| How to Keep Earbuds from Falling Out of Your Ears Posted: 08 Oct 2018 05:00 PM PDT Earbuds are a convenient way to listen to music and other media on the go, while exercising, or simply when you don't want to disturb those around you. Less convenient, however, is the annoying struggle to keep earbuds from slipping out of your ears. Of course, ears come in different sizes, and you may need to purchase new earbuds to achieve an appropriate fit. But before you invest in a new pair, there are a few tricks you can try to keep the earbuds you already have from falling out. EditTroubleshooting the Fit of Your Earbuds - Hang the cord over your ears. Instead of inserting your earbuds so the cord hangs straight down from your ear canal, insert them "upside down" and loop the cord over the back of your ear.
- This may feel strange at first if you're not used to it, but it will prevent the buds from slipping out every time the cord is slightly jerked or pulled.[1]
- Insert the buds firmly into your ears. Earbuds are meant to fit snugly into your ear canal. If your earbuds don't seem to sit comfortably in your ears, you may simply need to insert them more carefully.
- Stretch your earlobe gently with one hand to open the ear canal while inserting each earbud, then release so that your ear cavity shapes itself around the earbud and forms a tight seal.[2]
- Use the attachments that come with your earbuds. Don't disregard those extra foam or silicone tips that come packaged with your earbuds. Experiment with different sizes to see which is most comfortable for you. It's even possible that one of your ears is slightly larger than the other, and you may want to use two different sizes.[3]
- Purchase special attachments. You can purchase accessories for your existing earbuds to customize the fit. These are great for improving the fit of those cheap round earbuds that came free with your device. A popular choice is Yurbuds, soft rubber attachments that create a more snug fit into the ear. They can even be made in custom sizes.[4]
- Don't clean your ears with cotton swabs. A buildup of earwax can cause your earbuds to fit poorly and fall out. Using cotton swabs to remove earwax can actually cause the wax to be pushed against your eardrum, causing a blockage and possibly resulting in discomfort while wearing earbuds. Don't use Q-tips, and see a doctor if you think you may have an earwax blockage.[5]
EditPurchasing Well-Fitting Earbuds - Choose sport earbuds with ear hooks for working out. If you plan on using earbuds while exercising, basic circular earbuds might not cut it, no matter how well they fit. Invest in specialized sport headphones with features like ear hooks and bands that wrap around the head to ensure a safe and slip-free listening experience during your workout.
- Although earbuds with a hook that wrap around the back of the ear are a popular choice for athletes, some of these may cause skin chafing when worn for long periods of time. Consider well-fitting earbuds with smaller "ear fins" or wireless earbuds as an alternative if you have this problem.[6]
- Buy sweat-proof earbuds for exercise. If you wear earbuds during vigorous exercise or in hot weather, sweat may cause your earbuds to slip out. Look for earbuds labeled as "sweat-proof" if you expect to sweat while wearing them.[7]
- Purchase waterproof earbuds for use in all weather. If your earbuds may be exposed to water, such as during long distance running or winter sports, choose waterproof earbuds to make sure that excess moisture doesn't cause your earbuds to fall out.[8]
- Check for an IP (International Protection) rating on the package to ensure your earbuds are certified as sweat-proof or waterproof. Some brands may falsely advertise as such. For example, a rating of IPX4 is the standard for sweat-proof (but not waterproof) workout headphones.
- You can even purchase earbuds that are safe to use while swimming! These will have a rating of IPX8.[9]
- Buy wireless earbuds if cord tugging is an issue. If your earbud slippage is caused by the cord being pulled or caught on clothing or other objects, try wireless earbuds. These are on the more expensive side, but if you use earbuds frequently they are a worthwhile investment. These days, a wide range of wireless bluetooth earbuds are available.[10]
- Purchase earbuds designed for smaller ears if necessary. If you've tried everything and still can't keep your earbuds from falling out, you may simply have a particularly small ear canal. In this case, you may want to purchase earbuds designed for smaller ears.
- Women are more likely to have smaller than average ears, which can prevent earbuds from fully entering the ear canal. There are plenty of earbuds for sale that come with extra small attachments, and even many that are marked as being for women. [11]
- Certain people lack cartilage on the part of the ear that normally surrounds an earbud. This is sometimes called Ear Cartilage Deficiency Syndrome. If you have always found it very difficult to wear earbuds, you may want to examine your ears for this feature and purchase earbuds with extra support, such as those with ear hooks.[12]
- Don't listen through earbuds at very high volumes or for extended periods. No matter the fit and quality of your earbuds, excessive use can damage hearing and accelerate hearing loss over time.[13]
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| How to Prepare Your Garden for the Fall Posted: 08 Oct 2018 09:00 AM PDT Before the temperature drops, you can easily prepare your garden for the fall! While it is still warm and the soil is workable, remove weeds, dead plants, and lawn debris from your garden. Then, harvest any remaining crops, add some compost, till your soil, and cover with mulch. To prepare for the cold, cover perennials with mulch, bring sensitive plants indoors, and cover your compost bin. With a little bit of maintenance, your garden will easily be ready for the next season. EditTidying up Your Garden - Start a new compost bin for the upcoming season. Use a shovel or garden tool to scoop up your compost, and place it in a bucket or bin to use in your garden. Use up your older compost and add fresh organic matter to it every year. This will help your plants continue to receive rich nutrients.[1]
- You don't have to get rid of every single compost scrap. Just make sure you use the majority of your compost to prevent wasting it.
