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Terry Crews On His Love Of Travel, And The One Dish He’d Fly Across The Ocean For 

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Terry Crews is an actor, host, sports enthusiast, and lover of learning about new cultures and cuisines. His long and illustrious career has given him the opportunity to see the world and experience the wonders of travel. Now, he’s revealing some of his favorite destinations, and the one dish he would fly across the ocean for.

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‘Love Island’ Host Ariana Madix On The Beauty Of Fiji And The Best Ways To Travel 

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Ariana Madix recently spoke about how much she loves spending her summers working in Fiji, and offered some of her best tips after spending so much of the past years traveling.

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summer

How To Stay Safe While Traveling During Another Record-Breaking Hot Summer 

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This summer is set to break records yet again when it comes to extremely high temperatures. During peak travel season, experts are giving their best advice on how to stay safe and ensure travelers still enjoy their much deserved vacations. 

A developing El Nino event could cause temperatures to continue to rise this summer, later in the year, and next summer as well. Life-threatening heat exhaustion and stroke are some of the biggest concerns for travelers. 

Dr. Alexander Azan, who co-directs the Project HEATWAVE initiative, discussed how travelers can take precautions to ensure they get the best out of their vacations while staying safe. 

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“The same way that we prepare for more extreme travel in the cold, we should start to consider those tips to keep us safe in the summer months.”

Azan continued to advise that before you leave for your trip, check the air temperatures for both day and night, as well as the heat index as that takes humidity into account. 

It’s important to remain flexible when it comes to your schedule as well. When the temperatures do get to that higher level, prioritize spending time in cooler areas along the coast or at higher elevations depending on where you are. Any strenuous outdoor activities like hiking or walking tours should be scheduled for early morning or late evening hours while indoor activities should be planned for the middle of the day. 

Where you stay is always an integral part of any good trip, so for the hot summer months be sure to find a spot with reliable conditioning and research the area to see if they often get weather that could cause a power outage. If you’re traveling to a country you’ve never been before, research important facilities such as hospitals as well. 

Ashley Ward, the director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University, advises that if you’re someone who has a medical condition or takes medication, be sure to stay extra vigilant in terms of preparing your body, as it could be even more vulnerable to the heat during your travels. 

“A lot of the prescription drugs that we take for common conditions like high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, they actually interrupt our body’s ability to thermoregulate,” she said. 

She also emphasized that older adults, pregnant individuals, young children, and infants are also vulnerable, so plan with your body in mind.

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Adithi Ramakrishnan and Aya Diab of AP recommend packing a reusable water bottle, light/breathable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, cooling towel, and portable fan as some essentials to keep on your list as well. 

For those opting for a summer road trip, ensure that you get your vehicle inspected a few weeks beforehand to make sure everything is in good condition and your engine’s cooling system is in top tier shape. Keep your car cool by parking in shaded areas and take plenty of breaks to stretch, hydrate, and eat to keep energy levels up. 

AAA senior automotive manager David Bennett also highly recommends never driving on less than a quarter tank of gas to ensure there’s no chane of you getting stuck in the heat in an unknown area. 

 It’s important to also be educated on the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke so if the worst does happen, you can recognize it early and get help quicker. Spending long periods of time outdoors while participating in intense activities or consuming heavy amounts of alcohol can increase the risk as well, so be diligent. 

“People often get into trouble when they ignore both environmental conditions and the warning signals their bodies are giving them. They think they can push through. That is a mistake,” Ward said.

Dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, excessive sweating with cool and clammy skin are all signs to be on the look out for. If symptoms worsen and turn into slurred speech, passing out, confusion, or feeling hot to the touch, seek help immediately as it could be a sign of heat stroke. 

The most important thing that you can do as a traveler during extreme heat events is to listen to your body and remain as hydrated as possible. 

