Skin Cancer: Who’s Most at Risk?

When you consider who is most at risk for skin cancer, it’s important to remember one key fact: no one is immune to skin cancer. While some people are more at risk than others due to a variety of factors (which are discussed below), the fact is that no one is totally risk free.

That said, there are some things that increase or decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here are some of the factors that influence skin cancer risk.

1. Freckles

If you freckle easily, this is your body’s signal that this is how it deals with sun exposure. If your skin tends to “make” freckles in response to sun exposure, then there may be a greater likelihood that your skin will respond by developing cancer.

2. Light Hair and Eyes

These physical traits are known to indicate an increased risk of skin cancer, particularly light blond and red hair.

3. Do You Burn Easily?

Even some light-skinned people do not burn very easily, but for those who do, cancer risk is likely increased. People who burn easily and do not tan have smaller amounts of melanin (pigment) in their skin. Melanin is the body’s natural protection against sun, so if you don’t have enough of it, your skin is more likely to burn.

4. Genes

Have others in your family had skin cancer? Experts agree that genetics play a role, and you may be more at risk if skin cancer “runs in the family.”

5. Moles

If you have a lot of moles – particularly on sun-exposed areas of your skin – then you may be more at risk for skin cancer. Large moles are especially vulnerable. Moles that change shape, size, or color should be checked by a doctor.

6. Sunburns in the Past

Did you have a lot of sunburns in the past, or one or two really bad ones? Many sources agree that this raises your risk of developing skin cancer significantly.

7. Sunbathing

Even if you sunbathe “responsibly,” getting a tan is essentially damaging your skin. The same goes for tanning salons and tanning booths. “Baking” in the sun or under lights to get a tan can raise your risk of skin cancer.

8. Geographical Location

If you live in an area with year-round sunlight that’s bright, you may have a greater risk of developing skin cancer. In Arizona, the risk of skin cancer is twice what it is in Minnesota, sources say.

9. Chemical Exposure

Some insecticides are made with a heavy metal called arsenic. Exposure to arsenic raises the risk of skin cancer. Exposure to coal, tar, paraffin, and some oils may also increase risk.

10. Gender

Did you know that sources say men are two to three times as likely as women to develop skin cancer? It may have to do with spending time shirtless in the sun, or being out more; but the statistics agree than men are more likely to get this disease.

Now that you know some of the main risk factors, you can take appropriate precautions and avoid skin cancer.

14 Year-Round Skin Care Tips

When you think of protecting your skin, you probably think of wearing sunscreen in the summer. But your skin needs protection all year round, and not just from the sun. Skin care is for all seasons!

Here are 14 year-round skin care tips to help you keep a healthful glow.

Spring

5. Don’t Get Caught in the Sun!

How many of us usher in the first warmth of the year with a sunburn? Just because it’s not super-hot doesn’t mean you don’t need sun protection. So take sensible precautions before going out in the early spring sun.

6. Exfoliate

Spring is a great time to exfoliate your whole body, face included. Slough off the dry skin of winter and welcome the moist spring air!

7. Keep Moisturizing

Don’t give up on the moisturizer, although you can probably back off on the thick stuff. Experts recommend lotions containing shea butter. You can also make your own moisturizing cleanser with plain yogurt, sweet almond oil, and raw honey.

Summer

8. Sun Protection

Go for a sunscreen that’s SPF 15 to 30, keeping key areas like the nose, top of the ears, cheeks, and shoulders covered. Sources also recommend sunscreens that are broad-spectrum. If you like, use makeup with sunscreen in it. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and don’t go sleeveless if you’re going to be in full sunlight.

9. Exfoliate Again

Summer is also a good time to exfoliate. Sweat and dead skin cells can accumulate on the skin’s surface.

10. Seek Shade

Wherever you are, seek periodic breaks in the shade. This gives your skin a break and helps prevent sunburns.

11. Light Moisture

You don’t need the heavy creams so much now. You can go with thinner, lighter lotions as the season warms up.

Fall

12. Sun Protection Is Still Important

The days are getting shorter and the sunlight is beginning to slant, but you can still get a burn on those sunny fall days.

13. Thicken Up

Now is the time to make the switch to cream-based, thick moisturizers. Starting early can help stave off really dry skin later in the winter.

14. Vitamins

Summer produce is slacking off, but you still need skin-healthy nutrients. Fish or flax oil supplements and a good multi-vitamin can help keep your skin looking summer-fresh.

