Tips About Anything

Archive for the ‘Well-being’ Category

-  Teach your students to wash their hands throughout the day.

-  Keep anti-bacterial pumps accessible in the classroom. Explain what the pumps are and when it’s appropriate to use them.

-  Remind the students not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth with their hands. Germs are spread when a child touches something that is contaminated and then touches her or his eyes, nose or mouth. Also they spread when kids sneeze and cough without covering

-  Sharing food and drink will also spread germs.

-  Explain to students the importance of getting at least 8-10 hours of sleep a night. Make them aware of how it affects how they feel, their energy level, their moods, etc. the next day.

-  Teach your students to eat three full meals and several snacks a day which are balanced complex carbohydrates, protein and are chock full of fruit and vegetables. Stay away from pre-prepared, high sugar, soda and preserved foods.

-  Keep children hydrated. Kids should be drinking 4-6 glasses of water a day. Help them choose water over sugary drinks.

-  Dissuade children from sharing cups, straws and bottles (anything they have direct mouth contact with will spread the germs).

-  Make sure the children are getting sufficient exercise. Children should be doing aerobic activity at least 5 days a week during recess, gym class or after-school sports.

-  Don’t send sick children to school; likewise, send them home if they get sick at school. Allowing children to stay in school is the fastest way to spread germs and illness.

-  Send a “Flu Prevention Tips” letter home with students to give to their parents. The same tips should be practiced at home to assure a healthy school year.

-  If you notice a child with the beginning symptoms of a flu or cold, let their parents know immediately. Helping prevent the flu or cold developing with vitamin C, hydration, rest and chicken soup is critical.

Dr. Erika Schwartz, Medical Director of Cinergy Health is a general internist, an authority on preventive health and a patient advocate.  She is a 25 year health industry veteran, working in both an ER as well as a private practice.

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• Swine Flu Tips from Dr. Erika Schwartz (blisstree.com)

5 steps for relaxation by creating a spa shower in 10 minutes

1. Set the mood: Create a spa-like atmosphere by turning off the overhead lights and illuminating a scented candle.  Cue up soul-soothing, classical, or other relaxing music an turn up the tap to the hottest setting.  Let the water run for a few minutes, then adjust the temperature and step in.  The steam will mimic the muscle-soothing action of a spa sauna and for women:  you can use the wait time to treat yourself to a mini-facial by applying a mask.
2. Scrub up: Use a body polish to give yourself a brisk, all-over scrub as soon as you start to get wet.  You will achieve the smoothest results if you scrub up before your skin gets too hydrated!  After your shower, your newly exfoliated skin will absorb moisturizer like a dry sponge.
3. Clear your mind: Lather up with lavender soap, which is known for its calming effect, and shampoo and condition.  As you rinse, give yourself a quick scalp massage to release stress and tension.  Using the pads of your fingers, gently press in a circular motion all over your head with extra focus on the soft spots near the temples. 
4. Treat your feet: Sit on the floor or side of the shower and take a moment to pamper your feet, using your thumbs to knead tired soles and toes.  End by buffing rough spots with a callus remover.
5. Hydrate: Apply a lightweight body oil right in the shower or, if you crave something richer, lather on a velvety moisturizer after you dry off.

Of the 300,000 Americans, a year, who suffer cardiac arrests outside of hospitals, fewer than 8 percent survive.  The American Heart Association says the percentage could improve dramatically if more of us knew what to do right away. 

1. Know the signs:  the person will collapse, lose consciousness, turn very pale and won’t be moving or breathing
2. Call 911: If you are with other people, one of you should call 911 while the other starts the next step
3. Use a defibrillator:  If you are in a public place or office that has an automated external defibrillator (AED), use it immediately.  These devices deliver a shock that restarts the hearts normal electrical activity, and some are simple enough to use without medical training.  The device won’t work if it detects a heartbeat, so there is no risk involved.  Once you turn it on, the AED’ s voice commands will take you through the process, step by step.
4. Start CPR:  do this immediately if you do not have a defibrillator!   Even if you’ve never taken a course you can still perform this lifesaving move.  Place the heel of one hand in the center of the victim’s chest, then place your other hand over the other and push down firmly.  The most effective rate is 100 compressions per minute-the same rhythm as the beat of the Bee Gee’s song Stayin’ Alive, says Dr. Nadkami of the AMA.  To get CPR certified, you can find a class at americanheart.org/cpr

Pregnancy is exciting, but like most good things, it has its challenges.  One of the physiological changes that can occur is headaches.  Pregnancy related headaches can be caused by fluctuating hormone and blood sugar levels, caffeine withdrawal, lack of sleep and dehydration.  Many headache medications and herbal remedies should be avoided during pregnancy; it’s not the time for experimentation.  In general, use non-medicinal approaches before you resort to medications.  Here are some worth trying:

1. Monitor triggers:  Foods such as chocolate, aged cheese, preserved eats and peanuts can bring on headaches.
2. Take care of yourself:  Exercise, maintain good posture (especially important in the last trimester), and don’t skip meals.
3. Use warm or cold clothes.  Put a warm washcloth over your eyes and nose for sinus headaches.  For tension headaches, place a cold washcloth or gel pack at the base of your neck.
4. Relax:  Consider getting seated head/neck/shoulder massages for tension headaches.

If your headaches do require medication, acetaminophen is the usual choice, but ask your doctor first if it is right for you.

Common symptoms of diabetes:

• frequent urination
• excessive thirst
• extreme hunger
• unusual weight loss
• increased fatigue
• irritability
• blurry vision