Real Estate Powerhouse Barbara Corcoran Offers Top Homebuying ‘Rule’ To Guarantee You Can Always Sell 

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Real estate mastermind Barbara Corcoran recently revealed one of her biggest rules for buying homes and how it’s always helped ensure her that she “can always sell” the property later on.

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holiday

How To Tackle The Holiday Season Sustainably To Help Protect The Planet 

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The holiday season is busy for all of us, and in the US, it’s expected that spending will hit a record high this year. According to the National Retail Federation, 2025 is set to be the first time America collectively spends over $1 trillion on gifts during the last month of the year. 

One thing that often gets overlooked during the chaos of the holidays is how much waste and planet-warming gases are emitted into our atmosphere due to increased manufacturing, traveling, one-time material use, and more. 

There are many easy ways, however, that we all can help make the holidays greener to help give our planet the gift of environmental protection. 

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Going homemade can not only become a fun holiday activity and tradition, but it helps reduce waste. Sandra Goldmark, associate dean of Columbia Climate School’s Office of Engagement and Impact, told AP that one of her favorite gift-giving options is providing an act of service for a loved one. She gave the example of how one year, her husband took the time to organize all of her passwords for her, something that may seem mundane to some, but is so personal and helpful it became one of her favorite gifts. 

“It was not something easy to wrap and put under the tree, but believe me, it was meaningful and really helped me more than any additional object cluttering up my home could have,” she told the publication.

Something more general that everyone enjoys is the gift of good food. A trend that has been taking over the holiday season in recent years is buying ingredients in bulk and packing them in Mason jars. Cookie mix, soup mix, spices, bread starters, and more can be easily packaged in cute jars which can then be adjourned with ribbon, stickers, and cute recipe labels. 

Goldmark also emphasized that by simply buying less stuff, we work towards a greater sustainability goal. “The advice starts out simple: Buy less stuff. The best way to give gifts more sustainably is to buy fewer new things.” 

Additionally, gifting experiences rather than a physical gift has become more and more popular in recent years. Concerts, local festivals, spa days, museums, zoos, etc. all are great options and it’s been shown that having experiences together work to strengthen relationships even further than material gifts. 

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“There is so much that you could do by just saying, ‘I would prefer if you just made me a nice meal or took me out for some sort of adventure,’” said Atar Herziger, environmental psychologist.

Sustainable living educator Sarah Robertson-Barnes recommends looking into secondhand gifts as they involve less manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. 

“I bet somebody has the thing that you’re looking for and they would love to get rid of it. We do have a weird cultural thing where new is better and used is gross. I suggest reframing used gifts as vintage,” she said.

Herziger said “secondhand options might be received better when they’re items that can’t be bought new, such as a family heirloom or a collectible that isn’t produced anymore.”

“Focus on items that are high-quality, long-lasting, repairable and really needed. That ensures that it’s worth investing in and reduces the chance that it gets returned. Look to buy locally, rather than ordering online, to reduce how far it travels,” Goldmark stated. 

Finally, every year millions of pounds of wrapping paper end up in landfills, and a lot of it can’t be recycled due to the fact that many pf them are made with non-recyclable materials. There are, however, plenty of recyclable wrapping paper options out there, just make sure to check labels when you buy them in store or specifically search for it if you’re ordering online. 

Gift bags have also long been reused, especially ones that are intricately designed, so when it can call for it, opt for a bag over paper to wrap up your gifts. 

Getting creative with your wrapping paper is also a great option. Newspaper and brown paper offer a unique aesthetic to your gifts while making it easy for the recipient to recycle them afterwards.

sleep

Study Shows Many Americans Can’t Sleep For More Than 6 Hours, Experts Offer Tips 

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Getting a solid amount of sleep every night is an integral piece of living a happy and healthy life, both physically and mentally. When we don’t get enough sleep, we become more irritable, fatigued, and our body can’t properly function throughout the day, which can lead to a multitude of health issues. 