Winter

1. Skip the Hot Shower

Dry skin can be a real problem in the winter, and long, hot showers tend to make it worse. The hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, and can irritate skin that’s already dry.

2. Moisturize Multiple Times a Day

Use a thick, cream-style moisturizer after showers and apply it periodically through the day. Moisturizing before bed is also a good idea.

3. Moisturizing Makeup

If you wear makeup, you might consider switching to moisture-rich makeup that hydrates your skin. You can also mix plain moisturizer with your makeup as you apply it.

4. Eat Good Fats

In the winter, consuming fatty fish like salmon and healthful oils like olive oil can help keep your skin moist during the dry winter months.

As you can see, skin care is not relegated to summer! Hopefully, these tips will help you have healthy skin for all seasons.

Two-Minute Meditation Techniques That You Can Do Anywhere

Meditation is said to be good for the body, mind, and soul. However, stressing out about being able to meditate is never a good thing. Instead, taking a few minutes out of your busy day to practice some meditation techniques will keep you up and running and staying that way.

If you are like most individuals, taking time out for exercising or meditating is not a reality at the moment. However, that does not have to stop you. If you have two minutes here and there, you can practice meditation techniques anywhere.

Relaxation and Tension Techniques

A great way to practice mediation is to experience what it feels like to relax your muscle tension. However, the first part of learning to relax is to differentiate between relaxing your muscles and tightening them.

Sitting at your desk, begin with your feet and flex and point your toes. Move up to your calves and tighten that area and hold and then release. Move up to your thighs, repeat this same procedure, and work your way up through all of the various muscle groups in your body.

This procedure tightens the muscle groups so you become more aware of your body and thereafter will be able to recognize how to release that tension and relax.

Deep Breathing

Sit quietly for a few moments and take the time to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Make sure that you feel your belly and diaphragm move up and down so that you know you are doing this correctly. Practice some deep breathing slowly and calmly so as not to hyperventilate.

Breathe quietly while feeling the tension in your body melt away, muscle by muscle, inch by inch. Let the stress leave your body with each breath and return clean and refreshed.

Clearing Your Mind

You can sit in your car during lunch hour and take a few deep breaths, stretch a bit, and roll your neck gently from side to side. Resting your head back, close your eyes and picture a clean white sheet of paper.

Clear your mind, release any negative thoughts visualizing them floating up and out through the top of your head, leaving nothing behind but clean pure white paper. Find that place in your gut that feels peaceful. Continue to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, letting all thoughts go outward.

These techniques can all be utilized anywhere and every day. Practice them daily and you will see that these little techniques can go a long way to clear your mind, body, and spirit.

Tips for Keeping Kids

While every parent relishes the thought of no after-school activities or sporting events, summer can have challenges of its own. Having the kids home for summer may make for lazy, relaxed days, but keeping the kids from being bored is not an easy task.

Keeping the kids

Top Four Tips for Harvesting and Storing Fresh Herbs

Growing herbs or buying them fresh is a healthful and tasty way to use these plants. But harvesting and storing them at the correct times and using the best methods is important for success.

Here are four tips for harvesting and storing fresh herbs.

1. Timing Is Everything

When it comes to harvesting herbs, timing is important. With some herbs, like lemon balm, you can get several harvests out of them. Other herbs, like basil, like to be cut back frequently all summer. Here are some general rules for timing:

* Herbs that grow quickly, like mints, can be harvested in early summer, mid-summer, and again in early fall.

* Slower-growing herbs may be harvested in mid-summer. They need time to recover and put out new leaves before frost, so if you harvest them too late in the year they may be killed by the frost (even if they are perennial).

* Harvest in the mid to late morning, right after the dew has dried on the leaves.

* If herbs are woody or turning bronze or yellow, you may get bitter or unpleasant flavors.

* Flowering herbs can be harvested right after the first bloom to give the foliage a chance to grow back.

* For cooking with fresh herbs, you can snip off what you need as you are preparing your meal – any time of year.

2. Not too Close

When you cut herbs during the growing season, don’t cut them down to the ground. Leave some of the stem and at least a few leaves so the plant can regrow.

3. Storing Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs need moisture, cool temperatures, and air circulation to stay fresh for a few days after being cut. One of the most effective methods is to cut the bottom of the stems and set the herbs upright in a plastic tub or glass jar. Pour in a quarter inch or so of water. Then loosely cover the top of the herbs with a plastic bag and refrigerate.

