Most adults will experience some level of back pain at some point in life. Statistics Canada reports that four of every five adults will experience this. For those who experience severe or chronic back pain, career choice and office set up may have to be taken into consideration. Even those who do not experience regular back pain may find that hours of sitting at an office desk in a regular chair can lead to back strain or stiffness. When used properly, an ergonomic chair can help to reduce stress on the back during the long work hours or during leisure time at home. Those with chronic conditions may find that the right chair can help alleviate some of their back pain.

What To Look For

 

When purchasing a chair appropriate for a bad back, look for the label of "ergonomic" or one that is designed to help reduce back and other joint stress. To be classified as ergonomic, a chair should be adjustable, have a sturdy frame, good lumbar support and padding.

However, many chairs that are not truly ergonomic can be listed as such by meeting this basic criteria, so there are other factors to consider. A chair should have a high back, good lumbar support, and be adjustable in height, tilt, seating position and reclining angle. The arm rests must be sturdy and adjustable to ensure that you can use your arms to help alleviate some of the pressure on your back. The chair should be able to turn so that you can reach things without having to twist.

Other Factors to Consider

 

Take into consideration the fabric and cushioning of the seat and back itself, the warranty and high end add-ons. Fabric and cushioning may be almost as important as the adjustable features of the chair. The fabric should be breathable and you should find the level of cushioning comfortable in which to sit. Some chairs have adjustable tension in the backrest available and this may also be considered in the cushioning,

There are options for high end add ons. Perhaps the most common add on is built in heating pads in the back. Helt helps reduce back pain, especially muscle pain. Due to the high cost associated with these chairs, they are often outside the budgets of most. However, if this is feature you would like, use a regular heating pad.

When One Chair Is Not Enough

 

If you are finding at that even a high end chair does not do the job, use a combination of chairs as a solution. For example, some people with bad backs use a kneeling chair on occasion. Along with their good computer chair, this helps reduce spinal stress. The kneeling chairs are often hard on the knees if used alone, so this combination can be good for the joints when used properly

Move If Necessary and Keep your Office Back Friendly

 

If you suffer from severe back pain, even a perfect chair or combination of chairs may not be enough. In these instances, light movement such as walking to the photocopier or just standing to stretch for a moment, may help.

Ensure that your office space is set up in such a manner that twisting motions are not necessary and that all height adjustments (desk and chair) work appropriately together. This will help to ensure that you do not put unnecessary strain on your spine.


Source: eHow
Author:Jenn Taylor

In the modern era every human diet includes too much of animal proteins and processed foods and they neglects to include enough plants and whole foods. In the long run, this will lead to a very real health consequences.

What is a Healthy Diet

Healthy diets emphasize fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean animal proteins, like chicken and fish, and low fat dairy. Healthy diets discourage overconsumption of red meat, trans fats and saturated fats, sugars and processed foods.

Benefits for the Heart

Eating unsaturated fats and fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and your overall risk of heart disease. The April 2009 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine published a complex survey of almost 200 studies and 1 million participants. The researchers confirmed that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and unsaturated fats contributes to improved heart health.

Fight Obesity

People who eat less calorie dense foods like fruits and vegetables tend to weigh less. Leaner cuts of meat and lower fat dairy contain less calories but still fill you up.

Cancer Prevention

Healthy foods, particularly richly colored fruits and vegetables, contain antioxidants which fight free radicals that can cause cells to mutate and become cancerous. The American Heart Association, The World Cancer Research Fund, the American Institute for Cancer Research and the National Cancer Institute all recommend a diet high in fruits and vegetables to maximize antioxidant intake.

Whole Foods

Popping a vitamin and bunch of supplements will not be as effective as a healthy diet full of whole foods. The body better digests and breaks down the components in whole foods and can make better use of them.

Source: eHow

When beginning your fitness crusade while in the throes of obesity, you will need to come to terms with the fact that you have further to go before reaching your ideal physique. It's important to understand that the quest for health is not only about the destination, but the journey itself. Although making the initial changes towards leading a healthy lifestyle might seem an insurmountable challenge, everyone can improve their appearance with dedicated effort and perseverance.

Instructions

A Healthy New You

1. The first thing to do to ensure success in your newfound struggle against obesity is to go through your kitchen (and wherever else you stash food), and discard all items except for the following: fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, dairy, and healthy natural sources of fat (like plain walnuts, almonds, cashews, olive oil, fish oil, avocados and coconuts). This means you will have to discard most frozen foods, all processed foods, all unhealthy snack items and all sugary sweets. Keeping your kitchen free of temptation is key to keeping yourself healthy, according to nutritionist and biochemist Dr. John Berardi, Ph.D.

2. Now it's time to fill your cupboards with healthy options. In general, you should only buy naturally occurring foods that are sold in their original state, in other words foods that aren't heavily processed, full of trans fats or chemicals; stick to fresh meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, and the like. Use the attached links at the bottom of the page titled "Berardi's Kitchen" (parts I and II) to find out exactly which items are in compliance with your new healthy lifestyle. You should aim to consume five to six small meals throughout the day, with each meal containing a lean protein source (chicken, turkey, seafood, or low-fat beef), a fruit, a vegetable, and a healthy unsaturated fat source (like almonds, avocados, coconuts, olive oil, or other assorted nuts). Abstain from all items that are processed, fried, contain refined (white) flour, or sugary. Likewise, seriously limit or completely abstain from alcohol consumption throughout the course of your diet.

