Cell Phones and Your Health

Holding a Cell Phone Against Your Ear May Be Hazardous to Your Health

Holding a cell phone against your ear may be hazardous to your health. So may stuffing it in your pocket. According to The New York Times, every cell phone comes with a printed warning to keep it away from your body. Like the manufacturers of iPhones and BlackBerries, who say your cell should never be closer than about one inch, but judging by the number of people with their phone glued to their ear, nobody notices the warnings.
The International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry insists that all FCC-approved phones are perfectly safe, but Dr. Henry Lai is a professor of bioengineering at the University of Washington. He points out that radiation from cell phones is the same radiation that heats food in a microwave.
The largest study of cell phone use and brain cancer was conducted in 13 developed countries – including Israel, France, Sweden and Finland. The result: People who were cell phone users for more than 10 years doubled their risk of developing a type of malignant brain tumor, and heavy users quadrupled their risk of benign tumors. Even worse, 10 years ago, most people didn’t even have a cell phone. Today – people talk on a cell an average of 12 hours a month – which makes all of us heavy users, and raises our risk for cancer. Children are more vulnerable. Radiation reaches much deeper into the brains of children because their skulls are eight times thinner than an adult’s. Their brains also contain more fluid – making them absorb radiation more easily. So, how can you protect yourself and your family?
- Keep your phone away from your head or body, and used the phone’s speaker, or a wired headset.
- Also, since most radiation comes out of the back of your phone, keep the keypad toward you if it’s in your pocket or handbag.
- Finally, children under age 16 should text instead of calling, and pregnant women should keep their cell phone away from their abdomen.

Common Household Items You Need to Recycle

From Yahoo Green:

Should you trash it or recycle? Beware! It’s illegal to toss some items because they can harm the environment. So, here’s a list of common household items that need special treatment – and where to dispose of them.

- First, batteries and electronics must be recycled. That's because they contain toxic metals and other pollutants. In fact, throwing away rechargeable batteries – including car batteries - is illegal in 41 states. Retailers like Staples, Best Buy and Radio Shack will take them back for free. They’ll also usually take old computers, cameras, televisions, and cell phones – but charge fees depending on the brand.

- You also need to recycle oil-based paint, which can be taken to your local household hazardous waste center. You can use latex paint as primer. Or donate it to a charity like Habitat for Humanity, or a school theatre group. If it’s completely dried up, you can just toss the can.

- Florescent bulbs should be recycled because they contain tiny amounts of mercury that can leak out if broken. Any Home Depot or Ikea will recycle them for free. If you absolutely have no way to recycle, the EPA suggests sealing the light bulbs in two plastic bags before tossing them in the trash.

- Aerosol cans should also be recycled in your curbside bins, because pressurized cans sent to a landfill can explode in a fire.

- Finally, don’t flush bacon grease or cooking oils down the sink, because it can clog up your pipes and back up sewer systems even if you use hot water. Your best bet: Absorb the grease in shredded paper or kitty litter before tossing it in the trash. Or pour bacon grease in a coffee can and toss it once it solidifies.

If you’d like to go further, visit EPA.gov, and click the section for Household Hazardous Waste.

Perception of Time Can Increase Stress

By Selena Chavis:

In the driven U.S. social scene of full-time jobs, after-school children’s activities, volunteer obligations and just managing the day-to-day, many find that they are under increased stress.
Research conducted by a faculty member at New Jersey-based Rowan University suggests that the way people perceive time can either increase or decrease that stress.
Dr. Tejinder Billing, assistant professor of management in the Rohrer College of Business has studied the correlation between stress, time and work-family conflict in three different countries: the U.S., her native India and Venezuela.
Through her research, she has determined that while objective workload may represent a certain reality, the perception of that workload by an individual is more important.
“Individuals have a threshold level for workload, beyond which work is perceived as overload. When an individual’s workload exceeds the optimal level that he or she is comfortable with on a daily basis in the work situation, then psychological strain is the likely outcome,” she said
A silent variable in this equation of work and perception of work, according to Billing, is time.
“The essence of work overload is to do too much work in given amount of ‘time.’ Although we all continually refer to time, we quite easily forget about it when reflecting on stressful events,” she said.
Billings’ studies into time and workload commenced while she was studying at the University of Memphis and realized that people in the U.S. are “driven by the clock.”
“I actually didn’t find one single room in my school that didn’t have a clock. In India, clocks are not of such importance,” she noted, adding that cultural differences and attitudes toward time affect the way people manage time and deal with stress.
While Latin American and Asian cultures view time as an abundant resource, their Western counterparts are much more sensitive to the boundaries of time, Billings said, adding that people need to be aware of these differences when dealing with other cultures.
“If I’m not sensitive toward time like in Western countries, I can be in trouble when everyone is sensitive,” Billing said. “If I’m time-driven and you’re taking me to Latin America where perception of time is abundant, I’ll be stressed out.”
Billings said that people in the U.S. who put high emphasis on planning are better able to deal with work overload than those who do not emphasize planning and scheduling of activities in both their work and non-work lives.
In both the Indian and Venezuelan cultures, though, planning did not produce the same positive impact, which points to impact of perception of time across cultures.
Billings suggested that a key finding of the research is that people in the U.S. can manage and reduce stress more effectively by planning. “For individuals who emphasize planning and scheduling, the strength of the relationship between stressors and psychological strain is weaker than for individuals who do not emphasize planning and scheduling,” she said.
Research indicates that other factors influence our perception of time such as whether we were brought up to do things in sequential order or multi-task.
“We all have different attitudes toward time. We have different senses of time. And as a result we perceive and use time differently,” Billings noted.
One concept about time and perception rang true for all three cultures. Research revealed that people in the United States, India and Venezuela all feel stress when they perceive themselves as having too much work and too little time in which to get it done.
The differences are revealed in how they experience stress.