4. Long-Term Storage

You can freeze or dry herbs for long-term storage. Some dry better than others. Basil and chives, for instance, are better frozen; when dried they tend to lose flavor. But sage and mint are perfect for drying. To freeze, lay herbs on a sheet of wax paper that’s approximately twice as long as a zip-top plastic bag. Lay the herbs on half the wax paper, and then fold the other half over the herbs. Slip the package into the plastic bag, suck out the air, seal, and freeze.

To dry herbs, hang them by the stems upside-down for several days in a warm, dry area. Attics are great for this. After a few days, lay out sheets of newspaper and strip the crisp dried leaves from the stems. Store the leaves in jars or zip-top bags.

Herbs are wonderful medicinal and culinary additions to your diet and home healthcare arsenal. These tips should help you get the most out of them.

Top Five Tips for Protecting Your Skin This Summer

When summer comes, most of us can’t wait to get out in the sunshine. And studies do show that some sun exposure is fine – healthy, in fact. Evidence points to 10 to 20 minutes of sun exposure as a healthy amount. But beyond that limit, sunburn and premature aging can result.

What can you do to protect your skin in the summer? After all, you’re bound to be outside longer than 10 or 20 minutes.

Here are the top five tips for protecting your skin this summer.

1. Sunscreen

Should you bring sunscreen? It’s a common question that many of us consider before walking out the door on a sunny summer day. Rather than trying to figure out if you should or shouldn’t, if there will be clouds or shade or not, etc., just follow this key tip: if you know you will be outdoors for more than a half an hour, wear (or bring) sunscreen.

Another helpful tip is to get travel-sized sunscreen bottles, so you can slip them in a purse or pocket. That way, if you decide you need sunscreen after 30 minutes, you have it handy, and if you put on sunscreen before leaving the house, you have some more to put on after the first application wears out.

2. Wear a Hat

A wide-brimmed hat helps shield your face and even your back and shoulders from direct sun. If you have thin hair, a hat helps protect the top of your head, too. Choose a hat that is thin and allows air to circulate, such as straw or thin cotton material.

3. Search for Shade

If you have a choice, stay in the shade. You still benefit from the fresh air and the outdoors, but you won’t have the sun beating down on you. Even dappled shade is better than no shade.

4. Wear the Right Clothing

When it’s hot, you want to have as little clothing on as possible. But there’s a place for loose clothing in protecting your skin. Some clothes actually have UV protection as part of the fabric, and these are great for covering shoulders and legs. Loose clothes also help shade your skin while providing circulation. Look for densely-woven fabric that is thin.

5. Choose the Right Sunscreen

Another word about sunscreen – it’s not as simple as it used to be. We know now that both UVB and UVA rays can damage skin, so for total protection, look for a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum or multi-spectrum. Most sunscreens’ SPF rating is based on UVB protection. Experts recommend looking at ingredients like ecamsule, oxybenzone, and titanium dioxide because these ingredients help protect against UVA.

Taking a few simple precautions can make a big difference in protecting your skin. Try not to start the summer with a sunburn!

Summertime Reading Ideas – Think Outside the Box

Typically, any child about to finish their school year will be thinking thoughts of sleeping in, the beach, and then some more sleeping in. Reading is not on their mind. However, as a parent, if you plan early enough and let them know that they will continue reading as a form of fun, reading should not become too much of a chore.

Of course, the more creative you are with your children in getting them to read, the smoother this endeavor will become for both you and your child.

* Have them read about your vacation destination. If you are traveling to a new destination or even to an old, familiar one, have your child do some research on the area. Get some books out of the library and have them fully participate in the history and culture of that area. Perhaps use this as an incentive to get them to read

Skin Cancer Aftercare – What to Do after You’ve Had Skin Cancer

So you’ve had skin cancer and completed your treatment. Congratulations – you’re officially a cancer survivor!

That doesn’t mean you won’t have concerns, however. Cancer survivors can easily become very fearful of recurrence, but there’s no need to worry if you take proper care of yourself after treatment. Keeping a close eye on your skin and getting regular follow-up exams is important, because like the initial cancer, early detection of recurrence is crucial.

Here are some suggestions for skin cancer aftercare.

1. The First Five Years

Experts point out that the likelihood of cancer recurrence is greatest in the first five years after treatment. So it’s important to be especially watchful (though not anxious) for the next five years.

2. Keep Your Follow-Up Appointments

This is something you’ll want to talk about with your doctor. You can work together to come up with a workable appointment and testing schedule so you know what to expect. Depending on the kind of cancer you had, your doctor will probably want to see you every 3 to 6 months, and sometimes just yearly.

