People search the net for information and I believe that world wide web has made learning very easy and within the reach of everyone who has access to the internet. But as world wide web is very wide, and ad supported sites has occupied the search engines, it is difficult to find reliabel health related information.
Educate Yourself is a free educational forum offering accurate information in the use of natural, non-pharmaceutical medicines and alternative healing therapies in the treatment of disease conditions. "Educate Yourself" is a place to discuss non-pharmaceutical medicine and alternative therapy for different disease.
You can discuss, learn from other's experiences and also share your own. The site is not easy to navigate like many other health related sites, but every topic offers handful of information with links to other sites or more articles. Researchers, educators or people who want to get in depth information about natural remedies and solutions can get really good stuff here.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Plan and design yourself to build your perfect house
House is not only a bricks and steel made structure but it means a lot to us, as we all seek a place to live comfortably and peacefully. Building new home or renovation is an individual descicion and after a good planning and details we start thinking about design, layout and structure of our house.
It is about one year ago, when we seriously decided to build our new house and one of my friends suggested me to visit "House plans and more" site. She told me that it is one of the sites which can provide good Home Plans and best way to search for a house plan is to look the floor plan for accurate layout of the home.
I searched the gallery but I was more interested in 2 catagories:
- Contemporary house plans and
- French Country House Plans
My husband was more interested in luxury plans, because his budget was quite enough to buil our dream home. Site helped a lot as we were pretty sure about our selected design of the house and as we purchased a reproducible master plan, we made some changes with the help of our local engineer.
For those people who want to renovate or build new house, they can get customized plan. Each package includes three-dimensional illustrations and a glossary of terms. They offer homebuilders details for constructing various foundations, numerous floor, wall and roof framing techniques, simple to complex residential wiring, sump and water softener hookups, plumbing connection methods, installation of septic systems etc.
Our new home is now completed and we are happy to share this information with all.
It is about one year ago, when we seriously decided to build our new house and one of my friends suggested me to visit "House plans and more" site. She told me that it is one of the sites which can provide good Home Plans and best way to search for a house plan is to look the floor plan for accurate layout of the home.
I searched the gallery but I was more interested in 2 catagories:
- Contemporary house plans and
- French Country House Plans
My husband was more interested in luxury plans, because his budget was quite enough to buil our dream home. Site helped a lot as we were pretty sure about our selected design of the house and as we purchased a reproducible master plan, we made some changes with the help of our local engineer.
For those people who want to renovate or build new house, they can get customized plan. Each package includes three-dimensional illustrations and a glossary of terms. They offer homebuilders details for constructing various foundations, numerous floor, wall and roof framing techniques, simple to complex residential wiring, sump and water softener hookups, plumbing connection methods, installation of septic systems etc.
Our new home is now completed and we are happy to share this information with all.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Prayers can help us heal
We often forget the power of prayers, that prayers can help miracle happen. Prayers are the whispering of our souls to God, and when we pray for others our prayers are more valuable to the Him.Few quotes about prayers:
* Trouble and perplexity drive me to prayer and prayer drives away perplexity and trouble. ~Philip Melanchthen
* I believe in prayer. It's the best way we have to draw strength from heaven. ~Josephine Baker
* Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
~James Montgomery, What is Prayer?
Several scientific studies done by the medical school in Washington prove conclusively that prayer helps people heal. These studies have been replicated at hospitals all over the world. Every study shows prayer helps people heal.
Whatever the reason, prayer helps and if you want to heal yourself, why not learn to pray so the Divine hears your prayer?
there are many different forms of prayer of which 'Contemplative Prayer' and 'Meditation' appear to be the most effective.
Contemplative Prayer is a process of first becoming very relaxed and comfortable in a sitting or reclining position. We can use a form of progressive relaxation, autosuggestion, self-hypnosis, music or any other means of relaxation we choose.
Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God. Meditation relaxes our body and mind, slows down our respiration rate and our heart rate, improves the flow of blood throughout our body, increases cell oxygenation, reduces the effects of stress on our organs and bodily systems, improves our digestion and elimination, and enhances our immune system. It's one of the healthiest things we can do for our bodies, minds and spirits.
By reducing the effects of stress caused by illness and disease, we're able to improve the function of our immune system and thus improve our health. By improving our circulatory, digestive and elimination systems, we improve our ability to eliminate toxic wastes and thus improve our health. By increasing oxygenation in our cells, we're better equipped to recover from injury and disease. We improve the quality of our health.
The power of prayer is one of the oldest and strongest way to achieve healing for oneself and others. Healing with prayers can work, but will it be long or short term. One must ultimately get to the emotional base of the person and the reason for the illness or accident, or it will recur again. Everything goes to our emotions as we llie in a bipolar emotionally based reality created by electromagnetic grids of experrience.
Group prayers can be more powerful than individual ones as they create a stronger frequency. Ask for prayers from people around you, and pray for them. If it can heal our bodies then prayers can heal our soul diseases as well. Isn't it?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Get allergy informaiton at - 'Food Matter'
Food allergy is a common symptom when we see that a food is not digested and body shows signs of getting rid of it. Sometimes allergic reactions are very serious and we need emergency treatment for it. In most of the cases we can save ourselves by avoiding those foods which are causing allergic reaction to our body. This post would help you learn about an online resouce which specifically offers information about food allergies. You get browse the site and get useful stuff from it.
Allergy can be defined as 'a specific response by the immune system to a substance (inhaled, touched or eaten) which it mistakenly identifies as harmful.'
Many people do suffer adverse reactions to substances, particularly foods, which have not sparked an immune system response. These responses are normally classed as intolerances or sensitivities and have a very wide range of causes, symptoms and degrees of severity.
Food Matter is an online resource for anyone with an allergy or an intolerance. You can find research based articles on allergy, intolerance and sensitivity(inhaled, contact and ingested) and the many health conditions related to them.
You can share your experiences or get in touch with other persons like you via their forums
At left side bar you can see many allergy catagories and you can easily search for the information you need for a specific kind of allergy.
Allergy can be defined as 'a specific response by the immune system to a substance (inhaled, touched or eaten) which it mistakenly identifies as harmful.'
Many people do suffer adverse reactions to substances, particularly foods, which have not sparked an immune system response. These responses are normally classed as intolerances or sensitivities and have a very wide range of causes, symptoms and degrees of severity.
Food Matter is an online resource for anyone with an allergy or an intolerance. You can find research based articles on allergy, intolerance and sensitivity(inhaled, contact and ingested) and the many health conditions related to them.
You can share your experiences or get in touch with other persons like you via their forums
At left side bar you can see many allergy catagories and you can easily search for the information you need for a specific kind of allergy.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Are you obese?
Are you obese?
It is difficult to say because everyone has its own body structure. But definately there are some measures or calculations which can tell us if you are obese or not?
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height.
When someone is obese, it means they have put on weight to the point that it could seriously endanger their health. This is caused by a combination of eating too many calories and not doing enough physical activity.
Currently, over half of women, and about two-thirds of men are either overweight or obese.
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.
How do I know if I'm overweight?
You can tell from your Body Mass Index, or BMI, whether you are overweight or obese. To work out your BMI use "BMI calculator".
Your BMI is calculated using the following equation:
Your weight in kilogrammes (kg) divided by your height in metres (m) squared
So a man who weighs 85kg and is 1.75m tall will have a BMI of 28. A body mass index over 25 is defined as overweight, and over 30 is defined as obese.
Dietary advice
To maintain a healthy weight, it's important to follow a balanced diet.
Physical activity has benefits not only for controlling body weight over the long term, but also in controlling appetite. It has beneficial effects on the heart and blood that help to prevent cardiovascular disease.
If you want to lose weight, it's important not to go on a 'crash diet' but to change how you eat and organise a new diet that you can keep to all the time (not just when you're trying to lose weight).
If you go back to eating more calories than you need, you will put the weight back on.
Try:
- trimming the fat off meat
- choosing low-fat varieties of dairy and other products
- increasing your intake of starchy foods instead of fatty ones
- eating less of sugary foods
- increasing your intake of a variety of fruit and vegetables (aim to eat at least five portions a day)
- Sometimes certain medical conditions and drug treatments can cause weight gain. - - Ask your GP for advice if you are suddenly gaining weight for no apparent reason or if you are on medication.
If you would like advice about losing weight, talk to your GP or a dietitian.
Check out your BMI with our BMI Calculator.
Source: "Eat Well.gov.uk"
Useful sites and links:
* The Weight Wise website has been developed, and is managed by, the British Dietetic Association (BDA)
* Obesity is the official journal of The Obesity Society. Available in print and online, Obesity is dedicated to increasing knowledge, fostering research, and promoting better treatment for people with obesity and their loved ones
Link: "Obesity"
* Read about obestiy at the site from "World Health Organization"
* Obesity informaion at: Medline Plus
Related posts:
* Link between your food allergy and weight gain
* Weight loss can be maintained by avoiding fast foods
* 'Project Weight Loss' - A community to help you live a healthy life
It is difficult to say because everyone has its own body structure. But definately there are some measures or calculations which can tell us if you are obese or not?
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height.
When someone is obese, it means they have put on weight to the point that it could seriously endanger their health. This is caused by a combination of eating too many calories and not doing enough physical activity. Currently, over half of women, and about two-thirds of men are either overweight or obese.
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.
How do I know if I'm overweight?
You can tell from your Body Mass Index, or BMI, whether you are overweight or obese. To work out your BMI use "BMI calculator".
Your BMI is calculated using the following equation:
Your weight in kilogrammes (kg) divided by your height in metres (m) squared
So a man who weighs 85kg and is 1.75m tall will have a BMI of 28. A body mass index over 25 is defined as overweight, and over 30 is defined as obese.
Dietary advice
To maintain a healthy weight, it's important to follow a balanced diet.
Physical activity has benefits not only for controlling body weight over the long term, but also in controlling appetite. It has beneficial effects on the heart and blood that help to prevent cardiovascular disease.
If you want to lose weight, it's important not to go on a 'crash diet' but to change how you eat and organise a new diet that you can keep to all the time (not just when you're trying to lose weight).
If you go back to eating more calories than you need, you will put the weight back on.
Try:
- trimming the fat off meat
- choosing low-fat varieties of dairy and other products
- increasing your intake of starchy foods instead of fatty ones
- eating less of sugary foods
- increasing your intake of a variety of fruit and vegetables (aim to eat at least five portions a day)
- Sometimes certain medical conditions and drug treatments can cause weight gain. - - Ask your GP for advice if you are suddenly gaining weight for no apparent reason or if you are on medication.
If you would like advice about losing weight, talk to your GP or a dietitian.
Check out your BMI with our BMI Calculator.
Source: "Eat Well.gov.uk"
Useful sites and links:
* The Weight Wise website has been developed, and is managed by, the British Dietetic Association (BDA)
* Obesity is the official journal of The Obesity Society. Available in print and online, Obesity is dedicated to increasing knowledge, fostering research, and promoting better treatment for people with obesity and their loved ones
Link: "Obesity"
* Read about obestiy at the site from "World Health Organization"
* Obesity informaion at: Medline Plus
Related posts:
* Link between your food allergy and weight gain
* Weight loss can be maintained by avoiding fast foods
* 'Project Weight Loss' - A community to help you live a healthy life
Saturday, December 6, 2008
why do we yawn?
I don't know why I yawn but I am sure that when I am bored or tired, I yawn a lot. And it is very commonly noted that when you yawn in front of other people they also tend to yawn. 
A definition of yawning may be that "Yawning is an involuntary action that causes us to open our mouths wide and breathe in deeply."
