How important is exercise as a stress -reliever?

How important is exercise as a stress -reliever?

There’s nothing as rewarding as beating the living SH** out of some A****LE who really deserves it. The next best thing is taking that frustration out on a defenseless exercise machine (it won’t fight back & you won’t get arrested – all kinds of new stresses).

Plus, exercise burns calories so you can eat that desert you love (another great stress reliever).

Are You and Your Family Prepared for the First 72 Hours?

   Experience gained from past disasters has shown that it can take up to 72 hours or more to mobilize a significant relief effort during an emergency.  Therefore everyone needs to be preparing to cope on his or her own for at least the first 72 hours – that’s 3 days – of an emergency.
   Of course common sense dictates that we should be prepared for any emergency situation, however the fact is that only a few of us are ready for even the smallest crisis, let alone one of larger significance. 
   One obvious advantage of being prepared – it allows emergency workers to focus on people in very urgent need of their help. To support their efforts, the rest of us must to be prepared to look after ourselves for at least 72 hours.
   The San Francisco area is exposed to a wide variety of hazards, both natural and man-made. The path of destruction that Hurricane Katrina left in its wake across the southern U.S. in August 2005 and the widespread flooding of 2007 – 2008 have provided a horrific reminder of the importance of being prepared for disasters. Unfortunately no part of our country, or North America for that matter is immune to a natural or a man-made disaster.
   Earthquakes, power outages, floods, fires, severe storms and acts of terrorism are just some of the potential emergencies. Many of these emergencies have been deadly in the past. Being prepared can save lives and can help to reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your family. 

Why prepare your family? 

   Imagine for a moment that you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Imagine that all the businesses are closed and you are without any kind of emergency services. What will you do until help arrives?
   What will you do if your local authorities issue and emergency evacuation order?  Remember, in such a circumstance there will be no stores open for you to acquire anything, the store personal will be evacuating also!
   If you have not prepared beforehand for either of these events, both you and your family may have a very difficult time when a disaster strikes your hometown. 

   While governments are working hard to keep citizens safe, we all have an important role to play in emergency preparedness and response. By being prepared to take care of yourself, you allow community resources to be used more effectively during an emergency and you help keep your own family safe at the same time. Very simply put, emergency preparedness must begin at home.

Start to plan today!
   As neither man-made nor natural emergencies can be predicted; therefore it is imperative that we are all prepared well in advance of the disaster.
I cannot over stress this point.  

   Prepare your emergency kit and your family – so in the case of a major emergency like a flood or blackout – you are ready to take care of yourself and your loved ones for at least 72 hours. You should be prepared to live without running water, electricity, gas, telephones and assistance from safety services for at least three days following a disaster. 

What do you need? 
   You need to have an “Emergency Kit” in your home, ready to go at a moments notice.
   Your family Emergency Kit is comprised of two separate parts, a First Aid Kit and a Go Bag.

   Your own 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family. Store your emergency supplies in an easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a 32-gallon trashcan, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, footlocker or individual pack.  

Your First Aid Kit 

   In any emergency situation, you or a family member may be cut, burned or suffer other injuries. It is imperative that you keep basic first aid supplies handy so you are prepared to assist when someone is hurt. Medical help may not be available during or immediately after a large-scale disaster.
My personal list of items that should be in your First Aid Kit: 

Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
Gauze pads and bandages
Butterfly Closure bandages
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding (Blood stopper)
Elastic Wrap
Instant cold pack
Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
Burn ointment
Sting Relief Pads (for insect bites)
Sunscreen packets
Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
Cotton tips
Scissors
Tweezers
At least two pairs of disposable gloves
A First Aid Instruction Guide
Hygiene kits
Flashlight or brightstick 
Medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication  

Your Go Bag:
   A major component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Every household should pack a Go Bag — a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation order. 
   Your Go Bag may be assembled or purchased as a ready-made kit for convenience. Your Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy backpack or suitcase on wheels.
   The Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year as an emergency evacuation order can occur at any time of the year. 

   Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each is tagged with the name of the person it was packed for. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work.  

Items that should be in your Go Bag:
The prescription medications you take every day such as insulin or heart medication.
All prescribed medical supplies such as glucose or blood pressure monitors
Drinking Water
Non-perishable food such as food ration bars or Meal-in-a-Box
Manual can opener
Plates, utensils and other cooking supplies
Flashlight and extra batteries or Hand-charged Flashlight
Pocketknife or Multifunctional Tool
Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
Whistle
Waterproof Matches
Water filtration bottle
Duct Tape, permanent marker, and paper
Cable Ties
Light Stick
Rope or twine
Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
Heavy work gloves
Disposable lighters
Phillips Screw Driver
Standard Screw Driver
Folding Shovel w/Sheath
Trash Bags
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Personal Hygiene kit
Shave Kit
Maps
Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, gloves and a warm hat
Emergency Survival Sleeping Bag
Rain Ponchos
Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
List of emergency contact phone numbers
List of allergies to any drug or food
Copy of health insurance and identification cards
Extra prescription eyeglasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
Prescription medications
Extra keys to your house and vehicle
Disposable camera
Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities.

Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.
   Remember that if you have to leave your house due to an evacuation order, you will be living and sleeping somewhere else for a while. It is therefore a good idea to add some activity items to the kids Go Bag.

Some suggestions may be a couple of favorite books
Crayons, pencils and plenty of paper
A puzzle
A favorite toy such as a doll or action figure
One or two board games
A deck of cards
A Favorite stuffed animal or puppet
Favorite blanket or pillow 

   I sincerely hope that this article will provide the incentive for you to get prepared for an emergency now.  Don’t put if off for another day.  The safety and well being of your family is at stake. 

Allan Wright
First Aid Kit Products

Allan Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/are-you-and-your-family-prepared-for-the-first-72-hours-705740.html

The Mother Of All Pregnancy Books

Written by Ann Douglas, the Mother of All Pregnancy Books is one of the most comprehensive guides written on conception and pregnancy. Not only it provides reliable and professional advice but it accompanies pregnant women throughout the nine months of pregnancy. The Mother of All Pregnancy Books prepares future mums for labor and for their first contact with their baby. It will become your best friend on the way to becoming a mother. First child bearing will seem a lot easier to cope with when the woman is properly informed on everything that happens to her.

Ann Douglas starts by helping women think about the right moment when they should have a baby. There are so many things worth taking into consideration, most women with a brilliant career see pregnancy as a sure ruin of their business success. The Mother of All Pregnancy Books will obviously make you ask yourself the most honest of questions. This book has made many women realize they were emotionally ripe for child bearing, and has proved a turning point in their lives.

The Mother of All Pregnancy Books teaches women how to get ready for conception by getting rid of all the unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking coffee. Very often a nutrient analysis is recommended. Ann Douglas discourages over eating as a way to prepare your body for pregnancy. The next step the book takes you to is the conception day as such. It is advisable that stress level be kept low and that you have the entire partner’s support.

There are many couples that are confronted with the infertility problem. The Mother of All Pregnancy Books analyzes the causes that make it difficult for a couple to conceive, and suggests possible solutions to increase fertility. Keep in mind that your doctor’s word comes first, no matter what one book or another may tell you. Once the big event has happened and you’re a winner at the baby lottery you may start looking for “Dr. Right”.

The Mother of All Pregnancy Books also tackles with the issue of hospital or home birth. Furthermore, it provides significant advice on how to share your news and how to get ready for the first pre-natal check. Moreover, a woman finds great counsel on the best diet during pregnancy as well as tips of advice on working, exercising and sex during pregnancy. The great advantage of The Mother of All Pregnancy Books is that it helps women deal with pregnancy worries and acts as a stress reliever.

Samantha Moony
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/the-mother-of-all-pregnancy-books-98078.html

How important is exercise as a stress-reliever?

How important is exercise as a stress-reliever?

it is very important.
as elle woods once said in legally blonde, "exercise gives you endorphins. endorphins make you happy."

to take a lesson from a great movie, not that exercise is important in regulating your hormones, and this will make you feel happier and less stressed. also, excercise can be an outlet for you to release tension, remove your focus from stressful things, and even gain confidence in your talents.

even though excercise can be stressful in itself (say you join a sports team- and you are stresed about winning the game or something) it is beneficial over all.

truly, exercise is key to a stressless (or almost) life. may i suggest yoga?
hope this helps!

Natural Ways To Improve Mobility

How many arthritis sufferers does it take to open a bottle of pain reliever? Two – 1 to grab the jar while the other one smashes it. And since 1 out of 3 Americans suffers from arthritis, it shouldn’t be hard to find a bottle-opening partner.

Now that was a joke, but it wasn’t very funny. Arthritis is now thought to be the number one reason for disability in the United States. And, it’s not only painful, it can also be extremely frustrating. Even the most mundane of tasks, like walking up steps, buttoning a shirt or opening a bottle of pain reliever becomes a major chore.

In the past, many medical practitioners advised us that we’d just have to live with the pain of arthritis and then they prescribed painkillers which turned out to have serious side effects. But more recently, and as a result of a lot of recent research, many physicians are now recommending diet and lifestyle changes to help prevent arthritis and lessen the symptoms.

If you are suffering from joint pain or stiffness, it’s important for you to exercise. I know it’s probably one of the last things on your mind when your joints hurt, but the benefits it brings will far outweigh the temporary discomfort.

Now this exercise does not have to be strenuous to do its job. Walking is good for you as well as swimming, stretching, tai chi and yoga – anything that helps you to stay active and loose without stressing you out. Swimming, for example, is an excellent form of exercise because it’s non-weight bearing and the buoyancy helps to support your limbs and joints.

Another thing you can do to give yourself some natural relief from joint pain is to add whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables and oily fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel to your diet.

In order to put less stress on your hips and knees you’ll want to maintain a healthy weight, eliminate sweets and keep your fat intake below 30% of your calories. And, drink lots of pure, clean water – at least eight glasses a day – while eliminating colas and caffeinated drinks.

You’ll also want to reduce the amount or even eliminate red meat from your diet. Many nutritional studies have recently shown that people who eat red meat every day have double the risk of arthritis as those who eat red meat no more twice a week.

And finally, whole food nutritional supplements are also essential to good health. Even the American Medical Association is now recommending supplementation. Because as well as you may eat, it’s next to impossible to get everything your body needs daily from your foods.

Here’s a list of some nutrients arthritis sufferers have found helpful: omega 3 fish oils to help decrease inflammation, vitamin C for building strong healthy collagen, Vitamin D for strong healthy bones and glucosamine hydrochloride for strong cartilage.

Arthritis doesn’t have to be the end of the world. With a few changes you just mind find it a little easier to deal with on a daily basis.

Michael Byrd
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/natural-ways-to-improve-mobility-136126.html

Living With Frequent Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks can disrupt your life in general. How are you supposed to live the life that you want to live, and deal with these attacks at the same time?

Anxiety attacks can happen to anyone who is under a great deal of stress for whatever the reason may be. Family, friend, and marital problems could be the culprit. Or, health issues, job woes, or money troubles could be it. Some people have chronic anxiety problems, and worry about each and every little thing that comes their way — no matter how great or small it is. The hard thing about anxiety is knowing how to live with the attacks that often plague the mind and body.

When you have an anxiety attack, you may feel shortness of breath. You may begin to sweat. You may feel numb, or have a sense of absolute terror. You may have a rapid heart rate and find that you can’t breathe very well. You may even lose consciousness. No matter how long or short your anxiety attack is, it is no doubt a very difficult thing to deal with.

In order to live as normal of a life as you can with extreme anxiety, you should be aware of a few things. First of all, if your anxiety is severe enough, you can take a prescription anti-anxiety medication to help you though the attack. This medication must be prescribed by a qualified mental health professional such as a psychologist. Your family doctor could also prescribe such medication, but it is usually beneficial to patients to see a therapist who specializes in the area. Some anti-anxiety medications that may be prescribed include Valium, Xanax, and Lorezapam. It is important that your doctor or therapist monitor your usage of these drugs, as they can be addicting or have side effects. Your doctor or therapist can ensure that you are using them correctly and are benefiting from them.

Another thing you can do to make living with anxiety easier is to exercise. Exercising not only works the body and helps you to have a more positive attitude about yourself, but it also increases the serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin is the chemical that makes your mood improve. One of the best things you can do to make yourself feel good is to develop a consistent exercise routine and stick to it. Your body will get used to releasing the negative stresses day by day and your mood will no doubt improve.

Simply surrounding yourself with positive people will also help you to live a more stress-free live and cope with any anxiety attacks that may come. Being able to talk and laugh with family and friends can be an excellent stress reliever. Talking with others can also ease your anxiety and help you to feel like you are not all alone. Oftentimes, many people with severe anxiety feel alone and isolated from the rest of the world. They may believe that no one can understand or help them. But the truth is that we all experience anxiety from time to time. Those with extreme anxiety can expect that others will understand and help.

Matthew Hick
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/living-with-frequent-anxiety-attacks-94967.html