These exams will usually involve an examination of your lymph nodes and a thorough check of your skin. You might have a CT scan as well.

3. Sun Protection

You certainly don’t have to give up an outdoor-oriented lifestyle, but it makes sense to take precautions when you’re outside in the sun. If you can, avoid the sun during peak hours (10am to 2pm), but if you are outside during those hours, use a good sunscreen and cover vulnerable areas with clothing.

4. Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is always a good idea. But following skin cancer, you might want to include more cancer-fighting nutrients and foods in your diet. You may also decide to take a vitamin and mineral supplement, or several supplements. Work with a medical or health professional to develop a healthy diet plan. A qualified herbalist or naturopathic physician can help if you want more information on the role of nutrition in preventing cancer recurrence.

5. Exercise

It may not seem like it has anything to do with preventing skin cancer, but regular exercise is important for overall health. And maintaining your health is what you are trying to do! Again, working with a physical therapist or other medical professional is crucial here. He or she can help you develop an exercise plan based on your health and life situation.

6. Chemicals

Some sources contend that it’s not just the sun that is to blame for skin cancer. After all, the sun has been around a long time, but skin cancer has only recently become so common. So to give you peace of mind and help you to do something proactive, you might want to do some research and see if there are any chemicals you’ve been exposing yourself to over the years. Maybe you’ll opt for all natural-fiber clothing or organic cotton sheets. Getting some of the chemicals out of your life may help your immune system do its cancer-fighting job more effectively.

Good aftercare is important in preventing skin cancer recurrence. Take good care of yourself and your skin so you can rest more easily.

Simple Tips for Decluttering Your Life

Everyone that works the 9 to 5 routine has at least a week or two of vacation time plus some personal time thrown in there somewhere. Believe it or not, taking some time out from the daily grind is a fantastic way to declutter your life.

In addition, if you do not have spare time off work during your regular schedule, set aside one weekend out of the month, and tell everyone that it is time to declutter

Could You Have Skin Cancer? Look for These Signs

While a doctor’s diagnosis is essential if you think you have skin cancer, it’s important to know the signs so you know when to make that doctor’s appointment. Self-examination alerts you to the need for a medical examination.

One good place to start is to dispel some myths about skin cancer. The first myth is that only fair-skinned people get skin cancer. This is not so – people of all skin colors can get skin cancer. Another myth is that skin cancer only forms on sun-exposed areas of the skin. While these areas are considered the most vulnerable to certain types of cancer, they are far from the only places you can get skin cancer. So check everywhere when you do your self-examination. Another word of wisdom: have someone else check the skin on your back.

There are two basic types of skin cancer: carcinoma and melanoma. We’ll take a look at both.

If you think you could have skin cancer, look for these signs.

Carcinoma

Usually on sun-exposed areas of your body, carcinoma is the most treatable kind of skin cancer. Here are some signs to look for.

1. A pearly or waxy bump that may seem like a pimple or mole at first may appear on your face, neck, top of the shoulders, or ears.

2. A patch that looks like brown or skin-colored scar tissue may show up on areas like your chest or back.

3. Check for any hard bumps (or somewhat hard bumps) that are not pimples. These can form around the lips, on the hands, face, ears, neck, and elsewhere.

4. Scar tissue that forms new growth is a significant warning sign of skin cancer.

Melanoma

Melanoma is considered a bit more serious than carcinoma. Here are the signs of melanoma.

1. Look for largish brown spots with speckles inside them. These speckles may look like freckles.

2. A mole that changes in size, texture, color, or in any other way should be checked.

3. An irregularly-shaped or asymmetrical area that has blue spots or unclear borders is a sign of melanoma.

4. Mucous membranes that don’t see sunlight can also show signs of melanoma, including the genitals or inside your mouth. Look for dark lesions in these areas.

5. A shiny-looking bump that looks pink, like a scar, can be a sign, especially if it’s hard.

Keep an eye out for any of these signs, and don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you suspect skin cancer.

The Shelf Life of Common Kitchen Herbs and Spices

How many of us are guilty of this one? You have jars of spices that are older than your kids. You probably bought the jar for a particular recipe, which you made a few times, and now the jar is sitting there.

The same can happen with herbs, especially dried ones.

To help combat this problem and reduce waste, here are some ideas regarding the shelf life of common kitchen herbs and spices.

1. Herbs versus Spices

First, it’s important to point out the difference between herbs and spices, because they have different shelf lives. Spices are usually from a dried seed or fruit – like nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, coriander, and allspice. Sometimes a root may be considered a spice, like ginger.