Everyone yawns - babies, kids, teenagers, adults. Some birds, reptiles and most mammals also yawn. However, the reason why we yawn is a bit of a mystery. There is also very little research about yawning because for most people yawning is not a problem.
Interesting Yawning Facts
- The average duration of a yawn is about 6 seconds.
- In humans, the earliest occurrence of a yawn happens at about 11 weeks after conception - that's BEFORE the baby is born!
- Yawns become contagious to people between the first and second years of life.
- A part of the brain that plays an important role in yawning is the hypothalamus.
- Research has shown that some neurotransmitters (for example, dopamine, excitatory amino acids, nitric oxide) and neuropeptides increase yawning if injected into the hypothalamus of animals.
- Your heart rate can rise as much as 30 percent during a yawn.
- 55 percent of people will yawn within five minutes of seeing someone else yawn.
- Blind people yawn more after hearing an audio tape of people yawning.
- Reading about yawning will make you yawn.
- Olympic athletes often yawn before competition.
While the dictionary tells us that yawning is caused by being fatigued, drowsy or bored, scientists are discovering that there is more to yawning than what most people think.
The Physiological Theory -- Our bodies induce yawning to drawn in more oxygen or remove a build-up of carbon dioxide. This theory helps explain why we yawn in groups. Larger groups produce more carbon dioxide, which means our bodies would act to draw in more oxygen and get rid of the excess carbon dioxide. However, if our bodies make us yawn to drawn in needed oxygen, wouldn't we yawn during exercise? Robert Provine, a psychologist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a leading expert on yawning, has tested this theory. Giving people additional oxygen didn't decrease yawning and decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in a subject's environment also didn't prevent yawning.
The Evolution Theory -- Some think that yawning is something that began with our ancestors, who used yawning to show their teeth and intimidate others. An offshoot of this theory is the idea that yawning developed from early man as a signal for us to change activities.
The Boredom Theory -- In the dictionary, yawning is said to be caused by boredom, fatigue or drowsiness. Although we do tend to yawn when bored or tired, this theory doesn't explain why Olympic athletes yawn right before they compete in their event. It's doubtful that they are bored with the world watching them.
You know that when you are bored, you yawn. Scientists have confirmed this observation by comparing the number of yawns in 17-19 year old students who watched music videos to the number of yawns in students who watched an uninteresting color test bar pattern.
Many people assume that we yawn because our bodies are trying to get rid of extra carbon dioxide and to take in more oxygen. This may make some sense. According to this theory, when people are bored or tired, they breathe more slowly. As breathing slows down, less oxygen makes it to the lungs. As carbon dioxide builds up in the blood, a message to the brain results in signals back to the lungs saying, "Take a deep breath," and a yawn is produced.
The only problem with the excess carbon dioxide theory is that research shows that it may not be true.
In 2007, researchers proposed that yawning is used to cool the brain. They found that people yawned more often they pressed a warm or room temperature towel against their heads than when they pressed a cold towel against their heads. People who breathed through their noses (thought to reduce brain temperature) did not yawn at all.
Sources:
* What makes us yawn? at "How Stuffs Work?"
* From "Neuroscience for kids": 'Yawning'
Related posts:
* Carry on yawning - it will help keep you awake
* What does Yawning and Autism Have in Common?
A definition of yawning may be that "Yawning is an involuntary action that causes us to open our mouths wide and breathe in deeply."
Everyone yawns - babies, kids, teenagers, adults. Some birds, reptiles and most mammals also yawn. However, the reason why we yawn is a bit of a mystery. There is also very little research about yawning because for most people yawning is not a problem.
Interesting Yawning Facts
- The average duration of a yawn is about 6 seconds.
- In humans, the earliest occurrence of a yawn happens at about 11 weeks after conception - that's BEFORE the baby is born!
- Yawns become contagious to people between the first and second years of life.
- A part of the brain that plays an important role in yawning is the hypothalamus.
- Research has shown that some neurotransmitters (for example, dopamine, excitatory amino acids, nitric oxide) and neuropeptides increase yawning if injected into the hypothalamus of animals.
- Your heart rate can rise as much as 30 percent during a yawn.
- 55 percent of people will yawn within five minutes of seeing someone else yawn.
- Blind people yawn more after hearing an audio tape of people yawning.
- Reading about yawning will make you yawn.
- Olympic athletes often yawn before competition.
While the dictionary tells us that yawning is caused by being fatigued, drowsy or bored, scientists are discovering that there is more to yawning than what most people think.
The Physiological Theory -- Our bodies induce yawning to drawn in more oxygen or remove a build-up of carbon dioxide. This theory helps explain why we yawn in groups. Larger groups produce more carbon dioxide, which means our bodies would act to draw in more oxygen and get rid of the excess carbon dioxide. However, if our bodies make us yawn to drawn in needed oxygen, wouldn't we yawn during exercise? Robert Provine, a psychologist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a leading expert on yawning, has tested this theory. Giving people additional oxygen didn't decrease yawning and decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in a subject's environment also didn't prevent yawning. The Evolution Theory -- Some think that yawning is something that began with our ancestors, who used yawning to show their teeth and intimidate others. An offshoot of this theory is the idea that yawning developed from early man as a signal for us to change activities.
The Boredom Theory -- In the dictionary, yawning is said to be caused by boredom, fatigue or drowsiness. Although we do tend to yawn when bored or tired, this theory doesn't explain why Olympic athletes yawn right before they compete in their event. It's doubtful that they are bored with the world watching them.
You know that when you are bored, you yawn. Scientists have confirmed this observation by comparing the number of yawns in 17-19 year old students who watched music videos to the number of yawns in students who watched an uninteresting color test bar pattern.
Many people assume that we yawn because our bodies are trying to get rid of extra carbon dioxide and to take in more oxygen. This may make some sense. According to this theory, when people are bored or tired, they breathe more slowly. As breathing slows down, less oxygen makes it to the lungs. As carbon dioxide builds up in the blood, a message to the brain results in signals back to the lungs saying, "Take a deep breath," and a yawn is produced.
The only problem with the excess carbon dioxide theory is that research shows that it may not be true.
In 2007, researchers proposed that yawning is used to cool the brain. They found that people yawned more often they pressed a warm or room temperature towel against their heads than when they pressed a cold towel against their heads. People who breathed through their noses (thought to reduce brain temperature) did not yawn at all.
Sources:
* What makes us yawn? at "How Stuffs Work?"
* From "Neuroscience for kids": 'Yawning'
Related posts:
* Carry on yawning - it will help keep you awake
* What does Yawning and Autism Have in Common?
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tips to 'be and stay happy'
If anybody asks me what is the exact formula of happiness, I would only say that happiness comes from inside. If you are thankful to God for what ever He has given you, you are the happiest person on earth.
Fyodor Dostoevsky said: "Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it."
More than 100 years ago, author Robert Louis Stevenson offered the following tips for maintaining a positive attitude. They still apply today.
- Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
- Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything, and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.
- Don't take yourself too seriously. Don't think that somehow you should be protected from misfortune that befalls other people.
- You can't please everybody. Don't let criticism worry you.
- Don't let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.
- Do the things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.
- Never borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than real ones.
- Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish jealousy, enmity, grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
- Have many interests. If you can't travel, read about new places.
- Don't hold postmortems. Don't spend your time brooding over sorrows or mistakes. Don't be one who never gets over things.
- Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
- Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.
Few sayings of famous:
* The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. ~Mark Twain
* If you want to be happy, be. ~Leo Tolstoy
* Happiness is never stopping to think if you are. ~Palmer Sondreal
* The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. ~James Openheim
* Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open. ~John Barrymore
More 'Happiness quotes'
Useful Resource:
* Get a FREE happiness training course.
* Take a happiness test
* Get FREE e-book "The Way to Happiness"
Related posts:
- "How to be happy?"
- "Are you unhappy from your life?"
Saturday, November 22, 2008
How to get Inner Peace or Peace of mind?
Stress and depression are the modern age gifts to human beings and people around the world complain about distracted mind which is a sign of not having inner peace or peace of mind. Naturally as we are more relaxed or have peace of mind we are more satisfied or happier within ourselves.
But how to get inner peace or peace of mind ?
According to a definition from 'wikipedia':
''Inner Peace' (or peace of mind) refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. Being "at peace" is considered by many to be healthy (homeostasis) and the opposite of being stressed or anxious. Peace of mind is generally associated with bliss and happiness.
Peace of mind, serenity, and calmness are descriptions of a disposition free from the effects of stress. In some cultures, inner peace is considered a state of consciousness or enlightenment that may be cultivated by various forms of training, such as prayer, meditation, T'ai Chi Ch'uan or yoga, for example. Many spiritual practices refer to this peace as an experience of knowing oneself.'
Some signs and symptoms of inner peace
A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
A loss of interest in judging other people.
A loss of interest in judging self.
A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
A loss of interest in conflict.
A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
Frequent attacks of smiling.
An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
Tips and advice for the peace of mind from 'Success Consciousness.com'
Few simple things that can help you:
- Reduce the amount of time you read the newspapers or watch the news on TV.
- Stay away from negative conversations and from negative people.
- Don't hold grudges. Learn to forget and forgive. Nurturing ill feelings and grievances hurts you and causes lack of sleep.
- Don't be jealous of others. Being jealous means that you have low self-esteem and consider yourself inferior to others. This again, causes lack of inner peace.
- Accept what cannot be changed. This saves a lot of time, energy and worries.
- Every day we face numerous inconveniences, irritations and situations that are beyond our control. If we can change them, that's fine, but this is not always possible. We must learn to put up with such things and accept them cheerfully.
- Learn to be more patient and tolerant with people and events.
- Don't take everything too personally. Some emotional and mental detachment is desirable. Try to view your life and other people with a little detachment and less involvement. Detachment is not indifference, lack of interest or coldness. It is the ability to think and judge impartially and logically. Don't worry if again and again you fail to manifest detachment. Just keep trying.
Let bygones be gone. Forget the past and concentrate on the present moment. There is no need to evoke unpleasant memories and immerse yourself in them.
Practice some concentration exercises. This will help you to reject unpleasant thoughts and worries that steal away your peace of mind.
Learn to practice meditation. Even a few minutes a day will make a change in your life.
Inner peace ultimately leads to external peace. By creating peace in our inner world, we bring it into the external world, affecting other people too.
* Get free self-help software for inner peace without ads and absolutely free of cost.
But how to get inner peace or peace of mind ?
According to a definition from 'wikipedia':
''Inner Peace' (or peace of mind) refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. Being "at peace" is considered by many to be healthy (homeostasis) and the opposite of being stressed or anxious. Peace of mind is generally associated with bliss and happiness.
Peace of mind, serenity, and calmness are descriptions of a disposition free from the effects of stress. In some cultures, inner peace is considered a state of consciousness or enlightenment that may be cultivated by various forms of training, such as prayer, meditation, T'ai Chi Ch'uan or yoga, for example. Many spiritual practices refer to this peace as an experience of knowing oneself.'
Some signs and symptoms of inner peace
A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
A loss of interest in judging other people.
A loss of interest in judging self.
A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
A loss of interest in conflict.
A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
Frequent attacks of smiling.
An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
Tips and advice for the peace of mind from 'Success Consciousness.com'
Few simple things that can help you:
- Reduce the amount of time you read the newspapers or watch the news on TV.
- Stay away from negative conversations and from negative people.
- Don't hold grudges. Learn to forget and forgive. Nurturing ill feelings and grievances hurts you and causes lack of sleep.
- Don't be jealous of others. Being jealous means that you have low self-esteem and consider yourself inferior to others. This again, causes lack of inner peace.
- Accept what cannot be changed. This saves a lot of time, energy and worries.