Birth Order and Personality

Experts tell NBC News that their place in the household is intertwined with everything - from their hobbies to their grades to how much money they’ll make as an adult. For example: The firstborn is used to being the center of attention because they had their parents all to themselves until a younger sibling came along. In fact, researchers say firstborns get 3,000 more hours of quality time with their parents than later-born kids. Firstborn children also tend to be overachievers, score higher on IQ tests, get more education, and are more likely to make six-figure salaries. However, all that success comes with a price. Firstborns tend to be inflexible, they don’t like change, and can be downright bossy because they’re given a lot of responsibility at home. They also have an intense fear of failure. So for some, nothing they accomplish feels good. Dr. Kevin Lerman is the author of “The Birth Order Book.” He says it’s important to let your firstborn know it’s okay if they don’t succeed at everything.

Next in the birth order: middle children. Middle kids go-with-the-flow and constantly negotiate and compromise in order to “fit in.” Since “mid-kids” get less attention at home and can feel left out, they form stronger bonds with friends. The fix: Occasionally put your middle child in the spotlight by letting them pick where to eat out or what movie to see, so that they get to feel in control of the family from time to time.

Finally, there’s the baby of the family. Experts say the baby generally isn’t the strongest or the smartest kid, but they find ways of getting attention. They’re natural charmers with an outgoing personality, and take a lot more physical risks when they play. Since their parents have already gone through older children learning to walk, talk, read and ride a bike, last-borns can feel that nothing they do is important. Experts say treat the youngest like they’re just as special as their siblings, and expect them to follow the same rules, too.

Would You Buy a Haunted House?

For more and more people, the answer is “yes.” According to AOL News, there are even paranormal real estate websites. They list the number of bedrooms and bathrooms a house has, and any suspicious paranormal activity, like drawers opening, or lights turning on and off by themselves. Prospective owners aren’t buying so-called haunted houses for a thrill. They’re doing it to cash in on creepy, like one woman mentioned in the article, who’s making a killing on her house in Minnesota. She’s written two books about how people who spend the night at her house wake up feeling like they’re floating. The buzz from the books has transformed her home into a tourist attraction. Throngs of haunted-house fans show up, wanting to be scared or see a ghost. In fact, the demand was so huge, she created a haunted tea party business at her home.
Two brothers bought a Michigan inn rumored to be the site of unexplained occurrences. Instead of trying to keep its spooky past a secret, to avoid scaring potential guests, they embraced the fright factor. They proudly play up the legend of the ghost in the inn’s restaurant. Of course, there’s no law that requires sellers to disclose to potential buyers that the house has a reputation for bizarre behavior. However, a growing number of buyers are interested in knowing whether a house has paranormal activity. So, the real estate industry may have to create what they’re nicknaming a “Casper clause” to disclose any funny business.
In this scary economy, people are getting more creative to make a buck, and could be pretending a house is haunted to raise its saleability. However, if you’re in an old house and you hear strange noises, it’s probably not a sign that it’s haunted, just a sign you need a handyman

Beware of The New "Places" Tool on Facebook

If you’ve got Facebook on your cell phone, beware: The new “Places” tool is getting a lot of heat. It allows you to “check in” wherever you are through your phone’s GPS, and a map of your exact location appears on your page. All your friends get an update about it too. We’ve already told you the downside of GPS-based location apps. For example, if you use Facebook Places, everybody knows where you are at any given moment. So let’s say this pops up on your Facebook page: “John is at Kohls on First Street” – Now your stalker knows where to find you, and thieves who are following you on Facebook know you’re not home. In fact, they also know how far away from home you are – so they know how long they have to break into your house and get away.
Another downside of the Places feature? You don’t have all the control! Your Facebook friends can also check you into places without your permission! So say your ex has an axe to grind, they could check you in at the movies when you’re supposed to be working. Do your kids have Facebook on their cell phones? Watch out. They could be broadcasting their whereabouts so everyone knows where to find them, including predators.
These aren’t the only problems with the “Places” tool: One of the places you can “check in” to is your own home. If you do that, everybody now has your home address and a map of how to get to it. If you’re on Facebook and don’t want people to know the “Places” you go, you can disable the option

Great Questions to Ask in an Interview

From: U.S. News & World Report

Here’s the scenario: You’re interviewing for your dream job. The interviewer likes you, and you’re shining like the star you are. Then they ask, ‘Do you have any questions?’ You say no. Stop right there! Even if you’ve done your homework, and know all the answers to all your questions, you’ve got to ask something. It makes you look like you’re interested in the position. So what should you ask? Here are some great end-of-interview questions:

Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position? If your interviewer seems nervous about what you might ask, questions about something specific are a good way to get the ball rolling. Plus, you want to know what your day-to-day work life will be like.

