Archive for June, 2005
A general “Hi + Thanks” to our newest members, Alri, Summydai and Stussy_ktk.
I encourage all of our members to drop us a line and let us know what we’re doing right or wrong. If you’re not seeing what you consider relevant content here, let us know. Do you have an idea that would make us more valuable to you? We’d love to hear it.
Are you interested in submitting an idea or fully written article? Drop us a line! And don’t forget: your comments on posts make HHDC a more valuable resource for everyone.
Best Health,
-KKS
June 30th, 2005
The May issue of Body + Soul Magazine [www.bodyandsoulmag.com] has these 20 tips for energizing the body and mind.
A brief encapsulation (with editorial comment added):
- Take a contrast shower: Ice cold for 30 seconds, then nice and warm for 30 seconds. Repeat x3.
- Morning Beverage: Cup of hot water with lemon juice and cayenne.
- Strike out: pummel yourself with loose fists all over your body. (Um…ok, if you say so…)
- Eat early and often: Just not big meals…
- Stretch: ‘Nuff said.
- Get Aerobic: Get your heart pumping!
- Give Energy: share enthusiasm
- Drum: As in the verb, not the noun.
- Go to a play or concert: Support local art!
- Be with energetic people: Just don’t be an energy vampire…
- Spend time in nature: Not just in one spot, either. Find a variety of natural environments to enjoy.
- Experience Art: go to a gallery or museum
- Try a flower essence: if that’s your thing…
- Allow yourself to be more sexual: Again, ’nuff said, unless you are a Slashdot reader, in which case, go here [Wikipedia.org] for more information.
- Get out of your rut: Out! Out, you hear?
- Pray/Meditate: However you are most comfortable approaching this.
- Manage your relationship with your television: Self-explanatory
- Stop Multitasking: Being fully engaged in each activity you perform is more satisfying
- Give everything you do a personal touch: practice creativity in everyday life
Read the full article for more in-depth advice on implementing these choices in your life.
June 30th, 2005
According to the July issue of Natural Health magazine, The B vitamin complex can be a good first step in eliminating anxiety.
Nutritional Dietician Cathy Wong is cited as saying that the most effective version will include:
- Thiamin (b1)
- Riboflavin (b2)
- Niacin (b3)
- Pantothenic Acid (b5)
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (b6)
- Folic Acid (b9) and
- Cyanocobalamin (b12)
According to the article, B-complex vitamins are very safe with only harmless side effects such as bright yellow wee-wee and minor flushing of the face (there are flushless formulations available). Wong recommends supplements that provide 50mg each of most b vitamins, with 400 micrograms of Folic Acid.
FOLLOW UP: Body + Soul has an even more in-depth article on the Vitamin B complex. Google cache is here.
June 29th, 2005
The June issue of Prevention Magazine is running an article on the relative benefits of various exercise devices advertized on late-night TV infomercials.
Tested:
- US Ab Force: Not for beginners, potentially dangerous
- Suzanne Somers Toning System: Non-adjustable resistance, easily outgrown
-
Easy Shaper Ultimate: Provides uneven resistance on right and left side of body, Expensive, Upper-body workout is ineffective
- 6 Second Abs: Useless.
- The Ab lounge: Bulky even when not in use, expensive, but very motivating
- Exercise/Stability balls
: Very inexpensive; very effective (with the right routine).
Results: The best rating given to one these devices (excluding the exercise ball) was the US$175.00 Ab Lounge and the less expensive, smaller Ab Lounge 2 from fitnessquest.com.
Related: Best At-Home Exercise Equipment
June 29th, 2005
Not that this is necessarily of interest to most HHDC readers, but Health-Hack.com is now the subject of a blog on the marketing and branding of ad-supported web portals. Meme-a-day provides (hopefully) interesting insights into the motivations, innovations and steep learning curve that end up driving what you see here.
Think of the relationship between the two sites as being like this: HHDC is a restaurant that you can eat at. Meme-a-day is the reality TV show about the creation and operation of that restaurant.
Meme-a-day is very low key, not concerned with being financially self-supporting (because it is hosted for free by Blogger), with no regular “schedule” for posting. I give myself full permission to make a fool of myself there (I only give myself partial permission to do so here)!
Best Health,
-Tut
June 28th, 2005
Yesterday Lifehacker was kind enough to link to us, so it pleases us to be able to return the favor with this article on overcoming the most common annoyances [buddhism.kalachakranet.org] that interfere with attempts at meditation. This is part of a larger article on how to meditate.
The Bullet Points:
- Pain
- numbness and ‘falling asleep’ of the legs
- Sensual desire
- Distraction, restlessness, worry
- Lethargy, drowsiness, sleepiness
- Depression caused by meditation on suffering
June 28th, 2005
Bert Webb of Open Loops has posted a thoughtful write up on Sleep and Productivity, with several useful links.
From the article…
Sources:
Related:
Check it out.
June 28th, 2005
Slashdot has a post on Ergodex’s DX1 adaptive input surface (in the nether-world between a keyboard and a game controller). As usual, many of the /. faithful have contributed their own opinions to make the discussion into a rich resource of ideas.
The DX1 (not pictured above) is remarkable in that it is a square pad to which you can affix keys in any configuration you like, and map those keys to whatever function you like. Some readers expressed doubt that the keys could be so easily detatchable and still be durable enough to withstand a frag-fest.
Alternative favorites mentioned were:
On a sad note, many commenters pointed out that FingerWorks, creators of the much-loved TouchStream LP have gone out of business.
June 28th, 2005
Kelly Kennedy of the Chicago Tribune has a great article on another instance of present-day bionics.
Jesse Sullivan had both of his arms incinerated to the shoulders by electrocution. Prior to amputation, doctors were able to salvage much of his nerve tissue, which they re-routed to his chest for safekeeping.
A microprocessor embedded in his prosthetic left arm interfaces with those nerves to give feedback on touch, pressure and temperature. Sullivan can now gingerly pick up eggs, drinking glasses, et cetera by consciously regulating his grip. He soon expects to be tying his shoes by himself, which is an amazing feat for a double-amputee.
Read more at Slashdot, also.
June 27th, 2005
June 24th, 2005
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