- Every day we face numerous inconveniences, irritations and situations that are beyond our control. If we can change them, that's fine, but this is not always possible. We must learn to put up with such things and accept them cheerfully.
- Learn to be more patient and tolerant with people and events.
- Don't take everything too personally. Some emotional and mental detachment is desirable. Try to view your life and other people with a little detachment and less involvement. Detachment is not indifference, lack of interest or coldness. It is the ability to think and judge impartially and logically. Don't worry if again and again you fail to manifest detachment. Just keep trying.
Let bygones be gone. Forget the past and concentrate on the present moment. There is no need to evoke unpleasant memories and immerse yourself in them.
Practice some concentration exercises. This will help you to reject unpleasant thoughts and worries that steal away your peace of mind.
Learn to practice meditation. Even a few minutes a day will make a change in your life.
Inner peace ultimately leads to external peace. By creating peace in our inner world, we bring it into the external world, affecting other people too.
* Get free self-help software for inner peace without ads and absolutely free of cost.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Tips for a good sleep
I have to get up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for me and my son, then tiffin for both of us. But at night as my husband is a late goer to bed, me and my son can't go for sleep until midnight. So the duration is around 5 hours on average. My daily meditation routine is an effective way to cope with the situation and I don't get easily tired during my whole day job or house chores. I have to take a nap after noon to make up the night sleep. But it is a reality that if you don't get good sleep at night, and this routine continues, you would become sick (metally and physically)
A recent Sealy survey shows 67 percent of Americans are only getting six or seven hours of sleep each night not the eight hours medically recommended to perform during the day.
Dr. Carol Ash, medical director of Sleep for Life Inc., says outside factors like work and family schedules are the main reasons many people aren’t getting eight hours of sleep at night.
When eight hours isn’t possible, it’s important to maximize the sleep you do get to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Quality sleep improves concentration, increases memory function and reduces stress, while keeping diabetes and high blood pressure at bay.
“Although sleep isn’t optional, your sleep environment is, and making sure you’re resting under optimum circumstances puts you in control of your sleep cycle and energy level,” says Ash. “You might not be able to sleep longer, but you can certainly sleep better.”
Ash offers these simple tips for a restful night’s sleep:
Bedtime
Get in the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Doing this, along with limiting catnaps, can help set your internal clock so it feels natural to fall asleep at a certain time.
Caffeine
Limit your caffeine intake. The effects of caffeine can last up to 12 hours or more and can prohibit your ability to fall and stay asleep. Anyone who regularly tosses and turns at night should consider removing some or all caffeine from their diet.
Exercise
Get plenty of exercise during the day, but preferably not within three hours before you go to sleep to give your body a chance to unwind and cool down.
Environment
Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet and cool. Close the curtains and, if necessary, use a sleep mask or earplugs. Lower the temperature in your bedroom before going to bed as cooler temperatures can help maximize sleep.
Routine
Establish a bedtime routine. Doing the same thing every evening can provide a soothing effect best for sleeping. For example, you could have a cup of tea, read a book or listen to music.
Mattress
Choose a comfortable mattress. Update your mattress. Many consumers don’t realize the critical role a mattress plays in a peaceful night’s sleep. Investing in a quality mattress provides both pressure relief and support.
Source: ARA content
Sunday, November 2, 2008
"Self Growth.com" - Helping people imprvoe their lives
There is no doubt that self growth articles, literature helps us improving our lives.
As the content of self improvement articles helps us developing motivation. And motivation is the gear which pushes us towards self gevelopment path.
Self Growth.com is one of the most popular and most visited self improvement site at the net. It gets more than 1 million visitors monthly. In their article directory there are Currently 61,829 articles.
mission:
To provide informative, quality Self Improvement and Natural Health information to help people improve their lives. We provide information ranging from Goal Setting and Stress Management to Natural Health and Alternative Medicine.
Their network is composed of four websites,
SelfGrowth.com,
NaturalHealthWeb.com,
SelfImprovementNewsletters.com and
NaturalHealthNewsletters.com.
Their network of websites receives over 1,200,000 unique visitors a month and their e-mail Newsletters or e-zines go to over 950,000 weekly subscribers.
Their websites and newsletters are read in over 100 different countries.
Get The Top 13 Hottest Self Improvement Newsletters FREE.
The choice is yours to select or tick the box near each newsletter name and moreover there are 18 topics on which you get free updates.
* Self Improvement Newsletter - Improve Your Life Today!
Contains powerful articles, motivational quotes, product & book reviews covering Goal Setting, Empowerment, Success, Relationships, Health, Prosperity & More. Join Over 200K subscribers on a journey towards greater success.
* Natural Health Newsletter
Contains articles, book reviews and up to date news. Information covered includes: healthy eating, fitness, exercise, holistic healing, massage, herbal remedies, aromatherapy and alternative medicine.
* Personal Success Secrets from Brian Tracy
Personal Success Secrets and special recommendations from Brian Tracy Learn how to set and achieve your goals faster than ever before. Subscribe to receive your FREE weekly newsletters from Brian Tracy.
* Dr. Judith Orloff's Positive Energy and Intuition Newsletter
Psychiatrist and best-selling author Judith Orloff MD offers this free e-newsletter which focuses on empowering your intuition, energy, freeing yourself from negative emotions, and conquering stress and fatigue. You'll receive FREE mini video classes and state of the art information on blending body, mind and spirit.
Note: this newsletter is sent from doctororloff@gmail.com. Please approve this email address on your safe-senders list so it is not read as spam. Thank you.
* Money Morning Brings You a World of Profits!
We live in a world without borders, where markets move fast and technology connects us to global events the instant they happen. The smartest investors understand how these events affect their lives--and what they mean to their long-term wealth. Let Money Morning show you how. Each weekday morning, our team of seasoned experts send you the news and analysis you need to know to make money... such as the latest reports on China, Japan, Eastern Europe, and other global hot spots, and important advice on how to invest in currencies, precious metals, commodities and energy. Few people know how the global credit markets work better than our team of experts. Best of all, it's FREE.
* Tap into the Vast Power of Your Soul
New York Times bestselling author Dr. Zhi Gang Sha reveals many ancient secrets for you to access the power of your soul. He simplifies the practices for use in your daily life. He presents wisdom, knowledge and practice in everyday language that makes profound spiritual insights simple and accessible. Learn joyful and practical ways for your soul's expression, for the wisdom and blessings of the soul to pour forth into every area of your life.
* Health & Nutrition “Transform Your Health” Newsletter by Nutritionist & Official Self Growth Guide for Dietary Supplements.
Nutritionist, Herbalist, Author & Official Self Growth Guide for Dietary Supplements. Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH offers a free, monthly Health & Nutrition newsletter. Includes a variety of topics including Nutrition, Diet, Weight Loss, Internal Cleansing & pH, Natural & Preventative Health Care, Men’s & Women’s Health Issues, Natural Living, Skin Care, Green Living, Organics, Whole Food Dietary Supplements, Herbal Therapeutics, and other informative articles and information from experts in the world of health & nutrition.
* Home Business Newsletter
Receive Free Articles and updates on Starting and Growing a Home Business. Includes information on Sales, Marketing, using the Internet, Network Marketing Opportunities, Franchises, Business Plans and much more. Includes reviews and motivation to help you with your home business.
* Loving Today: The Relationship Newsletter
Inspiration to Consciously Improve Your Love Life and Relationships. In this newsletter, you will receive Daily Inspiration and Resources for Conscious Relationships, Dating, and Romance for Single, Married, and Divorced Men and Women.
* Fulfill the True Purpose of Your Life
Best-selling "Letting Go" author, Guy Finley, reveals amazing secrets for stress-free, fearless living. Receive inspirational weekly messages, plus deep discounts on today's most powerful self-improvement materials in Guy Finley's FREE "Key Lesson" e-mails. Exclusively from non-profit Life of Learning Foundation.
* Selling and Sales Skills Newsletter
Contains articles, and information on sales skills and improving your sales productivity. Expert tips, tools and information to assist you with you sales career.
* Motivational Quote and Product of the Day
This Daily Newsletter provides you with a great Inspirational Quote and a short paragraph about an empowering Self Improvement Product ( Book, tape, or seminar) every day. A motivating way to start your day.
* Self Help Books Weekly Newsletter
If you read Self Improvement Books, this free newsletter is for you. Information on new book releases, best sellers, book reviews, excerpts, special promotions, interviews with the authors & more.
As the content of self improvement articles helps us developing motivation. And motivation is the gear which pushes us towards self gevelopment path.
Self Growth.com is one of the most popular and most visited self improvement site at the net. It gets more than 1 million visitors monthly. In their article directory there are Currently 61,829 articles.
mission:
To provide informative, quality Self Improvement and Natural Health information to help people improve their lives. We provide information ranging from Goal Setting and Stress Management to Natural Health and Alternative Medicine.
Their network is composed of four websites,
SelfGrowth.com,
NaturalHealthWeb.com,
SelfImprovementNewsletters.com and
NaturalHealthNewsletters.com.
Their network of websites receives over 1,200,000 unique visitors a month and their e-mail Newsletters or e-zines go to over 950,000 weekly subscribers.
Their websites and newsletters are read in over 100 different countries.
Get The Top 13 Hottest Self Improvement Newsletters FREE.
The choice is yours to select or tick the box near each newsletter name and moreover there are 18 topics on which you get free updates.
* Self Improvement Newsletter - Improve Your Life Today!
Contains powerful articles, motivational quotes, product & book reviews covering Goal Setting, Empowerment, Success, Relationships, Health, Prosperity & More. Join Over 200K subscribers on a journey towards greater success.
* Natural Health Newsletter
Contains articles, book reviews and up to date news. Information covered includes: healthy eating, fitness, exercise, holistic healing, massage, herbal remedies, aromatherapy and alternative medicine.
* Personal Success Secrets from Brian Tracy
Personal Success Secrets and special recommendations from Brian Tracy Learn how to set and achieve your goals faster than ever before. Subscribe to receive your FREE weekly newsletters from Brian Tracy.
* Dr. Judith Orloff's Positive Energy and Intuition Newsletter
Psychiatrist and best-selling author Judith Orloff MD offers this free e-newsletter which focuses on empowering your intuition, energy, freeing yourself from negative emotions, and conquering stress and fatigue. You'll receive FREE mini video classes and state of the art information on blending body, mind and spirit.
Note: this newsletter is sent from doctororloff@gmail.com. Please approve this email address on your safe-senders list so it is not read as spam. Thank you.
* Money Morning Brings You a World of Profits!
We live in a world without borders, where markets move fast and technology connects us to global events the instant they happen. The smartest investors understand how these events affect their lives--and what they mean to their long-term wealth. Let Money Morning show you how. Each weekday morning, our team of seasoned experts send you the news and analysis you need to know to make money... such as the latest reports on China, Japan, Eastern Europe, and other global hot spots, and important advice on how to invest in currencies, precious metals, commodities and energy. Few people know how the global credit markets work better than our team of experts. Best of all, it's FREE.
* Tap into the Vast Power of Your Soul
New York Times bestselling author Dr. Zhi Gang Sha reveals many ancient secrets for you to access the power of your soul. He simplifies the practices for use in your daily life. He presents wisdom, knowledge and practice in everyday language that makes profound spiritual insights simple and accessible. Learn joyful and practical ways for your soul's expression, for the wisdom and blessings of the soul to pour forth into every area of your life.
* Health & Nutrition “Transform Your Health” Newsletter by Nutritionist & Official Self Growth Guide for Dietary Supplements.
