The Great Outdoors!

Did you ever stop and think about taking a walk or run outside instead of going to the gym? The outdoors provides a free place to exercise and great scenary. The outdoors can create better mental health for all of us. The external environment is great for exploring, for everyone! Little kids love to explore, and there is so much out there that adults don't even know about. It is amazing all the different species that exist in nature. Being outdoors also allows us to get more sunshine, which we all know is important. Even when it's cold we need to spend time outside.

A scientist at the University of Illinois found that children with ADHD benefit from being outdoors. The scientist found that the children with ADHD that spent time outdoors in a green environment were more focused and ready to learn when they returned inside. http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/franklin/consumernews/080708.html And yet, recess gets cut short and children are kept inside for the majority of the day.

A green environment is calming and reduces stress, increases the clarity of the mind, boosts energy and gives us longer attention spans! Many people have trouble finding time to get outdoors, but it should be a priority! We spend so much time indoors from one place to the next never taking enough time to enjoy our surroundings. Start getting outdoors more often even if it's cold. Make plans with friends to go on a hike or walk instead of taking the bus. It doesn't take much to be able to spend some time in the fresh air: good for the body and the mind!

Here are some sites that offer more information on the benefits of being outdoors.

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/recreation-article/the-benefits-of-exercising-outdoors/3989

http://www.backyardnature.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=389

Contact Lenses

There are so many things in our lives that can cause cancer and/or cause our bodies harm. Some of us just live our lives not knowing what those things are, or just not wanting to know. One thing that I knew was bad but didn't know how or why, contact lenses. I wear contacts and decided that I should do some research on how they affect my eyes.

In 2006 there was an outbreak of an eye infection in Singapore, that was related to a cleaning product by Bausch & Lomb. This infection, Fersarium Keratitis, is known to cause blindness and/or scar tissue. To read more about this: http://drbenkim.com/blog/2006/05/potential-dangers-of-contact-lenses.html

Contact lenses can cause dangers to the eyes, but if properly cleaned and worn the risk of infection is lowered. Our eyes are not something to mess around with. I personally never thought too much about how dangerous putting something in my eye could be, but now that I think about it and have done some reading, our eyes are super sensitive and they are not something I want to have get infected and damaged.

There are things that contact wearers can do: make sure that the contacts are made to allow adequate oxygen flow, clean them properly, follow instruction from the doctor, don't be cheap-put a new pair in when it's time, and just be aware. Do the research and ask questions to find out what contacts are right for you, I know I am going to!

These sites offer information on infections, Q&A, and preventative measures.

http://searchwarp.com/swa8056.htm

http://www.allaboutvision.com/askdoc/contact-lenses.htm

http://www.contactlenses123.com/Contact-Lens-Dangers.html

Heart Burn

Many people suffer from hearburn, I personally am not one, but many people I know are heartburn sufferers. What exactly is heartburn? According to Wikipedia, it is most commonly the regurgitation of gastric acid. Which I can only imagine would be quite painful and uncomfortable. If you are a person who suffers from heartburn check out this video, it is a bit long but gives great tips on how to naturally cure heartburn. http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?

Also heartburn is one of the many things that for some, can be avoided by small lifestyle changes. Changing your diet, incorporating exercise and quiting smoking are just a few changes a person could make in their life to reduce their risk of heartburn.

For some tums is not the answer, if that is your case or you know someone, try the natural remedies or make a few small changes to your life and diet.


Check out these sites for more info and tips!
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/best-treatment-heartburn-severe-mild-symptoms.html

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Caffeine, a drug?

Many of us know that caffeine is a drug but don't really think of it as a drug. Did you know that caffeine has some of the same effects on the body as LSD, alcohol, cocaine and crystal meth? Difference is? Caffeine is available very easily to all of us and is socially acceptable. Caffeine is considered to be the most widely used psychoactive drug throughout the world.

Caffeine, believe it or not, is like any other drug, addictive. Don't think you are addicted? Try going one day without your morning coffee, or afternoon diet coke. I know I can't, headaches and irritabilty begin taking over. As soon as I know I am going to have some tea or coffee these symptoms start to subside. Caffeine addiction affects everyone differently there isn't any real treatment for it, also because it is not illegal and can be found anywhere!

Although considered a drug, it is very rarely fatal unless one consumes high amounts of caffeine pills and goes into ventricular fibrulation. Although, the other side effects some of us know all to well: tremors, anxiety, insomnia, hyperventilation, and rapid heart rate.

I am not one to say that caffeine addiction is a bad thing, I just want people to be aware of substances being put in their bodies and know that even when you may think you aren't and and addict or don't have any addictions, just remember this one!

Check out this site to find out how caffeine affects the body and the amount of caffeine in different substances.

http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Ca-De/Caffeine.html

http://www.myaddiction.com/education/articles/caffeine_addiction.html

http://www.myaddiction.com/education/articles/caffeine_intoxication.html

Holiday Stress

Many people tend to get "stressed out" during the holidays. All of the food temptations, gift buying pressures and lack of cash flow all seem to play a part. Stress has a way of getting us down and making us more suseptible to colds and flus. How does one stay calm during these crazy times? Here are some suggestions: Make lists, prioritize, ask for help, start sooner, shop online, make certain activities more enjoyable, take care of you -be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat healthy! Also be realistic budget time accordingly, try too not fit too much into one day. Try spending time with someone instead of buying gifts. Make your own gifts, save money and get creative. Agree to not exchange gifts with some people. The holidays should be about fun and relaxation, not stressful and tiresome. Try some of these ideas to avoid getting yourself down this holiday season.



