All In A Days Work

Enough sleep or not, driving can make you sleepy. Sitting in one spot, staring at the road – its definitely a way to make even the most alert driver drowsy. Did you know that a drowsy driver is 3x more likely to get in an accident?? !
Learn how you can help prevent yourself from becoming a statistic.

The National Sleep Foundation says that a lot of driving skills can be affected by being tired. If you drive drowsy, you can have a slow reaction time, impaired vision, aggressive driving behaviors, lack of awareness, and reduced hand-eye coordination. They also say a really tired driver can actually experience “micro sleeps” where a person can involuntarily bouts of sleep or unconsciousness. They episodes of ‘micro sleep’ can last a few seconds, which is plenty of time for you to drive the length of a football field at just 55 mph!

What Makes a Driver Drowsy?
Of course if you don’t get enough sleep at night it can cause you to be drowsy, but also people who work swing shifts, people with untreated sleep disorders, certain medications, or even coming off a caffeine or sugar high.
Signs of Drowsiness
You may think you are fine, but you want to keep an eye out for signs of drowsiness for you (or whomever is driving) such as heavy eyelids, frequent blinking, wandering thoughts, missing traffic signals or signs, yawning, restlessness, irritability, suddenly realizing where you are ,etc. IF you get drowsy, consider stopping for a break. Take a walk, drink some coffee, or even get a nap in.

How To Prevent Drowsy Driving
There are a few things to help you prevent drowsy driving such as:
Rest Up – make sure before you get behind the wheel that you are WELL RESTED. Starting off sleepy is a recipe for disaster.
Plan Ahead
If you are planning a road trip, schedule it so you get plenty of sleep prior to the drive as well as scheduling stops throughout the drive to stretch and if possible, switch drivers every 2 to 3 hours or so.
Be Aware of Medications and Medical Issues
Whether its medication or a medical issue that causes you to be sleepy, be aware and switch your driving habits as needed.

As they say – it’s better SAFE than SORRY. That road trip destination will still be there when ya’ get there!

Anytime you make a big purchase, it’s important to do your research. In this day and age it’s a lot easier thanks to online reviews and consumer reports at our fingertips.

As great as that info is, it won’t do you much good if you aren’t sure what you are looking for. Sometimes you need to dig a little deeper; and read a little more, to make sure that you are making a good, informed choice. If you have an idea of the car you are interested in, make sure to follow this simple check list to make sure you are getting a safe vehicle.

DO MORE THAN A STANDARD TEST DRIVE
A drive around the block, or even up the interstate and back won’t tell you what you need to know. Spend more time in a vehicle to make sure that its going to meet your driving needs. Cup holders, sun visors, even ports for your cell phone! I once bought a vehicle with ONE plug. ONE. I have 3 kids – it didn’t work well. Try to make a list of things you know you need, what you want, and what you can’t stand, so that you make a good decision.

A “CARFAX” ISN’T ALWAYS ALL THE FACTS
Those Carfax reports can be great – they give you a decent history report of service history, and accidents – that were REPORTED> But not everything that happens to a car gets put on that report. Some people chose to repair vehicles themselves, or even ‘cover up’ certain damages that they didn’t turn in to their insurance companies.
Be sure to use a sharp eye to look inside and outside the car – look for molded , stained or discolored carpet or seats, and even paint – if it looks somewhat mismatched there could have been prior damage. I always recommend having a second pair of eyes go with you (a friend or relative) because 4 eyes are better than 2!

CHECK KBB OR EDMUNDS
Both sites can offer reviews, safety ratings, values and a plethora of information that could be useful in your search.

CHECK FOR RECALLS
I cannot stress this enough – so many times people will ignore recalls, and that can be a safety hazard to YOU. The seller is under no obligation to let you know there is one (if they are aware of it). So for your own benefit, check yourself!

DON’T FORGET THE TIRES/BRAKES
I make it MANDATORY (if I am buying from a dealer) that my tires are in tip top shape, if not brand new. I also have someone check the brakes to make sure those aren’t close to needing to be done. You should have a good year left on both!

TRUST YOURSELF
Go with your gut – if you feel off about a vehicle, it’s OK to walk away. There are PLENTY out there. Take your time!


Making safe decisions when you’re purchasing a car is an important way to ensure you get a vehicle that keeps you secure for years to come !

Winter weather is certainly not fun for your skin. Low humidity levels and cold weather result in dry air which steals the moisture away from your skin. Dry skin can also lead to other several conditions such as cracking, bleeding, and even the appearance of acne. If you think that dry skin is just a normal part of the cold season, you should think again. Skin pros have shared their best strategies to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated during winter.

Hydrate from the inside out

Rich and hydrating products are certainly a must to help boost your skin’s moisture levels. However, there is one more golden rule that you have to keep in mind all around the year. Not intaking enough water will make your skin become dehydrated and lose its moisture. Staying hydrated during the cold season is a must to have radiant skin. Warm and comforting herbal teas, hydrating fruits and vegetables, plain water will help you hydrate your body from the inside out. Moreover, they will also boost your immunity during the flu season.

Exfoliate your skin

Skin exfoliation is wrongly promoted to be bad for the skin during winter. People believe that exfoliation only makes your skin become dryer. However, it is the best way to remove the top layer of dead skin cells and allow better absorption of your body products for moisturizing. Exfoliation is also beneficial for boosting collagen for a more healthier looking skin.

Use the right moisturizer

Once you have removed all the dead skin cells from your body, you have to apply the right moisturizer. Dryer areas like your hands, feet, elbows, and knees have thin skin and tend to lose moisture faster than other areas of your body. Choosing the right product for your skin type may be difficult.  Find out more on https://www.acnefoundation.org/best-acne-moisturizer/ to help you choose the perfect moisturizer for your skin. Also, once you apply it, make sure to leave plenty of time for the moisturizer to absorb into the skin.

Avoid hot showers

We all associate long hot showers with the sensation of relaxation. And, especially during winter when you have been out in the cold the whole day, you can barely wait to get home and warm up your body with a hot shower or bath. However, despite that calm sensation you feel afterward, long and steamy showers can seriously affect your skin. Hot water strips the beneficial oils of the skin and leaves it dry and sensitive. Therefore, you should either opt for moisturizing ingredients to infuse your skin with moisture while you soak or take shorter showers.

Protect your skin

The most exposed areas of your skin to the cold weather are your hands, face, and neck. During winter, get used to wearing gloves and scars to protect your skin from the cold winds, rain, and snow. Moreover, winter sun can be as damaging for your skin as during summer. Therefore, applying sunscreen before going out of your house is also essential to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.