Is your child dependent on their cell phone? Why that’s cause for alarm...

Some people seem downright addicted to their cell phones – and that can be a big problem. 

Joel Edwards, executive director of Morningside Recovery, says for people with addiction issues, the smartphone is the tool that helps exacerbate that addiction or it’s a tool they use not to deal with that addiction. That phone is a perfect storm of sorts, fueling bad habits with the three As: accessibility, affordability and anonymity.

Addictive behavior with cell phones goes beyond substance abuse. It can lure users into the world of behavioral addictions such as gaming, gambling and pornography. Children and teens who may be dealing with depression or anxiety can become dependent on their cell phone as a way of coping, which can make the problem worse and interfere with their developing important social skills.

Which shoulder do you carry your purse on? Why it matters...

If you’re right handed – carry your purse in your left hand or on your left shoulder. 

You may need that dominant hand to fend off an attacker. Gabrielle Rubin, founder of the Female Awareness self-defense course has some other important tips that every woman should think about:

1. Stay off the phone. It may feel safer to call someone on your way home, but resist the urge. Talking on the phone leaves you distracted, without peripheral vision and with only one hand free in case of an attack. 

2. Keep your bag on your less dominant shoulder. You don’t need your strong arm to grip your purse—you need it to fight off your attacker. 

3. Don’t advertise your purchases. Fancy bags, jewelry and accessories can attract the wrong kind of attention. The same goes for shopping bags. 

4. Learn how to exude confidence. Treat the sidewalk like your own personal runway. Keep your head high and your posture straight, have a good pace in your walk—owning it on the street says to an attacker that you're not someone to best messed with.

5. Use your "lion's roar." Your voice is your best weapon. If your voice has some intensity, volume, and attitude, you can use it before an attacker lays a finger on you, and it gets others involved in your defense. 

Can’t wait for vacation? Neither can your burglars.

You’ll need to do more than lock the doors when you leave on vacation – you’ll need a burglar’s mindset. 

Before you leave, walk around your home and think like a burglar. Where would you hide? How could you get in without being noticed? Can you see any expensive items through the windows? Chances are, you’ll have a little work to do. 

Trim back any bushes, especially near windows and doors. Draw the necessary curtains to obstruct the view into your house. Burglars will think twice before entering a house they can’t see into. Motion censored lights are a big deterrent, as are lights and radios on timers. If you’ll be away for more than a week, be sure to suspend the mail and have someone mow the lawn.

If your doctor offers you a free sample - ask for this instead...

If your doctor is giving away drugs for free, you might want to decline that offer. 

While it may seem like that starter pack is saving you money, it could cost you more in the long run. Pharmaceutical companies spend big bucks to compete in the marketplace and that often includes pushing the free samples. In many cases, that drug may be more expensive than a generic alternative if you wind up taking it long term. 

Also, newly-approved drugs are less likely to have the established track record that the older competition may have. Be sure to discuss all of your options and current medications with your doctor before you commit to trying a newer drug.

Boston cream, jelly or glazed? What your favorite doughnut says about your personality...

Are you more glazed – or jelly filled? 

The Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation has taken a peak at your personality according to your favorite doughnut:

• Jelly-filled: You’re a leader and tend to be at the head of the pack. Jelly doughnuts appeal to confident people with strong personalities.

• Powdered: You’re a fun-loving free spirit. That sugary dusting suggests you’re eternally a kid-at-heart.

• Boston Cream: You’re sensitive and empathetic. You know when a friend is in need and are ready to show up with some serious comfort food.

• Glazed: You’re an optimist with plenty of energy. Just like your doughnut, you shine with a positive outlook.

• Plain: You’re an idealist and maybe even a little stubborn. You’ve got high moral standards and a no-frills approach to life.

• Sprinkles: You’re an intellectual. While you may like bling on your doughnut, you’re not really the flashy type.

• Crullers: You’re deep – and multidimensional. Cruller lovers tend to be confident, complex and maybe even hard to figure out.

If you’re taking a family vacation – pack a board game.

Put down the Candy Crush and Farm Heroes – and pick up a board game. 

Family vacation is a great time to find a game everyone can play and here are some great choices:

• For little ones, Candyland and Hi Ho Cheery-O are still fun and lets parents share a bit of their own childhood with their tots.

• For ages 7 and up, Bananagrams, Yahtzee Jr. and Monopoly are good choices. They’re not too challenging and the adults won’t be bored.

• For teens, Scrabble, Clue and Sorry are some classics, while 7 Wonders, Pandemic and Code 777 are newer fun for the whole family. Ticket to Ride is another good pick for your Journey. It’s easy to learn and fun for all ages.

Where is your head right now?

If you drive a car or use a computer – you may wind up as another head case. 

Dr. Steven Weiniger, author of “Stand Tall, Live Longer,” says there is an epidemic of FHP, forward head posture, and it’s taking a toll on our bodies. We are slouching and leaning forward more than ever these days and that can trigger all sorts of health problems. The main culprits are bucket seats in cars, leaning forward toward a computer screen and looking down to text or play on our tablets and smartphones. Dr. Weiniger says every inch that your head moves forward past your spine adds 10 pounds of pressure to the neck and back, which often leads to muscle and joint pain and headaches.

Just becoming aware of your FHP can help but some exercises can loosen things up. Try doing some chin tucks a few times a day, especially if you’re at the computer. Also, try to hold your tablet or phone up at eye level when you use them to give your head and neck a break.

