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Archive for the ‘Good Environment’ Category

Office yoga is the latest craze among people who spend 8 -12 hours every day in front of a PC. It is nothing but a simplified form of a few yogic postures. Working on a PC takes its toll on your health. Apart from constant strain on your eyes, you also get neck pain and numbness in fingers.

Office yoga is just a way to avoid some of modern lifestyle diseases like stiffness in back and neck. Simply exercising your wrist and fingers at regular intervals may keep numbness in fingers at bay. The simple techniques involves standing on your feet and stretching your arms in front of your chest at shoulder lever horizontal to the floor and move your wrist upwards and downward . Try to touch your forearms though it is not possible it stretches the upper wrist therefore keeps them fit .This exercise can be done either with clenched fist or loose fingers.

Second most important part to be effected by the PC screen is your eyes. Do not keep looking at the monitor continuously. At regular intervals move your eyes from the screen and try to focus on something at a distance. Rotating your eyes in clockwise and anticlockwise direction is a good exercise for your eyes. Care should be taken to let the eyes relax for a minute before resuming work. Office yoga can be performed easily if you have enough space behind your seat. Simply stretch your back as much as possible to keep your spine flexible. The more flexible is your back the healthier you feel.

No matter what your desk set up is, you can always perform office yoga if you take it seriously. If your desk has no space you can always take a few minutes break or use some yoga kits and accessories which are available at throwaway prices.

We all know how important the work environment is in terms of productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction. All businesses strive, or should strive to achieve a healthy work environment for their employees. But what constitutes a healthy work environment? Is it literal health, as in good ventilation, natural lighting and lots of plants? Is it psychological health, as in job security and respect for employee values? Or is it supplying the means to get healthy, as in an onsite gym and a cafeteria with no fried foods?

Or is it all of the above?

You may have heard of “sick building syndrome”, which is when employees experience a variety of ailments (symptoms resemble flu) at work, which generally ease when they go home. Poor ventilation is the main culprit, combined with chemical agents (bouquets of perfumes and deodorants, and cleaning agents), emissions from electrical appliances, and biological agents (mould growing in the air conditioning system).

Sick buildings can be treated. I will now alienate all smokers. Smoking should be banned from the building. Separate smoking rooms are all good and well, if the extractor fan is in good working order. But what is smoke other than burnt air? And what does air do best? It wafts of course.

Smoke does not come across a keyhole or crack in the door and stop. It wafts on, meandering through the building, into eyes and up assorted nostrils until finally it does settle, indiscriminately, in everyone’s lungs. Designating a smoking area outside is a viable alternative, provided it’s not right by the door, where air currents are ideal for wafting.

Optimise air flow by removing as many obstacles as possible. That means that partitions or cubicle should be raised slightly off the floor and occasionally rearranged to shift air flow. Keep ventilation systems in optimal working order, service them regularly and keep the filters clean.

Go green, literally, and invest in plants. Scientists at NASA have found that some plants (Bamboo Palm, Spider Plants) actually absorb harmful gases and chemicals. Placing a pot plant near your computer will protect your from its nasty emissions, it will also soothe your eyes when you look away from your screen (which you should do every 20 minutes), as well as liven up the office.

One of the most important indications of a psychologically healthy environment is laughter. Colleagues who laugh together work well together. Laughter is a sign of comfort within the work environment and should be encouraged. Occurrences of insane laughter in a corner, however, should be investigated, and the poor soul provided with help.

Open-door policies that encourage free sharing of ideas are an important element in employee health. Employees who are listened to feel valued, they also feel that they can make a tangible difference to the business, which enhances job satisfaction.

A growing trend these days is for companies to provide facilities for employees to optimise their physical health. Often this means that they install a gym on the premises for employees to work out before or after work, or even during lunch. An alternative for companies too small to install an entire gym is to conduct meetings on the move. Instead of sitting around a table in a stale room to discuss ideas in a stale, take the meeting for a walk in the (comparatively) fresh outdoors. A different physical point of view can stimulate metaphysical ones, not to mention the cardio benefit of walking and talking.

Just because competition is savage doesn’t mean your environment has to be. A few simple measures can ensure the health and happiness of your employees and a happy employee is a productive one.

Recommended sites:

http://www.health24.com/medical/Condition_centres/777-792-1461-1670,22643.asp

http://medi-smart.com/career-signs.html

http://www.bingerop.co.za/healthy_environment.html

We often take good health for granted, that is until we lose it! It’s often only when something ails us that we are forced to consider good health, or the lack of it, with a bit more thought.

