Here I  was with a bit of heart burn and stomachache  or a sour stomach, out of zantac. I was googling to see about a half remembered home remedy with baking soda. And what do I run across,

Irritable Bowel Syndrome  - Symptoms of the condition can include cramping, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.  They went on to say these conditions are similar to those you find in depression, so things that work for depression work for it," The condition is surprisingly common.

What the ?? surprising that constipation and diarrhea are common??

One common stress-management technique successfully used in IBS is cognitive behavioral therapy, Hayee said. That's a general term for a set of psychotherapies based on the belief that changing the way a person thinks about a condition can bring about improvement, even if the condition does not change.

So it is not baking soda that I need, it is counseling.  EVEN though it will probably not change my condition. So now I am supposed to go to counseling to FEEL better about having stomach cramps?  What a racket....   Thanks HealthDay

Hey, I have a pretty stressful job. I probably *** about it more than some. But at least I thought that it was mostly a daytime thing.  Go home,  Get some  sleep and start out fresh but I guess not.

A recent study in Belgain found that stress does not leave you alone when you leave your job.

EVEN when sleeping.

The study was done at Ghent University in Belgium 178 people who had their blood pressure measured 24/7.  They found that even when sleeping those with high stress jobs had significantly elevated blood pressure.

Maybe it is not as bad as I thought in the first read of the study.  They also found that the most impact on blood pressure was from job strain related to a lack of control in your job. So I am looking for outcomes I can control at work. Trying to spend more time on tasks when my actions can effect the outcomes I see.

Stress

 8 in 10 Americans feel stressed, a Gallup poll conducted in Jan. 2007 shows 

U.S stress levels haven't changed much in recent years. Since 1994, between 33% and 42% of Americans have reported frequent stress.

In the latest Gallup poll, of 1,010 adults telephoned Dec. 11-14 of last year, 38% reported frequent stress while 39% said they sometimes felt stress.

Combined that means that 77% of us are effected by stress. 40% would probably considered themselves stressed out.

3% said they're never stressed -Yeah Right, maybe not this week. 

Who feels the most stress? Those who report frequent stress include:

• 44% of 18- to 29-year-olds, and 46% of 30- to 49-year-olds
• 47% of parents with children under 18
• 43% of full-time workers and 46% of part-time workers \
• 40% of women and 35% of men
• 55% of people who say they do not have enough time to do things they want to do

One of the more interesting results was that contary to popular conception only 29% of unemployed Americans reported frequent stress.

So if you do not need stress relief today odds are you will next week.

As we age it is important to keep active and moving as much as possible. The human body can be summed up with the phrase "use it or lose it." When we look at the role of balance as we age, it becomes an essential tool for fall prevention, and a simple but effective way to improve quality of life. The greater our Stabilty, Agility, and Mobility (S.A.M.), the greater chance we have of living a healthy active life well into old age. Remember, it is never too late to start a balanced life, so start on the road to better movement today!

If you are living a fast paced life, it can be hard to slow down when it is time to sleep.  When your mind is going at full throttle all day and into the night you may have trouble sleeping at night

Roman Chamomile may be part of the answer

Did you know that Roman Chamomile essential oil has been medically proven to cure insomnia as long as it is continually used? That's great news for a lot of people, but how should you use it for the best results?

Just follow these 3 easy steps to better sleep:

Before bed, take a hot bath with 5 to 10 drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil. Be sure you are using a pure Roman Chamomile essentail oil. Occassionally you will find pure Roman Chamomile oil in a 10% solution with a quality carrier oil.  This is ok to use as well in a massage setting or in a bath or shower. Do not use it is a spray bottle. Just increase the amount used. If you prefer showers or have limited time, then use a few drops of oil in the shower and breathe in the aroma that comes up with the steam.

Add a few drops of the essential oil to a spray bottle filled with distilled water or distilled aloe vera. Lightly mist your towels, bed sheets, and pillows.

