Photo courtesy of: shira gal / Flickr

Long, short, straight, or curly, hot weather has a way of wreaking havoc on our locks. The good news is, summery hairdos are supposed to look slightly messy. Think a day at the beach. If your coif looks like you spent a day at the beach fending off Jaws, there’s a problem. Thankfully, there are several ways to keep your hair under control in spite of the humidity.

Photo courtesy of Melanie Holtsman / Flickr

Is your child spending more time outdoors, groaning when the morning alarm goes off, dragging his or her feet to the school bus, and putting up a fight at homework time? They likely have a case of summeritis. With the extended break from the classroom on the horizon, most kids are ecstatic at the thought of temporarily putting school out of their minds. However, it’s important that children continue to read year-round. Reading sets the foundation for not only success in the classroom, but also success in life. Here are some key tips for instilling a love of learning and books in your child, even during the summer months:

Photo courtesy of: Joelle Van Dyne / Flickr

There is always going to be someone that just grates on your nerves. Whether it’s a coworker who insists on long-winded chats when your phone is ringing off the hook, a friend’s clingy significant other, or an angry neighbor who constantly accuses you of stealing his paper, everyone has a social nemesis or two. The most effective tactic is complete and utter avoidance. Yet, many times this isn’t possible, unless you’re willing to relocate and cut all of your ties. Before you reach a boiling point, put a few strategies into effect:

Photo courtesy of: Ron Wiecki / Flickr

The pharmaceutical industry must be chomping at the bit, because there’s a new psychological condition in town. It has been deemed Nomophobia, short for “No mobile phone phobia.” While you would think they would concoct a wittier name, MSNBC reports that a recent study found 66-percent of people surveyed were afflicted with the condition. It’s characterized by an obsession with being connected at all times.

Photo courtesy of: aafromaa / Flickr

Each month the editors at Amazon.com comb through the millions of books that cross their paths and compile a list of the 10 best new books of the month. Now’s the time to start filing up your Kindle, Nook, or regular old shopping bag with a few high-quality beach reads. The subject matter is diverse and told in an array of different genres. Here are 5 of the latest must-reads:

Photo courtesy of: Frank V / Flickr

Do you take pride in your impeccable taste in music? Are you called upon at parties to extract the perfect tunes from your extensive playlist? Then why is that cheesy Miley Cyrus song playing on repeat in your brain? Those annoying songs and melodies that get stuck in our heads and refuse to leave, are referred to as earworms. They don’t discriminate. In fact, according to a recent NPR piece, 90-percent of people experience an earworm at least once per week.

Photo courtesy of Kanaka Menehune / Flickr

With the advent of the Internet, the dating game has changed. Our busy lifestyles make it difficult to meet eligible members of the opposite sex. Workplace romances are typically a no-go and connecting with someone during a night out on the town can end in disaster when the lights come on. Hence, the popularity of online dating. The problem? You can’t rely on your superb style or dazzling smile to secure a first date. Instead, it’s all about that first message. Here are some tips for getting a positive response:

Photo courtesy of: Mike Mccune / Flickr

Working from home allows you the freedom to stay in your pajamas, come and go as you please, catch the latest episode of Ellen on your lunch break, and spend some time with the kids, pets, or a significant other. On the down side, when you tell family and friends you’re working from home, they sometimes take that to mean that your daytime schedule is wide open. Without the prying eyes of a boss, it can be hard to call it quits for the day or remain focused. Here are some tips for getting the most out of a home-based gig:

Photo courtesy of: Antony Hell / Flickr

Sitting at a computer day in and day out can take a serious toll on your body. An aching neck, stiff joints, and back pain often come along with an office job. Loosen up, reduce stress, and keep your joints mobile by taking a workday yoga break. You can practice these moves at your desk:

Photo courtesy of: Dennis Hamilton / Flickr

An increased work load can lead to stress, fatigue, illness, and long hours at the office or home office. Endless cups of coffee aren’t the ideal way to increase your productivity. Here are some simple tricks for getting more done in less time: