Smart thermostats can be controlled from an application on your mobile phone or tablet, allowing you to change the temperature when you’re away from the house. They also have multiple sensors that provide a better overall reading of the temperature in your home and heat or cool your home more efficiently than regular thermostats. Smart thermostats also send you reports about your energy usage so you can be more in tune with how much energy you are using. Look for the Energy Star label on appliances like refrigerators, freezers, ovens, dishwashers, desktop computers, laptops, printers, and scanners, which indicates that these appliances are energy efficient. Switching your electronics to those with an Energy Star label can significantly reduce your energy consumption and therefore your energy bills.  An Energy Star label signifies that an appliance is more energy-efficient than 75% of other appliances, therefore saving energy and money.  If you live outside the U.S., contact appliance manufacturers or local government officials to find out about similar ratings or programs in your area. Adjust your refrigerator temperature to 38 to 42 °F (3 to 6 °C) and your freezer temperature to 0 to 5 °F (−18 to −15 °C). Check that the seal on the oven door is intact and avoid peeking in the oven more than necessary, as this lets out heat and increases the cooking time.  If your fridge has a power-save switch, make sure it is on, and always check that the door seals tightly. Use your microwave, rather than your oven, for reheating small items. Set your washing machine to wash your clothes in cold water, which can save you up to 50 cents per load while still cleaning your clothes effectively. Always clean the lint out of the filter of the dryer after each use, and remember to dry heavy and light fabrics separately.  Use the highest spin cycle on your washing machine, as the high spin speeds remove more moisture and reduce the time needed to dry clothing. If possible, invest in a front-loading washer as they save more water and energy than top-loading washers. Consider buying a high-efficiency washing machine. These are designed to save water and require less detergent. Having a well-insulated home will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool the area. Check the insulation around your home, especially in your attic. If needed, add more insulation to your roof/ceiling, attic, or basement to ensure your home is as energy-efficient as possible. If your home is not well-insulated, it will trap more heat in the summer, and lose heat in the winter. This will require you to spend more energy on heating and air conditioning. Having gaps or cracks in your walls or your windows can lead to drafts, which can let out cool air and lead to wasted energy use. Seal any gaps or cracks in your home so you can reduce your heating and cooling bill. Make sure your windows are draught-proof and energy efficient, especially if you live in a colder climate. Saving water also reduces the amount of energy needed to purify or heat it. Limit your shower time and turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. You can also make sure to wash only full loads of laundry and dishes in order to save water and energy used to heat the water. Installing low-flush toilets and low-volume faucets will also dramatically reduce your water usage.  Avoid pre-washing your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. Limit the amount of time sprinklers are on, and make sure to only water grassy areas, rather than overspraying onto sidewalks or parking lots.

Summary: Use a smart thermostat. Choose energy-efficient appliances. Use your refrigerator and oven efficiently. Use your washing machine and dryer efficiently. Ensure your home is well-insulated. Draught-proof your home. Reduce your water usage.


In iTunes, click on "Store" in the Menu bar at the top and click "Sign Out."

Summary: Log into iTunes on your computer. Sign in with the alternate account.


The Ferber Method is compatible with any bedtime routine, so you won't have to change what has been working for your baby. The only difference is in how you respond to your baby after they are in bed. Go through your usual routine with your baby. Then, once your baby is drowsy and ready for sleep, place them into their crib. After you have placed your baby on their back, exit the room. Your baby may cry, but this is normal. Allow your baby to cry for up to 5 minutes before returning to the room again. You can listen just outside the door or use a baby monitor. After 5 minutes have passed, come back into your baby’s room and give your baby a reassuring pat and tell them everything is okay. Try saying something like, “You’re okay! Mommy loves you!” or “Go back to sleep, sweetie. I love you!” After reassuring your baby, leave the room again and this time do not return for 10 minutes. Your baby may continue crying for the full 10 minutes or they may tire themself out and fall asleep. Either way, wait for 10 minutes before you return to the room, and then reassure your baby in the same way as before. This can be difficult for many parents to do since listening to your baby cry can be heartbreaking. However, it is a necessary part of the process. The goal is to gradually increase the time by 5 minutes after each visit to your baby’s room to reassure them. At a certain point, your baby should fall asleep on their own. Repeat the process every night and your baby should fall asleep faster after a few nights of using this technique. Keep in mind that this method is controversial. Some parents think it is too extreme and prefer variations where they stay in the room while their baby cries or where they wait until the baby’s natural bedtime—no matter how late it is—and then put the baby to bed when they seem truly sleepy. If this technique does not work for you and your baby, then try something else.

Summary: Place your baby in their crib after their bedtime routine. Leave the room and allow them to cry for 5 minutes. Return to the room after 5 minutes and give your baby a reassuring pat. Leave for 10 minutes and then come back to reassure your baby again. Continue to increase the time by 5 minutes each time you leave the room.


Select a healthy, go-to distraction that requires your full attention. When you are hit with a wave of pain, pull out that item and concentrate on it until you feel the pain ebbing. In a workplace setting, a suitable distraction could be a good book, your iPad, some music and headphones, or even adult coloring. Picture your pain as an object in your mind, then open a box and place it inside. You can even visualize locking it up if that helps. Other pain management visualizations include placing your pain behind a wall or imagining your pain as a light bulb that you turn off or dim. . The goal here is to calm your mind and focus on a single sense, such as sight, hearing, smell, or feeling. Put all of your attention toward analyzing the sounds that you are hearing in your office and disregard everything else. You may find that your brain is so focused on this other task that the pain becomes secondary or nonexistent. Another option is to do a “body scan” where you consider each part of your body in turn until you identify the pain sources. Then, you concentrate on sending all of your healing energy to those spots. Close your eyes, put in some headphones with soothing music or nature sounds, and visualize yourself at a calming location. It should be somewhere specific to your interests, such as the beach or the mountains. Do this for a few minutes minimum at least three times a week. This is a great way to cut down on pain right before a stressful event, like an important meeting. If you are uncertain how to begin, a therapist can guide you through the imagery process by providing verbal cues. This is an experimental pain relief method, but increasing numbers of people swear by it. Get a portable green light machine (available for purchase online or through a medical or therapy supply store) and place it in your workspace, several feet away from your face. Then, turn and face your body towards it for about 45 minutes, four times a week.  This might be a good way to spend at least a few of your workplace lunches. Or, you can turn on the green light while you are reading or working on paperwork. Light therapy has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The light waves enter your eyes and stimulate your nervous and endocrine system to release positive chemicals into your bloodstream.
Summary: Distract yourself. Visualize putting the pain away. Take a mindfulness meditation break Go into guided imagery. Install a green light in your workspace.