Mix the essential oil into an organic carrier oil of your choice (such as apricot kernel, sweet almond, or jojoba) and apply to the bottoms of your feet just before bed. Use between 5-10% essential oil in the carrier oil. After rubbing the mixture on the bottoms of your feet, cup your hands together and take 3 deep inhalations to breathe in the scent.

...and then turn out the lights. Sweet Sleep at last!

This is also a great way to help calm restlessness in children or those with attention deficit disorder to calm the mind.

Roman chamomile essential oil is non-toxic and therefore safe for use with children. Reduce the amount of essential oil used in the bath or applied to the feet by 50% of the above recommendation for adults.

For those who might want to go one step further, take 15-20 drops of an chamomile flower extract added to an herbal (no caffeine) tea or a small amount of water before bed.

For more information about the different types of chamomiles, click here to read German, Moroccan, Roman or Wild: Which Chamomile is Which?  

Put That Wine Down

Hot Cocoa Tops In Antioxidants

There's sweet news about hot cocoa: Researchers at Cornell University have shown that the popular winter beverage contains more antioxidants per cup than a similar serving of red wine or tea and may be a healthier choice.

The study adds to growing evidence of the health benefits of cocoa and points to a tasty alternative in the quest to maintain a diet rich in healthy antioxidants, chemicals that have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease and aging.

Many recent studies have touted the health benefits of red wine and tea, all of which are known to be high in antioxidants. Researchers have been aware for some time that cocoa is also rich in these compounds, its relative strenght in comparison to other beverages has been unclear, says Lee the senior researcher.

The Hot Coco vs. Green Tea vs. Red Wine Study

To gain a better understanding of how these beverages compare in terms of antioxidants, the researchers tested them using similar serving sizes and conditions. The beverages tested included a cup of hot water containing two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, roughly equivalent to the amount of cocoa in a normal-size packet of instant hot chocolate; a cup of water containing a standard size bag of green tea; a cup of black tea; and one glass of red wine , a nice California Merlot if your interested.

The antioxidant concentration in cocoa was the highest: It was almost 2 times stronger than red wine, 2-3 times stronger than green tea, and 4-5 times stronger than that of black tea.

Antioxidants on a diet

For those who want the tasty treat but also want to avoid extra sugar and dairy products that are common additives to cocoa, healthier alternatives are possible: Skim or soy milk can substitute for regular milk, while an artificial sweetener can replace the sugar.

Although you can enjoy cocoa either hot or cold, the hot version tends to trigger the release of more antioxidants than its cold counterpart.

Antioxidant-rich cocoa is also found in many different products including desserts, sauces, liqueurs and candy bars, which differ widely in their cocoa content. But when given a choice between getting your antioxidant fix from a cup of cocoa or a candy bar, it is better to go with the drinkable stuff, says Lee. A normal 40-gram bar of chocolate contains about 8 grams of saturated fat, compared to only 0.3 grams in an average cup of hot cocoa, he notes.

For work  Related  Eye Strain there are a number of steps you can take to reduce the impact of hours in front of the computer and more hours of reading.

Work Station Recommendations

• The computer screen should be slightly below eye level (about 20 degrees). Copy should be at the same level as the screen.
• Locate keyboard so your wrists and lower arms are parallel to the floor.
• Chairs should provide proper back support and be adjustable
• Adjust the chair height so your feet are flat on the floor with thighs parallel to the floor
• Adjust the worktable so legs and knees clear its underside
• The screen brightness and contrast should be adjusted by the operator for the maximum viewing comfort
• The workstation lighting should provide a 10:3 ratio: screen characters 10 times brighter than the screen background; room illumination 3 times brighter than screen background
• Each workstation should have an adjustable shaded copy lamp that can be aimed by the operator without causing screen reflections
• Eliminate glare and screen reflections by moving or tilting the computer or getting an anti-glare screen.
• Operators should face into an open space beyond the computer screen
• Clean the screen regularly as they attract dust
• Take a short break, 10-15 minutes every two hours, to relax your eyes and body.