It’s recommended that adults get between 7-9 hours of sleep a night to remain healthy, however, many Americans claim that they can’t sleep for more than 6 hours. According to a poll from Gallup that was published last year, 53% of Americans reported getting between 6-7 hours of sleep a night, and 20% said they get 5 hours or less. 

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Throughout the population surveyed, only about 36% of women and 48% of men said they got what’s considered a healthy amount of sleep daily. There’s a handful of reasons why one may not be getting enough sleep, however, there is hope for improvement. A group of experts recently gave their thoughts to Tom’s Guide on how you can help yourself get enough sleep to wake up feeling refreshed and healthy. 

“Waking up after 6 hours of sleep can be due to several factors and a combination of these factors,” says Dr. Leah Kaylor, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in sleep and trauma. 

Stress, anxiety, and mental health issues in general have a major impact on our sleep. Dr. Kaylor stated that “stress, anxiety, or an overactive mind (your brain may be alert before your body is ready to be),” are key factors when it comes to the amount of sleep we get. 

“One of the most common [reasons] that I see as a sleep psychologist is untreated mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma that are not addressed,” Dr. Kaylor stated.

Prioritizing your mental health is important in general, and if you find yourself not getting enough sleep because of the issues you’re struggling with, talking to a professional will help guide you in the right direction.

Experts also recommend creating a calming and consistent nighttime routine to help your body understand it’s ready for sleep. 

“Another huge problem is poor sleep hygiene, like inconsistent bedtimes and heavy meals before bed. Sleep hygiene can include environmental disruptions like light, noise, or temperature, as well as alcohol and caffeine,” Dr. Kaylor explained. 

“One of the most common reasons is changes in our internal clock as we get older. We naturally tend to go to bed a bit earlier and wake up earlier with age, and our sleep also becomes lighter,” Dr Pamela Walters, an MD and consultant psychiatrist.

“Another factor is your cortisol rhythm. Cortisol naturally starts to rise in the early hours, and in some people, that rise comes too soon and wakes them.”

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Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Naturopathic sleep expert and founder of Skilled Sleeper, Dr. Catherine Darley, states: “What’s most important is to know your personal sleep setpoint, or where you fall on that bell curve. The tails of the bell curve are 6 and 10 hours.”

“The key is how you feel during the day—if you’re alert, focused, and emotionally stable without needing naps or caffeine to function, you’re likely getting enough rest,” says Dr. Kaylor.

“Feeling sleepy and unfocused or irritable after six hours is a sign that you’re not getting enough restorative sleep.”

“Quality matters just as much as quantity when it comes to sleep so even if you’re in bed for six hours, if that sleep is light or interrupted, your brain and body won’t have time to go through all the essential stages of sleep.”

“If you’re routinely getting six hours or less and struggling with tiredness, your body is probably telling you it needs more rest,” she said. 

Looking at your diet can also help improve your sleep cycles. Caffeine stays in your system from 3-10 hours, so reducing your intake and ensuring you stop drinking it later in the day can help. The same goes for alcohol. While alcoholic beverages can sometimes help you feel sleepy, that impact doesn’t last. 

“Although alcohol can help us fall asleep at night, once it’s metabolized it can cause us to wake later in the night. Stop alcohol three hours before bed,” says Dr. Darley.

It’s important to reflect on the specific issues your finding within your sleep schedule, and to look at your daily routine 

How To Land Your Dream Job: Experts Weigh In To Help People Find Their Ideal Place Of Employment

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As we enter into 2025, many people take the time to think about what they want to get out of the new year. One of the most popular resolutions is to focus on working hard to get a new job. So what are the experts saying you need to do in order to land your dream job.

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Mysterious Dog Respiratory Illness: What We Know And How To Protect Your Canine Companions

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Dog owners throughout the US are worried about their furry friend’s health after a new mysterious respiratory illness has begun making dogs sick. Here’s what we know about this new bacterial infection.