- Clean up any dead plants and lawn debris from your garden bed. Walk around your garden and pick up any dead branches, dropped fruit, and other large garden debris. Pull up any spent plants to avoid pests and disease, as well. Then, add all of this organic matter to your compost pile after you clear it out.[2]
- You can wear gardening gloves to prevent injuries while cleaning up your yard.
- Rip out all of the weeds from your garden. In addition to removing dead plants and debris, it is helpful to weed your garden in the fall to prevent weeds from growing down the line. To do this, put on a pair of garden gloves and pull up the weed by its stem and roots. You want to remove its roots, so pull straight up with moderate force. Then, throw your weeds in your compost pile.[3]
- If the weeds are seeding or if you believe that they may grow new weeds, throw them away in the trash instead of the compost pile.
- Go around all of your garden bed and pull up every weed you find.
- Inspect your trees and perennials and prune them accordingly. Look for discoloration or growths on the leaves, branches, and flowers of your plants. If you find any damaged or diseased spots, cut them off using garden shears or scissors. In addition, you can prune plants in the fall based on your climate zone. Some crops will be ready to prune as soon as fall strikes, while others can wait until the first frost or the next spring. Check your plants' pruning instructions online.[4]
- For example, you can prune plants like perennial herbs, blackberries, raspberries, roses, and fruit trees.
- To determine your hardiness zone, visit a site like https://garden.org/nga/zipzone/, and type in your zip code. Press "Go," and then review the climate zone listed. This site will also offer information about when to prune your plants for the fall.
EditPreparing Your Soil - Harvest all of your vegetables and herbs before you till your soil. When summer transitions to autumn, you can harvest your remaining crops to use during the colder months. Scavenge as much of your garden as you can! It is helpful to use a basket when collecting your crops. In addition, you can collect seeds from your crops if you want to grow them again next year.[5]
- For example, dig up your final carrots and potatoes, and pluck your final tomatoes or peppers.
- You can also lay your herbs flat or hang bundles vertically for over 24 hours to dry them, if you'd like to use dried herbs for cooking or around your house.
- Check your soil nutrient composition and pH level using a test kit. Purchase a test kit, and use about of dirt from the top of your soil. Put your soil in the testing chamber, and stop when you reach the indicated line. Then, add distilled water with an eye-dropper. Wait 1-2 minutes for the soil test to complete, and do this to test both nutrients and pH levels.[6]
- To determine the levels, check the color of the indicator and match it with the key on your test kit.
- To make your soil more acidic, add sulfur, aluminum sulfate, or iron sulfate.
- To make your soil more basic, use powdered limestone or lime.
- If you don't want to amend your soil, choose plants that grow well in its natural pH.
- Loosen your soil with a rake or hand tool to aerate the soil. Your soil is likely compacted from walking over it during the summer months. To loosen up your soil, take a garden tool and dig up the top layer of soil.[7]
- Do this for both garden beds and raised beds.
- Moving around the soil on top helps your new plants take root in the soil and receive more nutrients from underneath.
- Spread of compost or fertilizer over your soil. After your soil is loosened up, pour a couple of inches of compost from your bin on top. A rich layer of compost will replenish the soil's nutrients, whether you are growing crops in the fall or waiting until springtime.[8]
- If after testing your soil you realize there is a depletion of particular nutrients, you can add fertilizer in that nutrient instead of compost. This will replenish specific nutrients and bring your soil back to a balanced state.
- Cover your garden with mulch to avoid weeds, pests, and diseases. In addition to compost or fertilizer, pour an even, thin layer of mulch over your garden bed. Your layer should be about thick at most. You can purchase mulch at a garden store or local nursery. Dried grass clippings, straw, wood chips, and pine needles also work.[9]
- Adding the right amount of mulch is important to avoid pests and diseases. Once the ground freezes, pests and diseases often die off. If you have too much mulch, the cold temperatures will not spread into your soil.
- Mulch helps protect your soil and prevent weeds from emerging. As the mulch breaks down, it will release new nutrients into the soil.
