"A very important finding comes from Stephanie Brown and her colleagues at the University of Michigan: giving support to others is more important to longevity than receiving support. She found that elderly individuals who game little emotional or practical support to others were more than twice as likely to die during the five years she followed them compared to people who gave to others. Even accounting for initial health and other factors, people who gave to a spouse, to friends, and to neighbors were blessed with greater longevity."
I suppose that ties in with the idea of having a purpose in life. We can control whether or not we help others, and not whether someone helps us. So if our purpose is to help others, then our lives are better... and longer. In a sense, when we give to others, we're giving to ourselves too.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
My Friend Mr. Sandman
Sometimes you just need to sleep!
I'm no kid any more, but I can tell when I'm getting cranky. And yesterday after a 5:00 rising and a series of high-stress meetings, I came home and was faced with something that I absolutely did not want to do. I often find that my feelings of "absolutely do not want to" soften if I just get some rest. So after a 7:30 bedtime last night, we're up and at 'em this morning.
I'm no kid any more, but I can tell when I'm getting cranky. And yesterday after a 5:00 rising and a series of high-stress meetings, I came home and was faced with something that I absolutely did not want to do. I often find that my feelings of "absolutely do not want to" soften if I just get some rest. So after a 7:30 bedtime last night, we're up and at 'em this morning.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
ICE Is Nice
A friend forwarded this to me:
Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.
ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) campaign.
The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell(mobile) phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.'
For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!
Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!
Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.
Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.
ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) campaign.
The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell(mobile) phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.'
For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!
Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!
Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.
Open Door Policy
"If the associate happens to be right, it's important to overrule their manager, or whoever they're having the problem with because otherwise the open-door policy isn't any good to anybody." - Sam Walton
The ability to appeal a decision is a vital one in American society, in the home, and at work. No one likes to feel like part of a monarchy, where a single ruler's decision always binds. And knowing that people all make mistakes, why would that make sense anyway if the goal is to reach the best conclusion possible? When managers are overruled, it's important to accept it with grace, even thankfulness for those with the best perspective, and continued support of the co-worker. To do any less is to flash ego.
The ability to appeal a decision is a vital one in American society, in the home, and at work. No one likes to feel like part of a monarchy, where a single ruler's decision always binds. And knowing that people all make mistakes, why would that make sense anyway if the goal is to reach the best conclusion possible? When managers are overruled, it's important to accept it with grace, even thankfulness for those with the best perspective, and continued support of the co-worker. To do any less is to flash ego.
Oldest Friend
"After a visit, everyone in the store has no doubt that he genuinely appreciates our contributions, no matter how insignificant. Every associate feels like he or she does make a difference. It's almost like having your oldest friend come just to see if you're okay. He never lets anyone down." - Andy Sims, on Sam Walton
Is that kind of affection a knack, a skill? The ability to talk with people of all backgrounds is a gift, but the kind of true, honest caring that people buy into comes only from a sincere appreciation of all the things that make a person genuinely likable.
Is that kind of affection a knack, a skill? The ability to talk with people of all backgrounds is a gift, but the kind of true, honest caring that people buy into comes only from a sincere appreciation of all the things that make a person genuinely likable.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Mr. Positivity's Journal
One of my new year's resolutions last year was to journal an attempt to be more positive for a month. One idea I had was to be more intentional about monitoring my moods - "what gets measured gets done," so how would someone become more positive without paying better attention?
Today it didn't take long for work to derail my attempt to monitor. My little notebook reads: "8:00, happy." I did think about it around noon, and again around 7:00, but there's definitely room for improvement!
Still, there was progress because my awareness was higher. During a meeting reviewing potential interview candidates a memory flashed through my head of a woman who we'd hired years ago and didn't turn out so well, being quirky to boot. I had the opportunity to get a laugh by making fun of that former co-worker, but held off. If the first step is to stop thoughts from becoming words, maybe the thoughts will eventually get tired and go away!
Today it didn't take long for work to derail my attempt to monitor. My little notebook reads: "8:00, happy." I did think about it around noon, and again around 7:00, but there's definitely room for improvement!