Nutritionist, Herbalist, Author & Official Self Growth Guide for Dietary Supplements. Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH offers a free, monthly Health & Nutrition newsletter. Includes a variety of topics including Nutrition, Diet, Weight Loss, Internal Cleansing & pH, Natural & Preventative Health Care, Men’s & Women’s Health Issues, Natural Living, Skin Care, Green Living, Organics, Whole Food Dietary Supplements, Herbal Therapeutics, and other informative articles and information from experts in the world of health & nutrition.
* Home Business Newsletter
Receive Free Articles and updates on Starting and Growing a Home Business. Includes information on Sales, Marketing, using the Internet, Network Marketing Opportunities, Franchises, Business Plans and much more. Includes reviews and motivation to help you with your home business.
* Loving Today: The Relationship Newsletter
Inspiration to Consciously Improve Your Love Life and Relationships. In this newsletter, you will receive Daily Inspiration and Resources for Conscious Relationships, Dating, and Romance for Single, Married, and Divorced Men and Women.
* Fulfill the True Purpose of Your Life
Best-selling "Letting Go" author, Guy Finley, reveals amazing secrets for stress-free, fearless living. Receive inspirational weekly messages, plus deep discounts on today's most powerful self-improvement materials in Guy Finley's FREE "Key Lesson" e-mails. Exclusively from non-profit Life of Learning Foundation.
* Selling and Sales Skills Newsletter
Contains articles, and information on sales skills and improving your sales productivity. Expert tips, tools and information to assist you with you sales career.
* Motivational Quote and Product of the Day
This Daily Newsletter provides you with a great Inspirational Quote and a short paragraph about an empowering Self Improvement Product ( Book, tape, or seminar) every day. A motivating way to start your day.
* Self Help Books Weekly Newsletter
If you read Self Improvement Books, this free newsletter is for you. Information on new book releases, best sellers, book reviews, excerpts, special promotions, interviews with the authors & more.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tips to reduce your stress
It is difficult to get rid of stress but there are ways to lower it. Every person has its own personality thus manangement of stress may be different for each one, but these tips can really help you in managing your stress/depression. These tips and ideas look very simple and may be you would think that these can not product good results, but believe me that these has worked like miracal for me.
* Learn better ways to manage your time. You may get more done with less stress if you make a schedule. Think about which things are most important, and do those first.
* Find better ways to cope. Look at how you have been dealing with stress. Be honest about what works and what does not. Think about other things that might work better.
* Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest. Eat well. Do not smoke. Limit how much alcohol you drink.
* Try out new ways of thinking. When you find yourself starting to worry, try to stop the thoughts. Work on letting go of things you cannot change. Learn to say “no.”
* Ask for help. People who have a strong network of family and friends manage stress better.
* Exercise. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. Walking is a great way to get started.
* Write. It can help to write about the things that are bothering you. (I found blogging a great help in reducing stress for me)
* Let your feelings out. Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to. (Introvert persons suffer most, so cry or laugh like normal humans)
* Do something you enjoy. A hobby can help you relax. Volunteer work or work that helps others can be a great stress reliever. (It is the best remedy)
* Learn ways to relax your body. This can include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, massage, aromatherapy, yoga, or relaxing exercises like tai chi and qi gong.
* Focus on the present. Try meditation, imagery exercises, or self-hypnosis. Listen to relaxing music. Try to look for the humor in life. Laughter really can be the best medicine. (Meditation is the first effective strategy, which helped me to cope with depression and stress. I am still a regular meditator for more than 3 years)
- source link
* Learn better ways to manage your time. You may get more done with less stress if you make a schedule. Think about which things are most important, and do those first.
* Find better ways to cope. Look at how you have been dealing with stress. Be honest about what works and what does not. Think about other things that might work better.
* Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest. Eat well. Do not smoke. Limit how much alcohol you drink.
* Try out new ways of thinking. When you find yourself starting to worry, try to stop the thoughts. Work on letting go of things you cannot change. Learn to say “no.”
* Ask for help. People who have a strong network of family and friends manage stress better.
* Exercise. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. Walking is a great way to get started.
* Write. It can help to write about the things that are bothering you. (I found blogging a great help in reducing stress for me)
* Let your feelings out. Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to. (Introvert persons suffer most, so cry or laugh like normal humans)
* Do something you enjoy. A hobby can help you relax. Volunteer work or work that helps others can be a great stress reliever. (It is the best remedy)
* Learn ways to relax your body. This can include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, massage, aromatherapy, yoga, or relaxing exercises like tai chi and qi gong.
* Focus on the present. Try meditation, imagery exercises, or self-hypnosis. Listen to relaxing music. Try to look for the humor in life. Laughter really can be the best medicine. (Meditation is the first effective strategy, which helped me to cope with depression and stress. I am still a regular meditator for more than 3 years)
- source link
Monday, October 13, 2008
Check Your Stress Level To Save Your Life
Challenging modern life demands more from us and thus results in high stress or depression levels. Major life changes are also main cause of stress either the stress is positive or nagative. Positive stress gives us strength and motivation to achieve goals. But we should carefully judge if our stress level is crossing the positive levels and showing the nagative signs of stress. It is clear that 'Stress is a medical condition and it can have a serious effect on your health.'
This article would help you learn about signs of negative stress which can help you understand how much it can harm you and what happens when you are stressed and at the bottom of the post you would be able to know your stress level using an interactive tool provided by MSN Health and fitness.
Short-term (acute) stress can keep you awake at night and make you feel irritable and edgy. High stress levels over a long period of time (chronic stress) can cause serious health problems such as high blood pressure, and it can weaken your immune system and make it difficult for your body to fight disease. Stress is linked to health conditions such as depression, heart disease, and asthma.
What happens when you are stressed?
When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy. This is called the fight-or-flight stress response.
Some stress is normal and even useful. It can help if you need to work hard or react quickly. For example, it can help you win a race or finish an important job on time.
But if stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects. It can be linked to headaches, an upset stomach, back pain, or trouble sleeping. It can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off disease. If you already have a health problem, stress may make it worse. It can make you moody, tense, or depressed. Your relationships may suffer, and you may not do well at work or school.
What can you do about stress?
The good news is that you can learn ways to manage stress. To get stress under control:
Find out what is causing stress in your life.
Look for ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life.
Learn healthy ways to relieve stress.
How do you figure out your stress level?
Sometimes it is clear where stress is coming from. You can count on stress during a major life change such as the death of a loved one, getting married, or having a baby. But other times it may not be so clear why you feel stressed.
It may help to keep a stress journal. Get a notebook and write down when something makes you feel stressed. Then write how you reacted and what you did to deal with the stress. Keeping a stress journal can help you find out what is causing your stress and how much stress you feel. Then you can take steps to reduce the stress or handle it better.
To find out how stressed you are right now, use the tool offered by MSN. This interactive tool gauges your stress level based on the number of life changes you have had recently. Your score shows a rough estimate of your current stress level and the likelihood that you will have health problems due to stress in the next 12 to 18 months.
MSN Health and fitness presents the interactive tool: What Is Your Stress Level?
- source link
- Stress hazards and more
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Use Caution Buying Health Products Online
Internet and online shopping trend helps us saving our time and hassele, but at the same time there are risks involved as world wide web has space for spam sites offering products which might cause health hazards. As a consumer it is our duty to learn about the laws and rules and check it either the products we are going to buy meets with the regulations of medicine or drug administration agencies or not. This post would help you to learn what you need to know about the risks involved in buying online health products and how to be a wise consumer.
Many legitimate Web sites bring customers health products with the benefits of convenience, privacy, and, sometimes, cheaper prices. "But consumers need to be aware that the Internet has also created a marketplace for unapproved medical products, illegal prescribing, and products marketed with fraudulent health claims," says William Hubbard, associate commissioner for policy and planning at the Food and Drug Administration.
"And the unique qualities of the Internet, including its broad reach, relative anonymity, and the ease of creating and removing Web sites, pose challenges for enforcing federal and state laws," Hubbard says. "Many sites are connected to other sites and have multiple links, which makes investigations more complex. And there are jurisdictional challenges because the regulatory and enforcement issues cross state, federal, and international lines."
Facts and figures:
One way that illegitimate Web sites violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) is by dispensing prescription drugs without a valid prescription, says Steven Silverman, director of the Division of New Drugs and Labeling Compliance in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "FDA leaves it to individual states to decide what is a valid prescription. Web sites cannot dispense drugs in violation of those laws or with no prescription at all."
Risks: "When you buy drugs from a questionable Web site, you just don't know what you're actually getting," says Carmen Catizone, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
The main concerns are that the drugs could be outdated, contaminated, too potent or not potent enough, improperly manufactured and handled, or counterfeit. "We have seen some reports of cases where people thought they ordered prescription drugs, but they received some kind of dietary supplement," Catizone says.
In general, to be valid, a prescription must address a legitimate medical purpose, be written by a physician or other health care provider authorized to prescribe medicine, and be based on a legitimate doctor–patient relationship. But some Web sites dispense drugs after customers simply fill out an online questionnaire or engage in some other similar cyber "consultation."
Tips: For consumers who want to buy prescription drugs online, the FDA recommends purchasing only from state-licensed online pharmacies that are located in the United States. This helps to assure that the consumer will receive drugs that are manufactured, packaged, distributed, and labeled properly. Some legitimate Internet pharmacies are extensions of traditional brick-and-mortar chain drug stores such as Walgreens, Eckerd, and CVS.
"There are also smaller, and still legitimate, Web sites that consumers can use with confidence," says Linda Silvers, who leads the Internet and health fraud team at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Legitimate sites require valid prescriptions."
"A Web site can look very sophisticated and legitimate, but actually be an illegal operation," Silvers says. "If there is no way to contact the Web site pharmacy by phone, if prices are dramatically lower than the competition, or if no prescription from your doctor is required, consumers should be especially wary."
People should check with their state board of pharmacy or NABP to see if an online pharmacy has a valid pharmacy license, meets state quality standards, and is located in the United States . NABP's Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program, also known as VIPPS, is a voluntary program that verifies the legitimacy of Internet sites dispensing prescription drugs and gives a seal of approval to sites that apply and meet state licensure requirements and other VIPPS criteria.
To find out if an online pharmacy is licensed, is in good standing, and is located in the United States, contact NABP at http://www.nabp.net/. Legitimate pharmacies that carry the VIPPS seal are listed at http://www.vipps.info/. For a list of state boards of pharmacy, visit http://www.nabp.info/.
Reporting Problems
To report a problem with a Web site selling human drugs, animal drugs, medical devices, biological products, foods, dietary supplements, or cosmetics:
If the problem involves a serious or life-threatening situation, call your health care professional immediately for medical advice. To report the situation to the FDA, call (301) 443-1240.
If the problem involves a serious reaction or problem, contact your health care professional for advice. To fill out the FDA's MedWatch reporting form, go to http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/.
For problems that do not involve a serious or life-threatening reaction, fill out the form at www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm.
To report e-mails or Web sites promoting medical products that might be illegal, forward the material to webcomplaints@ora.fda.gov.
To report false claims to the Federal Trade Commission, call (877) 382-4357.
If you lose your money, contact the credit card company, your state attorney general's office, or the Better Business Bureau.
Online Resources
FDA buying online page www.fda.gov/buyonline/
FDA online guide: "Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide" http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/
FDA report on combating counterfeit drugs www.fda.gov/counterfeit/
List of dietary supplement ingredients for which the FDA has issued warningswww.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-warn.html
List of enforcement actions taken against the promoters of products www.fda.gov/oc/enforcement.html
Many legitimate Web sites bring customers health products with the benefits of convenience, privacy, and, sometimes, cheaper prices. "But consumers need to be aware that the Internet has also created a marketplace for unapproved medical products, illegal prescribing, and products marketed with fraudulent health claims," says William Hubbard, associate commissioner for policy and planning at the Food and Drug Administration.