Good health, or wellness, is not just about an absence of illness or disease, rather it’s an overall feeling of well-being that’s made up of how we feel depending on what factors are impacting upon that feeling at any one point in our lives.

Now whilst we might not be able to control all of the factors that cause us to suffer dis-ease in our day to day lives there are a number of simple precautions that we as individuals should all take in order to minimize at least some of the risks that too many of us fail to recognize until it’s too late.

If you can follow the Five must do’s you’ll be well on your way to maintaining your good health.

Five good health must do’s are as follows;

· Stop Smoking

Smoking is the number one killer in western society today. It kills approximately 440,000 Americans every year, that’s 1,205 a DAY.

There’s a myriad of websites offering advice that are available to those still smoking and we should all be working towards a smoke-free environment for all if the good health of all of us, smokers and non-smokers, is to be protected

· Eat well and exercise

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, “poor diet and physical inactivity” are now causing 400,000 deaths a year in the United States.

A simple mixed diet including a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables a day has been proven to help us stay healthy. Fruit and vegetables taste delicious and there’s so much variety to choose from.

They’re a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium.

They’re an excellent source of dietary fibre, which helps maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other digestion problems. A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel cancer.

They can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthy and balanced diet.

If you take even some light exercise daily, you’ll help your body maintain good health and lessen the risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease.

· Drink less alcohol

After smoking and poor eating and exercise habits, the next biggest self-inflicted killer we continually ignore is the excessive drinking of alcohol. A recent US Government study suggested that excessive alcohol consumption kills some 75,000 Americans each year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which published the study, estimated that 34,833 people in 2001 died from cirrhosis of the liver, cancer and other diseases linked to drinking too much beer, wine and spirits. Another 40,933 died from car crashes and other mishaps caused by excessive alcohol use.

We can enjoy a drink with no problems whatsoever providing we do it responsibly and we’re aware of the dangers of over indulgence. Indeed there is evidence to suggest that light or moderate alcohol intake can actually be beneficial to our health.

· Don’t get burned!

We all love the feeling of sunshine on our skin but beware, like many other things excess can be dangerous. Excessive exposure to strong sunlight can cause painful sunburn, sunstroke and may lead to more serious conditions such as skin cancers.

Always be aware of the UV index rating for your area and take appropriate precautions.

Proper use of sunscreens, appropriate clothing and sensible durations of exposure to the sun will allow all of us to enjoy the summer with none of the ill effects mentioned here.

· Be Happy!

Good health as I said at the beginning of this article is not just about avoiding or being aware of the physical dangers that are prevalent in our society; it’s as much dependent on our mood, our outlook as anything else.

Are you a glass half-full or glass half-empty sort of person?

If we approach life with a positive attitude and (despite what I’ve written about today), we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we can do wonders for our general feeling of well-being.

Sure, there’ll be good days and bad days, some will be infinitely better than others but if we pay heed to the information above and if we approach each day with a feeling of excitement and relish, we’ll be more than ready for life’s challenges and good health will stand it’s best chance of staying with us.

If you can follow all, or even most, of the five must do’s for good health, you’ll be doing yourself the biggest favor you could think of.

Best wishes,

As we all know, our lifestyle choices can have a huge impact on our health and wellbeing. Fortunately, the keys to good health are available to all by simply paying close attention to nutrition and how we balance our daily lives.

Nutrition: You are what you eat…

A good diet is central to overall good health. But which are the best foods to include in your meals, and which ones are best avoided? It is important to make realistic, informed choices. As we all know the best way to eat is to follow a general guide that includes all the food groups. Fresh produce, when available, is simply the best for you. A simply rule is to fill your plate with food that is as varied and as colourful as possible. If half the plate is full of veggies then you know you are on the right track.

Fitness: Time to get fit…

Maintaining a ‘keep fit’ lifestyle doesn’t mean being confined to a sweaty gym or living at the aerobics studio. Choose an activity that you actually enjoy and you’re more likely to stick with it. A good daily walk is the best way to start and maintain fitness levels. Ask a buddy to share this activity with you and you both can enjoy a friendly chat as you go!

Weight Control: Everyone is different…

There’s no ideal weight that suits everybody. Each person has a different body and their healthy weight will be determined by different factors. Achieve and maintain your healthy weight by finding out what works best for you. Remember to eat a well balanced meal three times a day and include a few healthy snacks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Achieving Balance in Life…

Work and family: Down with stress!
Have you achieved a healthy work-life balance? Sometimes we forget to address the emotional side of things – yet when we’re under stress at work, it can affect our performance and our confidence levels can suffer as a result. Take time each day to check in with yourself. Has the day being about meeting the needs of others? Where were your emotions on the scale of 1 to 10? Take time to unwind at the end of the day. Talk to a friend when you feel overwhelmed. Plan plenty of special time together with the important people in your life.