Could you talk about the history of this position? What you’re trying to find out is how long the position has existed, how many people have held it, and what happened to the last person who held the job. If they’ve been through six people in a year, that’s a red flag that there’s something wrong.

Another great job interview question to ask: ‘In what area could your team use some improvement?’ That gives you the chance to talk more about how your skills could help with that improvement.

Also ask: What are the prospects for advancement? This question makes you sound ambitious, and makes you look like a person who looks at the big picture.

Try asking, ‘Who are the most successful people in this company and why?’ That way, you’ll find out about the company’s values and culture, and how the powers-that-be measure success.

The final job interview question to ask, ‘Do you have any reservations about me or my ability to perform this job?’ It’s a gutsy move, but consider it. Not only does it earn you points for courage, you’ll be able to squash any negative impression they may have.

Signs You Have an Anger Issue

From CBS News:

We all get annoyed if someone cuts in line in front of us, but there’s a difference between an occasional outburst and being an angry person. Here are four signs you have an anger issue:

Anger issue #1: Getting mad at the little things – like having to wait for an elevator. Dr. Redford Williams is a psychology professor at Duke University and author of the book, “In Control” and he says anger can have a positive effect – and urge us to take action. In fact, without anger, Rosa Parks would have sat in the back of the bus. Racial discrimination is a big issue. When someone gets angry at the little things they can’t control, that’s a problem.

The next anger issue: Interrupting. Angry people tend to be impatient, and have trouble letting others finish what they’re saying. Even when they let someone talk, they might only be pretending to listen.

Then there’s complaining: Dr. Williams says people who spend a lot of time ranting about politics, sports, the PTA, or the shortcomings of other people often have anger management problems.

Another sign of anger management issues: Being easily offended. Comments that others might laugh off can get under the skin of someone who’s on the edge of anger. They’re often waiting for others to mess up so they can pounce.

The final sign of anger management issues: Getting red in the face. Emotional heat can make your face red – just like hot temperatures you can measure on a thermometer. Anger can also cause labored breathing, fidgeting, and pacing back and forth, as well as serious health problems like high blood pressure and a higher risk for stroke, heart attack, and ulcers – because an angry body releases chemicals that reduce blood flow to the gut.

If any of these qualities describe you or a loved one, you can find help at the site Anger-management-Resources.org.

Lose Weight for Summer

(HealthCastle.com) All winter and spring you've been hiding under your layers. But now the first beacon of summer - Memorial Day - has passed, and summer is officially in full swing. It's time to finally shed your layers for warmer weather! If your diet hasn't been up to par and you're worried about shimmying into a swimsuit, don't despair… there's plenty of time to lose weight the healthy way and shed your cover-up with confidence.
Eight Ways to Kick-Start your Diet Back and Get Back on Track to Lose Weight for Summer

* Start now.
Don't wait for next week, Monday, or even tomorrow. Finish this article and set out to make positive changes right away. Setting up a “start date” can backfire, since many people overeat in anticipation of cutting back for an upcoming diet. The trouble is, too many false starts and “last treats” can add up to hundreds of extra calories, not to mention lots of frustration. Remember, dieting isn't about ditching all of the things you love to eat - it just means eating less of them and replacing the balance with healthy foods.

* Set some goals.
Most people wouldn't set out for a big adventure without a map, directions, or even hotel reservations. So don't set out on a diet without simple goals; they are your roadmap to losing weight with success. Jotting down a few realistic expectations can give you something to aim at. Want to wear a swimsuit to a party you know is coming up later in the summer? Do you have an upcoming vacation planned, and you'd like to feel confident lounging on the beach? Make a diet road map and get going!

* Plan for a healthy breakfast.
Choose a doughnut, and you're more likely to continue to choose less-than-healthy picks throughout the day. Choose a healthy breakfast that gives you an energy boost from whole grains or fruit-based carbohydrates, plus protein to sustain you, and you'll set in motion a day of better choices. Your breakfast does not have to be time consuming or fancy - cereal and milk with fruit or a whole grain English muffin with 2% cheese and an apple are perfect.

* Stay hydrated.
Sometimes it's easy to confuse hunger for thirst; staying properly hydrated can be a big diet help. In fact, a 2005 University of North Carolina study found that people who drank about 6½ cups of water ate nearly 200 less calories throughout the day - not to mention the fact that your body requires water to work well (which includes burning calories). When your body is working the way it should, it's easier to find the motivation for exercising, cooking, and eating right.

* Use a hunger scale.
If you're not eating mindfully, it can tough to figure out why you are eating; are you hungry, stressed, sad, or bored? Try picturing a scale where 10 means you're ravenously hungry and 1 means you're not hungry at all. Before you eat, think of the scale and consider where you are on it, then match that assessment to how much you will eat. For example, if your hunger is at "1," you really don't need to eat - but perhaps need another diversion like taking a walk or responding to a few friendly emails. And while you're eating, keeping a hunger scale in mind will help you stop eating before you are over-stuffed.

* Set up your kitchen for success.
If you find that, say, a package of Oreos tempts you into eating too many, get rid of them! It's OK to have a splurge every now and then, even when you are trying to lose weight. But sometimes it's just easier to have a single splurge, like going to the ice cream shop and enjoying a cone, rather than buying a carton of ice cream to keep (and tempt you) at home.