"And the unique qualities of the Internet, including its broad reach, relative anonymity, and the ease of creating and removing Web sites, pose challenges for enforcing federal and state laws," Hubbard says. "Many sites are connected to other sites and have multiple links, which makes investigations more complex. And there are jurisdictional challenges because the regulatory and enforcement issues cross state, federal, and international lines."
Facts and figures:
One way that illegitimate Web sites violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) is by dispensing prescription drugs without a valid prescription, says Steven Silverman, director of the Division of New Drugs and Labeling Compliance in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "FDA leaves it to individual states to decide what is a valid prescription. Web sites cannot dispense drugs in violation of those laws or with no prescription at all."
Risks: "When you buy drugs from a questionable Web site, you just don't know what you're actually getting," says Carmen Catizone, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
The main concerns are that the drugs could be outdated, contaminated, too potent or not potent enough, improperly manufactured and handled, or counterfeit. "We have seen some reports of cases where people thought they ordered prescription drugs, but they received some kind of dietary supplement," Catizone says.
In general, to be valid, a prescription must address a legitimate medical purpose, be written by a physician or other health care provider authorized to prescribe medicine, and be based on a legitimate doctor–patient relationship. But some Web sites dispense drugs after customers simply fill out an online questionnaire or engage in some other similar cyber "consultation."
Tips: For consumers who want to buy prescription drugs online, the FDA recommends purchasing only from state-licensed online pharmacies that are located in the United States. This helps to assure that the consumer will receive drugs that are manufactured, packaged, distributed, and labeled properly. Some legitimate Internet pharmacies are extensions of traditional brick-and-mortar chain drug stores such as Walgreens, Eckerd, and CVS.
"There are also smaller, and still legitimate, Web sites that consumers can use with confidence," says Linda Silvers, who leads the Internet and health fraud team at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Legitimate sites require valid prescriptions."
"A Web site can look very sophisticated and legitimate, but actually be an illegal operation," Silvers says. "If there is no way to contact the Web site pharmacy by phone, if prices are dramatically lower than the competition, or if no prescription from your doctor is required, consumers should be especially wary."
People should check with their state board of pharmacy or NABP to see if an online pharmacy has a valid pharmacy license, meets state quality standards, and is located in the United States . NABP's Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites program, also known as VIPPS, is a voluntary program that verifies the legitimacy of Internet sites dispensing prescription drugs and gives a seal of approval to sites that apply and meet state licensure requirements and other VIPPS criteria.
To find out if an online pharmacy is licensed, is in good standing, and is located in the United States, contact NABP at http://www.nabp.net/. Legitimate pharmacies that carry the VIPPS seal are listed at http://www.vipps.info/. For a list of state boards of pharmacy, visit http://www.nabp.info/.
Reporting Problems
To report a problem with a Web site selling human drugs, animal drugs, medical devices, biological products, foods, dietary supplements, or cosmetics:
If the problem involves a serious or life-threatening situation, call your health care professional immediately for medical advice. To report the situation to the FDA, call (301) 443-1240.
If the problem involves a serious reaction or problem, contact your health care professional for advice. To fill out the FDA's MedWatch reporting form, go to http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/.
For problems that do not involve a serious or life-threatening reaction, fill out the form at www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm.
To report e-mails or Web sites promoting medical products that might be illegal, forward the material to webcomplaints@ora.fda.gov.
To report false claims to the Federal Trade Commission, call (877) 382-4357.
If you lose your money, contact the credit card company, your state attorney general's office, or the Better Business Bureau.
Online Resources
FDA buying online page www.fda.gov/buyonline/
FDA online guide: "Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide" http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/
FDA report on combating counterfeit drugs www.fda.gov/counterfeit/
List of dietary supplement ingredients for which the FDA has issued warningswww.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-warn.html
List of enforcement actions taken against the promoters of products www.fda.gov/oc/enforcement.html
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Take Charge of Your Financial Life
Distressing situations and dilemmas force us towards misuse of our crdit cards. The result is hingh debts and stress-ful life due to increasing loans and your low credit card score.
If you want to take charge of your financial life, you should learn money management and budget techniques. This learning would be beneficial for a secured financial future for you and for your kids also. According to experts, kids learn to handle money from their parents or sometimes in school. If you want to bring up a savvy kid, you need to be a good example for your kids. Some parents think that their kids are too small to learn about money management basics. Experts say it's never too early.
Tips helping you to take charge of your financial life:
Most debtors just want to wipe their debts out, they look for some services or companies which promise to remove their debts. But somehow they forget to analyze the reasons of their debts. It may be rather uncomfortable to face those factors that lead you to such distressing situations, but it's really essential if you want to get control of your spending.
It's mostly true that a vast majority of credit card users don't know where their money goes. How much do you spend on food every month? What about other expenses? Do you have a monthly budget? At first glance, these questions seem to be no big deal, but in reality they happen to be crucial.
.When purchasing things with credit cards, we may not even notice how much we spend. According to psychologists, the problem lies in the perception of plastics we use almost every day. When doing credit shopping, some customers don't feel like they spend real money. This is especially true when it comes to impulsive shoppers. They really enjoy the process of buying, but they don't realize how painful it may be to get the monthly credit statement afterwards.
Keeping a sort of spending diary will definitely help you see where your money goes. You can also create your family budget. It should be easy-to-follow and realistic. Plus, this budget should help you get your financial goals. Let's say you plan a dream vacation to some exotic location. You'd better put aside money each month so that you've got enough funds to finance your trip.
You also need to understand how much income you can work with and thus create your own spending plan. For example, pay essentials first, then set aside some money for food, clothes, entertainment, etc.
If you are an active shopper, you may put aside some money for non-essentials. It also can be a good idea to apply for a good cash back card. The wonderful thing about these plastics is that you can get really great discounts on eligible purchases. Thus, you can accumulate more rewards that can bring you more benefits in future.
Selecting the right credit offer is another rule of thumb for those who want to get control of their spending. Why carry a card with high fees or a sky-high credit rates? You can always find a good deal for your score rating. All you need to do is to browse through plastic money offers online and pick out the one that suits you most.
Tip: The financial specialists say that it is extremely important to be careful with your first credit card! When you apply for a credit card for the first time, you may feel that you have free money! You can simply swipe your credit card and the cashier will give you all your purchases! Sounds very nice, doesn't it? But if you abuse your first credit card, you will be buried up to your neck with late fees and your credit score will defiantly go down! That's why it is extremely important to be disciplined with your credit card from the first day of usage!
Tips and advice courtesy of: top credit cards
If you want to take charge of your financial life, you should learn money management and budget techniques. This learning would be beneficial for a secured financial future for you and for your kids also. According to experts, kids learn to handle money from their parents or sometimes in school. If you want to bring up a savvy kid, you need to be a good example for your kids. Some parents think that their kids are too small to learn about money management basics. Experts say it's never too early.
Tips helping you to take charge of your financial life:
Most debtors just want to wipe their debts out, they look for some services or companies which promise to remove their debts. But somehow they forget to analyze the reasons of their debts. It may be rather uncomfortable to face those factors that lead you to such distressing situations, but it's really essential if you want to get control of your spending.
It's mostly true that a vast majority of credit card users don't know where their money goes. How much do you spend on food every month? What about other expenses? Do you have a monthly budget? At first glance, these questions seem to be no big deal, but in reality they happen to be crucial.
.When purchasing things with credit cards, we may not even notice how much we spend. According to psychologists, the problem lies in the perception of plastics we use almost every day. When doing credit shopping, some customers don't feel like they spend real money. This is especially true when it comes to impulsive shoppers. They really enjoy the process of buying, but they don't realize how painful it may be to get the monthly credit statement afterwards.Keeping a sort of spending diary will definitely help you see where your money goes. You can also create your family budget. It should be easy-to-follow and realistic. Plus, this budget should help you get your financial goals. Let's say you plan a dream vacation to some exotic location. You'd better put aside money each month so that you've got enough funds to finance your trip.
You also need to understand how much income you can work with and thus create your own spending plan. For example, pay essentials first, then set aside some money for food, clothes, entertainment, etc.
If you are an active shopper, you may put aside some money for non-essentials. It also can be a good idea to apply for a good cash back card. The wonderful thing about these plastics is that you can get really great discounts on eligible purchases. Thus, you can accumulate more rewards that can bring you more benefits in future.
Selecting the right credit offer is another rule of thumb for those who want to get control of their spending. Why carry a card with high fees or a sky-high credit rates? You can always find a good deal for your score rating. All you need to do is to browse through plastic money offers online and pick out the one that suits you most.
Tip: The financial specialists say that it is extremely important to be careful with your first credit card! When you apply for a credit card for the first time, you may feel that you have free money! You can simply swipe your credit card and the cashier will give you all your purchases! Sounds very nice, doesn't it? But if you abuse your first credit card, you will be buried up to your neck with late fees and your credit score will defiantly go down! That's why it is extremely important to be disciplined with your credit card from the first day of usage!
Tips and advice courtesy of: top credit cards
Monday, October 6, 2008
Keep learning at any age to stay mentally active
Learning is usually associated with young age, and as we get old we think that now we can't learn like young persons. But the fact is that more we use our brain and use our mental skills, more we become mentally stronger. This researched based article can help you understand that we can keep learning at any age and this process keeps us mentally active and mentally healthy.
Research studies prove that "people who keep learning and stay mentally active increase their odds of retaining good brain function as they age. The more you use your brain, the stronger it gets — and the longer it stays strong."
Memory difficulties caused by the aging process are relatively minor — they won't interfere with your ability to do your job or run your household. And there are many things you can do to protect and improve your memory. Some health conditions that become more common with age can impair memory, such as high blood pressure. Memory impairment is also among the side effects of some medications, such as sleep aids and some pain relievers. In such cases, controlling health problems and switching medications can often restore memory function.
Contrary to what we once believed, our brains keep growing new neurons (brain cells) and making new connections between them throughout life. This capacity for rejuvenation raises the potential for medical treatments to stop and reverse memory loss, whether from disease or from aging.
Report: Aaron P. Nelson, Ph.D.
Medical Editor, Chief of Neuropsychology, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital
source link: Improving Memory
Research studies prove that "people who keep learning and stay mentally active increase their odds of retaining good brain function as they age. The more you use your brain, the stronger it gets — and the longer it stays strong."
Memory difficulties caused by the aging process are relatively minor — they won't interfere with your ability to do your job or run your household. And there are many things you can do to protect and improve your memory. Some health conditions that become more common with age can impair memory, such as high blood pressure. Memory impairment is also among the side effects of some medications, such as sleep aids and some pain relievers. In such cases, controlling health problems and switching medications can often restore memory function.
Contrary to what we once believed, our brains keep growing new neurons (brain cells) and making new connections between them throughout life. This capacity for rejuvenation raises the potential for medical treatments to stop and reverse memory loss, whether from disease or from aging.
Report: Aaron P. Nelson, Ph.D.
Medical Editor, Chief of Neuropsychology, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital
source link: Improving Memory
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Healthy Snack Ideas for Your Family
As the health of family is related to our food habits, we can easily make changes in our eating habits for a healthier body and mind. May be we eat a balanced and nutritious food but 'small snacks' in between big meals can make a big difference if our choice is not healthy.
Plan and have ready-to-eat foods that fit into a healthy eating plan. This means plan snacks that help get the recommended daily amounts from each of the main food groups:
- Grains
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Milk
- Meat and Beans Group
Snack ideas from the Fruit Group:
Most people need to eat more fruit, especially whole fruit or cut-up fruit. MyPyramid recommends whole fruit instead of fruit juice for most of your fruit choices. Whole or cut up fruit provides fiber in addition to the vitamins and minerals found in fruit juice.