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How To Help Your Pets And Wildlife Stay Cool During The Final Month Of Summer 

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Rising temperatures around the world are impacting pets and wildlife greatly this year. Pet owners are doing everything they can to keep their furry friends cool and safe for the remainder of the summer, but it’s important to think about the wildlife animals that are also enduring this heat. 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a wildlife conservatory based in the UK, which is currently experiencing heat waves and droughts due to the heat this summer. An RSPB spokesperson recently discussed the best tips for keeping pets and wildlife safe throughout the rest of this summer.

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Many water sources throughout the world have begun to dry up due to extreme temperatures, causing multiple species of wildlife to become dehydrated. 

“A garden pond, no matter what size, benefits wildlife all year long, but is especially necessary in the heat. But even a shallow dish of water will help,” the spokesperson explained. 

“Some animals and birds will want to bathe and cool down, others just to drink, so keep it topped up with clean water and refreshed daily. Add pebbles or some kind of ramp around the edge of any water source to help the smallest creatures climb in and out.”

Dry conditions also cause a lot of vital food sources to become scarce, so the RSPB recommends putting out small quantities of food for wildlife. 

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“Putting out fruit and seeds will help, in small quantities but often, to avoid it spoiling. A bowl of dog or cat food (not fish-based) at night will help small animals. It’s essential to keep anything clean that you’re putting out – whether it’s a feeder or an upturned bin lid of water, as diseases can spread rapidly with different animals using them and in the heat.” 

“We  advise giving bird feeders a clean once a week with soapy water and emptying bird baths daily,” the spokesperson continued. 

If you have the garden space, let plants and trees grow as much as possible to provide multiple shade options for wildlife and your pets. 

“Shade is great for us, for our pets and certainly for our wildlife. A log pile will help lots of creatures to find a cool corner, from tiny woodlice to frogs and toads, as will longer grass. Avoid pruning and tidying up areas where leaves and branches are providing more shade,” the spokesperson explained. 

For your pets at home, make sure you’re consistently providing fresh water. Ice cubes are a great “summer treat” for dogs as well. 

If you happen to find a wild bird or mammal that seems to be in distress due to the heat, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center for the best possible care.

New Report Shows Keys To Maximizing Real Estate Earning Potential 

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McKissock Learning has revealed a new guide of income statistics from licensed real estate professionals across the United States as a means of keeping track of trends, and highlighting the methods that are maximizing agents’ earning potential.

McKissock Learning is one of America’s top online real estate schools, and provides educational courses and professional development to hundreds of thousands of agents across the country every year. 

In November 2021, the company reached out to thousands of licensed real estate agents and brokers to gain a better understanding of the specific strategies used to increase their earning potential. 

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Last year, the number of agents that participated was about half of the 9,000 participants in this year’s report. This way, the guide can show a much more accurate picture of what real estate agents are earning and how they’re making it possible. 

Real estate income is actually on the rise, despite the many complications the industry has faced throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. 75% of real estate agents reported that they earned more in 2020 than they did in 2019, with an average income of $129,996 for full-time agents. 

Another trend that’s helping the market continue to thrive is the fact that more agents are happy with the brokerage they’re a part of. Choosing the right brokerage is an essential part of being a successful agent. 

84% of the agents surveyed stated that they were satisfied with their brokerage experience. Only 6% of participants said that they plan on switching brokerages within the next couple of years. 

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Specializing in a niche has also proven to be one of the keys to maximizing your earning potential. Last year’s report showed the same results, citing that agents who showed eco-friendly properties were able to gain an average income of $263,180. 

92% of the participants reported that they feel very optimistic about their future in real estate, which is the highest percentage in the history of McKissock Learning’s reports. 

Only 12% of agents said they planned on retiring within the next five years. Real estate allows agents to create their own schedules, to an extent, so it’s easier for certain agents to reduce the number of hours they work per week to best fit their lifestyle and income goals. 

The report stated that obviously a reduction in hours could result in a reduction of income for agents, however, individuals can still earn a decent income as a part-time or semi-retired agent.