INPUT ARTICLE: Article: One reason legs get sore is because of overuse and swelling. Raising your feet while relaxing at home will help to negate gravity and allow blood and lymph fluid to exit the lower legs and return into circulation. Taking your socks / nylons off will also help to reduce swelling, thus soothing them even further.  Raising your legs at or above your heart level is good for promoting circulation. Use soft pillows to elevate your legs while laying on the sofa, but don't hamper blood flow by crossing your legs or ankles. Soaking your legs in a warm Epsom salt bath can significantly reduce pain and swelling, especially if the pain is caused by muscle tension. The magnesium in the salt helps muscles relax. Don't make the water too hot (to prevent scalding), but make it as warm as is tolerable — the warmer the water, the more effective the Epsom. Don't soak in the bath for much more than 30 minutes because salty water pulls fluid from your body and may dehydrate you.  If swelling is a particular problem in your legs, then follow the warm salt bath with an ice bath until your legs start to feel numb (about 15 minutes or so). Always remember to dry your feet thoroughly after a bath so as to prevent slip and falls. If you're walking long distances, maybe the stress in your legs is due to muscle strain. Mild muscle strains respond well to some light stretching because it relieves muscle tension and promotes blood flow. The three main muscles groups to focus on are your calves, quadriceps, and hamstrings. In general, hold stretches (without bouncing) for about 30 seconds. Do these three to five times daily, until the discomfort in your legs decreases.  For a quad stretch while standing, brace yourself against a wall, flex your knee, and try to pull your foot such that your heel touches your buttocks. For a hamstring stretch while standing, bend over at the waist and try to touch your toes. Warming up and stretching your leg muscles prior to walking or any athletic activity may help prevent injuries such as strains, sprains, and muscle cramps. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin are short-term solutions to help you deal with tension, pain or inflammation in your legs. Keep in mind that these medications can be hard on your stomach, kidneys and liver, so it's best not to use them for more than two weeks on a constant basis.  Dosage for adults is usually 200–400 mg, by mouth, every four to six hours. Alternatively, you can try over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to soothe your legs, but never take them along with NSAIDs. Be careful not to take medications on an empty stomach, as they can increase the risk of ulcers. Ill-fitting and/or excessively heavy shoes also contribute to tired and sore legs. As such, wear stable, lightweight footwear that suits your job, sport or activity. Aim for no more than a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) heel. High heels crowd the toes and create more tension in the calf muscles and Achilles tendons. If you're a serious runner, replace your shoes every 350–500 miles (560–800 km) or three months, whichever comes first.  Remember to always tie your shoes tightly, because loose shoes or flip-flops puts more strain on your lower leg muscles. Minor leg injuries such as shin splints are often caused by walking (or running) uphill, on uneven terrain or on hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete. As such, alter your course and change the type of surface you walk on — switch to grass or dirt, for example. Weight loss helps prevent a variety of musculoskeletal problems as there's less pressure put on the bones and muscles of the feet and lower legs. For most women, consuming less than 2,000 calories daily will lead to some weight loss every week even if you're only a light exerciser. Most men will lose weight at under 2,200 calories daily.  Switch to lean meats and fish, whole grains, fresh produce and lots of water for the best weight loss results. Many overweight people have flat feet and tend to over-pronate their ankles, so choosing shoes with excellent arch support is crucial.

SUMMARY: Elevate your legs while resting. Consider an Epsom salt bath. Do some leg stretches. Take medications. Change your shoes. Lose weight.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Letting other people take charge can gradually teach you to relinquish control over time. Start small. Let a co-worker pick a restaurant you're ordering lunch from. Gradually build up to bigger tasks. For example, let a co-worker decide the agenda for a meeting at work. Play to people's strengths. If you feel the people you're putting in charge are skilled, you'll feel more comfortable letting go of control. For example, put a co-worker who's great a math in charge of budgeting for a project. Controlling people are often set off by certain situations. A great way to curb your controlling tendencies is to recognize your trigger. Figure out when you're likely to feel the need for control and avoid those situations. For example, maybe you don't do well in big group settings. You get nervous and try to micromanage what you do and where you go. Try to hang out with friends in small groups of one or two people to reduce your controlling tendencies. If you're not getting through to people, you may feel an extra urge to control. Learn to adjust your communication style between individual people. If you're able to express yourself more easily, anxiety won't bring out control freak tendencies.  Pay attention to how people respond to different types of communication. If a co-worker seems upset after you give them blunt feedback, maybe they don't respond to a "tough love" approach. Adjust your communication style next time to see if you can get through to them better. Add compliments between the criticisms and encourage your co-worker to come to you and ask for help if they're ever confused. If you're reaching out to people you trust, you'll be less likely to micromanage. If an overwhelming situation is bringing out your control freak tendencies, ask your most trusted co-workers, friends, and family members for help. This way, you'll be able to step back and relinquish control more easily. Let a few trusted friends and co-workers know you're actively trying to be less controlling. Tell them you would appreciate it if they would tell you up front if you're micromanaging a situation. This way, you can learn to recognize and then adjust your behavior as needed.  It's a good idea to suggest a humorous code word to use when you're being controlling. For example, they could say "bugaboo" when they feel you're behavior is too controlling. This will help you all keep the situation light.

SUMMARY:
Put someone else in charge of a situation. Recognize and avoid your triggers. Change how you communicate. Ask people you trust for help. Have people keep you in check.