*** Today's Tip: SEEING WINTER IN A POSITIVE LIGHT

If Old Man Winter leaves you feeling a bit gloomy, there are two simple and inexpensive ways to get yourself back to feeling normal:
exercise and natural light exposure. Fight the winter blues by going for a brisk walk outdoors. Exercise and exposure to sunlight—even on cloudy days— can increase levels of serotonin in the brain to boost mood. Keep yourself feeling well by seeing winter in a more positive light.

Posted: 2010-Dec-15 18:36:25

*** Today's Tip: EXERCISING IN COLD WEATHER

Don’t let cold weather keep you from enjoying an outdoor workout.
Keeping warm is a lot easier than you might think. Just follow the three-layer principle: wear an inner layer of wool, silk or a synthetic fabric to wick away sweat; an insulating layer of wool or a synthetic fabric to keep the body warm; and an outer layer to provide protection from wind, rain or snow. Add a hat or headband and some gloves and you will be ready to walk, run, hike or cross-country ski.

Posted: 2011-Feb-05 15:19:11

*** Today's Tip: TEA FOR HEALTH

Did you know that brewed oolong, green, white and black teas are good sources of antioxidants called polyphenols? These disease-fighting compounds, also called flavonoids, have been shown to have a protective role against health problems such as certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. Try brewed hot or cold tea today in place of your usual beverage. Brew for 3-5 minutes to bring out the beneficial polyphenols and enjoy the natural flavor and aroma.

Posted: 2011-Feb-24 17:59:05

It's happy to see tea is one of the healthy drinks. we better drinks tea everyday, especially the green tea.

Posted: 2011-Feb-26 10:39:48

This one works for me. Try it if you have back pain.

*** Today's Tip: STRETCHING FOR BACK MAINTENANCE
Many of us experience back pain from time to time due to tight back muscles. Stretching can help to alleviate or even prevent this tightness. Lie down on your back; pull both knees to your chest; relax and hold for 15-30 seconds; release; and repeat at least twice. Doing this exercise each day can often reduce the risk for future pain.
However, if you already have diagnosed medical problems with your back, consult your doctor or physical therapist before doing any new back exercises.

Posted: 2011-Mar-04 02:40:13

*** Today's Tip: TAKE BREAKS FROM SITTING

Taking one- to two-minute breaks from sitting throughout the day could help trim waistlines and reduce levels of C-reactive protein, an important inflammatory marker for heart disease, according to a study in the European Heart Journal. This study examined the health effects of prolonged sitting in sedentary and active people. If you find yourself sitting at your desk or in front of the computer for hours at a time, try scheduling brief walking breaks into your day or even just get up for a minute or two.

Source: European Heart Journal

Posted: 2011-Mar-12 20:04:00

Walking up the stairs works for me. Need to go home anyway ;-)

*** Today's Tip: AN ACTIVE DAY AT THE OFFICE
How can you make a sedentary job more active? You can carry a pad and pencil so you can brainstorm ideas while taking a walk, or walk to your co-worker's desk instead of calling. Try a “walking meeting” with a colleague. Consider a wireless headset so you can pace while you are on the phone. Use the stairs as much as possible instead of taking the elevator. If you take the bus, consider getting off a stop early and walking the rest of the way.

Posted: 2011-Apr-15 17:27:52

I like walking to my co-workers desk to discuss something, I will wish dishes when my eye and back is very tired. Or even make a coffee is a good idea for relaxing too.

Posted: 2011-Apr-23 12:54:09

I do yoga while watching TV once awhile

*** Today's Tip: TELEVISION AND EXERCISE

Did you know that by age 65, the average adult has spent the equivalent of nine years watching television? Make your TV time work for you. Combine it with physical activity or stretching. Ideas include floor exercises (push-ups, sit-ups, etc.), stationary cycling or treadmill walking, working with hand weights, resistance bands or balls, or performing a series of upper- and lower-body stretches.

Posted: 2011-Apr-27 16:55:43

A simple way to relax the shoulders.

*** Today's Tip: SHRUG OFF SHOULDER TENSION
Some people react to stress with increased muscle tension in their neck and shoulders. Shoulder shrugs are an easy exercise that can be done almost anywhere, anytime to help relax these muscles. Sit up tall with shoulders back and arms at your side. Lift up your shoulders into an "I don't know" position, hold for two seconds, and then release them. Let your shoulders fall down as far from your ears as possible. Do three sets of 10 repetitions to give your shoulders and neck muscles a good workout.

Posted: 2011-May-02 13:46:42

I always thought it is safer compares to cigarette.

*** Today's Tip: WATER-PIPE SMOKING

Water-pipe smoking (WPS), also referred to as hookah smoking, is a growing trend. It is especially popular among college students and young professionals. The hookah is a single- or multi-stemmed instrument for smoking. It allows the smoke to be pulled through water before entering the smoker’s lungs. A common misconception is that WPS is safer than cigarette smoking, but it is not! There is new evidence that WPS may be as harmful as cigarette smoking. Water-pipe smoking may increase the risk of many serious illnesses including lung and oral cancers, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Source: Chest Journal

Posted: 2011-Jun-27 17:02:01

Can't agree more. Been doing yoga once a week for over a year. Feel great!

*** Today's Tip: YOGA BENEFITS

Have you considered giving yoga a try? Our fitness experts say it's a gentle way to tone, increase flexibility and improve circulation. Yoga can also help you with body awareness, breathing and stress. Check out a class at your local fitness or wellness center. There are several types of yoga. They require various levels of skill and physical conditioning. Speak to the instructor to make sure that the class you pick is right for you.

Posted: 2011-Oct-10 00:07:10

Computers can blur your vision . . .

Computers, like telephones have become indispensable pieces of office equipment. Using computers is such a visually demanding task, vision problems have become very common at work places today.
Sixty million people suffer eye problems due to working on computers, and the number is rising by a million every year.
All those hours we spend at the computer, straining our eyes, causes a condition known as computer vision syndrome(CVS). CVS is characterized by eye strain associated with prolonged use of computers, with symptoms which include eye fatigue, dryness of the eyes etc. A number of investigations have indicated that these symptoms occur in 75-90% of computer users.
Computer images are created from thousands of tiny dots – so there is no distinct image for your eye to actually focus on. You have to focus and refocus to keep the images sharp and after two hours you end up with the same kind of repetitive stress on your eye muscles as that caused by the keyboard on your wrists.
The American Optometric Association defines CVS is the eye and vision problems related to work which are experienced during or after computer use. The symptoms can vary but mostly include eye strain, headaches, occasional blurred vision (distance and/or near), dry and irritated eyes, slow refocusing, neck and/or backache, light sensitivity and double vision.
Lots of people don't even know they have CVS. People suffering from CVS usually blink two-thirds less than normal.
The good news is that the eye and vision problems related to CVS can be alleviated by following good eye-care tips and/or by changes in the work environment.
CVS is a by-product of excessive viewing of screens without regard to practical visual hygiene. By just using some common sense and education about the visual system, the symptoms of CVS can be diminished or eliminated.
Tips to prevent CVS:
1.Blink frequently to lubricate the eys & prevent dryness – more critical for contact lens wearers. A conscious effort should be made to blink frequently.
2. Take 2-4 minute breaks ever half hour – don't strain your eyes looking at your computer.
3. Use anti-glare spectacles preferably with grey tinted lenses, which is a neutral absorber and can filter unwanted effects of certain colors.
4. Position the monitor 20-26 inches away from the eyes
5. Keep the computer screen at your eye level or 5 degrees below the eye level.
6. Keep the monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse and other peripherals in easy-to-reach places so as not to strain any other body parts.
7. Black characters on a white background are usually best. Avoid dark back grounds and the size of the text should be three times the size of the smallest text you can read.
8. Arrange light source to minimize glare and reflections on the screen.
9. Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen.
10. The use of contact lens re-wetting drops is recommended periodically during the day while using the computer screen.
11. Use anti-glare computer screen.
12. Keep your computer screen free of dust.
Conclusion:
Vision, being an important thing in life, needs to be taken care of. Computer Vision Syndrome affects not only your vision but also the productivity of your work.
Make sure your visit the optometrist regularly to get your eyes tested for Computer Vision Syndrome. He or she may prescribe special glasses and/or an anti-glare screen filter or make other ergonomic recommendations.

Posted: 2011-Nov-23 16:17:02