* Try a new recipe.
Sometimes it's easy to feel unmotivated to make a change to your diet if you are tired of eating the same old foods. So, try a new recipe using healthy ingredients. Take a trip to the store (or better yet, the farmers' market) to inspire a culinary creation out of some of the beautiful, fresh, and super-nutritious produce finds that are ripe and delicious this time of year.

* Keep a food journal.
Those bites, licks, and tastes can really add up to big calories! Make this your mantra: if you bite it, write it. You may be surprised at where you are taking in extra calories that are keeping your weight loss efforts from taking off. Plus, a journal makes it easier to find times during the day that you can pinpoint stress eating or overeating; you can then use the journal as a tool to devise a solution to diet-destroying eating patterns.

- The Bottom Line
Commit to making some healthy changes now! Most importantly, find the combination of motivators that gets you started and keeps you going. Make this your summer to lose weight for good!

Here Are Some Handy Uses For Vinegar

If you need to unclog a drain or deodorize your shoes, grab the vinegar! You've heard that before on this show. Well, here are some handy uses for vinegar that you probably HAVEN'T heard so pay attention! We found these in Real Simple magazine.

* Use it to treat oily hair. Vinegar is a good degreaser for oily hair because it helps adjust pH levels. Just shampoo and rinse as usual. Then pour a quarter cup of vinegar on your hair and rinse it again.

* Removing stubborn price tags or stickers. Cover them with several coats of vinegar, let the liquid soak in for 5 minutes, then wipe away the residue.

* Use vinegar to remove coffee or tea stains from the bottom of a cup. Just swish 2 tablespoons around in the cup and wash as usual.

* Making wool sweaters fluffier. Drop in a couple of capfuls of vinegar during the rinse cycle for an extra-soft feel.

* Vinegar will kill weeds between cracks in paving stones and sidewalks. Just fill a spray bottle with straight vinegar and spray a few times. But don't get it on the grass because it'll kill that, too.

* You can use it to deodorize your garbage disposal. Make some vinegar ice cubes and put them down the disposal. After you grind them up, run cold water through the drain. You're disposal will be smelling as good as it did the day it was made.

What's Normal Human Body Temperature?

What’s normal human body temperature? 98.6 Fahrenheit, right? Well, not exactly! According to The Week magazine, for most adults, normal body temperature is actually half a degree cooler. 98.1. So, how come the wrong temperature was established as the standard? Well, back in the mid-19th century, German doctor Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich decided to establish the norm for human body temperature. He acquired a new-fangled invention – the mercury thermometer – a 1-foot long glass tube that was held under the armpit for 11 minutes to get a reading. He took the temperature of 25,000 people at different times of day. He discovered that temperature differed from person to person. For everyone, it was lowest in the morning, and highest in the afternoon as activity and metabolism picked up. The range: between 97.2 and 100.4 degrees.

Once he had all the numbers, he had to calculate the “average” of over 1 million readings by hand – since the calculator had not yet been invented. He came up with the now-familiar average of 98.6. More recent studies discovered that not only is average human body temperature lower than that, it’s also different for different groups of people. For example, it’s slightly higher in women than men. Slightly higher in blacks than whites. Slightly higher in children than adults. On the flip side, body temperature is slightly lower in senior citizens. The overall average is 98.1 degrees. Of course, scientists were puzzled about how Dr. Wunderlich came up with 98.6. So, they examined his only thermometer. The result? The thermometer was calibrated incorrectly – so all of his readings AND his results were false.

Five Hidden Dangers of Using Facebook

Facebook is not very safe. That’s the opinion of Joan Goodchild, the senior editor of CSO Online – which stands for Chief Security Officer. She told CBS News there are five hidden dangers of Facebook:

* First, they’re sharing your information with third parties, like advertisers. Facebook can make money gathering as much info about you as possible, and then use it to attract advertisers. Goodchild says the more personal info you give out, the more money Facebook can take in.

* The second hidden danger of Facebook involves your privacy settings. Every time Facebook redesigns its website, your privacy settings revert to an unsafe default mode - essentially making all your info public. These redesigns happen about twice a year, and Facebook does not always notify you when they make changes. So periodically click on the Privacy Settings button and make sure yours are what you think they are.

* The third hidden danger of Facebook: Beware of clicking on those ads on the side of the page. Some contain malicious software. One of these so-called “malware” ads told Facebook users to download anti-virus software, but it was really a virus. Stay safe and ignore the ads!

* This next hidden danger of Facebook involves your friends - even your real-life friends. They can unknowingly make you vulnerable on Facebook. Let’s say their profile was hacked. The scammer can use their account or email address to send you malware. One of the most popular scams is called the “419 scam.” With the 419 scam you’ll get a message that says, “Help. I was mugged. I’m hurt. Please send money.” You think it’s a legitimate message from a friend, but it’s really a lie to get your cash.

* The fifth hidden danger of Facebook: fake profiles created by scammers. In fact, a recent study found that 40 percent of all Facebook profiles are fake, set up by imposters. If you have hundreds of Facebook friends, do you really know them all? Do you trust every one of them with your personal info or letting them know you’re out of town – or even out to eat? Probably not. So take your home address, phone number, last name, birth year and phone number off your profile NOW. Unless you have a burglar alarm and it’s activated, don’t tell anyone, “Hey, I’m off to the grocery store.” By the time you get back, you could have been robbed.

