Don’t Read This Sitting Down

Do you sit at a desk all day and become a couch potato on the weekends? Recent studies have shown that those who sit most of the day have an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart problems and other diseases. That’s because the enzymes that burn fat shut down, slowing your metabolism and possibly lowering your beneficial cholesterol. Even if you do exercise regularly, you need to move your muscles frequently (called non-exercise activity) throughout the day. Follow these tips: Try to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day. When you’re not exercising, don’t remain sedentary for long. Get up and move, whether that means walking to someone’s office (instead of sending an e-mail) or going to the copy machine. Even standing burns calories since you tense your leg muscles and shift your weight from one leg to the other. Turn off the TV. You’ll burn more calories doing almost anything else, such as playing games with the kids, cleaning the house or walking the dog. When you do watch TV, change your seating. Watch it in a rocking chair (yes, it burns energy!), sitting on a therapy ball or riding an exercise bike. Move around during commercials, which can take up 20 minutes each hour.

Natural Health Remedies

Minor aches and pains can be an annoyance, but they’re usually not serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor. You can treat most minor health problems yourself: minor cough, heartburn, swimmer’s ear, muscle strain, headache, and sinusitis. Here are six useful home remedies: • Strained Muscle – Right after the injury, put ice on the injury for 20 minutes; elevate the area. Repeat every few hours. • Tension Headache – Put a drop of lavender on your index fingers; rub the oil on your temples and the back of your neck. • Heartburn – Mix ½-teaspoon baking soda and 1-cup warm water, and drink it to relieve the discomfort. • Swimmer’s Ear – Warm ½ onion in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Hold it close to your ear (but not touching) for one minute. • Cough – Make hot tea from wild cherry bark, steep. Drink 1 cup. • Sinusitis – ½-teaspoon salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water. Gently breathe into your nostrils. (If any symptoms are unusual, or don’t go away after a few days, or come on suddenly, call your physician.)

Prevent A Home Electrical Fire

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, home electrical problems cause more than 26,000 fires a year, half of which involve electrical wiring. Call an electrician if you have any of the following: • Problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers. • Discolored, cracked, or warm wall outlets or switches (if you see sparks, make the call as soon as possible). • A burning smell or rubbery odor from an appliance. • Flickering lights. Take these precautions: • Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly. • Replace old or damaged appliance cords immediately. • If buying a used appliance, ask if it has been tested for safety.

What Not To Say To Insurers

The last time you had a fender-bender did the words “I’m sorry” slip out of your mouth? Big mistake, even if you were. That phrase – which might imply that you were at fault – could put your claim at risk. Stick to the facts and talk to your own insurance company about what you should say to the other driver’s insurer. Here are four words to avoid that raise a red flag when speaking with insurance companies, according to Insure.com. • “Flood.” Insurers specifically define this as water from a nearby lake, stream, river or other body of water. Flood damage is not covered under standard homeowners insurance so don’t use the word if a pipe broke and your basement has water in it, which may be covered. • “Experimental.” Health insurance companies don’t tend to cover procedures in this category. You want to convey the fact that the treatment is proven and medically necessary. • “Whiplash.” Don’t speculate about this injury until you’ve had a diagnosis. It’s a word that shouts “fraud” to many insurance companies. • “In my opinion.” Insurance adjusters may try to get you to speculate about the cause of an accident (Driving too fast? Following too close?) Keep your opinions to yourself, or you may have to eat your words later.

How To Boost Your Brain Power

Have you lost your keys lately? Have you recently put something down, and now you can’t find it? Or, maybe you just want to be more efficient and productive at work. Well now there are some new herbal products available at your local health food store that can increase oxygen and glucose to the brain—triggering more brain power! 1. Bacopa (Bacopa Monnieri) – Rich in antioxidants, this herb has been found to improve memory and information processing. 2. Cordyceps (Cordyceps Sinensis) – Cordyceps has been used to treat exhaustion, weakness, poor sexual appetite, and aging. It has been shown to help the adrenals function better and stimulate the liver to release stored energy in the form of glucose. 3. Periwinkle (Vinca Minor, sold as vinpocetine) – Periwinkle is a European herb that delivers more blood to the brain and acts as a powerful free-radical destroyer. It may prevent senility and dementia.

Should You Get A Flu Shot?

Despite all the publicity and serious worldwide concern about the H1N1 flu virus last year, many U.S. adults chose not to get vaccinated. As flu seasons approaches, here are some points to consider: • The U.S. Centers For Disease Control reiterates that the flu is a contagious disease that can be life-threatening. They estimated that 60 million Americans contracted the H1N1 virus by March 2010. Some 270,000 were hospitalized and more than 12,000 died. • The 2010-2011 vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other flu viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B). People who got the 2009 H1N1 vaccine (or had that flu) should still get the 2010-2011 vaccine. • The CDC recommends that all people six months and older be vaccinated each year. Adults only need one shot while some children will need two. A new, higher-dosage vaccine will be available for people 65 and older. Most flu occurs from November through May. You should get the vaccine as soon as it is available in your area. For flu prevention tips, see www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits/index.htm

Tips For Improving Your Credit Rating…

A good credit rating in essential in today’s economic market. It can save you thousands of dollars when you apply for a mortgage, car loan, or when you want to finance any other big-ticket purchase. Here are six tips for improving your credit rating: 1. Check your credit report. Make sure to resolve any credit debt inaccuracies or disputes. Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com for information on how to order your credit report. 2. Pay your bills on time. It’s especially important near the time you are applying for a loan. 3. Pay down, or pay off your credit cards. High debt will adversely affect your credit rating. 4. Don’t apply for new credit cards to increase your available credit. 5. Pay down your revolving debt. Also, pay down your debt rather than moving it around. 6. Manage your credit cards and installment loans responsibly. Paying credit cards and installments loans promptly will actually raise your credit rating.