EditEquipping Your Garden for Frost - Plant fall cover crops at least 4 weeks before the first frost. Planting cover crops is helpful because they keep the soil microbes alive during the winter months. They also suppress weeds and reduce erosion of the topsoil. Use crops with deep roots to add as much nutrients to your soil as possible.[10]
- Use cover crops like rye, garlic, and legumes.
- Turn over your cover crops in the springtime before you plant your spring flowers and vegetables.
- Bring your herb garden inside if you are growing herbs in containers. Herbs are sensitive to the cold, and you should bring them indoors when you notice them wilting. Leave your herb containers in a spot with ample natural light so they continue to grow in the colder months.[11]
- For example, you can store your herb containers on a window ledge in your kitchen, morning room, or living room.
- Alternatively, you can dry your herbs to use them later or harvest the seeds to plant during the next growing season.
- Trim perennial stems to about above the soil. If you are growing perennial plants like bergenias or brunnera, grab a pair of scissors or garden shears and trim the stalks down so only a few inches are visible. Place your plant scraps in your compost bin. This helps the plants stay healthy while dormant during the cold temperatures.[12]
- It is also helpful to lay down mulch over your perennials to prevent the roots from freezing and thawing multiple times in winter and spring.
- Transplant sensitive plant species indoors 1-2 months before frost hits. If you have tender crops like begonias and dahlias, you want to replant them into indoor pots so they stay healthy during the winter. To do this, trim overgrown leaves or branches, and gently lift your plants out of the ground. Place your individual plants in pots large enough to house their roots, and pour sand or dry compost overtop. Leave the top of the plant's crown visible, and store them in a safe location.[13]
- Good locations to store your plants include your morning room, foyer, or kitchen.
- If you live somewhere with mild fall and winter seasons, you can protect your plants by covering the crowns with a thick layer of mulch instead of transplanting them.
- Cover your compost with a plastic tarp or layer of straw before it snows. To keep your compost pile rich with nutrients and safe from the cold, throw a plastic tarp on top. This helps preserve your compost throughout the colder months. You can secure the plastic on the sides of your compost bin by stacking rocks on the edges or zip-tying it to nearby posts.[14]
- If you don't have a plastic sheet or tarp to use, you can also cover your compost with a layer of straw.
- Shut down your watering system before the first frost. Disassemble your garden hose or automatic irrigation system so it is not damaged in the cold. If you are collecting rainwater, you can drain your water barrel. Store your watering supplies in your shed, garage, or basement.[15]
- For example, unscrew your garden hose from your outdoor spigot and bring it into your shed.
- Make sure all the water is out of your system, especially if you live in a cold climate. You can use an air compressor to spray out any remaining droplets.
- It is helpful to find your climate zone and check your particular fall gardening instructions. If you live in a warmer climate, your fall gardening preparations may be much different than someone living in a very cold environment.
EditThings You'll Need - Garden bed or raised beds
- Garden gloves or clean hands
- Nutrient-rich potting soil
- Rake
- Seeds or bulbs (optional)
- Compost
- Compost bin
- Mulch
- Fertilizer
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| How to Treat Adult Acne Posted: 08 Oct 2018 01:00 AM PDT Adult acne can be frustrating and embarrassing but there are many ways to treat it. Acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree oil can work wonders for your skin. Your doctor can also recommend stronger treatments like retinoids or medication to treat your breakouts. To help stop breakouts, do your best to eat healthy to prevent the buildup of acne-causing oil in your pores. EditUsing Topical Treatments - Wash your face twice a day with a salicylic acid cleanser. With clean hands, lather a salicylic acid facial cleanser onto your skin. Rinse it off thoroughly. Pat your face dry with a clean towel to make sure your skin isn't exposed to any more bacteria.[1]
- You can purchase a salicylic acid cleanser online or in most drug stores.
- Salicylic acid should be clearly labelled as a main ingredient on the packaging.
- If your skin is very dry, wash only the acne-effected areas with the salicylic acid cleanser or alternate it with a gentle cleanser to avoid over-drying.
- Apply a hot compress to your acne 3 times a day to open clogged pores. Run a clean cloth under warm water and wring it out thoroughly. Gently apply the cloth to your acne and hold it there for about 10 minutes. This will improve blood circulation to this area, helping to unclog the pores.[2]
- The compress should not be hot enough to scald your skin.
- Spot treat blemishes with benzoyl peroxide gel or cream. Benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria and exfoliates the skin to remove oil and dead skin cells. Start with a mild benzoyl peroxide treatment and move on to a stronger dosage if it is not effective. Apply benzoyl peroxide cream or gel directly to your acne with a clean finger 1-2 times daily.[3]
- It is available in strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10%.