The Top Germ Magnets Lurking Inside Your Hotel Room

Have you heard? Travel experts have announced that the era of “stay-cations” is over, as people begin to book real summer vacations again! If your travel plans include staying in a hotel, we want to remind you that most hotel rooms aren’t as clean as you think. So, here’s a refresher course on some of the hidden germs lurking in hotel rooms, according to the Web site Smarter Travel .com:

* Germ magnet #1: The Alarm clock. Just think of how many guests set that alarm with their dirty, sweaty hands. That’s why our expert recommends using an antibacterial wipe on all high traffic areas in the room - including doorknobs, light switches, dresser handles, and the telephone!

* Another hotel germ magnet: The bed. No matter how clean the bedspread looks, it’s one of the least washed linens in any hotel room. So, take it off and toss it on the floor before you ever plop down on the bed. Then, take a close look at the headboard, sheets and mattress. If you see any small black or red specs, beware: Those are common signs of bed bugs.

* Another place germs hide in hotel rooms: Drinking glasses. Unless each glass is individually wrapped in plastic, you should never use them. That’s because cleaning crews often wash those glasses with the same chemicals they use to clean the toilet!

Know this – just because a hotel room is expensive, doesn’t mean it’s clean. ABC News asked microbiologist Charles Gerba to test $500 a night hotel rooms. He swabbed nine items in each – from the irons, to sinks, toilets, and drinking glasses. What did he find? One three-star hotel turned up fecal coliform and MRSA, a serious germ known to cause severe skin infections. One place hotel guests may not think about when it comes to germs is the room-service menu, but at one swanky five-star hotel, the experiment uncovered high levels of bacteria on the menu. One last surprising hotel germ hotspot? The hair dryer! In almost every case, Gerba found it had far more germs on it than the hotel toilet seat.

Modern Etiquette 101

It’s time for another lesson in Modern Etiquette 101. I’ll share the answers to etiquette questions from several experts interviewed by Condé Nast Publishing.

* Is it ever okay to break up with someone via email? Sure, if you’ve had only a few dates – or if they’re really creepy. That’s according to Michelle Fiordaliso, psychotherapist and coauthor of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Ex. If you’ve dated for more than a month, find your inner backbone and call them to say goodbye. Better yet, break up in person.

* Do you have to RVSP to an eVite? Yes! It’s common courtesy to RSVP to every invitation. That’s according to Stacey Platt, lifestyle management expert and author of What’s a Disorganized Person to Do? She says there’s nothing more depressing than having to call your guests to ask whether they’re coming to your party, especially if it’s a wedding. So, spare them the aggravation - and RSVP.

* A friend constantly overloads your email inbox with jokes and chain letters. How can you get them to stop without being rude? The most painless, tactful solution is to ignore and delete. That’s from Will Schwalbe, coauthor of Send: Why People E-mail So Badly and How to Do It Better. He says that if they ever ask whether you received their emails, blame it on your spam filter – and explain how swamped your inbox is.

* Also: Is it ever okay to write texts or emails on your phone in public? Schwalbe suggests following what he calls the “Crossword Puzzle Rule.” In other words, ask yourself, “Would I pull out a crossword puzzle right now?” If you wouldn’t work on a crossword during a work meeting, at dinner with a friend, or in the grocery store checkout line – don’t type on your phone then, either.

* Is it okay to use Blind Carbon Copy on an email? Yes – but only when you’re sending a group email, and don’t want everyone getting everyone else’s address. Otherwise, using BCC can seem sneaky. If your BCC recipient hits “Reply All,” everybody’s going to know that you used it.

Facts About The Male Brain

Ladies, know this: behind your man’s tough exterior is a sensitive, emotional guy. According to neuro-psychiatrist Dr. Louann Brizendine, most of what we think about the way men are wired simply isn’t true. So, here are the facts about how guys really think, from her book The Male Brain:
First: Men are more vulnerable to loneliness. Being lonely is bad for everyone, but it takes a bigger toll on the social circuits in a man’s brain. Male loners perceive everything as a threat, and that means they have higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of alcoholism and depression.
The 2nd thing every woman should now about the male brain: We’re focused on solutions. Most guys know that when their wife or girlfriend is telling them about a problem, they should just listen and not offer suggestions. Brizendine says that men just can’t help it. The part of our brains responsible for feeling empathy does respond when you share a problem. Then the problem-solving region takes over, and we go into “fix-it” mode.
Man fact #3: Being a dad makes the male brain better. Fathers-to-be go through hormone changes just like expectant mothers. Their testosterone levels decrease while levels of bonding hormones like prolactin and oxytocin go up. That’s a good thing for our kids. When dads play with their children, it helps kids learn, increases their confidence, and prepares them for the real world.
Here’s one last fact about the male brain: Men are more emotional than women! As infants, the emotional centers of a boy’s brain are more active than a girl’s. MRI research shows that this remains true into adulthood. Guys just seem like they’re less emotional because they learn to hide their feelings as they grow up.
Want to learn more? Check out The Male Brain by Louann Brizendine.