Herbs are usually stems, flowers, or leaves. Parsley, chives, sage, rosemary, thyme, and basil are all herbs.

2. Whole Spices Keep Better

Whole spices have a longer shelf life than pre-ground ones. Their insides are not exposed to air, so their essential oils are held within the spice. Generally speaking, spices are fine to use as long as they have flavor.

3. Dried Herbs

Because they are made from the delicate aerial parts of the plant, herbs lose flavor and potency sooner than spices. Give your herbs the sniff test – it’s unlikely that they will still retain their scent. You can simply increase the amount of herb called for in the recipe, because herbs don’t spoil like milk or fresh vegetables. But at some point, usually within two years, those herbs will lose just about all flavor and will need to be discarded.

4. Herbs That Don’t Dry Well

Some herbs just don’t retain their flavor when dried. For these herbs, like basil, freezing may work best. But they should still be used within 6 months. The freezer is not the ideal place for herb storage.

5. Prolonging the Life of Herbs and Spices

To get the most out of your dried herbs and spices, proper storage is important. Here are some tips.

* Don’t store herbs and spices near the stove. Yes, it’s convenient; but the heat from the stove will decrease their flavor rapidly, and so will steam from simmering pots. Humidity from your dishwasher will do the same. Herbs and spices are best stored in a cool, dry place.

* Pinch up the herb or spice you want to use (or use a measuring spoon) and drop it into the dish you’re making, particularly if it’s a hot dish. This is to prevent steam from getting into the herb container as it would if you shook the herb or spice container directly over the hot food, which introduces moisture.

Herbs and spices can’t last indefinitely, but you can increase their shelf life.

Success Tips for Your Outdoor Herb Garden

Starting an herb garden can be a rewarding experience. Teas, culinary herbs, and beautiful, good-smelling flowers can all be a part of such a venture. And most herbs are quite easy to grow if they are given the right conditions.

Here are some success tips for your outdoor herb garden.

1. Location

As you survey your land for the best site for an herb garden, it pays to consider these factors:

* Slope – A flat, “sunken” area would do best with herbs that like “wet feet,” such as members of the mint family. A sloped hillside with good drainage would accommodate drought-tolerant herbs like lavender and thyme.

* Sun and shade – Watch your location for sun and shade. If it’s early spring or late winter, visualize how the sunlight and shade will change once the earth tilts and the leaves come out for summer. 6 to 8 hours of sunlight is ideal, but less is not necessarily a deal-breaker. There are plenty of lovely, shade-dwelling herbs as well. The reverse is also true – shade-lovers will not thrive in a hot, sunny garden spot.

2. Soil

Herb gardening (and all gardening) requires a lot of digging. Begin digging in late winter or very early spring, and you’ll have lots of time to observe your soil. Heavy clay soil will need lots of organic matter, namely compost, worked into it. Sandy soil will also need organic matter added to it, as well as nutrient-rich compost. You can build up the garden bed this way as well, which will give you the drainage advantage of raised beds.

The good news is, many herbs grow as weeds, so really fertile soil is often not necessary.

3. Size

How big does your herb garden need to be? Most herbs are not fussy about space, and can grow pretty well in close quarters. A general rule of thumb is 80 to 100 square feet for a good-sized kitchen herb garden. But if you don’t have this much space, don’t despair. You can always plant something in a smaller space, especially compact herbs like thyme.

4. Seeds and Seedlings

You may choose to sow seeds instead of buying seedlings for your herb garden. To up your chances of success when growing from seed, it’s a good idea to start the seeds indoors and then move them out to the garden bed after hardening them off (gradually increasing the hours the seedlings spend outdoors).

Purchasing seedlings from a garden center can be a bit pricier, but you do get a chance to choose strong plants that will establish themselves more easily.

5. Design

Generally speaking, low-growing and dense herbs make good borders, like purple basil and parsley. Taller herbs can be grown toward the back of the garden so they don’t cast shadows on the herbs behind. There are a plethora of good books and websites dedicated to the layout of an herb garden – the possibilities are almost endless!

Hopefully, these tips will help you design, prepare, and plant a lovely herb garden that will bring you joy for years to come.

Online Training: Courses for Starting a New Fitness/Diet/Health Career

For any individual of any age, there is no time like the present to take classes. With modern technology being what it is today, there really is nothing that can stop you in your endeavor to learn.

