Tag Archive for health

Packed planes? No safety rules?

July 15, 2020 Comments Off on Packed planes? No safety rules?

Plan to travel by airplane anytime soon?  Why not, since the airlines are following federal guidelines to keep us safe from the coronavirus, right?  WRONG!!!  Read this, then go to Secretary Chao: Airline safety is your job and sign the petition to get enforced health and safety regulations that can help us fly safely:

Right now, air travel is a free-for-all when it comes to protecting against the spread of the coronavirus. Without enforceable health and safety rules, airlines are free to fill every seat and ignore social distancing guidelines; mask requirements vary from flight to flight; and airports don’t have to take steps to limit spread.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has the authority to set enforceable standards for airports, airlines and passengers during this health crisis, but she hasn’t. Tell her to require health and safety rules for air travel — airline safety is her job, not yours!

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They’ve Got it Made!

May 22, 2020 Comments Off on They’ve Got it Made!

“They’ve got it made!”  We’ve all said this as we watch people doing their jobs.  We’re convinced they’re overpaid for what they do. Are they? Teachers have short days and long vacations (when do they do lesson plans and grade papers?).  Garbage men ride around all day, doing nothing but picking up trash (what health hazards do they face?).  Cops sit around eating donuts and are never there when you need them (except when they are).  Priests get to hear juicy confessions (how interesting can a story be on the 500th telling?).

Next time you hear yourself saying, “They’ve got it made,” assign yourself the task of finding out about their job: salary and benefits; required education and training, both original and ongoing; hours and duties expected from those hours; health and safety issues the job poses; job security and working conditions.  The Bible says that even Jesus called on a variety of workers, from fisherman to tax collector to tent-maker.  Seems like there’s a lesson there, that we must respect all work and value the worker.  After all, this is a pretty big vineyard we labor in.

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Take a Nap Today–and Every Day

March 9, 2020 Comments Off on Take a Nap Today–and Every Day

Feeling extra tired today? You’re not alone. The day after the start of Daylight Saving Time is when most people feel the worst sleep deprivation. That’s why today is National Napping Day–we may need a nap today. And we may need what the Spanish call (and take) a siesta each day.

Besides the Spaniards, other cultures have long recognized the value of a midday nap, going back to ancient Arabia, Rome, and Greece. They found napping to improve health and productivity.

So, celebrate this unofficial national day, for the sake of your health and well being.

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Pets & Your Health

February 20, 2020 Comments Off on Pets & Your Health

If you don’t own a pet, maybe you should get one. A pet offers a whole bunch of health benefits to you:

  • Buffer stress
  • Lower heart rate
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Give social support
  • Help you stay in shape
  • Prevent certain sicknesses

And to your children:

  • Cognitive stimulation
  • Improved behavior in children
  • Heightened understanding of others
  • Increased immunity
  • Lower anxiety levels

You can read why pet ownership gives you these benefits by reading this Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center’s short article Health Benefits of Pet Ownership.

By the way, Feb. 20 is National Love Your Pet Day. So, love your pet…or get one.

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Are You Making Yourself & Family Sick?

January 10, 2020 Comments Off on Are You Making Yourself & Family Sick?

Where’s the germiest place in your home?  No, it isn’t the bathroom.  Where does E. Coli lurk, waiting for you to apply it to your face, which you will do daily? Why does the old argument about PUT THAT LID BACK DOWN matter to your health? How can cutting up your salad and veggies in your kitchen sink be a health hazard?  Should you be concerned about your kids’ toys? These and similar questions are answered in this CNN Health article, The germiest place in your home and the best way to combat those microbes.

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Child Health–a Good Day

October 7, 2019 Comments Off on Child Health–a Good Day

It’s the First Monday in October, meaning it’s National Child Health Day.  It’s a day established in 1928 to promote our children’s physical health, but why not focus on their mental and emotional well-being, too? We can play a few active games with them, take a walk or bike ride together, or team up to clean up the garden. We can also spend some extra time with them, maybe having a little picnic in the backyard, doing some chores together and complementing them on their help, giving them a few extra hugs, talking to them, one-on-one, about friends, school, activities they’re involved in or a movie you saw together or an incident when you both saw someone acting as a bully. Yes, these are things we should be doing every day with our children. But this is a great day to redouble our efforts–for the good of our children.

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Our Seniors are Hungry

September 16, 2019 Comments Off on Our Seniors are Hungry

The AARP reported some startling statistics about our senior citizens (age 50+). Many are going hungry in the U.S. Here are their figures:

10+ million are at risk of hunger each day.

3 million use food banks each year.

$130.5 billion is the yearly health care cost estimate resulting from food insecurity.

Why aren’t we taking better care of our older citizens?

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Health Warning–Sunscreen Dangers

July 22, 2019 Comments Off on Health Warning–Sunscreen Dangers

We wear sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun. Trouble is, much of the stuff is bad in itself. Some chemicals in it can irritate the skin or cause skin allergies, especially those with ingredients that let the sunscreen sink deeper into the skin so it stays on longer. And we can’t help but inhale some of the spray we put on (not good for the lungs). We know our bodies are taking in these chemicals because tests detect them in our urine, blood, and even breast milk.

The FDA is considering regulations to minimize sunscreen hazards. Eventually sunscreens will be safer. Meanwhile, why not consider alternatives? For example, Zinc oxide and titanium oxide stay on the skin’s surface and aren’t absorbed into the body. Or use an organic, non-toxic product made from natural ingredients. Of course, you can also wear a hat and protective clothing and stay in the shade. But the waves are sooooo inviting….

Whatever you do, be aware and avoid those harmful sunscreens. It’s a good practice for you AND keeps those harmful chemicals from polluting the Earth.

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Do You Kiva or PayPal?

May 7, 2019 Comments Off on Do You Kiva or PayPal?

You know what PayPal is, but how about Kiva? It’s an organization that gives micro-loans to people all over the world, loans that educate children, start or grow small businesses, advance health–all sorts of things. But all loans contribute to the well being of families and whole towns or villages. You choose which of the hundreds of people to use your money for a little while.

Yes, you get your money back! This is a real loan.

Right now, for a limited time, your $25 loan to Kiva, paid through PayPal, gives you an additional $25 to invest in another person or family. PayPay kicks in $25 for every $25 you loan through Kiva.


Try it. Go to www.Kiva.org and lend. Then wait for notices from Kiva about the person or group you selected and watch as your money is repaid.

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Get the Kids Out of the House

October 16, 2018 Comments Off on Get the Kids Out of the House

Remember playing out in the yard just about every day when you were a kid? Sixty percent of parents answering a survey said they did. Yet, today, only 30% of kids aged 3 – 12 have daily playtime outside. And they have five structured, mostly indoor activities per week rather than free play.

Experts say that the fresh air, opportunities to experience nature, and unconfined freedom of being outdoors is healthy for kids. Other experts say that unstructured play stimulates the imagination while helping kids learn to make and keep friends, keeping kids healthy, and fighting obesity.  As a 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics article said, such activity offers kids “cognitive, social, emotional and physical benefits.”

So let’s take our kids back to our own childhoods, to the park, the playground, or the trike or sandbox in the back yard. Or just into the yard and let their imaginations come up with a game, because they will.

 

 

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