If you’ve got a stressful situation to deal with today – hum a tune first...

The next time you have to deal with something unpleasant or stressful, consider humming before tackling it...  

Humming can actually do wonders at relieving stress and activating those all-important alpha brain waves. Just 60 seconds of humming will reduce levels of anxiety and leave you feeling more grounded confident. 

You can hum anything you like – a favorite tune or a healing hum of the letter m or n. To get full advantage of your hum, concentrate on the soothing vibrations you’re creating and find that sweet spot that feels good on your vocal chords and sounds good to your ear.

If you’d like some valuable personal insight – ask your friends this question...

“What kind of animal am I?” 

That’s a question you should really ask someone who knows you well. Their answer can reveal a lot about your personality and how you are perceived by others. Life coach expert Lauren Zander, says consider the traits of the animal they associate you with. You may be gentle as a lamb, stubborn as a mule, or strong like bull. Once you’ve identified your animal type – you can use this information to your advantage. 

Most of us have the ability to call on other “animals” if need be. If you could use a dose of bravery – picture yourself as a lion. If you need some patience – channel your inner tortoise. Need to think fast or outsmart someone? Envision yourself as a fox. Zander says the animal strategy is a fun way to think outside the box, using the power of your mind to enhance the quality of your life. 

Nice Melons!

Smell them, squeeze them, shake them...  

That’s what you’ll need to do to find the best melons in the bin at the grocery store. If you’ll be using your melon soon, you need to be sure it’s ripe. In most cases, the smell, squeeze, shake routine will help you determine that it’s ready. For melons such as musk, cantaloupe and honeydew, the smelling step is important. Those varieties should smell like a fragrant flower. Next, give the melon a shake. If you can sense that the seeds inside are loose – you’ve got a ripe one. Finally, it needs to pass the squeeze test. The surface of those melons should give just a bit under the pressure of your fingertips – but not too much. 

Smell, squeeze, shake won’t work with a watermelons. For those, you need to knock and lift. The knock should sound like a thud – not hollow. You don’t want a dried out watermelon. The heavier watermelon is the better choice – that one will be sweet and full of juice.

If you’d like to reduce your risk of heart attack someday – get some sun today...

The sun gets a lot of bad press in the summer... 

It’s bad for our skin, we shouldn’t get too much and we need protection! There is some brand new research that is shedding some positive light on the sun now. It may actually help protect us from heart attack. The study looked at sun exposure, circadian rhythm and their effects on our heart health. Mice that were exposed to 3 hours of bright light in the morning were less prone to heart attack - and those who did have a coronary suffered less damage.

Getting a healthy dose of sun each day won’t require sunbathing. The benefits are actually received through the eyes – not the skin. That’s important because sunscreen and clothing won’t lessen the heart protection and we can even get our daily sun indoors, near a bright, sunny window

Where you exercise can be even more important than how you do it. The ultimate workout spot...

If you’d like to get the most out of your workout – head for the nearest ocean! 

A recent survey asked participants to state where they exercise and then rate the benefits they got from it. Those who reported exercising in a coastal environment were the most physically and emotionally satisfied with their workout.

Dr. Mathew White, who analyzed the survey, says it’s an evolutionary instinct. Humans naturally have a preference for aquatic environments. The sounds, sight and smell of water just make us feel better.

If you don’t have an ocean handy for your workout, head for the nearest lake, pond, river or stream – even if it’s just a few times a month. You’ll get a lot more benefit from those workouts than the ones in your basement or stinky gym.

Don’t fear the shark attack – you’re more likely to be injured by something else this summer...

Beware the killer flip-flops! 

They may look mellow, but don't be fooled.  According to the just released National Foot Health Assessment, 78% of us are suffering flip-flop inflicted injury. The wounds range beyond the inevitable stubbed toe. Flip-flops are to blame for countless blisters, cuts and punctures. Wearing them can lead to misalignment in your stance, causing pain in the knees, hips and back. There’s also the occasional flip-flop tumble, twisted ankle or broken bone. 

So what should we be wearing instead of flip-flops? Podiatrists agree  the best everyday footwear for anyone is the not-so-mellow supportive athletic shoe, something that laces up – along with padded, acrylic-blend socks, preferably color coordinated with your shorts, sundress or bathing suit.

There are some pets that can actually make your kid smarter. Which critters test the best...

You might want to add a chinchilla to that back-to-school shopping list... 

A new study took a look at pets and academic performance in kids and found some interesting results. Kids who have a pet chinchilla experienced a significant boost in creativity. Those who had a pet mouse or rat scored highest in the homework department. Reptile children had the strongest sense of responsibility, followed by rabbit kids.

The study also provided some insight to kids with pets and self-esteem. Children with pets rated themselves 50% happier, 13% calmer and 20% smarter than those without pets.  

Run for your lives! Dad is mowing the lawn!

If someone in your family is about to mow the lawn, head for the hills – or at least inside... 

According to the CPSC, about 20,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year from power mower injuries. Some of those injuries were even fatal – and most were caused by debris kicked up by the spinning blade. Consumer Reports has a few things we can do to prevent a potential mowing disaster:

• Clear your lawn of all twigs, rocks and other objects before you start.

• Check the blade regularly for damage, bends and dullness. A blade should be replaced every 1 to 2 years.

• Keep children and pets inside when the lawn mower is in operation.

• Do not remove or adjust the position of the mower’s deflector. That can result in debris flying at a longer distance.