3. To track your progress you will need to keep a food journal. This is a simple notebook that contains a list of the foods you consume on each day along with their caloric content. Use an online calorie calculator to determine how many calories you can consume and lose weight. A general rule of thumb is that you need to create a 500-calorie deficit through food restriction and exercise. By writing down everything you eat, it will give you an honest picture of why and when you eat too much.

4. To further combat obesity you will need to institute a regular regime of morning walking or some kind of exercise. At least four days out of the week you will be going on a 30 to 45 minute walk--this should be done the first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. According to nutritionist Dr. Lonnie Lowery, after a long, overnight fast your body is primed to use fat as a fuel source, so you should give it the opportunity by engaging in regular brisk walking nearly every morning.

5. The fourth thing you will need to do is engage in a regular program of resistance training at least three times per week. Resistance training can help to jumpstart your metabolism and help your burn off stubborn fat deposits. While in the gym you should stick to whole body workout sessions using only compound lifts like the leg press, squat, dead-lift, lunges, bench press, overhead press, push-ups, lat pull-down, pull-ups, dips, and rows. Descriptions of these exercises can be found under the attached link titled Exercise List. These are the best "bang-for-your-buck" exercises to lose weight in a hurry, so make them the staple of your training sessions to avoid wasting time in the gym. Three to four sets of eight to ten repetitions for each body part should suffice to get you started losing fat fast.

Source: eHow

Do you ever glance at your current physique in the mirror and wonder what your significant other sees in you? Or, do you constantly hear your companion complaining about her figure (or lack thereof) or questioning you about yours? The answer to some of those body woes is simply getting up and doing something physical you both enjoy. The steps below can help you construct a workout plan that will help you and your mate get motivated and active, while enjoying one another at the same time.

Instructions

1. Sit down with your mate and figure out when a dual workout fits into both of your schedules. Sometimes agreeing on the workout time it is the most difficult part of the process.
2. Write down your commitment on a calendar that both of you look at on a daily or weekly basis. Seeing your intentions in writing helps you follow through on them better.
3. Decide on a plan that both of you can learn to enjoy. For example, choose something neutral if you both like to do opposite things (choose biking if you like to run and he likes to jump rope). Or, choose something neither of you have ever tried. That way, you are both learning something new together. Some ideas are partner yoga, spinning or even salsa dancing. Mix it up and get creative.
4. Begin your quality time together. You will notice how much better you feel doing something good for your body with the one you love, rather than spending time sitting in front of the television. However, if you both need your daily intake of TV, you can also find many quality exercise videos on demand through your cable or satellite provider, at the local video store (many have free fitness sections) and at the nearby library. Learning new aerobics steps, kickboxing moves or even striptease dances may be the most fun you have all week.
5. Remember to be each other's motivation. If one person is always helping the other one get inspired, there is less of a chance you will quit. Plus, the overall outcome will improve your self-esteem and confidence, as well as give you a whole new outlook about your partner.

Whether you had a stressful event or a heavy workout, there are times when you are exhausted either physically, mentally or both. Exhaustion often results in the inability to move or get motivated to perform even the most mundane tasks. Recovery often requires some proactive steps that help you to recover from exhaustion and get back on the road to optimal health.

Instructions

1. Drink plenty of water to help your body to recover both mentally and physically from feelings of exhaustion. The brain can misinterpret signals caused by dehydration as fatigue. In order to maintain proper hydration, drink at least 64 ounces of water daily. If you have performed a strenuous physical activity, you may need to re-balance electrolytes. Sports drinks often contain electrolytes that will help you to regain a healthy electrolyte level.

2. Try a recovery drink that contains amino acids. Drinking 500 mg to 3 grams of l-carnitine and 10 to 30 grams of creatine will help increase energy. And 5 grams of l-glutamine, along with 100 to 200 mg of l-tyrosine, are helpful for recovery. L-lysine and l-arginine will help the body to recover more quickly and increase muscular growth. Recovery drinks containing these amino acids can be found in most health food stores.

3. Exercise to increase energy. Sciencedaily.com indicates that exercise helps to decrease the onset and development of conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, all of which may contribute to exhaustion. In addition, exercise increases the level of endorphins in the blood, which brings about increased feelings of well-being.

4. See a doctor and have your hormones checked. If you have an underlying hormonal imbalance, it could lead to feeling fatigued.

5. Get plenty of sleep. Your body needs time to recover from activities, illness or psychological trauma. Try to sleep at least eight to10 hours per night. In addition, go to sleep at the same time each night to develop a consistent sleeping pattern and turn off all things that might cause noise and distractions. Keep the room as dark as possible.

Source: eHow

Good nutrition and exercise decisions are an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. According to the Calorie Control Council, 65 percent of American adults are overweight as of 2009. Many dieters seek to lose weight by cutting their caloric and fat intake. If you are trying to lose weight, identify the amount of pounds you would like to lose so you can burn the correct amount of calories and fat to meet your goal.