Try these ideas:
* Fresh fruit available in the crisper in the refrigerator
- Grapes, kiwi, plums, peaches, pears, strawberries, or tangerines
* Fresh fruit available in a bowl on the table or counter
- Apples, bananas, nectarines, oranges, pears
* Fresh fruit already cut-up and available in the refrigerator
- Cantaloupe, mangos, or pineapple
- Always keep cut fruit in the refrigerator
* Single servings of fruit created at home and refrigerated in individual containers.
- This could be a mixture of fresh, dried, canned and/or frozen fruit.
* Single servings of fruit purchased in cans, cartons, or plastic containers.
- Applesauce, apple chunks, peaches, raisins, pineapple or mixed fruit
* Single servings of dried fruit, divided at home, or purchased in individual packages: Apples, apricots, peaches, raisins, or plums.
* Chilled fruit salad as a special treat. Have it waiting in the refrigerator!
Remember: always keep cut fruit refrigerated.
These are just a few of the many ideas that you can consider. Think about your budget, schedule and nutritional needs of your children to plan a snack idea. Remember, ideas for health wise snacks also include food choices that help get the daily-recommended amounts from the other major food groups as well. The main idea is to have available those foods that help your children to get the best nutrition.
By: Glenda Warren, Associate Professor, Foods and Nutrition/EFNEP
Source link: University of Florida/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences.
Plan and have ready-to-eat foods that fit into a healthy eating plan. This means plan snacks that help get the recommended daily amounts from each of the main food groups:
- Grains
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Milk
- Meat and Beans Group
Snack ideas from the Fruit Group:
Most people need to eat more fruit, especially whole fruit or cut-up fruit. MyPyramid recommends whole fruit instead of fruit juice for most of your fruit choices. Whole or cut up fruit provides fiber in addition to the vitamins and minerals found in fruit juice.
Try these ideas:
* Fresh fruit available in the crisper in the refrigerator - Grapes, kiwi, plums, peaches, pears, strawberries, or tangerines
* Fresh fruit available in a bowl on the table or counter
- Apples, bananas, nectarines, oranges, pears
* Fresh fruit already cut-up and available in the refrigerator
- Cantaloupe, mangos, or pineapple
- Always keep cut fruit in the refrigerator
* Single servings of fruit created at home and refrigerated in individual containers.
- This could be a mixture of fresh, dried, canned and/or frozen fruit.
* Single servings of fruit purchased in cans, cartons, or plastic containers.
- Applesauce, apple chunks, peaches, raisins, pineapple or mixed fruit
* Single servings of dried fruit, divided at home, or purchased in individual packages: Apples, apricots, peaches, raisins, or plums.
* Chilled fruit salad as a special treat. Have it waiting in the refrigerator!
Remember: always keep cut fruit refrigerated.
These are just a few of the many ideas that you can consider. Think about your budget, schedule and nutritional needs of your children to plan a snack idea. Remember, ideas for health wise snacks also include food choices that help get the daily-recommended amounts from the other major food groups as well. The main idea is to have available those foods that help your children to get the best nutrition.
By: Glenda Warren, Associate Professor, Foods and Nutrition/EFNEP
Source link: University of Florida/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wedding and Vacation At One Place And Price!
Last month was busiest time of the year for me, because of my sister's wedding. She is my only sister and she relied on me for all wedding arrangements. My husband helped me for the whole ceremony, but the difficult time was to give her a memorable gift. And of course we both wanted to give the newly web couple a surprise but exciting gift.
After a week of internet search and discussing with friend, we came to a decision of selecting a honeymoon all inclusive resort package. I was worried about the price because I was sharing half with my husband. But after browsing the site Super Clubs my husband assured me that the whole package is within our budget range.
We purchased honeymoon stay of three nights and wedding was free. We had to schedule our wedding location and time online and rest of the hassle was for the people with whom we booked the wedding and honeymoon package.
This discount vacation packages was going to be an ideal gift as my sister and her husband loved travelling. And I knew that my sister was crazy about Jamacian resorts.
We were assured that it would be a perfectdestination weddings.
It features a group of wedding specialists who will make sure that wedding day unfolds flawlessly. They take care of everything from the minister to the floral arrangements to the wedding cake. They'll even help you find the perfect place at the resort for you to exchange vows.
My sister and her husband are back to their jobs and last week I received a big thankyou card from them saying that 'it was the most precious gift which they enjoyed and would remember for long times' and for me it was satisfying that the people who are offering these packages fulfilled their promises of quality and service.
After a week of internet search and discussing with friend, we came to a decision of selecting a honeymoon all inclusive resort package. I was worried about the price because I was sharing half with my husband. But after browsing the site Super Clubs my husband assured me that the whole package is within our budget range.
We purchased honeymoon stay of three nights and wedding was free. We had to schedule our wedding location and time online and rest of the hassle was for the people with whom we booked the wedding and honeymoon package.
This discount vacation packages was going to be an ideal gift as my sister and her husband loved travelling. And I knew that my sister was crazy about Jamacian resorts.
We were assured that it would be a perfectdestination weddings.
It features a group of wedding specialists who will make sure that wedding day unfolds flawlessly. They take care of everything from the minister to the floral arrangements to the wedding cake. They'll even help you find the perfect place at the resort for you to exchange vows.
My sister and her husband are back to their jobs and last week I received a big thankyou card from them saying that 'it was the most precious gift which they enjoyed and would remember for long times' and for me it was satisfying that the people who are offering these packages fulfilled their promises of quality and service.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Keep You And Your Family Safe On The Road
Staying alert is very important in case of driving, as keeping some safety tips in mind can save our and our family's life. It is a fact that all accidents are not avoidable, but we can still stay at a safe side by not being a cause of accident, by adopting travel safety tips.
Few statistics of accidents:
- Each year worldwide there are 500,000 road deaths, It is estimated that by 2020 this figure will rise to 700,000 deaths per annum.
- Injuries outnumber deaths 70 times
- 15,000,000 serious injuries each year
- Annual cost of motor vehicle crashes in USA is $70 billion
'Getting Ready For The Road' tips:
Even under the best conditions, driving has its inherent risks. But when special situations or hazards arise, paying attention to driving and making sound decisions become even more vital.
The word “emergency” indicates the unforeseen, the unpredictable. No matter how careful you are, you cannot keep emergencies from occurring. However, as safe and competent drivers, you can deliberately prepare for emergency conditions you might encounter on the roadway — from unpredictable weather to transporting an individual to the hospital.
Travel Safety Tips
* Take your vehicle for a full safety inspection 1–2 weeks before a long trip.
* Be well-rested and alert each time you get behind the wheel.
* Never leave children or pets unattended in your vehicle.
* Never drive if you have been drinking alcohol.
* Never drive if you are using medications that cause drowsiness.
* Wear prescription lenses as appropriate.
* Make sure each passenger wears a seatbelt.
* Make sure child passenger safety seats are properly installed.
* Make sure children are properly secured in appropriate child passenger safety seats.
* Follow traffic safety laws.
* Obey speed limits.
* Slow down in adverse weather conditions or if there are safety hazards present, such as an accident or debris on the roadway.
* Avoid distractions while driving, including eating, drinking, using cell phones, tuning the radio, interacting with other drivers and other passengers and watching sights along the road.
* Use rearview and side mirrors often.
* Avoid prolonged hours of driving.
* Place warning devices, when needed, at least 200 feet behind the vehicle.
* Keep doors locked.
* Do not leave valuables in view.
* Check your vehicle’s tire pressure at least once each month.
Tips provided by: USAA Ed Foundation
Related study:CRASH SAFETY
Few statistics of accidents:
- Each year worldwide there are 500,000 road deaths, It is estimated that by 2020 this figure will rise to 700,000 deaths per annum.
- Injuries outnumber deaths 70 times
- 15,000,000 serious injuries each year
- Annual cost of motor vehicle crashes in USA is $70 billion
'Getting Ready For The Road' tips:
Even under the best conditions, driving has its inherent risks. But when special situations or hazards arise, paying attention to driving and making sound decisions become even more vital.
The word “emergency” indicates the unforeseen, the unpredictable. No matter how careful you are, you cannot keep emergencies from occurring. However, as safe and competent drivers, you can deliberately prepare for emergency conditions you might encounter on the roadway — from unpredictable weather to transporting an individual to the hospital.
Travel Safety Tips* Take your vehicle for a full safety inspection 1–2 weeks before a long trip.
* Be well-rested and alert each time you get behind the wheel.
* Never leave children or pets unattended in your vehicle.
* Never drive if you have been drinking alcohol.
* Never drive if you are using medications that cause drowsiness.
* Wear prescription lenses as appropriate.
* Make sure each passenger wears a seatbelt.
* Make sure child passenger safety seats are properly installed.
* Make sure children are properly secured in appropriate child passenger safety seats.
* Follow traffic safety laws.
* Obey speed limits.
* Slow down in adverse weather conditions or if there are safety hazards present, such as an accident or debris on the roadway.
* Avoid distractions while driving, including eating, drinking, using cell phones, tuning the radio, interacting with other drivers and other passengers and watching sights along the road.
* Use rearview and side mirrors often.
* Avoid prolonged hours of driving.
* Place warning devices, when needed, at least 200 feet behind the vehicle.
* Keep doors locked.
* Do not leave valuables in view.
* Check your vehicle’s tire pressure at least once each month.
Tips provided by: USAA Ed Foundation
Related study:CRASH SAFETY
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Saving Money with Online Cash Back Credit Card
You would be noticing that there are lots of companies offering low rate, or 0% interest rate credit cards. But if you are offered to save hundreds of dollars annually by using 'Online cash back credit cards' would you believe?
Yes it is possible! Cash back option is the best credit card's benefit scheme.
How much you can save with cash back credit deals?
With cash back credit deals, your everyday credit purchases may bring you some hundred dollars by the end of the fiscal year.
If in active use - commonly brings 5% on purchases, which are made in some specialized shops like supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations and other trading nets. Moreover the program will add up 1% on any other credit purchases.
Tips:
- The higher your credit score is - the better your chances to get the best credit offer will be, especially Platinum credit card.
- The credit card's options will better suit those who frequently buy goods for housing or are going to make some repairing works.
- Read carefully the fine print terms of your credit application. There are various cards that don't include any kind of cash back limit. It will also depend on some certain trading nets where you will make your purchases. If they have it - then your card will evidently be your best variant!
Yes it is possible! Cash back option is the best credit card's benefit scheme.
How much you can save with cash back credit deals?
With cash back credit deals, your everyday credit purchases may bring you some hundred dollars by the end of the fiscal year.
If in active use - commonly brings 5% on purchases, which are made in some specialized shops like supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations and other trading nets. Moreover the program will add up 1% on any other credit purchases.
Tips:
- The higher your credit score is - the better your chances to get the best credit offer will be, especially Platinum credit card.
- The credit card's options will better suit those who frequently buy goods for housing or are going to make some repairing works.
- Read carefully the fine print terms of your credit application. There are various cards that don't include any kind of cash back limit. It will also depend on some certain trading nets where you will make your purchases. If they have it - then your card will evidently be your best variant!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Importance Of Play And Humour In Our Lives
Play, humour and laughter are an essential part of our lives. Play name is associated with children or with sports, but adults need to play for the development of their mind and soul. Everyone knows of the physical benefits of engaging in a more active lifestyle, but did you realize there are proven psychological benefits as well?
Like play, humour and laughter plays an important role in our lives. First read few quotes about 'humour':
“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.”
Henry Ward Beecher quotes (Liberal US Congregational minister)
“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.”