• Check the protective rubber trail shield at the back of the mower for damage or tears every season. 

There’s a common childhood virus that is now targeting adults...

If you’re familiar with hand, foot and mouth disease, also called the Coxsackie virus, you probably associate it with young children... 

The original virus typically causes a blisterlike rash on the palms of the hands and feet and sores inside the mouth. Unfortunately, there’s a new strain of the virus on the prowl that is targeting adults too – Coxsackie A6. This is a nasty virus you DON’T want to get. Fevers can reach 104 – and it’s got a nasty rash that could spread over the whole body and last for a week.

In order to protect yourself and your family from the Coxsackie A6 virus – check with your doctor to see if it’s been cropping up in your area. If you know a child with the virus, or a noticeable rash, don’t be fooled into thinking you can’t get it. Avoid contact and wash your hands frequently. Also, keep in mind the virus can stay active in the body for weeks after the symptoms have gone.

Are your communication skills in sync with your partner’s? Probably not. How men and women differ in that department...

Every long-term relationship has its challenges in the communication department...

...especially when there is a man and a woman involved. Christiane Northrup, author of “Women’s Wisdom,” says men and women have very different styles with feelings and communication. She says Men compartmentalize feelings, while women remember everything. When a woman brings up an issue in a relationship, she tends to include everything that is related – and that’s a big mistake. That’s because most men find this approach overwhelming.

Dr. Northrup says women need to save the long-winded moaning sessions for their girlfriends. The best approach for a woman to take to effectively communicate with her partner is to remember that less is more. Her point will be much clearer and easier for him to digest if it’s direct and to the point.

Everyone makes mistakes – even hospitals. How to protect yourself from further injury...

We depend on hospitals to heal us when we’re sick or injured...

...but unfortunately, for thousands of people each year, hospital errors make matters worse. Dr. Peter Pronovost, senior vice president for patient safety and quality at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, has some important tips to protect yourself or a loved one entering the hospital:

• Bring a friend or family member. Your companion should help you during check-in and discharge – and visit daily, especially in the evening and on weekends and holidays.

• INSIST that anyone who touches you washes his or her hands first. 

• Make a list of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you take, including vitamins and supplements. Take multiple copies of that list and share them with doctors and pharmacists in the hospital.

Dr. Pronovost says above all else, ask questions – and keep asking until things are explained in a way you really understand. A health-care system that doesn’t address all of your concerns is a risky one.

You’ve cleaned the spam out of your inbox – but what about the bacn?

You've finally figured out how to cut down on the spam in your inbox...

...but now it’s filling up with bacn. James Siminoff, founder of unsubscribe.com, says bacn are those annoying emails that wind up in your inbox, offering free shipping or other specials from products or companies you already know or use. They’re not quite as bad as spam because they’re legitimate and you must opt IN to receive them. If you don’t recall opting in, it was probably when you gave your email address while making an in-store or online purchase somewhere.

In order to stop the bacn, you’ll need to unsubscribe. All legitimate commercial emails are required by law to include an unsubscibe link or clear instructions on how to do so. Many stores are now saying your receipt will be emailed to you. Beware, that receipt WILL come with a side of bacn. Think twice before giving that out and ask for a paper receipt instead.

If your child is in summer camp – don’t forget to tip the counselor. How much to give...

You may have paid a lot of money for that summer camp – but your child’s counselor isn't seeing much of it...  

That’s why most of them are expecting a tip – especially if your kid had a great time. So how much should you be shelling out? According to Marla Coleman, a spokeswoman for the American Camp Association, $10 a week is standard for both day and overnight camp. You might want to check the parent’s handbook distributed by the camp first. Some camps prohibit gratuity. If that’s the case, it’s nice for you or your child to send a thank-you note. The counselor will appreciate it and may even be able to use it as a reference. 

If your child is in a summer program like tennis or swimming lessons, you’re off the hook. No tip is required for a paid professional instructor, unless you feel they’ve gone above and beyond.   

Something your kid does may be turning him into a weakling!

There is one button you can push that may make your child stronger and more muscular... 

...the OFF button on the TV. A new study has established a link between TV and screen time and physical strength in kids. It’s no secret that children who watch too much TV are at risk of gaining weight – but this study focused on some specific muscles. Participants were tested for explosive leg strength. This involved measuring performance and leg power on a standing long jump. The TV kids lost about 1/3 of a centimeter in distance per hour spent watching TV per week. 

Even if your child will not be going for the gold in the long jump any time soon, let him know that the muscle lost while watching TV could not only affect performance in other sports – but could even leave them weaker in adulthood.

What's your favorite Olympic event? Here are some winners and losers...

The London list of Olympic events is pretty long...

...but the favorites haven’t changed much in 4 years. Here are the events and the top 10 in viewer popularity:

1. Gymnastics

2. Swimming

3. Track and field

4. Soccer/football

5. Basketball

6. Boxing

7. Table tennis

8. Volleyball

9. Tennis

10. Equestrian 

Rounding out the rest of the list in order of popularity are:

• Beach volleyball

• Wrestling

• Badminton

• Archery

• Triathlon

• Water polo

• Fencing

• Sailing

• Taekwondo

• Modern pentathlon

• Cycling

• Synchronized swimming

• Weightlifting

• Canoe/kayak

• Field hockey

• Judo

• Rowing

• Shooting

• Handball

Two discontinued summer Olympic events this time out are polo and tug of war.