Archive for November, 2005
Ah, the humble Push-up. Memories of high school and summer camp…
Has it been a while for you, too? Exercise machines and free weights have a lot of appeal, but there is a certain tactile sensual quality to brisk, properly-performed calisthenics.
According to an article on the University of Manitoba’s Fitness site, push-ups offer the following benefits:
“Pushups improve range of motion in the upper body and overall upper body strength. They’re important to a fitness regimen for developing general body strength, and core body strength… Pushups can also contribute to better posture and help protect your back from injury and strain.”
Read all about performing the perfect Push-Up:
Pushups! [U of Manitoba]
Found through LifeHut
November 30th, 2005
Men’s Health has posted a list of cool health hacks for everything from controlling the urge to pee to stopping a nosebleed.
The (hyperbole-laden) Bullet List:
- If your throat tickles, scratch your ear!
- Experience supersonic hearing!
- Overcome your most primal urge!
- Feel no pain!
- Clear your stuffed nose!
- Fight fire without water!
- Cure your toothache without opening your mouth!
- Make burns disappear!
- Stop the world from spinning!
- Unstitch your side!
- Stanch blood with a single finger!
- Make your heart stand still!
- Thaw your brain!
- Prevent near-sightedness!
- Wake the dead!
- Impress your friends!
- Breathe underwater!
- Read minds!
Read the full article:
18 Tricks to Teach Your Body [Men's Health]
November 30th, 2005
In researching a story on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, I came across a really weird snippet of a story from a british web site.
The article was on health-care rationing policies put in place in east Suffolk. Apparently doctors do some odd stuff to children over there:
“Other conditions affected by the new thresholds are the insertion of grommets in children, varicose veins, rectal surgery/investigation, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s Disease, trigger finger, ganglion, prostatism or inguinal hernia.”
See it yourself:
Professor hits out at PCT cutbacks [East Anglian Daily Times]
November 29th, 2005
A friend of ours (Hi, Jodi!) offered us a great hack for getting past irregularity (of the bowel variety) without resorting to laxatives or worse. After a few weeks’ testing on one adult and one very constipated child, we are pleased to give it our thumbs up.
Here it is:
While mixing one large serving of instant (decaf and unsweetened) iced tea, replace the water in the directions with an equal measure of apple juice. Drink daily to stay regular.
November 29th, 2005
A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) published in the November issue of Health Psychology demonstrates that exposure to stress over a long period of time can raise a person’s serum cholesterol level. These increases were seen in both low-density lipoprotein (LDL- “bad cholesterol“) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL- “good cholesterol“)
In initial testing, some subjects saw little cholesterol level elevation in response to stress stimulus, while others - even in the short term- saw a marked increase. By the end of the three year study, all subjects overall lipid levels were higher but the group who responded the most profoundly to sress stimulus were three times more likely to have a level of ‘bad’ (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol above clinical thresholds. This was demonstrated to be independent of other risk factors.
Researcher Dr. Andrew Steptoe states, “It appears that a person’s reaction to stress is one mechanism through which higher lipid levels may develop.”
Read More:
Stress can raise a person’s lipid levels [News-Medical.Net ]
November 29th, 2005
“Reader” “Chris” hit us with a bunch of comments this morning. They were insightful nuggets like:
“Office Ergonomics is the utmost thing to be considered for maintaining good ergonomics at the office.”
Please. Really.
We love comments, but prefer legit ones!
November 29th, 2005
This week we are proud to feature the support of ThinkGeek.com
.
Please visit them for all your Geeking (or Gifting) needs, From Caffeinated Gum to USB Lava Lamps!
November 29th, 2005
The Australian National University provides online depression-prevention therapy through a web site called The MoodGYM.
Give this free service a try:
The MoodGYM: cognitive behaviour therapy for preventing depression
November 28th, 2005
We are now in the Holiday season. During this time of year, auto injuries are a huge problem owing to (among other things) poor weather conditions and incautious drinking. Please consider donating blood before shortages occur.
Give Blood: The American Red Cross
November 28th, 2005
I couldn’t help notice the cover of the new US magazine as I was at the grocery store this morning. The cover story is on Hollywood Dieting tricks. Also on the cover was a picture of, I believe, Linsey Lohan looking like an albino Rwandan orphan refugee.
Whatever celebrities say in print, I always get the impression that the real “secret Hollywood diet”, you know - the one you get a copy of with your first movie contract along with Oprah’s phone number and the diagram demonstrating the “secret movie-star handshake”, consists of two things only: Cocaine and Syrup of Ipecac.
I feel bad, in a way, for Hollywood celebrities; particularly the females. Youth, beauty and slimness are far more commoditised than actual acting ability or even human kindness. Young people like Lohan and the Olsen twins walk a precarious tightrope. Nicole Ritchie has no oscar in her future, so she destroys herself in an effort to be what she thinks she needs to be to succeed. If a starlet dares to go outside sans makeup, or get one tiny wiggle of cellulite, the tabloids are there to punish her for that moral failure.
Well, I doubt most HHDC readers get their health advice from rags like US, but if you do, remember that while there are many ways to lose weight, not all are created equal. Low Fat - why not? Low Carb? That works, too. Just remember any real diet actually allows food to be eaten and then kept in the body until excreted through the normal bodily functions.
If you have a friend or loved one who has a serious eating problem, please urge them to seek help.
/end rant
November 28th, 2005
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