3D TVs Can Cause Health Issues

If you’re planning on getting one of those new 3D TVs, make sure you read the warning label! If you’re pregnant, drunk, or tired, watching 3D TV could cause health issues. If you’re at risk for strokes or epileptic seizures, you’ll need to consult your doctor before watching a 3D TV. We read about this on CNN.com. Even if you’re not in one of those health categories, you could still be at risk. Apparently viewing 3D TV can cause motion sickness, nausea, disorientation, and eyestrain – among other things! The effects are so intense for some people that the manufacturers recommend not putting the TV next to open stairwells, cables, balconies, or other objects that can be tripped over, run into, knocked down, broken, or fallen over.
Here’s why it’s a problem for some people: a 3D image creates the illusion of depth when the brain fuses two, slightly different images projected on a screen. Experts call it ‘sensory conflict’ because it creates confusion and makes the brain think it’s been poisoned. That may sound far-fetched, but experts say that when we get poisoned, our bodies are triggered to throw up to get rid of what’s making us sick. While the 3D technology isn’t literally poisoning us, the sensory conflict can cause our brains to react by telling us to throw up.
Some people can’t do the 3D thing because they have problems related to the vestibular system. That’s the network of nerves, fluids, and ear canals that connect to the brain and help keep us balanced and oriented. Diseases like multiple sclerosis and inner ear conditions can contribute to vestibular disorders, and close to half of adults over the age of 40 suffer from them! The 3D experience isn’t just a problem for middle-aged people. Some younger folks are affected, too. They could be ‘stereoblind,’ which means that they don’t see properly out of both eyes. Or they may simply feel motion sickness from the 3D experience.
So what should you do if you’ve already bought a 3D TV or you’re planning to buy one? When watching, take frequent breaks. If you do feel sick, stop watching and don’t try to watch again until at least 30 minutes after your symptoms have subsided.

Hidden Causes of Fatigue

From Rodale Publishing:

Ever have a day when you feel exhausted for no reason? Well, there are a few hidden causes of fatigue that can sap your energy. Here are the facts:

The first hidden cause of fatigue: Fear and loathing. When you’re anxious, you tense your muscles, which tires you out just as if you were chopping wood. Psychologist Timothy Smith points out that fear also makes you hold your breath, and oxygen deprivation makes you tired, too. The fix: Try this visualization exercise from the University of Utah: Simply visualize yourself someplace restful, like on a beach, a sailboat, or a trek through the woods. Studies show that “vacation visualization” refocuses your attention, and reduces tension and fatigue.

Hidden fatigue cause #2: Noisy co-workers. Researchers studied workers in a noisy textile mill. For one week, employees wore earplugs – the next week, they went without. The result: Workers without ear protection had much higher levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. They were also more cranky and tired. The fix: Ask your co-workers to turn down their phone ringers, and take the chit-chat to the break room. Then, shut your door, if you have one. Or get yourself some earplugs.

One final hidden cause of fatigue: Depressing colors. Color affects mood, and surrounding yourself with nothing but somber colors can make you fatigued and depressed. For example, when officials repainted London’s black bridges with blue paint, bridge-related suicides dropped by half! That’s because blue triggers the production of a brain chemical that helps you relax. However, you don’t want to be too relaxed at work. So the Pantone Color Institute suggests adding warm colors to your surroundings, like yellow, orange, and red, which increase energy. Sure, it sounds like interior-decorator babble, but hard science backs it up. We’re programmed to respond to red; it automatically raises your blood pressure, and increases your pulse rate – which fights fatigue.

Four Things You Should Leave Off Your Resume

If you’re looking for a new job, let this sink in before you send out another resume: Less is more. According CareerBuilder.com’s Rachel Zupek, employers don’t have the time or the patience to sift through information on your resume that has nothing to do with the job. So, here are four things to leave off your resume, and why:
Your picture. Unless a job posting specifically asks for your picture - and very few will - don’t include it. Not only are your looks irrelevant to your potential as an employee, but you’re putting employers in a bad spot. If they have your picture and choose not to hire you, it’s possible that you could come back with a discrimination lawsuit. So in most cases, they’ll throw your resume away without looking at it, to avoid the issue altogether.
Next:Leave off your interests and hobbies.Telling employers that you love to skydive when you’re applying for a restaurant job is pointless. Unless your hobbies have something specific to do with the job you’re applying for, Zupek says wait until the interview to mention them, when you’re asked what you like to do outside of work.
Also: Ditch the “objective”: Employers are trying to determine whether you’re a good fit for their company, so everything on your resume should point to your experience - not what you “want” from them. Having an objective statement that says “My goal is to gain experience in such-and-such.” is all about you, not what you can do for them.
One last thing to leave off your resume: References! Many job seekers include references on their resume, or a line that says, “References available upon request.” However, this tactic isn’t as effective as it used to be. Jack Harsh is a professor at the University of Richmond School of Business. He says that when he receives a resume with references attached, he doesn’t give them much weight, because they’re not usually specific to the position he wants to fill. So, unless your references are impressive and accomplished people within the field you’re applying for, wait to mention them until you’re asked.

