Glory Tuesday

They call it the middle-aged spread.  It’s also known as the fat tire, that extra band of body that starts to take over the center of people as they start to get older.  To some degree, of course, the whole thing is entirely natural.  The perfect washboard stomach is absolutely ubiquitous in every corner of the visual culture these days, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that it’s anything but perfect.  It’s not only very difficult to maintain, but it can also suggest an unhealthy lifestyle, where the workout becomes more important than enjoying the flow of time.  People tend to focus on the belly over anything else, and whatever benefits might come from a healthy core are completely lost when the rest of the body is ignored.

Even more than that, however, is the idea that a body needs to be low enough in fat for these muscles to show.  It’s true that no one wants to have their stomach mistaken for the wheels for a car, and it’s also true that the beer belly is a sign of someone who may have decided to just give up on their appearance.  Attitudes of defeat are certainly not healthy for anyone.  But at the same time, a positive attitude that leads to devoting one’s time to six-pack abs is not conducive to a long life, either.  People do need fat to live, after all, and the level of fat, less than 10%, necessary for the magazine quality stomach means that the body is not functioning the way it should.

That might come as good news to those who lament that they are starting to look like they’re carrying hankook tires at the waist.  Although this can be a sign that it’s time to start getting in shape again, it doesn’t mean that anyone needs to go crazy.  Low-impact workouts like yoga are not only more gentle on the physical form, they also have a way of evening out the anxiety that comes from needing to shed a few pounds.  And yoga practitioners do seem to understand that a belly is supposed to be a little soft, not rock hard.  Any workout should be approached as a process, something that one does as an ongoing commitment to the survival and well-being of the physical mechanism.  Eventually, the excess pounds will go away, and it’s much more enjoyable to learn how to workout in a reasonable way than to try to become something that no one should have to live up to.

Working in the health care industry is one of the most exciting and rewarding career choices a person can make. There are all types of jobs related to the health care industry and there are even more reasons to want to work in this field. From higher salaries, more career options and job stability, so many individuals are finding that careers in the health care are right for them.

When selecting a career, it’s important to consider more than just money. Finding a career where you will be satisfied for the long-term is crucially important. You will want to find something that helps you develop your talents and interests. For many, health care allows them the flexibility they need while providing a secure, rewarding career. Here are just a few of the many reasons people enjoy work in the health care industry:

1. Job security. In today’s economic climate and times of skyrocketing unemployment, it’s important to pick a field that will be around for years to come. Health care jobs will always be around because people will always need care when they are sick or hurt. In fact, while many industries are suffering the health care sector is seeing growth.

2. There are positions for every talent. Whether you are interested in being a doctor or nurse or if you have some other talent such as business administration or marketing, you will find open positions in nearly every city.

3. Make a positive impact. How many people can say they love the work they do? Rather than line someone else’s pocketbook day after day selling products that matter little to society, those in the health care industry can say that they touch lives and make a difference.

4. There are jobs for every education level. Regardless of how educated you may be, there are careers available to you and constantly room to grow.

5. These jobs are challenging. Each day will be different in health care. Changes in the industry require that employees stay ahead of the curve.

6. Competitive wages. The earning potential for workers in the health care industry is extremely high because these jobs are in high demand.
7. Earn respect. Those that work in the health care industry are some of the most respected professionals in the world.

8. Work with a diverse group of people. Because there are so many professionals in the health care industry, you are much more likely to meet unique and interesting people. Additionally, these people are also likely to find value in helping others.

9. Health care is a broad field. There are many subsets of health care each with their own career needs. For example, you do not just have to work in a hospital. There are rehab facilities, counseling offices and much more.

10. Benefits. In addition to competitive wages, those in the health care industry often experience other benefits such as fantastic health insurance coverage.

11. Flexibility. Because health needs occur every day of the year, 24 hours each day, there are opportunities for flexible work scheduling depending on where you choose to work.

12. Room for growth. Because the health care industry itself is constantly expanding, there are plenty of opportunities for those with experience, such as those who earned a health care degree online, to move up and do new things.

As you can see, the health care industry is perfect for many individuals. Whether you are exploring your first career or interested in making the transition into health care, you can see that the benefits are great. Regardless of your current talents or skills, there are plenty of ways to obtain the education needed for a rewarding career in this vibrant industry. Are you interested in a health care career?

We’ve all heard it: for healthy teeth and gums you must brush twice a day and floss. While most people have no problem with the brushing part, not a lot of people bother with the flossing. We either forget or think that it’s not that important. After all, if we brush our teeth twice a day, that should be good enough, right? Unfortunately, no. Flossing is an important and integral part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Without flossing food can stay lodge in between teeth for days, eventually causing cavities and tooth decay. This, of course, can lead to expensive trips to the dentist. But tooth decay is not the only reason to floss on a regular basis. There are other health benefits that come from regular flossing.