- Bill Cosby quotes (American Actor, Comedian and Producer)
Humor, laughter and play lighten our burdens and help us to keep things in perspective. A good hearty laugh reduces stress, elevates mood, and improves brain functioning. Play is our most joyous form of nonverbal communication in personal and work relationships.
Enriching our interactions with humor, laughter and play also gives our relationships that extra zing that keeps them happy, light, and joyful. This shared pleasure can create a sense of intimacy and connection, qualities that define healthy long lasting relationships.
Mutual playfulness is more than fun; it’s an opportunity for you to relax, renew, and refresh yourself—whether at home or at work. Using playful communication broadens your emotional intelligence. But as adults we forget 'how to play'? If played properly it rewards us the joy of relaxation and pure joy. So let's "learn to play"
Learning to Play
Many people, not having experienced mutual play as infants, don’t know how to play as adults. The good news is that this is something you can learn! The more you play, the easier it becomes, and the more you practice, the more you learn. Make a commitment to play by putting aside quality play time on a regular basis. Realize that self-consciousness and concern for how you look and sound to others is probably a big factor that’s limiting your playfulness. Remember—as a baby, you were naturally playful; you didn’t worry about the reaction of other people.
Learning to play together is necessary for sharpening the fun skills that help make your relationships flourish. The process of learning to play depends on your preferences. Begin by observing what you already do that borders on fun - telling and listening to jokes; going to movies; making faces in the mirror when you're alone; daydreaming; even eating can be playful. Then, you can try to incorporate more playful activities into your life. You could try taking an improvisation comedy class, throw a costume party, or even volunteer to provide entertainment, such as playing Santa Claus, for the next holiday gathering. The important thing is to find enjoyable activities that loosen you up and help you embrace your playful nature with other people.
Another excellent way to learn playfulness is to practice with “experts”:- Play with animals. Puppies, kittens, and other young animals are eager playmates and always ready to frolic. Make play dates with friends’ pets, or get your own.
- Play with babies and young children. The real authorities in human play are children, especially young children. Playing with children who know and trust you is a wonderful way to learn from the experts.
- Play with customer service people. Most people in the service industry are social and you’ll find that many will welcome playful banter.
As humor and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish and new discoveries for playing with loved ones will occur to you daily.
Source: This article is based on a portion of Dr. Jeanne Segal's new book, 'The Language of Emotional Intelligence', The Five Essential Tools for Building Powerful and Effective Relationships.
Monday, September 15, 2008
'Project Weight Loss' - A community to help you live a healthy life
It is a fact that we learn from our mistakes, but the easiest way to learn is from other's lives. The people around us can teach us the real life lessons. As we all know that if you want to live a healthy life for long, you should maintain a healthy diet and weight. Those who are 'over weight' are at high risk of inviting serious diseases. The best solution to get the awareness is to have contact with the people who have similar target of living a healthy life.
Project Weight Loss is a community for those who want to live healthy. It helps you to maintain balanced diet and achieve an active lifestyle which is essential for weight loss and healthy living.
Here you'll find weight loss articles, weight loss blogs , clubs, and a forum where you can post diet and fitness questions and answers.
More features of the site
There are many tools which are offered at the site like as:
- menu planner helps you create healthy diet plans;
- the calorie counter counts the calories in your meals and tells you if that's more than you need to reach your ideal weight;
- the workout planner helps you choose exercises to burn excess calories;
- the BMI calculator calculates your current and ideal body mass index.
Project Weight Loss is a community for those who want to live healthy. It helps you to maintain balanced diet and achieve an active lifestyle which is essential for weight loss and healthy living.
Here you'll find weight loss articles, weight loss blogs , clubs, and a forum where you can post diet and fitness questions and answers.
More features of the site
There are many tools which are offered at the site like as:
- menu planner helps you create healthy diet plans;
- the calorie counter counts the calories in your meals and tells you if that's more than you need to reach your ideal weight;
- the workout planner helps you choose exercises to burn excess calories;
- the BMI calculator calculates your current and ideal body mass index.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Cosmetics and Beauty Tips
This article would help you learn cosmetics and beauty tips. People use cosmetics to enhance their beauty, but if the product is not providing you the benefits and in some cases it produces adverse reaction to your health or beauty, then you need to know more about the law, and other related information about cosmetics.
- How does the law protect you?
Cosmetics:
Must be made and packaged in clean factories.
Cannot contain poison, rotten, or harmful ingredients.
May only use color additives that are FDA-approved.
Must have a clear, truthful label.
Read the label!
The law says a label must include:
- What the product is.
A list of what is in the product and how to used it safely.
How much of the product the package contains by weight.
The name of the company that makes or sells the product.
Does FDA test cosmetics before they are sold?
FDA does not test cosmetics before they are sold in stores. Companies must make sure their products and ingredients are safe before they sell them. FDA can take action against companies who break the law.
Will my cosmetics expire?
There is no law that cosmetics must have an expiration date.
Expiration dates are just guidelines. A product may go bad sooner if you store it the wrong way.
Are “testers” at makeup counters safe?
Testers can have lots of germs because so many people use them.
When you test a product at the counter, use a new sponge or cotton swab.
Could I be allergic to something in a cosmetic?
Some people may react to something in a product. For example, they may have itching, redness, rash, sneezing, or wheezing.
Allergies may happen the first time you use a product or after you have used it more than once.
- What should I do if I have a bad reaction to a cosmetic?
Stop using the product
Call your doctor to find out how to take care of the problem.
Call FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) at (301) 436-2405 or
Send an email to CAERS@cfsan.fda.gov
Call the company that makes the product
Safety tips for beauty
* Follow all directions on the label, including “Cautions” and “Warnings.”
* Keep makeup containers clean and closed tight when not in use.
* Wash your hands before you put on makeup.
* Do not share makeup.
* Do not add saliva or water to makeup.
* Throw away makeup if the color or smell changes.
* Don’t store your make-up above 85 degrees Fahrenheit / 29 degrees Celsius
* Stop using a product if you get a rash or have a problem.
* Do not use spray cans while you are smoking or near an open flame. It could start a fire.
* Do not put on makeup while you are driving.
Special Tips for Your Eyes
Do not keep mascara too long. Some companies say three months is long enough.
Do not use eye makeup if you have an eye infection. Throw away eye makeup you were using.
Do not use cosmetics near your eyes unless they are meant for your eyes. For example, don’t use a lip liner as an eyeliner. You may spread germs from your mouth to you eyes.
Tips provided by "U.S Food and Drug Administration"
Download 'pdf version'
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tips To Use Medicines Safely
At this article you get free tips about how to take medicines safely. There are a lot of persons which are seriously harmed because of taking wrong medicines. This guide would help you learn how to use medicines safely.You can get answers to many common questions like as:
When exactly should I take my medicine?
Is it safe to take my vitamins when I am taking a prescription medicine?
Now that I feel better, can I stop taking my medicine?
Medicine is prescribed to help you. But it can hurt you if you take too much or mix medicines that don't go together. Many people are harmed each year, some seriously, because of taking the wrong medicine or not taking the right medicines correctly.
Your Health Care Team
You can help get the best results by being a partner with your health care team.
Your health care team includes:
Doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or other professionals who prescribe your medicine for you or are in charge of your care.
Nurses who help with your care at home, a doctor's office, or a hospital.
Pharmacists who fill your prescription and are available to answer questions about your medicines.
Four Ways To Play It Safe With Medicines
1. Give Your Health Care Team Important Information
Be a partner with your health care team. Tell them about:
All the medicines, vitamins, herbals, and dietary supplements you're already taking. This includes:
- Prescription medicines.
- Medicines you can buy without a prescription, such as aspirin, antacids, laxatives, and cough medicine.
- Vitamins and dietary supplements, such as St. John's Wort or gingko biloba.
Also be sure to tell your health care team:
If you have medicine allergies or if you have had problems when taking a medicine before.
About any other doctors or health care professionals who have prescribed medicine for you or suggested that you take a vitamin or herbal supplement.
If you are pregnant, may get pregnant, or are nursing a baby.
About any other illness or medical condition you have, like diabetes or high blood pressure.
If cost is a concern, there may be another medicine that costs less and will work the same.
2. Get the Facts About Your Medicine
Be InformedAsk questions about every new prescription medicine. Get the answers you need from your health care team before you take your medicine.
Read the Prescription
If your doctor writes your prescription by hand, make sure you can read it. If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either. If your doctor submits your prescription to the pharmacy electronically, ask for a copy of the prescription.
Know What Your Medicine Is For
Ask your doctor to write down on the prescription what the medicine is used for...not just "take once a day" but "take once a day for high blood pressure."
Ask Questions
If you have other questions or concerns:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Write questions down ahead of time and bring them to your appointment.
By taking the time to ask questions now, you may be preventing problems later.
Tips!
Write your questions down ahead of time. Keep a list of questions you want to ask your health care team. Take the list with you to your appointment.
Take notes when you get information from your health care team.
Bring a friend or family member with you when you visit the doctor. Talking over what to do with someone you trust can help you make better decisions.
Try to use the same pharmacy to buy all of your medicines so your prescription records will all be in one place.
Read and save the patient information that comes with your medicine. It's often stapled to the bag from the pharmacy.
Keep a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. Be sure to add new medicines to the list when you start taking something new or when you change your dose. Show the list to your doctor and pharmacist.
Make a copy of your list. Keep one copy and give the other to a friend or loved one.
3. Stay With Your Treatment Plan
Now that you have the right medicine, you'll want to carry out the treatment plan. But that's not always easy. The medicines may cause side effects. Or you may feel better and want to stop before finishing your medicines.
Take all the antibiotics you were prescribed. If you are taking an antibiotic to fight an infection, it is very important to take all of your medicine for as many days as your doctor prescribed, even if you feel better.
Ask your doctor if your prescription needs to be refilled. If you are taking medicine for high blood pressure or to lower your cholesterol, you may be using your medicine for a long time.
If you are having side effects or other concerns, tell your doctor. You may be able to take a different amount or type of medicine.
Your medicine was prescribed only for you. Never give your prescription medicine to somebody else or take prescription medicine that wasn't prescribed for you, even if you have the same medical condition.
Ask whether you need blood tests, x-rays, or other lab tests to find out if the medicine is working, to find out if it's causing any problems, and to see if you need a different medicine. Ask your doctor to tell you what the tests showed.
What Products Can Help Me Keep Track of My Medicines?
Many products can help remind you to take your medicine on time and keep track of the doses you take. There are containers you can fill with your pills for each day of the week, calendars to check off, and even products that fit on top of a pill bottle. Ask your pharmacist for help finding the right product for you.
Tips!
You can get help:
- At work, there may be a nurse on site.
- At school, a school nurse may be able to help your child take medicines on time and safely.
- At home, a visiting nurse may be able to help you.
- Friends and Family
- Friends and family can help by:
Going with you to the doctor. Ask them to take notes about your medicines and other parts of your treatment plan. Picking up your medicine at the pharmacy. Have them show the pharmacist your list of medicines, vitamins, and supplements. They should ask, "Will this new medicine work safely with the other medicines?"
Calling regularly to remind you to take your medicine on time. If you are having any problems, let them know.
Keeping a record of what medicine you take so you won't take it twice.
4. Keep a Record of Your Medicines
Keep track of your medicines, vitamins, and other dietary supplements.
For More Information
To learn about specific medicines, go to "MEDLINEplus" If you do not have Internet access, ask your local librarian for help.
The checklist, Women and Medicines: What You Need to Know, has information on how medicines can affect women's bodies and what women can do for safe and effective medicine use.
This guide is developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE).
