Strategies for Getting Organized

Below are texting tips for group chats from a Reader's Digest article.  For a deeper dive, read the entire  RD article . Also see articles about managing texts , silencing chats , and  texting etiquette  and email tips . Group Chat Tips Departure - exit conversations when busy and alert others that you are leaving. Discussion - stay on subject and don't rush the conversation. E-mail  - consider using email instead of texting unless immediacy is essential. Group - limit the group to people who know each other and share same interest. Individual  - use one-on-one texting for messages directed to an individual. Overload - don't flood the group with messages.  Privacy - turn off notifications to avoid distracting yourself and others nearby. Participating  - participate in the conversation and leave the group if not interested. Replies  - don't reply all when your message is intended for one person. Terminating  - allow the conversation to h...

Following are strategies for preserving digital photos from an article about saving photos . For more tips, read articles about digital picture frames , managing photo libraries ,  organizing photo files ,  sharing photos  and storage alternatives . Regularly Backup Your Photos Create duplicates of your photos and store them in multiple locations, such as external hard drives, cloud storage, or online photo sharing platforms. This way, even if one source fails, you still have access to your cherished memories. Utilize Cloud Storage Services Take advantage of cloud-based storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox to store your photos. These services offer automatic syncing, ensuring that your photos are securely backed up and easily accessible from any device. Organize and Tag Your Photos Properly categorize and tag your digital photos, making it easier to search and retrieve specific memories. This saves time and minimizes the risk of misplacing or losing photos. Main...

Below are tips for reducing stress to improve your health and sense of well-being.  For more guidance, consult the articles, books and videos list below. Tips Boundaries - set boundaries at home and at work; enable focus mode on smartphones. Caffeine - drink water and caffeine-free beverages. Coping  - reduce exposure to news and social media. Computing - reduce screen time on computers, smartphones and other devices. Diet - eat a nutritious diet and avoid processed foods. Exercise - do aerobic and strength training several times a week. Mindfulness - take yoga classes, keep a daily journaling, and practice mindfulness. Organization - get organized and avoid procrastination. Socializing - spend time with family, friends, and pets. Therapist - consult a healthcare professional if you need help managing stress. Articles Damage Caused by Stress   Eliminating Stress from News FAQ's About Stress Ways to Relieve Stress .  Books Physical and Mental Wellness Stress-Free L...

Poor health is avoidable with daily exercise and nutritious food. Use the following tips to set goals for nutrition and exercise. See the resources at the end of the article to make the goals a habit. Tips Aerobics – exercise, jog, or walk briskly every day for healthy bones, heart, and muscles. Beverages – drink more water and less alcohol and caffeine. Calories – control weight by reducing portions; seek professional help if unable to attain desired weight. Foods – eat more fruit, nuts, and vegetables; avoid meat, processed food, saturated fats, and sweets. Seasonings – reduce salt and use oregano, pepper, and turmeric to flavor food. Snacks – snack on fruit, nuts, and vegetables to suppress appetite at mealtime. Standing – use a standing desk or walk every hour to improve posture and reduce back pain. Strength – lift weights several times a week for healthy arms, back, chest, legs, and shoulders. Vitamins – consult your healthcare provider about taking vitamins; spend t...

Assure your texts are noticed by others. Limit texting  to time sensitive matters and avoid group messaging. Use email when attaching articles, documents, or photos. See below for additional texting tips and resources for more help. Tips Content - don't use texts to convey bad news; limit to time sensitive matters. Etiquette - don't text in front of other people. Group - Avoid group texts because they are too distracting. Length - Keep messages less than 30 words. Notifications - use settings to turn of alerts for senders contacts twhen appropriate. Response - respond with 20 minutes to avoid anxiety; don't ghost your friends. Unknowns - use settings to create separate messages from unknown senders. Articles Abbreviations Etiquette Management Privacy Responses Security Tips  Workplace Texts Books Communicating at Work Guide to Texting Texting Tips

By the 80’s, arteries get plaque, bones become brittle, cancer is more likely, organs lose vitality, and skin is easily bruised. Below are strategies for staying healthy during your 80’s and beyond.   For more information, see the list of resources at the end of this post. Strategies Balance – Declining balance may cause falls or injury. Reduce risk with aerobic and resistance exercises. Cognition – Memory declines with age. Delay cognitive decline by staying physically and mentally active. Death - It’s probable that you will die by 90, but a healthy lifestyle and medical care can help you live longer. Disease – Aging brings increased risk of chronic conditions (e.g. Arthritis, Cancer, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.); regular checkups help early detection and treatment to overcome their debilitating effects. Endurance – Declining cardiovascular and pulmonary function may reduce stamina and require surgery or medication. Get annual checkups, exercise daily, and take ...

Life’s challenges sometimes upset the balance of things like career/family, indoors/outdoors, saving/spending, and working/relaxing. Following are strategies and resources to help you restore balance in your life. Tips Counseling – seek help from a career coach, financial planner, nutritionist, therapist, or trainer. Goals – set goals for eating healthier, getting exercise, going outdoors, and spending time with family. Flexibility – stay alert for opportunities and be patient with setbacks. Journaling – keep a journal to record ideas, express gratitude, and track goals. Meditating – make a routine of daily meditation using an app or video. Monitoring – monitor balancing progress with quarterly reviews and smartphone apps. Planning – adopt step-by-step plans to achieve your goals and dates for completing them. Scheduling – schedule time for planning and relaxing during the week. Prioritizing – focus on a few matters to avoid overload. Simplify – de-clutter your life, spend l...

Falls can lead to disability from brain damage, fractured bones, and muscle sprains. Fall risk increases with age due to declining eyesight and hearing loss. Falls also result from age-related medical conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Use the strategies and resources mentioned in this article to help yourself, your family, and your friends to avoid falling down. Strategies Checkups  – use a checklist to assess your fall risk. Devices   – wear a pendant or smartwatch to detect falls and call for help. Distractions  – suspend the use of smartphones and headphones when driving, exercising, or walking. Exercise  – maintain strength and stability with daily exercise (i.e., aerobics, strengthening, and yoga). Footwear  – prevent trips by wearing practical shoes (e.g., slip-ons, low heels, etc.). Gait  – take slow, steady steps when walking; use a walking stick for balance and support. Health  – get annual health, hearing, and visio...

Hearing difficulties can start at any age and can worsen over time. Hearing loss is a problem for a third of Americans over 65 and for half of those older than 75. Most fail to take advantage of listening devices despite recent improvements in appearance, features, and size. The first hearing aids were clumsy and unsightly, but modern listening devices are attractive and convenient. The recent launch of a hearing aid feature for Apple’s AirPod Pro should increase their popularity. Below are tips for selecting a listening device and resources for using it.   Tips Alternatives  – Apple AirPod Pros are a good choice for listeners with mild impairment, but hearing aids are better for those with severe hearing loss. Hearing aids are less noticeable than AirPods since they mostly hide behind the ear. Apps  – Users can adjust AirPod Pros and hearing aids by touch or by using smartphone apps that control loudness and background noise. Audiologist  – AirPod Pros facilitate se...