Your Eye Examination For Computer Use

Due to the unique characteristics and high visual demands of computer work, you should have a comprehensive eye examination prior to or soon after beginning your computer work and periodically after. Your examination should include:

A general eye and health history

A specific history relating to computer work. Be prepared to describe the type of computer work you do, the number of hours, the time of day you usually work on the computer, the size, type and color of your screen and screen characters, positions and work distances in your workstation, the lighting in the room, and the type severity and frequency of any symptoms your having

• A measurement of your visual acuity at distance and near
• Do an evaluation of your internal and external eye health
  A measurement of possible prescriptions for distance and near working distances
• An assessment of eye focusing ability
• An evaluation of eye coordination and eye movement skills

Complementary Health Approaches To Reduce Visual Stress

Nutritional Consideration

Bilberry and lutein- to give the eyes increased circulation and needed eye nutrients.

Vitamin A eye drops- to help lubricate the eyes and give them valuable anti-oxidants.

Easy Eye exercises

Palming:

The palming exercise will teach you to relax your eyes, which in turn will bring healthy energy to your eyes.

First, rub your hands together until they feel warm (about 15 to 20 seconds). Then place your cupped hands over your closed eyes, being careful not to touch your eyes with the palms of your hands. The fingers of each hand should overlap and rest gently on the center of your forehead. Don't create any unnecessary pressure on your face. If your arms get tired, rest your elbows on a table.

Sit quietly for one to two minutes with your hands over your eyes. The more relaxed you become, the blacker the darkness you will see with your eyes closed.

Near-far focus

This exercise improves eye flexibility:

Hold your thumb six inches from your nose. Focus on your thumb. Take one deep breath and exhale slowly. Then focus on an object about 10 feet away. Take another deep breath and slowly exhale. Repeat back and forth 15 times

Scanning

This exercise helps you increase the flexibility of your eyes.

Sitting or standing at one end of a room, let your eyes scan around the edges of objects in the room - clocks, televisions, doors, lights, computers, etc. The object of this exercise is to keep your eyes moving in a loose and fluid way. Do this exercise for two minutes. Remember to breathe.

Hydrotherapy

Place a bowl of hot water and a bowl of cold water in front of you. The hot water should be hot but not so hot that it burns you. The cold water should be ice cold, so either put ice cubes in it or get it out of the refrigerator. Put a wash cloth in each bowl. Place the wash cloth from the bowl of hot water against your closed eyes for 30 seconds. Then do the same with the wash cloth from the bowl of cold water. Continue to alternate the hot and cold wash cloths. Finish by gently massaging your closed eyes with a dry towel. Do this for two minutes.

MYTH: We cannot do anything to protect our vision from worsening due to computer eyestrain.

FACT: With the correct eye care program that includes eye exercises, and proper diet and supplementation, you can significantly effect and even improve your vision.

COMPUTERS AND VISION

Over 100 million people in the United States today use computers. More than 50 percent experience eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision and other visual symptoms related to sustained use of the computer. This type of stress on the visual system can also cause body fatigue and reduced efficiency at work.

Many of these symptoms can be reduced through a combination of correcting workstation conditions, posture, stress-relieving lenses prescribed specifically for computer operation, special anti-glare screens, eye exercises and nutritional supplementation.

We were born to have hunters' eyes, needed for spotting game or danger at a distance. But during the last 50 years nearly all our work and much of our recreation, for example, video games, has shifted the focus of our vision to arm's length. This increased amount of near visual tasks often produces such changes as nearsightedness, suppressed vision in one eye, poor eye teaming and reduced efficiency at work and at play.

Although computer manufacturers have improved their products, many computer operators still experience visual stress due to the following; 1) an increase in the number and complexity of necessary eye movements and focusing skills, 2) poor lighting conditions, glare and distracting reflections, 3) the flicker rate of the screen, and 4) above all the extended amount of time spent on the computer.