9 Surprising Symptoms of Stress

When was the last time you went through a period of stress? Can you remember the way your body reacted? Chances are you didn't feel quite like yourself. Health experts say that stress can come with some pretty surprising symptoms-from forgetfulness to nausea to skin rashes. Is your body sending you an S.O.S. that you shouldn't ignore? Read on to find out if stress is taking a toll on you-and what you can do to reverse the effects.

1. Tweaked Muscles
The pain in your neck that you attributed to long hours at the computer could actually be a symptom of stress. "Stress definitely affects our musculoskeletal system, resulting in tight, contracting muscles and/or spasms in muscles," explains Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, MS, PT, a psychologist and physical therapist in Wexford, Pennsylvania, and author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. "It gets us ready for fight-or-flight, although unlike our cavewomen ancestors, we don't actually need our bodies to react like this." If you're experiencing what you believe to be stress-related muscle symptoms, try this exercise: Take 5 to 10 deep breaths and focus on relaxing the tense area of your body, says Dr. Lombardo. For the neck, try gentle neck rolls or enlist your husband to give you a quick shoulder rub.

2. Eye Twitching
Have you ever had an eye twitch? The often temporary condition can be annoying and worrisome, and for some, can be triggered by stress. "This condition is known as blepharospasm," explains Debbie Mandel, MA, a stress and wellness expert and author of Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7-Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life. "Closing your eyes and visualizing your happiest place on earth will help." Also, avoid stress-related eye issues by giving your peepers a break now and then. "If your eyes get stressed from detailed work at the computer, 'stretch' them every 20 minutes by looking out the window at a larger landscape," suggests Mandel. "If you have no view, close your eyes and imagine a panorama."

3. Ragged Cuticles
Do you have ragged, unkempt cuticles or nails? Their condition could be the result of a stress-induced nervous habit. "Nervous habits like nail-biting are how we channel our stress by distracting ourselves with what is known as oral satisfaction," says Mandel, adding that picking nails and cuticles is also a common way for women to deal with feelings of stress and anxiety. If you take stress out on your hands, consider keeping a stress ball in your desk drawer-something you can squeeze or knead when on the phone with a difficult client, for instance. This helps "squeeze the stress out of your body," says Mandel.

4. Cavities
We all know that slacking off on dental hygiene is the first way to get cavities, but stress can also be a culprit, say experts, especially when you're grinding your teeth at night or during the day. Mandel explains teeth grinding, which many women do, as "chewing over the day's stressors." The problem, however, is that this bad habit can erode dental work, damaging your teeth and making them more susceptible to cavities. Mandel suggests redirecting your anxiety to pen and paper. "Set aside time to write down your problems to see them objectively in black and white, and then jot down some solutions," she says. But, she adds, "If teeth grinding is severe, see a dentist about getting a mouth guard."

5. Rashes
It sounds strange, but your skin can be a pretty good barometer of your stress level. "Stress can cause a rash, usually raised red spots or hives on the stomach, back, arms and face," notes Dr. Lombardo. "While we don't know why it occurs, some experts believe that it has to do with the adverse effects of stress on the immune system-histamine is released, causing these itchy bumps." Deep breathing may keep rashes at bay, or from developing in the first place. So, next time you feel your stress level rising, place your hand right above your belly button. "Every time you inhale, you want your hand to rise; with each exhale, it lowers. Take 5 to 10 deep breaths periodically throughout the day."

6. Nausea
Have you ever been worried about a loved one's (or your own) health condition, Googled it and suddenly felt nauseated? "Stress can upset the stomach, and nausea can be a byproduct of worry," says Mandel, who warns against playing "Google MD." Worrying about your health or a loved one's is normal, but obsessing about it is unhealthy. If your anxiety is causing nausea, try this trick that Mandel swears by: Let tepid water run over your fingers; it's believed to keep nausea at bay.

7. Sleepiness
Feeling sluggish? It could be stress. "Stress hormones cause your body to surge with adrenaline and then crash into sleepiness," says Mandel. "Stress will also ruin the quality of your sleep, so you wake up tired and irritable." What to do? Go to bed earlier, says Mandel, or catch a 30-minute nap midday, and don't feel guilty about doing so. "There is great productivity in rest," she says. "You come back more focused!"

8. Forgetfulness
Ask any woman who is trying to do it all and she'll admit to a few slip-ups in the memory department (forgotten appointments, lost keys, missing cell phone-ring a bell?). "Research shows that chronic stress can literally shrink the size of the hippocampus, which is responsible for some memories," says Dr. Lombardo. "Luckily, its size will go back to normal once your stress level reduces." Want to keep your brain functioning at an optimal level? Combat the first signs of stress with exercise, she says: "Go for a walk, run up a flight of stairs or dance around to the newest Black Eyed Peas tune." Exercise, she adds, keeps your brain sharp and may even help you be more prepared for future stressful moments.

9. Confusion
You can't decide what to make for dinner, what to wear to work or which exit to take off the freeway. Stress causes distraction and lack of focus, says Mandel. "Stress hormones lodge longest in the brain," she says. To restore focus, take a walk, she says. "Move the stress out of your body by exercising large muscle groups like the legs. You will gain clarity. Walk out in the light and you'll reset your natural rhythm while you move out the stress. Sunlight helps the body release serotonin to improve mood, and vitamin D helps you improve your immune system-a great perk."