Complementary therapy: What’s it all about?

Complementary therapy is increasingly popular today. Research the essential facts, so that you can become more informed about the different therapies on offer – and find out how they can play a part in your own continued good health and wellness. The modern day spa can be a great environment to discover therapeutic massage, reiki healing, Indian head massage and other professional therapies that have become part of a modern lifestyle that can keep you healthy as you deal with the daily grind.

As the saying goes “you only get out what you put in.” That certainly applies when it comes to insulating your home. With a growing number of people showing a greater awareness and respect for sustainability and good health, it’s of little surprise that consumers are now being more particular about the products they buy.

The world has been subjected to an array of synthetic products for years. However there’s been a massive change in the tide, with people now leaning towards products that are healthy on the body and good for the environment. A perfect example of this is the introduction of sheep wool in home insulation.

Up until recently, the use of sheep wool in home insulation was unheard of. In fact, most houses were never insulated at all. The sole purpose of a house was to keep out the wind and rain. Rather than line their houses, people used to insulate themselves with wool instead. How things have changed.

All over the world people are discovering the many benefits of wool. From blankets and rugs to outdoor clothing and carpet, wool has proven itself as a wonder fibre. So, it’s no wonder people are now calling for their houses to be insulated with wool as well.

Unlike synthetics that were first used in home insulation, wool has taken on a front seat role. Wool is not only a sustainable fibre, but it’s also 100% natural and non-toxic – all features that benefit the body and the environment.

Another of the benefits of wool insulation is its ability to absorb water without losing its insulation capacity. When fibreglass or cellulose insulation gets wet, it becomes fairly ineffective. This doesn’t apply to wool. Sheep wool is considered very effective in insulating homes. Not only does it provide more warmth, but it also has the ability to dampen sound, which makes for an appealing insulation choice in homes sharing connecting walls.

It’s only natural that sheep has already proved its worth worldwide. Home owners now realize that by surrounding themselves with nature, they’re contributing to greater health and a sustainable future.

A heartburn cure should start with a plan of action. Good health and eating are closely related issues, which helps to explain why building good health is a challenge in today’s environment. Over indulgence with the pleasures of food is one of the root causes of heartburn. With today’s diet choices this means far many acidic foods. The result could acidosis. This, in itself, can set the groundwork for health problems in later life, things like high blood pressure, arthritis, tooth decay and kidney problems – a good reason to get started on a heartburn success plan early.

To cure heartburn means having a tightly focused plan of action, a plan that gives you the confidence to reach your goal. It is well known that many new year’s resolutions fall by the wayside within a few months.

Studies have shown that those who put a plan to paper are far more likely to succeed. Ask yourself if you think you can make a plan to cure heartburn. Are you ready to go it without antacids in your pocket?

Know what you want to accomplish – Lists are a very powerful tool for getting a handle on heartburn. And a good place to start is with food habits, eating habits, desire for comfort foods, foods heavy with caffeine – anything that could cause a heartburn problem. Make a list of dos and don’ts. Make this a part of your plan, along with a time table that has stages of completion.

Sound like a lot of work? To build a good plan it’s important to pull together all the related issues. If you drink colas and coffee, is it on a daily basis? If you eat big meals, are you feeling uncomfortable afterwards? There could be multiple factors but having a plan makes it manageable.

Information is a powerful tool for success – Make an effort to gather good information related to your health issues. Collecting facts about the benefits of good diet reinforces the motivation to succeed.

Building support is a way to get fresh ideas – Enlist friends and family members to share in your heartburn project. Even if they don’t share in the need for a heartburn cure, they can probably contribute moral support, and just as useful, facts about building a healthier diet. Everyone has something to share when it comes to health and food.

A good plan means an easier road to positive change – With a heartburn plan in working order, it means that the canary still sings. (In case you don’t remember, it was coal miners who used canaries as a warning of danger). today millions probably don’t realize that heartburn serves the same function today, by giving the first signal that other health hazards lurk unnoticed.

Something to think about – Most common forms of heartburn can be cured in the most basic of ways – with a natural heartburn treatment. Here are three simple steps: 1)Know what’s on your plate, 2)Know how much is enough, and 3)Digestion starts with chewing.

Are you ready for a healthy future? Always remember that a successful heartburn cure plan has big rewards. Start gathering the information you need to eliminate heartburn naturally and begin using natural remedies to neutralize acid and replenish low mineral levels. This replenishing process will also aid the body’s ability to ward off harmful bacteria and viruses.