Computer Stress Checklist:

Computer visual stress may underlie many direct and indirect symptoms. Eyestrain is a common direct symptom, while the need for shifts in posture and muscular strain resulting from poorly arranged work stations cause eye problems indirectly and other physical problems directly.

Direct Computer Stress Symptoms

• headaches while doing or following computer use
• irritated and/or dry eyes
• blurred vision
• slow refocusing when looking from screen to distance objects
• frequently losing place when moving eyes between copy and the screen
• difficulty seeing clearly at a distance after prolonged computer use
• occasional doubling of vision
• changes in color perception
• changes in glasses prescription

 

Other Computer Stress Symptoms
 

• neck or shoulder tension and pain
• back pain
• pain in arms, wrists, or shoulders when working on the computer
• lowered visual efficiency and more frequent errors

 

For work  Related  Eye Strain there are a number of steps you can take to reduce the impact of hours in front of the computer and more hours of reading.

Work Station Recommendations

• The computer screen should be slightly below eye level (about 20 degrees). Copy should be at the same level as the screen.
• Locate keyboard so your wrists and lower arms are parallel to the floor.
• Chairs should provide proper back support and be adjustable
• Adjust the chair height so your feet are flat on the floor with thighs parallel to the floor
• Adjust the worktable so legs and knees clear its underside
• The screen brightness and contrast should be adjusted by the operator for the maximum viewing comfort
• The workstation lighting should provide a 10:3 ratio: screen characters 10 times brighter than the screen background; room illumination 3 times brighter than screen background
• Each workstation should have an adjustable shaded copy lamp that can be aimed by the operator without causing screen reflections
• Eliminate glare and screen reflections by moving or tilting the computer or getting an anti-glare screen.
• Operators should face into an open space beyond the computer screen
• Clean the screen regularly as they attract dust
• Take a short break, 10-15 minutes every two hours, to relax your eyes and body.

Your Eye Examination For Computer Use

Due to the unique characteristics and high visual demands of computer work, you should have a comprehensive eye examination prior to or soon after beginning your computer work and periodically after. Your examination should include:

A general eye and health history

A specific history relating to computer work. Be prepared to describe the type of computer work you do, the number of hours, the time of day you usually work on the computer, the size, type and color of your screen and screen characters, positions and work distances in your workstation, the lighting in the room, and the type severity and frequency of any symptoms your having

• A measurement of your visual acuity at distance and near
• Do an evaluation of your internal and external eye health
  A measurement of possible prescriptions for distance and near working distances
• An assessment of eye focusing ability
• An evaluation of eye coordination and eye movement skills

Complementary Health Approaches To Reduce Visual Stress

Nutritional Consideration

Bilberry and lutein- to give the eyes increased circulation and needed eye nutrients.

Vitamin A eye drops- to help lubricate the eyes and give them valuable anti-oxidants.

       Passing by her daughter's bedroom I was surprised to see everything was picked up. Then I saw an envelope propped up prominently on the center of the bed. It was addressed, "Mom."  

My better half daughter's too smart for our own good. ;-).

Not being able to resist I opened the envelope and read the letter.:

Dear Mom: It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new boyfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad and you. I've been finding real passion with Ahmed and he is so nice-even with all his piercings, tattoos, beard, and his motorcycle clothes.
But it's not only the passion Mom, I'm pregnant and Ahmed said that we will be very happy. He already owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. He wants to have many more children with me and that's now one of my dreams too. Ahmed taught me that
marihuana doesn't really hurt anyone and we'll be growing it for us and trading it with his friends for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want. In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Ahmed can get better; he sure deserves it!! Don't worry Mom, I'm 15 years old now
and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure we'll be back to visit so you can get to know your grand children.

Your daughter, Sue

PS: Mom, none of the above is true. I'm over at the neighbor's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than my report card that's in my desk center drawer.
I love you! Call when it is safe for me to come home.

After playing this for all it was worth showing it to Mom, ( almost cut off the p.s., we have been playing a bit of tit for tat) I call her friends as asked them to adopt her.

Then I found out she just copied the damn thing off the internet.

grrr....