered how they calculate the wind chill temperature – there is a set formula. That “feels like” temperature assumes your naked face is five feet from the ground - you’re walking at 3 mph directly into the wind - in an open field – at night! Even if the wind chill factor sounds a bit subjective – it’s not useless. When our skin is exposed to the elements – wind chill counts – it draws heat away from our bodies and frostbite can set in much faster.

Skip the Toothpaste!

If you’re tempted to put toothpaste on that pimple – don’t!

You may have tried that overnight pimple remedy of putting some toothpaste on there – but it’s not a good idea. It does help to dry things out a bit – but it can also lead to a bigger breakout. Today’s toothpastes have all sorts of stuff in there – and some of those ingredients are really bad for your skin, like whitening and tartar reducing elements. It’s best to stick to products specifically designed for skin. A dab of honey on there can help too – it moisturizes without adding oil and can reduce swelling and bacteria.

Source: KidsHealth.org

Truth Tellers

Does your nose get itchy when you lie?

There’s a good chance your nose will get itchy if you’re stretching the truth. When a person fibs, it triggers an adrenaline rush. That causes capillaries to expand which tickles your nose. And unless you enjoy lying – you’ll probably start blinking more too. The normal blink rate is 6 to 8 times a minute – and under stress that goes way up. Some fibbers overcompensate by not blinking at all – and intensifying their stare.

Sitting on a Time Bomb

There’s more bad news for those of us who sit...

It turns out sitting is even worse for our health than once thought. Not just on long flights – or for couch potatoes – but pretty much for everyone. According to Dr. Barry Braun at UMass Amherst, we’ve taken sitting as a default position – and our bodies aren’t made for that. Sitting slows down the action of an enzyme that breaks down fats in the blood, like cholesterol. If we add up all the time we’re sitting around in our cars, at the computer, or watching TV – it’s way too much for most of us.

Experts say exercise outside of sitting time might not help. The recommendation is to sit less – a LOT less – and to switch up your sitting positions or recline when you can.

Three Things

There are three things we are supposed to make time for this year...

In order to make the most of this year – there are three key things we’re supposed to make time for:

• Reading. Most of us are reading more than ever – online – or in short bursts. But with a quality sit-down reading session we will absorb more, make a connection to the material and have something more in-depth to reflect on or discuss.

• Quiet time. All systems down – even the phone – with the door shut – for at least 10 minutes a day. If you keep it consistent – you’ll train people around you to know that’s when you’re NOT available.

• Writing down some goals. It may seem cliché – but it’s a good list to keep handy and drag out from time to time – and even change it as you go. Most of us actually forget some important ones that we don’t record.

Social Jet Lag

Are you suffering from social jet lag?

Even if you stayed home over the holidays – you may be suffering from jet lag – social jet lag. It’s the mental weariness a lot of people feel in January after disrupting normal schedules and diets at the end of the year – and it can last for weeks! The symptoms are the same ones we get from traveling – irregular sleep, change in appetite and stress levels.

There is a cure for social jet lag – but it’s not easy. Get up earlier than normal each morning – and get active – even if you were up late. The earlier you get active – the faster you’ll feel more alert and awake. After a few days your body will start craving sleep earlier at night.

Picturing Clutter

If organizing or cleaning an area seems overwhelming – I’here's a trick that can help...

It’s that out-with-the-old time of year – and if it feels overwhelming – take a picture! When dealing with clutter it’s easy to get desensitized to the things we’re used to seeing. Taking a picture of the area can really help. By looking at a detailed photo of a specific area – your peripheral vision won’t be in play and you’ll get a clearer picture of what has got to go. The next step is to tackle the area with a box or garbage bag in hand so you don’t just move stuff into the areas you couldn’t see in the picture – which just pushes the problem around.

Desk Height

The desk you work at could be the wrong height...

Most desks are around the same height – but it could be the wrong height for you. There is a way to measure. While sitting at your desk – your forearms should rest comfortably on the surface at 90 degrees while your upper arms are in line with your torso. If it’s not right – the easiest fix is an adjustable chair – but that’s got to be at the right height for your lower body.

Shorter people are usually better off with a chair that tilts forward. If you’ve got neck or back pain – consider requesting or investing in an adjustable height work station.

Source: OSHA

Blow Them Off?

Are there any legitimate reasons to blow someone off? Yes!

Nobody likes to be stood up or ignored – but some people are just asking for it. TheFrisky.com has a few good reasons to blow someone off:

• Aggression – If someone is displaying aggressive behavior – emotionally or physically – walk away. The same goes for crossed boundaries – no means no - no explanation required.

• Reciprocation – If you give and give – but never receive – take a hint and don’t waste your time.

 

• They just don’t get it – If you have to explain repeatedly why you’re not interested – they might NEVER get it. It could be time to get tough and blow them off.

Resolution Hump

Have you made it over the resolution hump?

It’s January 10th – how’s that resolution going? Research shows that by January 7th – more than 30% of us have given up on our New Year’s resolutions. Consider giving it another shot. The average person slips up 14 times before succeeding – so we can look at that as one less slip to go. It can take 21 consecutive days for new behavior to really stick – so if you start again now – by the end of the month you could be making some real progress.

Now, if you have made it this far and your resolution is still intact – good for you. You’re halfway there!

Power Hug

You can improve your relationship – and it only takes 10 seconds!

If you greet your partner or spouse with kiss or a hug – make it count! 10 seconds should do the trick. According to Barton Goldsmith, author of “Emotional Fitness for Intimacy,” that peck on the lips or quick squeeze doesn’t give you the connection you need after a day apart. A full ten seconds gets the oxytocin flowing for both of you and can really enhance your bond together.

Flight Attire

If you’re taking a flight any time soon – here's what NOT to wear...

You’ve got your tickets and your luggage packed – now it’s time to check your wardrobe. Here are five things NOT to wear:

• Heavy perfume or colgne – they can make your fellow passengers sick.

• High heels – they’re NOT what you want on your feet during an emergency.

• Shorts – even if your destination is tropical – the temperature on the plane won’t be.

• Light colors – dark clothes are better at covering up any spills or dirt you encounter while traveling – and if your luggage gets lost – you could be stuck with that outfit.

• Tight-fitting clothes – go loose instead – you’ll be more comfortable and it’s better for your circulation on long flights.

Eating Light

If you’d like to eat less – turn on a light!

Chances are you’ll eat a LOT more popcorn in a dark theater than in a bright room. The “out of sight, out of mind” rule applies to food too. In one study, people who ate in a dark environment consumed 36% more. Chances are you do most of your eating in the light – but experts say the lighter the better. The more light that is shed on the situation – the more aware we are of what we’re doing.

Distractions count too. If you’ve got to munch on something while you’re watching TV or in a theater – make sure it’s something you won’t regret eating a LOT of.

Source: Benjamin Scheibehenne, Ph.D.

Cold Water Myth

Is it a bad idea to drink cold beverages with meals?

You may have heard that drinking cold beverages with meals can solidify fats in your body and cause heart attacks or cancer. Don’t panic – it’s an urban legend. By the time food and beverages enter the digestive tract, they have been warmed by the body, and are already broken down and thoroughly mixed by the stomach.

Some doctors even recommend drinking your water cold – generally because it tastes better that way for most of us – and we’ll drink more of it.