Still, there was progress because my awareness was higher. During a meeting reviewing potential interview candidates a memory flashed through my head of a woman who we'd hired years ago and didn't turn out so well, being quirky to boot. I had the opportunity to get a laugh by making fun of that former co-worker, but held off. If the first step is to stop thoughts from becoming words, maybe the thoughts will eventually get tired and go away!
5 Ways To Protect Yourself From Cold/Flu
From the Internet:
The season is changing and we have finally arrived at that bittersweet time of Daylight Savings. I always feel like this simple one-hour time change throws me into a pretty significant physiological shift. For me, it also marks the beginning of the flu and cold season.
Ever wonder why the winter months are when we get sick the most? While many experts have their myriad reasons, the culprit is not as simple as "it's cold outside."
There are few steps that you can take to protect yourself and your family from what seems to be the inevitable flu. The guardian of the health of our body is the immune system. While intangible and challenging to identify, the immune system has very specific signs and symptoms.
For a moment, put aside the traditional considerations for assessing health. Instead, I’d like you to consider some new approaches and angles that will provide you with insight into the likelihood that you will stay healthy or get sick this winter season.
1. Sugar and processed foods impact the immune system.
Studies have shown that through a complex system of chemical processes sugar and processed foods depress the immune system. There exists a direct link between the amount of these foods that you consume and your health.
Obvious foods such as sodas, candy, cookies, ice cream, and potato chips are the big guns that should be kept concealed.
Even more disturbing are the foods that you think are healthy that hide sugar and many refined ingredients: yogurt, and yogurt drinks and “pops;”most cereals; juices; fruit roll ups and “leathers;” “healthy” cookies and treats, soy ice cream and frozen treats. While being marketed as healthy choices, these foods aren’t much better than the obvious poor choices. Work hard during flu season to keep these foods away. Read ingredient labels and watch out for: corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup or “HFCS,” brown rice syrup, fructose, sucrose, barleymalt and the obvious, sugar.
2. Fresh foods offer the highest quality vitamins.
It’s shocking to me how often I see people turn to orange juice for vitamin C in an effort to fight off a cold or flu.
It is important to understand that the majority of vitamin C in orange juice is added after processing. Vitamin C and others like zinc, vitamin E, and magnesium help to support the immune system and are a great defense during flu season.
Choose better by eating fresh whole foods such as cherries, berries, and apples, and vegetables such as spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes.
I know you probably hear this suggestion all the time, but it can’t be stressed enough. It is imperative to find creative ways to prepare vegetables. Sautee, roast or grill vegetables with olive oil or real butter, add some fresh sea salt or sprinkle with organic low fat cheese and kids will be more likely to eat.
3. Sleep will boost the immune system.
At night while we rest, the body is working to rebuild the immune system. Deep sleep allows a complex set of hormonal changes that recharge the body so that it’s resilient the next day. Get a full night sleep of 8-10 hours.
Stick to a regular schedule. Resist the temptation to stay up late and watch that favorite show.
4. Fatigue is the first sign of a distressed immune system.
As already stated, the immune system desperately needs sleep to keep the body healthy. When the immune system is fighting to keep you healthy, it requests that the body get extra rest to help in the fight.
If you seem more fatigued than usual, it could be a very strong signal that you are on the brink of getting sick.
The best way to fight off a cold or flu is to act immediately and get extra rest. Pay attention to the health of others around you such as those at work. If you hear of a bug “going around” and you notice that you're tired, there’s a good chance that extra sleep will ward off the cold or flu. This is the time to take a mid-day nap.
5. Wash hands frequently, but avoid antibacterial products.
This seems counterintuitive, but the best way to kill environmental germs is to use soap and hot water and scrub hands thoroughly. Bacteria live all around us. They are on every surface we touch and in every breath we take. Without bacteria, our immune system wouldn’t learn to be strong.
Our internal bacterial system fights off invaders and thereby gets more effective at winning the battle. It’s just like working out: In order to become stronger, you must work hard in the gym. Your body is a bacterial gym. Again, this comes back to the immune system. If you foster a strong immune system, your body will fight off invaders and therefore become more resilient to future battles. While it is imperative to wash hands frequently during flu season, remember that the hands are only one very small way that germs enter your system. Killing off the germs on hands with antibacterial products is futile and weakens your - and the world’s- future ability to confront germs.