Four Things Restaurant Workers Wish You'd Do

From StarChef.com:
A lot of our listeners earn a living by working in a restaurant. Following these tips won’t just make your waiter happy, they’ll improve your dining experience and assure that you get great service.

The first thing waiters and waitresses wish their customers would do is: Smile and make eye contact. Besides being polite, it’s a lot easier for a server to understand you when you’re looking at them and speaking clearly.

Show up on time. Jay Remer Jr. has 40 years of experience in international protocol and corporate etiquette. He says that if you’re going to be more than 15 minutes late for a reservation, you need to call. You should also inform the maitre d’ in advance if you have a food allergy or want to bring in something special, like a birthday cake.

The 3rd thing restaurant workers wish you’d do: Turn of your cell phone. According to a recent survey done by the online wireless retailer LetsTalk, two out of three people think it’s rude to use a cell phone at a restaurant. However, only one out of three actually turns theirs off! Using your cell phone at the table is not only disruptive to those around you, but disrespectful to your dinner guests.

Let’s finish with a discussion on tipping. A lot of people forget that the wait staff doesn’t have total control over your dining experience. That’s why Michael Lynn, a professor at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration, thinks that restaurants should impose a service charge of 15 to 20 percent. That way, customers would be more likely to speak up when something’s wrong – which gives the restaurant a chance to make it right. After all, if you’re unhappy about some part of your meal, bringing it to the manager’s attention will do more to improve your experience than leaving your waiter a bad tip.

900 Million People Don't Have Access to Clean Drinking Water

Clean drinking water - we take it for granted. According to the researchers at Condé Nast Publications, there are 900-million people in the world who don’t have access to clean drinking water, and every year, more children die from water-related diseases than from AIDS and malaria combined. Here are the facts you should know, and how you can help.

Dirty water is responsible for an estimated 80% of diseases in developing countries.

Also, a lack of clean water can keep girls out of school. In some cultures, women are solely responsible for fetching water. Girls can spend up to eight hours a day doing this, leaving hardly any time for an education. Gary White is the co-founder of Water.org, an organization fighting to provide safe drinking water and proper sanitation to needy areas. He says that if you bring safe water to a village, girls can stay in school, and women can spend their time farming or starting a business that can lift their community out of poverty.

Poor sanitation puts women at risk for violence. In many rural regions, for modesty’s sake, women walk to remote areas to relieve themselves. However, in places such as Ethiopia, there have been reports of women being attacked while doing this. If there was plumbing and clean water, bathrooms could be built so the women wouldn’t have to leave the village.

Now, if you want to help, here are some options. A $30 donation to Water-Aid America can provide toilets at school to help girls get an education. A $25 donation to Water.org brings someone clean water FOR LIFE.

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Workplace World Records

From LiveCareers.com:
If you’ve resolved to excel at your job this year, this list of “workplace world records” will inspire you.

Let’s start with the most pizzas made in one hour: That number’s 142. Mark Rush set this record at a Domino’s in Mississippi.

Then: If you’re in the healthcare industry, you know this next one took some doing. Grace Gupana, a nurse from the Philippines,set the record for blood pressure readings by taking 2,302 in 24 hours!That same day, she also set records for blood tests, cholesterol readings, and diabetes screenings.

Next up: The world’s youngest CEO isSuhas Gopinath of Bangalore, India. He launched his outsourcing company at the age of 14. Today, he has 60 employees - with the oldest being 22.

This last record may never be broken: Mildred Parsons retired from the FBI after nearly 63 years of service without ever once calling in sick.

Isn’t it amazing what you can accomplish when you really love what you do?

Keep Your Computer Safe at Any Public Wi-Fi Hotspot

From Rodale Publishing:
Today, there are nearly 70,000 wireless “hotspots” in North America, where you can surf the Internet for free. Unless you’re careful, experts say any one of these hotspots could become “ground zero” for criminals looking to hack into your computer and steal your data! So, here are some tricks to help you outsmart the online hackers.

• Always update your computer’s security software. Experts say anti-spyware programs from companies like Norton or McAfee are your best line of defense against the most common cyber attacks. These programs generally update themselves automatically every week or so.
  
  
• Next, before you connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot: Always double check the network NAME. Most public hotspots have a name that’ll reflect the business offering the Wi-Fi service. For example: A hotspot in your favorite coffee shop will usually include the coffee shop’s name. Experts say you should avoid logging onto any network simply called “Free” or “Public Wi-Fi.” Those are generally traps set up by hackers.
  
  
• Skip online shopping sites. In general, public networks tend to be the most vulnerable to hackers. So, you’ll be smart to avoid any Website that requires you to type in passwords or credit card information.
  
  
• Pay attention to network warnings. Most new computers will flash some kind of warning if you try to join a network it doesn’t recognize. The warning may include something about a “site certificate” or a “404 code.” That’s a techie way of telling you: “A hacker may be intercepting data from this site!” So, if you see one of these warnings, experts recommend stopping what you’re doing, and turning off your computer.
  
  
• Finally, if you have the money: Consider carrying your OWN Wi-Fi hotspot. A growing number of companies – like Sprint and AT&T - offer portable hotspots, which you can plug into your computer’s USB port. For about $60 a month, these gadgets will offer Internet access from anywhere you can find cell phone reception, and they’re considered more secure than any public Wi-Fi network.