Avoid gum disease

You don’t have to be enrolled in dental assistant school to know that when you don’t floss regularly, you aren’t giving your teeth a good cleaning. Brushing can take care of the surface of your teeth, but what about those in between and hard to reach places? Food can gather and stay there, creating a build up of tarter that in turn can spread bacteria. This bacteria can cause infection in your gums, leading to gum disease. With gum disease your gums can become swollen, painful and bleed and your teeth can become loose. It can be expensive and time consuming to deal with, requiring regular visits with a specialist.

Don’t get sick

If you are a diabetic, or have immune issues, it’s especially important that you floss and keep your teeth and gums healthy. Gums and teeth can get infected when you don’t floss regularly, and this could lead to bigger health issues for those with diabetes or immune disease. A small infection in your mouth could lead to a bigger infection elsewhere. And even if it doesn’t, people with diabetes and immune disease take a longer time to heal from infection.

Stay heart healthy

There have been medical studies conducted that have shown there is a link between flossing and heart disease. The American Academy of Periodontology says that those who suffer from periodontal (gum) disease are “Almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease.” The connection between the two is quite simple: gum disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria doesn’t always stay in the mouth, though. It can travel throughout the body causing inflammation in other areas, including your arteries. And it’s not just heart issues that you have to worry about. Gum disease can also increase your chances of having a stroke.

Lower stress levels

Having issues with your teeth and gums can be stressful. Not only do you have to worry about getting in to see a specialist and getting work done, but you also have to worry about other health issues that could arise and paying for the work you have to get done. All of this can add to a massive amount of stress, which isn’t good for your health. By flossing every day and keeping tooth decay and gum disease at bay, you’ll be saving yourself from unnecessary stress.

Flossing your teeth daily doesn’t take a lot of time or a lot of effort, yet most people can’t be bothered. But the benefits to flossing go beyond simply avoiding a cavity. You also avoid getting gum disease, which can lead to a slew of other issues. So take five minutes a night before you go to bed and make flossing part of your routine. You’ll teeth and gums will be healthier.

Do you floss regularly? If no, why not?

For many people, happiness seems to be an intermittent and elusive state of mind. It is an emotion that has become difficult to acquire and sustain in our busy and fast-paced modern world. Studies have shown that people are generally happier on the weekends. However, what does this really say about the rest of the week? After all, we spend the majority of our weekdays at work – does this mean we waste all that time being miserable?

There are numerous stressors and a barrage of psychological factors that prevent people from leading happier lives. Nevertheless, instead of hyper-focusing on what causes your unhappiness it would be more productive to understand and develop a set of skills, techniques, and approaches that would help improve your quality of life, and achieve a greater and more fulfilling sense of happiness. Metaphorically speaking, this is what is commonly referred to as looking at the glass half full, instead of half empty. Here are five tips that will help you lead a happier life.

1. It is important to spend quality time with family and friends.
Humans are naturally social and intimate creatures. We need contact, conversation, and meaningful relationships. Loneliness causes unhappiness and resentment. The main idea, however, is meaningful; just because you collect friends on Facebook does not mean your relationships are meaningful. Do not confuse quantity and quality.

2. Spend more of your leisure time outdoors.
Nature and the great outdoors have the power to clear and renew our minds and brighten our outlook. People have been talking about the spiritual and transcendental power of nature forever; hiking in the wilderness, breathing in the fresh air, and savoring the peace and quiet creates an inner harmony, and this, in turn, leads to a greater sense of happiness.

3. Exercising makes you happy.
This is a biological and chemical truth. There are so many reasons to exercise and stay fit, but seldom do you read about how a workout has the ability to make you happy. If happiness is a combination of a healthy mind and a healthy body, then exercise works to improve both.

4. Be involved in the arts and explore your hobbies.
Creativity yields a sense of personal accomplishment and self-worth. Write in a journal, paint, or build birdhouses; in other words, explore what you are good at. Hobbies are key components to achieving a sense of happiness.

5. Go on a vacation at least one a year.
This is the golden rule to achieving a happier life. Relax. Renew. Rejuvenate.

By trying to incorporate these things routines into your daily life, you may begin to feel happier. Many people also use things like hypnosis cds to feed positive thoughts into their subliminal minds.

In an era where the safety of drinking water is coming to be questioned on a massive scale, some people may be wondering about what has changed recently. In truth, it is likely that the population has grown, and the problems that face most parts of the world are starting to show their faces everywhere. Most everyone takes the precaution of installing a water filter in the home, or pays for water in the bottle. These things are suddenly commonplace, but it does not necessarily mean that they are new. Healthy drinking water is something that has been difficult for many parts of the world, and the issues are still the same.

In some remote areas, time and necessity have lead to interesting methods of water purification. A small community in Tanzania is learning how to purify water with the help of the sun. Most people know that boiling water is one way to kill all the bacteria, and this uses that same principle. If the water is above 50 degrees celsius for more than an hour, it is considered safe to drink. If it is heated for 8 hours at lesser temperatures, there are also safe conditions for drinking it. Placing plastic bottles of water on a black roof combines the direct sunlight with the additional heat-absorbing color in order to make it possible for families to have drinking water without boiling. This is where new and old technologies come together in an interesting twist, showing that there is no end to human ingenuity.