The season is changing and we have finally arrived at that bittersweet time of Daylight Savings. I always feel like this simple one-hour time change throws me into a pretty significant physiological shift. For me, it also marks the beginning of the flu and cold season.
Ever wonder why the winter months are when we get sick the most? While many experts have their myriad reasons, the culprit is not as simple as "it's cold outside."
There are few steps that you can take to protect yourself and your family from what seems to be the inevitable flu. The guardian of the health of our body is the immune system. While intangible and challenging to identify, the immune system has very specific signs and symptoms.
For a moment, put aside the traditional considerations for assessing health. Instead, I’d like you to consider some new approaches and angles that will provide you with insight into the likelihood that you will stay healthy or get sick this winter season.
1. Sugar and processed foods impact the immune system.
Studies have shown that through a complex system of chemical processes sugar and processed foods depress the immune system. There exists a direct link between the amount of these foods that you consume and your health.
Obvious foods such as sodas, candy, cookies, ice cream, and potato chips are the big guns that should be kept concealed.
Even more disturbing are the foods that you think are healthy that hide sugar and many refined ingredients: yogurt, and yogurt drinks and “pops;”most cereals; juices; fruit roll ups and “leathers;” “healthy” cookies and treats, soy ice cream and frozen treats. While being marketed as healthy choices, these foods aren’t much better than the obvious poor choices. Work hard during flu season to keep these foods away. Read ingredient labels and watch out for: corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup or “HFCS,” brown rice syrup, fructose, sucrose, barleymalt and the obvious, sugar.
2. Fresh foods offer the highest quality vitamins.
It’s shocking to me how often I see people turn to orange juice for vitamin C in an effort to fight off a cold or flu.
It is important to understand that the majority of vitamin C in orange juice is added after processing. Vitamin C and others like zinc, vitamin E, and magnesium help to support the immune system and are a great defense during flu season.
Choose better by eating fresh whole foods such as cherries, berries, and apples, and vegetables such as spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes.
I know you probably hear this suggestion all the time, but it can’t be stressed enough. It is imperative to find creative ways to prepare vegetables. Sautee, roast or grill vegetables with olive oil or real butter, add some fresh sea salt or sprinkle with organic low fat cheese and kids will be more likely to eat.
3. Sleep will boost the immune system.
At night while we rest, the body is working to rebuild the immune system. Deep sleep allows a complex set of hormonal changes that recharge the body so that it’s resilient the next day. Get a full night sleep of 8-10 hours.
Stick to a regular schedule. Resist the temptation to stay up late and watch that favorite show.
4. Fatigue is the first sign of a distressed immune system.
As already stated, the immune system desperately needs sleep to keep the body healthy. When the immune system is fighting to keep you healthy, it requests that the body get extra rest to help in the fight.
If you seem more fatigued than usual, it could be a very strong signal that you are on the brink of getting sick.
The best way to fight off a cold or flu is to act immediately and get extra rest. Pay attention to the health of others around you such as those at work. If you hear of a bug “going around” and you notice that you're tired, there’s a good chance that extra sleep will ward off the cold or flu. This is the time to take a mid-day nap.
5. Wash hands frequently, but avoid antibacterial products.
This seems counterintuitive, but the best way to kill environmental germs is to use soap and hot water and scrub hands thoroughly. Bacteria live all around us. They are on every surface we touch and in every breath we take. Without bacteria, our immune system wouldn’t learn to be strong.
Our internal bacterial system fights off invaders and thereby gets more effective at winning the battle. It’s just like working out: In order to become stronger, you must work hard in the gym. Your body is a bacterial gym. Again, this comes back to the immune system. If you foster a strong immune system, your body will fight off invaders and therefore become more resilient to future battles. While it is imperative to wash hands frequently during flu season, remember that the hands are only one very small way that germs enter your system. Killing off the germs on hands with antibacterial products is futile and weakens your - and the world’s- future ability to confront germs.
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