- source link
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Now HD Digital Radio with more attractions
Now you can listen Florida High Definition Radio stations and
new country music stations with new music and more programs. But it is not enough because now HD Digital Radio is available with more offers.
More qualities of HD Digital Radio:
* It can plays CDs, Plays DVDs, Satellite Radio, Video outputs, Integrated iPod Dock.
* It offers FM-like sound of AM and the superior CD-like sound of FM HD Radio stations
* HD Digital Radio is available with dual Alarm clock with large LCD, and as usual sound quality is the best.
* HD Radio receiver is now enabled with iTunes Tagging.
Process of tagging is simple: When you hear a song you like on your local FM HD Radio station, you simply hit the “tag” button. The song’s info will be saved from your HD Radio receiver to your iPod. The songs will show up in a playlist called "Tagged" in iTunes the next time you sync your iPod to your computer.
Also you can click, download and buy the songs you want directly from the Apple iTunes Music Store.
* Polk Audio I-sonic ES2 offers a powerful, room-filling stereo sound with palpable bass. HD Radio is now equiped with the same technology.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
"Taking Charge of Your Health" - Helping learn about alternative healing
Curious about how to improve your health and well being?
The Center for Spirituality and Healing partnership with Life Science Foundation, has created an online learning program. The site provides you with up-to-date, evidence based information about complementary and alternative medicine and contributes to the evolution of an integrative healthcare system.
"Taking Charge of your health" which is a project of 'University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing'
The Center for Spirituality and Healing is a nationally-recognized leader in complementary therapies and healing practices. The Center works to transform healthcare through innovative educational offerings, rigorous scientific research, inspiring outreach programs, and integrative clinical services.
You can learn about complementary and alternative medicine at the site. Every topic has wealth of information about the therapy in detail.
- What Are Complementary Therapies?
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurvedic Medicine
- Botanical Medicines
- Chiropractic
- Healing Environment
- Healing Touch
- Holistic Pregnancy & Childbirth
- Intuition in Healthcare
- Massage Therapy
- Reflexology
- Mind-Body Therapies
- Reiki
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- These real-life narratives share the successes and challenges of everyday people who have tried complementary therapies.
Check the page: Persoanl stories
Site link: 'Taking Charge'
The Center for Spirituality and Healing partnership with Life Science Foundation, has created an online learning program. The site provides you with up-to-date, evidence based information about complementary and alternative medicine and contributes to the evolution of an integrative healthcare system.
"Taking Charge of your health" which is a project of 'University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing'
The Center for Spirituality and Healing is a nationally-recognized leader in complementary therapies and healing practices. The Center works to transform healthcare through innovative educational offerings, rigorous scientific research, inspiring outreach programs, and integrative clinical services.
You can learn about complementary and alternative medicine at the site. Every topic has wealth of information about the therapy in detail.
- What Are Complementary Therapies?
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurvedic Medicine
- Botanical Medicines
- Chiropractic
- Healing Environment
- Healing Touch
- Holistic Pregnancy & Childbirth
- Intuition in Healthcare
- Massage Therapy
- Reflexology
- Mind-Body Therapies
- Reiki
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- These real-life narratives share the successes and challenges of everyday people who have tried complementary therapies.
Check the page: Persoanl stories
Site link: 'Taking Charge'
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Learn about Health Fraud at "Quack Watch"
As world wide web is a rich source of useful information, tips and guides for health related topics, there are a lot of health fraud sites, which mislead you with the non trusted products and information. It is our right to learn about those fraud sites, products or information, because knowledge is the first step to be aware of those scams. "Quack Watch" is a site helping you learn about these matters.
What is "Quack Watch"?
"Quack Watch" is a member of Consumer Federation of America from 1973 through 2003, and a nonprofit corporation.
Mission:
To combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere.
Their activities include:
- Investigating questionable claims
- Answering inquiries about products and services
- Advising quackery victims
- Distributing reliable publications
- Debunking pseudoscientific claims
- Reporting illegal marketing
- Assisting or generating consumer-protection lawsuits
- Improving the quality of health information on the Internet
- Attacking misleading advertising on the Internet
They maintain 21 additional sites for autism, chiropractic, dentistry, multilevel marketing, and many other hot topics.
Few helpful site from them:
Bioethics Watch' highlights issues of questionable research on humans.
To know more about the sites from "Quack watch": 'Mission'
'Internet Health Pilot' site provides links to hundreds of reliable health sites.
'Casewatch' site contains a large library of legal cases, licensing board actions, government sanctions, and regulatory actions against questionable medical products.
They have advisory board and discussion forum. You can also subscribe to their newsletter for updated news and articles.
What is "Quack Watch"?
"Quack Watch" is a member of Consumer Federation of America from 1973 through 2003, and a nonprofit corporation.
Mission:
To combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere.
Their activities include:
- Investigating questionable claims
- Answering inquiries about products and services
- Advising quackery victims
- Distributing reliable publications
- Debunking pseudoscientific claims
- Reporting illegal marketing
- Assisting or generating consumer-protection lawsuits
- Improving the quality of health information on the Internet
- Attacking misleading advertising on the Internet
They maintain 21 additional sites for autism, chiropractic, dentistry, multilevel marketing, and many other hot topics.
Few helpful site from them:
Bioethics Watch' highlights issues of questionable research on humans.
To know more about the sites from "Quack watch": 'Mission'
'Internet Health Pilot' site provides links to hundreds of reliable health sites.
'Casewatch' site contains a large library of legal cases, licensing board actions, government sanctions, and regulatory actions against questionable medical products.
They have advisory board and discussion forum. You can also subscribe to their newsletter for updated news and articles.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
12 tips to Improve your creative abilities
Research studies prove that "people who keep learning and stay mentally active increase their odds of retaining good brain function as they age. The more you use your brain, the stronger it gets — and the longer it stays strong."
Can we improve our creative abilities?
If we are aware of the importance of "creativity" then we can definately try to improve it. We as a teacher usually don't encourage creativity among children. We are used to a system which teach us to follow instruction and we judge the best students by estimating the level they follow the teachers. It is good that development in education system has made it possible to develop creative skills.
According to "Wikipedia":
"Creativity is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts.
From a scientific point of view, the products of creative thought (sometimes referred to as divergent thought) are usually considered to have both originality and appropriateness. An alternative, more everyday conception of creativity is that it is simply the act of making something new."
Another definition says: "Creative thinking is the process we use to develop ideas that are unique, usefulm and worthy of further elaboration"
These tips are provided by the "University of Michigan College of Engineering" which is a global leader in engineering education and research.
"Tips to Improve Your Creative Abilities"
1- Keep track of your ideas at all times. Many times ideas come at unexpected times. If an idea is not written down within 24 hours it will usually be forgotten
2- Pose new questions to yourself every day. An inquiring mind is a creatively active one that enlarges its area of awareness.
3- Keep abreast of your field. Read the magazines, trade journals, and other literature in your field to make sure you are not using yesterday's technology to solve toady's problems.
4- Engage in creative hobbies. Hobbies can also help you relax. An active mind is necessary for creative growth.
5- Have courage and self-confidence. Be a paradigm pioneer. Assume that you can and will indeed solve the problem Persist and have the tenacity to overcome obstacles that block the solution pathway.
6- Learn to know and understand yourself. Deepen your self-knowledge by learning your real strengths, skills, weaknesses, dislike, biases, expectations, fears and prejudices.
7- Learn about things outside your specialty. Use cross-fertilization to bring ideas and concepts from one field or specialty to another.
8- Avoid rigid, set patterns of doing things. Overcome biases and preconceived notions by looking at the problem from a fresh view point, always developing at least two or more alternative solutions to your problem.
9- Be open and receptive to ideas (yours and others). New ideas are fragile; keep them from breaking by seizing on the tentative, half formed concepts and possibilities and developing them.
10- Be alert in your observations. Look for similarities, differences, as well as unique and distinguishing features in situations and problems.
11- Adopt a risk taking attitude. Fear of failure is the major impediment to generating solutions which are risky (i.e., small chance of succeeding) but would have a major impact if they are successful. Outlining the ways you could fail and how you would deal with these failures will reduce this obstacle to creativity.
12- Keep your sense of humor. You are more creative when you are relaxed. Humor aids in putting your problems (and yourself) in perspective. Many times it relieves tension and makes you more relaxed.
Source
More links:
- CREA Italia is a non-profit association dedicated to the development and promotion of creativity and Creative Problem Solving in Italy and in Europe, mainly in sectors such as education and business, but also for all those people looking for new and innovative personal development paths.
- THE AMERICAN CREATIVITY ASSOCIATION is a primary resource for learning and applying creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and ideation theory, tools, and techniques.
What they offer: They offer a global network of creative professionals in disciplines ranging from business and industry to education and the arts.
Can we improve our creative abilities?
If we are aware of the importance of "creativity" then we can definately try to improve it. We as a teacher usually don't encourage creativity among children. We are used to a system which teach us to follow instruction and we judge the best students by estimating the level they follow the teachers. It is good that development in education system has made it possible to develop creative skills.
According to "Wikipedia":
"Creativity is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts.
From a scientific point of view, the products of creative thought (sometimes referred to as divergent thought) are usually considered to have both originality and appropriateness. An alternative, more everyday conception of creativity is that it is simply the act of making something new."
Another definition says: "Creative thinking is the process we use to develop ideas that are unique, usefulm and worthy of further elaboration"
These tips are provided by the "University of Michigan College of Engineering" which is a global leader in engineering education and research.
"Tips to Improve Your Creative Abilities"
1- Keep track of your ideas at all times. Many times ideas come at unexpected times. If an idea is not written down within 24 hours it will usually be forgotten
2- Pose new questions to yourself every day. An inquiring mind is a creatively active one that enlarges its area of awareness.
3- Keep abreast of your field. Read the magazines, trade journals, and other literature in your field to make sure you are not using yesterday's technology to solve toady's problems.
4- Engage in creative hobbies. Hobbies can also help you relax. An active mind is necessary for creative growth.
5- Have courage and self-confidence. Be a paradigm pioneer. Assume that you can and will indeed solve the problem Persist and have the tenacity to overcome obstacles that block the solution pathway.
6- Learn to know and understand yourself. Deepen your self-knowledge by learning your real strengths, skills, weaknesses, dislike, biases, expectations, fears and prejudices.
7- Learn about things outside your specialty. Use cross-fertilization to bring ideas and concepts from one field or specialty to another.
8- Avoid rigid, set patterns of doing things. Overcome biases and preconceived notions by looking at the problem from a fresh view point, always developing at least two or more alternative solutions to your problem.
9- Be open and receptive to ideas (yours and others). New ideas are fragile; keep them from breaking by seizing on the tentative, half formed concepts and possibilities and developing them.
10- Be alert in your observations. Look for similarities, differences, as well as unique and distinguishing features in situations and problems.
11- Adopt a risk taking attitude. Fear of failure is the major impediment to generating solutions which are risky (i.e., small chance of succeeding) but would have a major impact if they are successful. Outlining the ways you could fail and how you would deal with these failures will reduce this obstacle to creativity.
12- Keep your sense of humor. You are more creative when you are relaxed. Humor aids in putting your problems (and yourself) in perspective. Many times it relieves tension and makes you more relaxed.
Source
More links:
- CREA Italia is a non-profit association dedicated to the development and promotion of creativity and Creative Problem Solving in Italy and in Europe, mainly in sectors such as education and business, but also for all those people looking for new and innovative personal development paths.
- THE AMERICAN CREATIVITY ASSOCIATION is a primary resource for learning and applying creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and ideation theory, tools, and techniques.
What they offer: They offer a global network of creative professionals in disciplines ranging from business and industry to education and the arts.
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