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Dear Heloise: Can exercise lift our moods and help with stress? — Irene K., in Hillsboro, Oregon
Irene, yes, exercise can improve our moods and reduce stress by improving sleep, relieving muscle tension, and affecting brain chemicals. Exercise is actually very simple, and you don’t have to go to a gym. A brisk walk anywhere from 20-30 minutes a day can help chase away depression, especially if you can find a walking partner.
Look for someone who can motivate you to keep going! Or if you’d rather walk alone, try using headphones with music. You’ll also feel better and become more toned if you eventually decide to do more vigorous exercise. — Heloise
HANDY GIFTS
Dear Heloise: My husband and I were approved for the adoption of the cutest little boy. He’s 2 years old and just as darling as can be. My sister decided to throw a shower for me, and all the people we knew came. It was a total surprise to me, but I was so lucky to receive so many wonderful things for my new son.
Among these gifts was a first-aid kit. At first, I thought it was a little odd, but believe me, it came in handy when he fell down and got a tiny cut on his knee. With a healthy, energetic little boy, I have a feeling that this is going to be a very useful item. It’s also given me an idea for gift giving for people who have bought a new home, are doing home renovations, just got married, and more! — Paula J., in Lansing, Michigan
Paula, so many times, people have told me about a gift they got for some occasion that seemed odd or even comical, and they had no idea that they’d end up using it over and over again. So, I wanted to ask my readers: What’s the strangest gift you’ve ever received, the ugliest gift, or one that was well-meant but made you say, “Why me?” — Heloise
CLEANING HOUSE
Dear Heloise: When cleaning a house, which is faster: fully cleaning one room before moving on to the next room, or doing one task (like dusting throughout the whole house) before going onto the next task (like vacuuming throughout the whole house)? — Valerie H., in Lolo, Montana
Valerie, for me, one method is no better than any other. I’ve found that if someone doesn’t like vacuuming, it’s probably better to vacuum the whole house and get it over with. But some folks feel like only one room may need vacuuming while the rest of the house can wait.
The one thing I can say from the letters we receive is that very few people enjoy cleaning the house. Everyone has their own method or schedule of cleaning, and the older we get, the less we want to clean house. — Heloise
FIRE-STARTERS
Dear Heloise: I have another use for empty toilet paper rolls. I use scented, wax, night-light candles. After a week or two, when the scent wears off, I put two or three cotton balls in them to soak up the melted wax. Then I wrap these up in a couple sheets of toilet paper and stuff them inside a toilet paper roll. They make a great fire-starter in my fireplace or outdoors! — Karen, in Oregon
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.