Problem: Article: If you’re dealing with an infection, getting plenty of rest will help your body recuperate. You will probably still have responsibilities to take care of, but try not to push yourself beyond what absolutely needs to get done. If you have a bacterial sinus infection, you may need and antibiotic as well as mucoactive agents to dry up the mucus, such as Mucinex. Drinking an adequate amount of water daily will cause mucus to lose its thickness and help clear the nasal passages.  Caffeine-free tea and soup are common cold remedies for this reason. Try sipping on peppermint tea or eating some pineapple. The menthol in peppermint and the bromelain in pineapple might help to reduce the coughing mucus causes.  Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, by contrast, can increase mucus production and dehydrate the body. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and squeeze out the excess water. Then, cover the nose and cheeks with the hot washcloth compress. The heat from the washcloth will loosen the mucus and reduce the pain caused by congestion. Heat will help dilute the mucus (which is mostly solid in nature), resulting in easier release when you blow your nose. The steam from the shower opens up your nasal passages, which allows mucus to pass through easily. Taking warm showers will also help dry up mucus because the steam is able to open up the nasal passages so that mucus can easily pass through.  Remember that during nasal congestion the nasal passages are all blocked up, and steam works with heat to thin the mucus, allowing for easier mechanical release.  Steam inhalation also works — boil a pot of water, then remove it from the heat. Get a blanket or any cloth that can cover your face and the pot of boiling water, and inhale the steam so that it can loosen the mucus. Be very careful not to burn yourself on the pot or the hot steam; keep your face at least 12 inches above the water. Try adding a few drops of essential oils such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or eucalyptus oil to help open up your sinuses. You may also find that using a humidifier helps ease your symptoms.
Summary: Rest. Increase your fluid intake. Apply a hot compress. Take a hot shower.

Problem: Article: Depending on the facts of your particular case, you may file a “motion for summary judgment.” A motion for summary judgment is a pleading that can be filed by either party, assuming that the party believes that depositions and affidavits demonstrate that there are “no genuine issues of material fact” that a jury needs to consider for a verdict to be rendered.  Essentially, this type of motion argues that there are no issues of the facts, so the case can be decided by the judge on the basis of the law only. Discuss the possibility of a motion for summary judgment with your attorney. If you do not have an attorney and your opponent files a motion for summary judgment, you should argue in response that there are facts that are disputed, and those facts are what will determine the outcome of the case. Even after filing a lawsuit, you can still try to work things out with your opponent. In fact, most cases actually “settle,” or a worked out, before trial. Settling with the opposing party is a good idea for many reasons including:  Settling will save you time: trials are often long and drawn out, therefore, settling now means that as a plaintiff, you will receive money sooner rather than later. Settling is easier than trial: as someone representing yourself, going all the way through the trial can be stressful due to the complex and unfamiliar nature of the legal system, settling will save you from having to navigate all the way through a trial on your own. Settling insures you agree to the outcome of the case: if you end up going to trial, you really have no idea how the judge or jury will decide your case. Additionally, sometimes, even if you should win, you don’t (or you don’t win nearly as much money as you are entitled to). Because settling a case means that the case doesn’t have to go all the way through the legal system, judges often encourage parties to settle cases as well, and sometimes provides help to parties who want to try and work it out. Ask the clerk in the court where you filed your lawsuit whether there are any resources available to parties who want to settle. Mediation is an “alternative dispute resolution” technique where a third party “neutral mediator” (that is, someone who is not on your side, or your opponent’s side), yourself and your opponent discuss the case and try to come to an agreement on a settlement. The mediator is there to help the parties discuss the issues without getting angry or frustrated with each other. Many states offer low cost programs that supply mediators for various types of cases, including landlord-tenant disputes, divorce cases, and disputes between neighbors. To prepare for a mediation session, do the following:  Think about what outcomes would be acceptable to you: think about what you want from your opponent, and don’t limit yourself to asking for money. For example, many people want an apology from the person who they think wronged them. Prepare to show the mediator the evidence that supports your claim. This will allow the mediator to get an idea of whose side of the case is “better,” and, even though the mediator cannot force you or your opponent to accept a settlement, they may be able to discuss the chances each party would have at trial. Remember that the goal of mediation is come up with a settlement that works for both parties. Don’t go into mediation with a mindset that you have to “win” or “punish” your opponent. Instead, you should be prepared to work collaboratively with the mediator and your opponent to come up with a creative solution to your issues. In addition to mediation, you may consider participating in “arbitration” to resolve your lawsuit. Arbitration is similar to a trial, but is more informal.   In an arbitration proceeding, you and your opponent present oral testimony, documents, and other evidence to a neutral third party (the arbitrator) who then makes a decision based on both sides case, usually called an “award.” Unlike mediation, an arbitrator’s award is binding on the parties, so whatever the arbitrator decides goes. Arbitrators are trained, and are almost always retired judges or lawyers. You should prepare for arbitration the same way that you would prepare for trial (see below for more information).
Summary: File a Motion for Summary Judgment. Settle your case before trial. Go to mediation. Arbitrate your dispute.

Problem: Article: Choose a  clean, 1/2-ounce (15-milliliter) tin or jar to store your lip balm in. Add about 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of petroleum jelly into the container. Vanilla, mint, or strawberry are all great choices. You can even add a pinch cocoa powder if you want chocolate-flavored lip balm. If you do this, however, it would be a good idea to add a drop of vanilla extract for sweetness as well. Keep stirring until the color and texture are consistent. Be sure to scrape the sides of the tin often so that nothing gets left un-mixed. Run your finger or the back of a spoon over the top of your lip balm until it is nice and smooth. You can skip this step if you are impatient or don't care about the finish. Once you have everything stirred and smoothed down, the lip balm is ready to use! Apply it to your lips with your finger, and cover it with a lid when you are not using it. There is no need to refrigerate the lip balm.
Summary:
Fill a small container with petroleum jelly. Add 2 to 3 drops of baking essence or extract. Stir the mixture with a toothpick. Smooth the balm down for a nicer finish. Use the lip balm.