- Start with a mild benzoyl peroxide treatment and move on to a stronger dosage if it is not effective.
- Be careful when applying benzoyl peroxide as it can bleach hair and clothing on contact.
- Possible side effects of using benzoyl peroxide include dry skin, redness, burning, and stinging.
- There are many cleansers, moisturizers, and lotions with benzoyl peroxide, but it is better suited as a spot treatment given its strength.
- Benzoyl peroxide creams and gels are available online, at pharmacies, and at some department stores.
- Apply a treatment with tea tree oil to your acne as a natural alternative. Tea tree oil is a natural acne-fighting ingredient that is milder than other harsh breakout treatments. Buy a face wash, cream, lotion, or gel that contains at least 5% tea tree oil to target acne. Since tea tree oil is not as strong as ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, it will likely take a bit longer to see results.[4]
- Possible side effects may include mild itching, burning, redness, and dryness.
- Only use tea tree oil topically.
- Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce redness. Hydrocortisone creams contain a low dose of steroids that can ease the redness of your acne and help reduce the swelling. Apply the cream directly to your acne with clean fingers. The longer you leave the cream on your acne the more effective it will be.[5]
- Apply hydrocortisone cream to clean, dry skin.
- Smooth hydrocortisone cream onto your skin until it disappears. You do not have to wipe it away afterwards.[6]
EditGetting Medical Help - See your doctor to rule out any medical causes for your acne. Several medical conditions that affect hormone levels could be the culprit behind your acne. Pregnancy or menopause could also be the cause. Visit your doctor to diagnose or rule out any of these conditions.[7]
- For instance, overactive adrenal glands may be causing your acne and should be treated.[8]
- Treating the underlying condition will usually clear up your acne.
- Ask your dermatologist about retinoids to treat your acne. Retinoids are strong skin-conditioning treatments available in both over-the-counter and prescription doses. They are available in gel, cream, and liquid form. Talk to your doctor to see if retinoids are the right choice of treatment for your acne and follow their recommendations for dosage and application.[9]
- Your doctor will likely recommend a lower concentration to start to avoid irritation.
- Retinoids may not be the right choice for you if you have very dry or sensitive skin.
- Tell your doctor if you are or may be expecting, as some retinoids should be avoided if you are pregnant.
- Discuss the contraceptive pill with your doctor for your hormonal acne. Many women suffer from acne due to hormonal changes or imbalances. Ask your doctor if taking a daily contraceptive pill would help to treat your breakouts. Discuss the possible side effects with your doctor to decide if this option is right for you.[10]
- Your doctor may not recommend taking the pill if you are a smoker, taking medications that may conflict with it, or have a history of cancer.[11]
- Side effects of hormonal birth control may include blood clots, irregular bleeding, increased blood pressure, and headaches.
- Ask your doctor about oral antibiotics if you have severe acne. Your doctor may prescribe a short-term antibiotic treatment if your acne doesn't respond to any other treatments. Tetracycline or macrolide antibiotics are most commonly prescribed for acne. Discuss the possible side effects with your doctor to decide if this treatment is best for you.[12]
- Side effects may include dizziness or upset stomach.
- Antibiotics will only be prescribed for a few weeks to avoid the risk of your body building up a tolerance to them.
- Your doctor may also prescribe a topical antibiotic, which is less effective and may also loss its effectiveness if the bacteria under your skin builds up a resistance to it.
EditAdjusting Your Diet - Eat fewer carbohydrates and refined sugars. Sugar and starchy foods cause a spike of insulin in the body, resulting in a rise of male hormones that may cause acne. To reduce your risk of acne, replace these refined carbs with healthier choices like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.[13] Cut down on foods like:[14]
- White bread
- Pasta
- White potatoes
- White rice
- Sugary breakfast cereal
- Corn
- Cake
- Cookies
- Avoid foods with high salt and iodine if you are prone to breakouts. Iodine is an element that can build up in your body over time and cause acne, particularly in people who are prone to blemishes already. Iodine is mainly found in salty foods, but also in shellfish and green vegetables like kelp and spinach. Reduce your consumption of these foods to help treat your adult acne.[15]
- Read products labels while grocery shopping to avoid prepared foods with heavy sodium content.
- Aim to consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day.
- Cut back on dairy to reduce your risk for adult acne. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can sometimes cause acne by affecting hormone levels in the body, causing oil production to increase. Reduce your consumption of dairy to see if you notice any change in your complexion.[16] Get nutrients like calcium and vitamin D from other sources, such as kale, almonds, salmon, and calcium-fortified orange juice.[17]
- Reducing stress may also help control breakouts.
- Clean your cell phone with disinfecting wipes a few times a week to get rid of acne-causing bacteria.[18]
- Hormonal IUDs may cause acne breakouts.[19]
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