If you are seeking to start a new fitness or health career, the options are numerous. Nutrition, diet, health, and wellness are a fast-moving trend, and the time to become an expert in the field is now. If a traditional school is not for you, then learning online is the perfect choice. You can learn a new career in a brief period of time in the diet, health, and fitness arena.

Online Training for Nutrition/Diet/Health

Whether you are seeking a traditional degree or certification as a nutrition coach, dietician, or holistic healer, you will find a bevy of information online when it comes to online training for nutrition, diet, health, and fitness. There are many traditional options:

* Associate’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Bachelor

Online Places to Find Health-Conscious Jobs

There are endless ways to find health-conscious jobs online, but this can be a daunting task at best. The easiest way to do it is to narrow your search according to your area of expertise and to use well-known companies and organizations to assist in your search.

Everyone knows that once you type something into a search engine, you can go off and veer into hundreds of different directions.

Hone in on Your Area of Expertise

If you do a general search, you will probably be overwhelmed by choices and links. The best thing to do when searching for a health-conscious job is to hone in on your area of expertise.

For example, if you are a nutritionist, it is best to be as specific as you can in your search engine box. If your area of expertise lies within that of a personal trainer, then this would be your best choice of wording for that search engine box.

Hone in on Your Local Area

Again, honing in on your area of expertise along with your local area will give you a more specified result in your search engine results. For example, doing a search engine search stating

20 No Nonsense Makeup Tips and Tricks

Face it, humans are vain creatures. Looking good makes us feel better and more worthy. While most will never be fortunate enough to have a private makeup artist on hand to help enhance our beauty, all is not lost. Luckily it

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Knowledge Retention Strategies – Tips for Helping Kids Retain What They Have Learned

Everyone from children to adults have different ways of learning and even different ways of retaining information. There are some basic, common-sense methods to start with and then there are some methods that will take time and practice to put into place.

Starting with the Basics

Most families have heard on dozens of occasions that starting the day with the proper fuel can help a child learn better. However, most people do not realize that by fueling the body properly, a child can also retain that knowledge longer.

By eating a breakfast offering a good balance of whole grains, fruit, and protein, you are giving your child the chance to learn well and remember much. Most families will agree that there is very little time for breakfast but if you manage your time properly, it can be done. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier and rise 15 minutes earlier to eat breakfast – this will lead your child on a path that will sustain their learning process throughout the day.

Getting enough sleep is essential to learning. The memory cannot function on poor nutrition and very little sleep.

Learning Techniques

Adults and children all learn differently. There are many different learning styles and techniques to go along with them. Once you identify what type of learner your child is, it will be easier to put practices into place for him or her to use in order to retain that knowledge.

* Visual learning – A visual learner basically learns by seeing. If your child is a visual learner, videos or pictures will enable them to retain knowledge. For younger children, picture books are excellent and for older children, technology may work better.

* Aural learning

Is Technology Dragging You Down: What to Do about It?

It is said that we are all connected now through technology. However, there are some people who say otherwise. Technology is dragging them down and not what they expected at all.

For some, technology is a great device that enhances lives, and for others it is something that bogs them down and frustrates them.

The Downside of Technology

There are many pitfalls of technology. Anyone who has ever tried to sign in to their laptop at home to do a college assignment or pick up some extra work from home and been knocked out of the internet, will tell you that it is frustrating at best.

If you are like most individuals, your internet and your television and your phones are all connected to the same service. When one is down, all three are down. This is a major downside of technology. Sure, you get a great price; however, if you do not get service, a good price is pointless.

Cell phones are also another source of frustration when it comes to technology. There are times when you absolutely cannot get a signal no matter how hard you try. And if you do finally get a signal, there is the chance that your call will be dropped or you will only be able to hear every other word.

Computers crashing in the middle of an important project is another major downside to technology. Even if you saved the work to your desktop with the intention of saving it to a memory stick a bit later, you cannot retrieve that information if your computer has crashed. This is frustrating at best and it has happened to the best of us.

What Can You Do?

One way to avoid being without phone service is to make sure that you have the most up-to-date cell phone service you can. In this way, when your house phone does go out you will always have a reliable way to contact people.

If you are used to utilizing a laptop that uses Wi-Fi, think about getting a personal computer so that if your Wi-Fi router is on the blink, you will not be compromised in any way.

If you have had the unfortunate experience (like most of us) to have your computer crash and lose work, get in the habit of saving to a disk or memory stick every day. Although it is a pain at first, once it becomes habit, you will realize that it is the best decision you have ever made when it comes to technology.

Although technology can be a drag sometimes, if you are well prepared, you can offset some of these problems before they happen.