More tips:

http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/timemanagement/a/holidaystress.htm http://www.thehappyguy.com/articles/holiday-stress-relief.html

http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/holiday-stress-relief

Seasonal weight gain - not your fault!

It seems that animals tend to all gain weight in the cold, winter months. This seems to be a survival technique, but is that the case for us humans? As the days get shorter, darker, and colder our bodies begin to crave sweet foods and carbohydrates, we also have more feelings of depression and fatigue. All of this combined is sure to lead to weight gain. Many people find that even though they are eating the same amount of food they still gain weight. But, we need balance calories in with calories out, so if you are still eating the same but not exercising as much, weight gain is likely to occur.
The cold weather is a sure deterrent for exercising. Here are a couple tips to keep your activity level up this winter: exercise with a friend, take outdoor activities indoors, exercise in small amounts, and add in a little more weight training.
Not only do we not want to exercise, but with the holidays we are tempted to eat worse too. Try these tips to minimize weight gain through extra calories: smaller portions, try just a small amount of everything, drink more water before eating, stock up on healthier foods, don’t deny yourself and don’t gorge – nibble. Keep in mind that cravings are just feelings. One important tip: get outdoors!! Decreased sunlight reduces our serotonin levels and makes us crave these foods, bear the cold and get some sunlight!


Check out these site for more information and helpful tips.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,428061,00.html?sPage=fnc/health/women
http://edisk.fandm.edu/ath/winterweightgain.pdf
http://news.top100.biz/health/The-winter-weight-gain-blues/?date=2008-10-15
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/avoid-winter-weight-gain/cc3c8169c1903110VgnVCM20000012281eac____/weight.loss/weight.loss.coaches/michele.stanten
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/holidayweightgain.cfm **

Flu Shots

Thinking about getting a flu shot? You may want to think again. They may not be as effective as you might have thought. The flu shot is only effective when the correct strains are matched in the shot with the virus that is circulating. Even when the strains are matched the effectiveness is not 100%. Each year the virus changes. These changes occur in processes are known as antigenic drift or antigenic shift. (To learn more about these check out http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/change.htm). A person needs to get a flu shot every year in order to be protected. If you do choose to get vaccinated there are two ways: an injection with the killed virus, or a nasal spray that contains live viruses that are weakened. The chances that the virus a person is being injected with matched the virus of that year are slim, but if you like to be on the safe side take the chance!

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/virusqa.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/flu-viruses.htm#viruschange

24 Hour Flu?

Think you might just have a 24 hour bug? Think again. Many people suffer from food poisoning and just put it off thinking it's a bug. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and diarrhea; sounds like the flu right? Food poisoning can come on quickly after eating food and last for only 24-48 hours, or can last more than a week with worsening symptoms.
Food poisoning can be caused by either infectious or toxic agents. infectious agents include parasites, bacteria and viruses. There are more than 250 diseases that are able to be transmitted through foods. Toxic agents are improperly preapared exoctic foods, poisonous mushrooms, or pesticides on fruits and vegetables. Food can become contaminted through improper cooking, handling and preparation, also from the preparer not washing their hands after using the bathroom, or having an infection themselves.
Prevention at home is easy: prepare and store foods properly! Cooks meats to proper temperatures and store all foods at correct temperatures. Prevention is a little harder when eating out. You can choose restaurants that have been recently inspected, (scores can be looked up online), and choose certain foods that are typically safe. Asking for foods to be cooked to a specific temperature is also an option.
Treatment includes keeping hydrated and eating a bland diet. If symptoms last for more than two days, consult a doctor.

http://injury.findlaw.com/food-poisoning/food-poisoning-prevention/prevention-restaurants.html
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/f/food_poisoning/prevent.htm
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/676/main.html
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/food_poisoning/article_em.htm

Why stretch?

Many people tend to disregard the importance of stretching. Stretching not only helps to improve range of motion but can help relieve some pain associated with arthritis. Warming up and stretching is an important part of any and every exercise program. Stretching should be done at the beginning and end of any workout. Stretching can help prepare one for more strenuous activities by warming up the muscles. Stretching after workouts can help prevent muscle soreness. Everyday activities can be easier with increased flexibility. Tasks such as tying shoes or picking up a heavy object could be easier. Stretching has the ability to relieve stress also by relaxing muscles. There are many more benefits to stretching daily and before and after exercise. Take a look at the other benefits!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stretching/HQ01447

http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/back-pain/2008/Sep/11/importance-of-stretching-to-reduce-back-pain/

Exercise and depression

How do you feel after exercise? Studies have shown that exercise can help those who suffer from depression, whether it's short-term or long-term. Exercise can help to ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many of us already have an idea of how this works. Exercise releases many kinds of neurotransmitters and chemicals in the brain, one of them endorphins which make us "feel good." Endorphins have the ability to help reduce pain. We are all aware of the physical benefits of exercise, but did you ever think that it could be used as a form of treatment for depression? Not only does exercise keep us physically healthy, it can keep us mentally healthy as well!

Check out these sites for more information and studies that have been done.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression