Tips on How to Avoid Winter Sports Injuries

During the winter season, there are a lot of sports activities to enjoy. Yet this is also a time where there are a high incident of fatal-sports related accidents. Here are some facts about winter soprts injuries from National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

CPSC Winter Head/Neck Injury Statistics (Estimated)

2007 Head Injuries

Snow Boarding: 6,681
Sleds: 5,701
Ice Hockey: 5,483
Snow Skiing: 3,738
Ice Skating: 3,703
Snowmobiles: 578
Snow Tubing: 542
Toboggans: 126

2007 Neck Injuries

Snow Skiing: 1,385
Snow Boarding: 1,197
Ice Hockey: 649
Sleds: 615
Snowmobiles: 464
Snow Tubing: 84
Ice Skating: 48

Here are some ways and tips on how to avoid winter-sports related injuries:
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) offers this advice: Don’t risk your neck for that fleeting moment of fun, because it takes only one moment for a life to change forever. Wear a helmet and follow other safety precautions to help put a freeze on winter sports injuries.

- Use protective head gear that is approved by the ASTM for a particular winter sports
- Wear appropriate gear or clothing
- Avoid participating in sports if you are under the influence of alcohol, ill or tired.
- Do not participate in outdoor sports when the weather conditions pose a serious hazard.
- Drive snowmobiles safely and slowly
- Ice skate only in areas designated for skating, and be sure to check the ice for cracks and debris.
-Use only sleds that can be steered, and never go down a slope head first.
- Follow all posted signs and warnings on ski slopes, sledding hills and ice skating rinks.

Engaging in winter sports is definitely fun but don't forget to practice safety precautions tp avoid injuries.



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Loose Weight in 2009

Holidays mean delicious and sumptuous foods. More often than not, we tend to overeat during the holiday season. Then come January, we resort back to our ultimate resolution of loosing weight.

We all know that being overweight and obese puts us in a high risk of acquiring several diseases. That is why it is important to take control of our diet and start loosing weight. Putting it in our New Years resolution is a great step for a better you this 2009.

Here are some suggestions on how to achieve your goal of loosing weight:
- Track your activity level on a weekly basis
- Assess what you eat and drink for a few days. You can write it down as well as the time and how much you are eating.
- Track your BMI - body mass index

One of the secrets in effectively loosing weight is by taking baby steps towards your goal. Small changes can eventually develop as a lifestyle habit.

There are great tools that will help you stay loyal with your goal. Try utilizing BMI Calculator to help you track your BMI target.

Loosing weight is not an easy task. It requires commitment, motivation and discipline. Cheers to a better you this 2009.

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Benefits of of Taking Hot Baths

Most of us are not aware of the benefits that sauna, and hot tubs bring to our bodies. We may find ourselves just walking past through it. But what can saunas and hot tubs do for us?

According to research, hot bath, sauna and steam rooms are forms of hydrotherapy. Here are some of its benefits:

- Increased Blood Flow
- More healing
- It relaxes your skeletal muscles
- Decreases blood pressure
- Reduces stress

However, it is strictly advised that if you have a cardiovascular condition especially blood pressure irregularities, do not establish a habit without consulting your doctor.

Doctors also recommend alternating hot and cold baths. According to Roger Herr from American Physical Therapy Association, "soaking in hot water for 10 minutes or so, then switching to a cold bath for the next 10 minutes. The contrast allows you to get the benefits of the heat but not to overheat."

Next time you visit your fitness gym, make sure you drop by the steam room and relax a bit.

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Enhance Your Brainpower

New Year marks new goals, new resolutions. And working on achieving our goals means utilizing our brain more. Here are some ways on how to enhance your brainpower:

Eat Right.
Make sure you include the following in your daily meals: walnuts, sardines, wild salmon, herring, omega-3 eggs and flaxseeds. Also it is important to eat protein every morning to promote brain function.

Take Supplements
We may not be eating a well-balanced diet each day and failure to do so affects our brain as well. That is why it is important to take the necessary supplements to enhance our brain. Multi-vitamins, omega-3 fat fish and vitamin b, folic acid are just a few of the supplements that you can take.

Get Enough Sleep
To get a good night sleep, avoid taking in food that has caffeine, cold medications alcohol and even sugar before going to bed. These may interfere with sleep. Take a hot bath, and clear your mind from worries and problems.

Exercise
Exercise creates a huge impact in our brains. It helps improve learning, memory and even concentration. So make sure you put in 30 minutes of exercise in your daily activities.

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Tips On How To Avoid Falls

Falling can cause serious injury especially to our elderly. That is why it is very important that we know how to prevent it. Here are some ways and tips on how to avoid it:

1. Place your phone thats accessible from the floor in case you fall. This is so you can easily call for help when needed.

2. Install safety devices such as bars in slippery areas like bathroom and kitchen.

3.Get rid of potential hazards such as rugs, wires and clutter

4. Replace slippery floors with materials that allow good traction

5. Train your pets to stay away from your feet when you walk

Engaging into a regular exercise will also help enhance and maintain your bone and muscle strength. Exercises such as T'ai chi and Yoga will help you maintain balance and coordination. In addition, eating a well balance diet will definitely help you stay fit and healthy.

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A Must-See Video

Here is super short film that has a great message to it.

And I guarantee it'll make you smile.

http://www.spiritualcinemacircle.com/scc/ecs/public/main/validationMovie.html

Anti-Aging Herbs and Spices - Must Have in Your Diet

Can what you eat help you reverse aging?

Yes you can. And a very simple step to do so it to choose foods that are loaded with spices.

In an article at The Huttington Post, Dr. Eric Braverman says that "Spices and herbs create a more thermogenic diet." They help increase your metabolism. It also helps maximize nutrient density. By putting in flavor and spice in your meals you are "upgrading" your food without adding calories.

There are also spices that help increase your overall feeling of fullness and satiety so you'll take in less food. Watching your salt intake. Excessive salt retains more fluid in your body.

Here are some spices and their benefits:

* rosemary and basil for their anti-inflammatory power
* cumin and sage for their dementia-fighting power
* cayenne and cinnamon for their obesity-fighting power
* coriander and cinnamon for their sugar regulating powers
* lemon grass, nutmeg, bay leaves and saffron for their calming effects on your mood
* turmeric for its cancer fighting power
* oregano for its fungus-beating power
* garlic, mustard seed and chicory for their heart-pumping power
* basil and thyme for their skin-saving power
* turmeric, basil, cinnamon, thyme, saffron, and ginger for their immune-boosting power
* coriander, rosemary, cayenne, allspice and black pepper for their depression-busting power

So next time you cook for dinner, spice up! That is one of the keys to reverse aging.

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Staying Positive and Its Benefits

New Year comes with new hopes, new goals and resolutions. One of the top resolutions during the new year is to think positively. Being happy and staying positive is more than just a new year resolution. It gives us more health benefits as well.

Research shows that people who are pessimistic and negative tend to be more sickly. According to a study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, “Negative brain activity is linked with a weakened immune system.”

Here are some benefits of being positive and having a positive attitude:
- More energy
- More peaceful and calmer environment
- Lesser pain and fewer limitations
- Fewer problems with work or daily activities

Research shows that those who have negative outlook in life tend to experience mental and physical deterioration at an earlier time compare to those who have positive outlook in life. Aside from keeping us mentally fit, positivity also helps keep our physical bodies fit.

Here are some tips on how to keep a positive attitude:

1. Eat a balanced and healthy diet. - This can make a big impact on how we feel. Take food supplements and vitamins on a daily basis

2. Have a Regular schedule for exercise - the endorphins helps reduce stress, depression and anxiety.

3. Get enough sleep - this will help you improve your overall attitude.

4. Reduce Stress - find out ways on how you can manage stressful situations. Meditation is a great activity that helps reduce stress.

5. Cleanse your body and mind - try going through a detoxification process

As we face the new year, let's look at life positively and be happier!

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Some Quick Breakfast Alternatives

Breakfast is know to be the most important meal of the day.

I agree only in part, because in reality every meal is important. However if you are going to skip a meal, breakfast would probably be the one that would bring the worst consequences.

Ironically enough, because of our hectic schedules, breakfast usually turns out to be the meal most people skip. For many people, breakfast is not even a consideration, since they wake up already in a hurry to get to work.

If you are one of those, keep in mind that there are some quick alternatives:

- Have a handful of nuts with a piece of fruit

- A protein shake

- A low carb protein bar

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Winter Season Health Tips

During winter season, many of us suffer from winter itch, caused by the dry, cold weather and artificial indoor heating. If you will notice, our skin tends to dry up and becomes irritable.

Here are some tips on how to avoid having dry and flaky skin:
- MD Forte by Allergan - it is effective in removing superficial dead cells
- Exfoliating treatments help remove dead and dry skin
-Physician Grade Lip Conditioners to combat cracking and peeling or the lips
- Apply sunscreen when skiing. Choose the ones with rich moisturizing formula to combat dryness
- Take Vitamin D Supplements - since we spend most of our time indoors during winter its best to take in Vitamin D to replace the vitamin d we get from the sun.

Winter is still a cold season. We just need to take extra care to enjoy the coldness of the season.

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Tips for Healthy Computing

For many of us, our work ties us down to a computer for almost 8 hours a day or even more. And this causes irritation to our eyes such as burning, dry eyes, or difficulty focusing on objects. Here are some tips on how to have a clear vision:

If you are constantly staring at your monitor, blink frequently. Make it a habit to blink after every paragraph or with a mouse click.

Your monitor screen should be at the level or lower of your eyebrows. Looking down slightly moistens the cornea.

Green is a soothing color for the eyes so look out of your window and put some plants inside your office to look at every now and then.

Adjust your monitor settings to influence your vision.

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Natural Remedies for Better Sleep

The recommended sleeping hours should be at least 7-9 hours of sleep everyday. For most of us, we deprive ourselves of sleep because of our hectic schedules, busy lives or sometimes sleeping disorders.

We sometimes think that one of the solutions for getting enough sleep is purchasing over the counter drugs sleep medication. But before you do that, here are some natural ways on enhancing your sleep:

Magnesium and Calcium - both are sleep boosters especially when taken together.
Wild Lettuce - this vegetable is effective at calming restlessness and anxiety.
Hops - this is the female flower that is used when making beer. This serves as a mild sedative for insomnia.
Aromatherapy - is one of the cheapest non-toxic way. Lavender scent aids in sleep
Melatonin - is the hormone that controls sleep
Yoga or meditation - easy yoga stretches or meditation before bedtime is effective in relaxing your body making it a whole lot easier to sleep.

Getting enough sleep is crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So stop depriving yourself of sleep and ensure that you get enough quality sleep in a day to live a healthier and fitter life.

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Key To Strengthen Bones = Fruits and Veggies

A new study has found that fruits and vegetables may help strengthen bones.

Bone resorption is a process in which bones are broken down to release minerals such as calcium, phosphates, and alkaline (basic) salts into the blood. Increased bone resorption leads to reduced bone mass.

The normal diets of many older adults add acid to the body. As people age, they're less able to excrete the acid. Bone resorption is one way the body may try to counteract high acid levels.
However, the study found, adding bicarbonate, an alkaline compound, to the body, helps reduce bone resorption.

And fruits and vegetables are a great source of bicarbonate.

There are a lot of factors that might contribute to bone resorption. But regardless of the causes, living a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise and eating the right kind of food will definitely keep our bones fit and healthy.

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How To Make More Time for Exercise

Living in our fast paced world, most people feel they don't have enough time for themselves. As people channel most of their time towards their own careers or businesses, activities such as exercises are often placed at the last priority.

But exercising is important. Even more important if you lead a full, stressful, fast paced life.

The good news is you don't need much to reap the benefits of exercising. As little as 20 to 30 minutes a day will do the trick. So here are some tips to squeeze in some fitness time on your busy schedule:

Set your alarm clock earlier so you can wake up a little bit earlier for your workout. Ask a friend or a partner to be your workout buddy. This makes exercise more fun and enjoyable.

Plan your exercise activities. Bring some tools with you even at work. It could be a jump rope, or exercise bands. Store it in your desk and steal a few minutes of your break time at work.

Spend a little time to play games with your kids. This will not only strengthen your bond as parents but also keep you more physically fit.

There are more ways on how to squeeze in more time for exercise. Be creative and flexible, and you will always be able to keep it up.

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Tips to Quit Smoking

One of the top New Years Resolutions throughout the years is to quit smoking.

Here are some tips on how to quit smoking from the American Lung Association:

1. Plan. Mark the days in your calendar on when you plan not to smoke. And do your best to stick to it.
2. Exercise. Engaging to physical activities such as walking is an effective way to reduce stress of quitting. Aside from that it will also help you in being more energetic.
3. Drink lots of water and eat a balanced diet.
4. Consult your doctor about medications to help you quit smoking.

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Take Care of your Brain

According to studies daily physical exercise keeps the brain young. It is more advisable you start young on this because the brain boosting effects of exercise vanish rapidly after early middle age, says of researchers working in the lab of Yu-Min Kuo, PhD, of Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University Medical College.


They also find out that young brains would likely create new brain cells and integrate them into existing brain networks. As we get older, however, this process dramatically slows. And this slowdown in the brain cell creation is linked to impaired memory and learning.


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How to have stronger, healthier bones

Most people are not conscious of what is going on with their bones. They just took it for granted not knowing in the end it will have a very bad effect on them worse would bring bone disease which is the osteoporosis. More prone to this disease is women on their five to seven month post menopausal stage. They most likely to acquire this disease if in the very beginning they just took for granted what their bones need.

There are some ways how to have a stronger and healthier bones, here are some of it:

1. Get plenty of weight bearing exercise- By stressing your bones, strength training increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

2. Supercharge your diet with plenty of calcium, vitamin K, and vitamin D- rich foods- some great source of this is those green leafy vegetables and broccoli, dairy products would do.

3. Make sure that you’re getting enough vitamin D- this vitamin would help to absorb calcium and phosphorus which is really important for the bones. Sun light is the primary source of this vitamin, standing outside 15 minutes a day three times a week lets the skin produce enough vitamin D.

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