Where do you plan to live in your golden years? The best and worst states for that...

Would you consider retiring in Alaska? 

It’s not a bad idea. A recent study looked at the wellbeing of folks over the age of 65 and Alaskans ranked themselves as the healthiest. They used HALex measures which stands for Health and Activities Limitation and calculates quality of life. The lower the score, the more independent and better off you are.

Overall, it was determined that the Northeast and the Midwest were the best regions to retire. But a closer look state-by-state found the healthiest scores in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia. The worst scores were in Arizona, Delaware, Nevada, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Could you make a living from making YouTube videos? It’s possible.

Some people are getting rich off of YouTube. 

If you’d like to get in on some real video revenue, you’ll probably need more than a clever cat. Here are some success stories from MarketWatch:

• PewDiePie, his real name is Felix, is the top earner right now. He makes between $200,00 and $1.8 million a month! This YouTube star has more than 28 million subscribers and almost 5 billion views. What’s his secret? He plays video games for his massive teen audience, while providing cringe-worthy commentary. That’s it.

• In second place, earning up to $1 million a month is a YouTuber who goes by DisneyCollector. She demonstrates how to open and arrange sets of toys and collectibles for little kids and they LOVE her.

• The Fine Brothers are the third top YouTube earners at the moment with about 9 million subscribers. They basically show random videos to elderly people or kids and share their goofy reactions with the rest of us. Those reactions are earning the brothers a fine fortune.

The ads that YouTube places at the beginning of the videos is where all that viral revenue factors in. Go ahead and click on one of those ads if you’d like that YouTube publisher to profit.

Are you suffering from vacation envy? There’s a cure for that...

If you’re tired of seeing and hearing about everyone else’s fabulous vacations, you may need one of your own. 

Consider taking this virtual trip to cure your vacation envy:

• Pack your suitcase and be sure to leave out the most important thing.

• Drive to the airport and pretend you’re waiting for your delayed flight. Make sure to sit near crying children.

• Take public transportation home and pretend your house is a hotel. Turn off the air conditioning and call housekeeping. Then just wait.

• Before you go to bed, sprinkle some sand on your sheets. This is more effective if you get a nasty sunburn first.

• When you shower, keep the pressure low. And be sure to use travel size shampoo. You can forget the deodorant.

• Hungry? Walk or take a cab to the most expensive restaurant in town. Don’t drink the water - order some fancy drinks. 

• Every hour, light a $20 bill on fire and watch it burn.

• Don’t forget the souvenirs. Just be sure to buy something you’ll never use again.

• You’ll need a ride back to the airport now. Throw a few more twenties out the window on your way.  Put your suitcase on the baggage carousel and wait for it to go around few times.

• Once you get back home, wash everything in your suitcase.

Don’t forget to post lots of pictures of your adventure and share the vacation envy.

Higher education could leave you short sighted.

There is a reason more smart people need glasses. 

It turns out the longer you go to school, the worse your eyesight might be. A German study looked at students and their eyesight and found that the more years they studied, the worse their eyesight got. They say the likelihood of developing nearsightedness increases after high school. Experts believe this is because higher education requires more up-close work and less time spent outside. 

Do you let your kids inhale helium from a balloon? Why that’s a bad idea...

It’s a popular party trick. Inhaling helium and talking in that funny voice. 

But that trick can be dangerous and even deadly. While death from inhaling it is rare, helium is not harmless. Inhaling helium displaces oxygen from the lungs and can damage lung tissue, especially in young children. Taking helium directly from the canister is even more risky. 

It’s important to discuss the dangers of helium with children and avoid sending the wrong message by doing it yourself. Repeated inhaling over a short period of time can do some serious damage and even result in cardiac arrest. 

Lots of men are sporting beards these days. How that can affect their health...

Beards are the new black – but are they good for you? 

Men sporting beards are a definite fashion trend now and it turns out those guys may be healthier for it. That beard is like hairy sunscreen for their face and if it’s thick enough, will protect them from harmful UV rays and even slow the aging process. 

Facial hair can also help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms, as long as it’s in the form of a mustache. It’s like a natural filter that catches pollen and allergens before they set in. Hair around the chin and neck can act as a physical barrier in cold weather too, helping to stave off illness.

If you want a promotion, should you dress like your boss?

We’re supposed to dress for the job we want, not the job we have – but be careful with that. 

The career experts at Monster.com have some advice on what NOT to wear if you want a promotion:

• Don’t be a copycat. It’s good to follow your manager’s wardrobe lead, just keep it subtle. It’s too obvious if you suddenly start wearing power suits or skirts. Stick to mimicking color and overall tone.

• Don’t be too… Avoid wearing clothing that might be considered too short, too tight, too old or too flashy. Aim to blend in while looking polished and professional.

• Watch the hair and makeup – those are part of your wardrobe. Heavy makeup is a don’t and the same goes crazy haircuts or no haircut.

Should you take a break from nail polish?

Are you smothering your nails with polish? Relax – your fingernails and toenails don’t need to “breathe.” 

According to celebrity manicurist Kim D’Amato, your nails are basically already dead and don’t require oxygen. However, letting them breathe is not a bad idea. Nail do get yellow and discolored from the pigment in the polish. Leaving them naked for a few days in between manicures is a good idea to keep them looking healthy and pink. Treat them to buffing and some conditioning oil in between polishing to nourish the nail beds and cuticles which are alive.