You may think that only those with very severe physical injuries or illnesses can qualify for disability benefits under Social Security. This isn’t quite true. While the disability must keep someone from working, it can fall into any of a wide number of categories, not just the most obvious ones. Because it is a matter of proving the extent of the disability and not just the type, many workers find that hiring social security disability attorneys makes it easier to avoid the pitfalls that lead to claims being denied.

Most people would recognize that musculoskeletal disorders, such as back injuries and degenerative diseases would qualify. In addition neurological problems, such as Multiple Sclerosis and epilepsy can interfere with work, as can immune system conditions like lupus and HIV. Respiratory illnesses and disorders, hepatitis, heart diseases, and blood diseases can also lead to claims for benefits. And, of course, blindness or vision impairment as well as loss of hearing can qualify.

Another class of disabilities recognized by SSA are mental conditions. This includes things like Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and mental retardation. The category also covers severe forms of depression, bipolar disorder, and even learning disorders. As with physical ailments, the condition must be proven to prevent, not just interfere with, the patient’s ability to work.

A certain segment of the population is prone to paranoia. They see the threat of Big Brother everywhere and are terrified that each new advance is technology is going to expose information about them to those who would use it against them. As a result, they have attempted to stall some of the major developments in modern digital technology. This includes the use of electronic health records, more commonly referred to as EHRs.

A simple EHR definition : Electronic health records are patient health records that are stored, updated, and transmitted electronically. They are part of an enterprise system that allows the record to be accessed at multiple sites.

The medical community as a whole as well as the federal government believes that EHRs will significantly improve the quality and efficiency of medical care. As such, there are a variety of incentives currently be offered to doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities to assistant them in converting to electronic systems by 2015.

The advantages of eliminating paper records in favor of electronic ones are much the same as in any field. Copying, storage and sharing of records becomes significantly easier and more cost effective. In the medical field there is an even better reason to switch: electronic records, which are typed into computer, are far less likely to be misread or misinterpreted. Impossible to read charts lead to thousands of patient deaths in hospitals around the country. Errors in prescriptions compound those numbers. EHRs virtually eliminate those problems — and related problems — thereby improving the qualify of medical care across the board.

The connection between the mind and the body is one of the most puzzling questions of all time. It’s one that’s plagued philosophers for centuries, and one that’s also inspired all the great poets of the world. If the great emotions, like love, pain, fear, and pleasure, have their origins in both the body and the mind, then it might be possible to control one’s inner world in unimaginable ways. It’s certainly been playing a big part in how cultures perceive mental illness throughout time. Today, there has been some wonderful work on the connections between mental health and brain chemistry .

With mental illness, the link has always been there, of course, but recent work in the arena of biofeedback seems to suggest that brain waves can be moderated, to a degree. For the severely mentally ill, of course, there’s nothing better than the care of a doctor, but for other daily challenges, there might be hope in the realm of biofeedback. One can, for example, learn how to slow heart rate, and increase breathing duration, as well as a host of other physical functions, that do play a very big role in one’s internal experience of the world. There seems to be hope, then, for those who suffer from minor anxiety disorders, as well as depression, that can come from within.

A majority of drinkers, who routinely abuse alcohol , think that it’s no big deal and that they are in control of their habit. Recognizing the first signs of alcoholism will help, first of all, with becoming aware and then help with keeping from falling into the addiction. Listed are only a few of the first signs, but significant enough all the same.

Blackouts are an obvious sign that there is an alcohol problem. Blackouts happen when a drinker completely forgets what happened the night before, or what happened during an event where drinking was involved. They could have even driven home in their car in a blackout, been at work or in some instances, woke up in another country, not remembering ever getting on a plane.

Becoming defensive about anyone questioning their drinking habits is a definite sign. A drinker will easily anger when asked why they drink so much, sometimes they will even become physically abusive and will have no regrets for their actions and ignore the consequences of their defensiveness to the point of losing friends and family. Irritability and anxiety are additional signs of alcohol abuse, these attributes show up especially when at an event, or for no reason at all. This is due to the effects alcohol has on the nervous system, manifesting a unnatural state of anxiety, irritability and nervousness that will appear at the slightest whim.

If a potential alcohol abuser no longer drinks moderately or responsibly, and frequently drinks, this is the ultimate first sign of alcoholism. They will do whatever it takes to have alcohol at their immediate disposal. This means hiding a bottle or a flask at work, in the car;or if drinking at home is not acceptable, then they will hide bottles around the house as well. Another early sign is ordering doubles at the bar, downing shots or beers in order to get buzzed as soon as possible and drinking by themselves is another good first sign.

Keep in mind, the above signs are just that, signs. So it’s not too late to seek out help from drug rehab centers or outpatient recovery programs.