Instructions

1. Eat enough food. Some dieters believe that cutting their food intake dramatically will assist them with burning calories and fat when it usually does the opposite. Keep a daily record of everything you eat and focus on eating 1,200 to 2,000 calories, depending on your height and weight. Consume a diet rich in complex carbohydrates and lean protein as each will give you calorie-burning energy.

2. Do cardiovascular exercise three to five days each week. According to Marie Claire, the body takes 15 minutes to start burning calories, so attempt to exercise at least 30 minutes to an hour. Try workouts such as biking, swimming and running. The American Heart Association suggests staying within your target heart rate---up to 85 percent of your maximum rate.

3. Complete strength training workouts every other day. Introducing weights to your fitness routine will add muscle to your body. According to Mayo Clinic, a regular strength training routine will reduce your body fat and allow you to burn calories faster. Training can be done at a gym or with free weights and machines at your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your physician before starting a new fitness or eating plan as you made need a physical. If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid burning calories and fat for weight loss because you may cut off nutrients to your baby. If you need assistance with correctly using weight machines and free weights, speak to a trainer as you can hurt yourself with improper use.

Source: eHow

Sometimes when you get a paper cut, it can be more painful then if you were to get a bigger cut. To prevent a paper cut from getting infected, it must be taken care of properly and immediately.

Instructions

1. Wash your hands completely with soap and water. This will help remove some of the germs that are currently in or around the cut. Don't just wash around the area where you have the paper cut. Germs can transfer from elsewhere on your hand when you go to apply your bandage. Make sure your hands are washed well.

2. Hold your hand over the sink and pour peroxide over the paper cut. It should produce a little bit of white foam. To be thorough, pour peroxide over the paper cut again.

3. Pat the area around the cut dry with a paper towel. Don't touch the cut at all, just dry off the area around it so that the bandage can properly stick.

4. Put a topical ointment on the paper cut. The ointment will help with the pain and will also help the cut heal properly. It is best to consult your doctor or a local pharmacist as to which topical ointment you should you use.

5. Place the bandage carefully over the paper cut. Make sure that the padded part of the bandage is completely covering the paper cut so that no germs can get in. Press firmly onto the sticky parts of the band-aid that are on either side of the padded middle to completely stick it to your skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Should you have any questions, talk to your doctor or local pharmacist. If the cut gets or looks any worse, don't take any chances and immediately contact your doctor.

Source: eHow

Research shows that high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes are linked to obesity. You can help avoid these diseases by making sure that you have a healthy body mass index. Finding your body mass index requires a quick calculation of your weight and height, which determines how much body fat you have. A healthy body mass index is between 18.5 and 24.9. Knowing your body mass index gives you a starting point from which you can take action to lower your weight or, if your body mass index is normal, maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Instructions

1. Weigh yourself in pounds.


2. Measure your height in inches.


3. Square your height in inches. (Multiply the number by itself.)


4. Divide your body weight by your height squared.


5. Multiply the result by 703. The result is your body mass index. For example, if you are 150 pounds and 63 inches tall, calculate your BMI as follows: 150/(63x63) = 0.0377 x 703 =26.5.


6. Compare your results to the following ranges: a body mass index below 18.5 indicates that you are underweight while normal range is 18.5 through 24.9. A body mass index of 25.0 through 29.9 indicates that you are overweight, while 30.0 through 34.9 is considered obese and anything over 40.0 is classified as extreme obesity.

Source :eHow

Summer is here, and along with summer comes the mosquitoes and every other bug that lives in the heat. Mosquitoes of course bite and leave one of the worse itches that any bug can possibly leave. You know that once you have been bitten, all you want to do is scratch it completely off, or find something to stop it from itching. Here are some great ways to help relieve that itching feeling from the mosquito bite.

Instructions

1. Grab a tube of Orajel, yes the toothache reliever and place just a little dab on the mosquito bites. This will immediately numb the skin and relieve that itching feeling for a couple of hours. Repeat once the itching comes back.
2. Get yourself a butter knife and place it directly on the mosquito bite. Press down and make an X with the knife. This spreads out the protein in the bite and stop it from itching for about an hour or so. Works just like your fingernail, just cleaner. Unless of course you have completely sanitized your fingernails.
3. Place a band-aid tight on the mosquito bite. This will completely stop all the itch until it is taken off. The best ones to use are the small circle ones that cover the bite completely.
4. Last but not least, a very hot wash cloth place directly on the bite will stop the itching for quite sometime. Try and make the wash cloth as hot as you can possibly stand it, without burning yourself. Repeat process when itching begins again.

While there are a number of first aid kits available for purchase, they often lack some supplies you need or have extras you do not need. Instead of buying the prepackaged version, you can save money and ensure that your kit includes everything you need by creating your own.

Instructions

1. Select a small box or bag which is light weight, portable and can hold all of your first aid supplies. Your kit should be waterproof as well, particularly if you will travel with it away from home; however, sealing your supplies inside of zipper baggies is usually all you need to do the job.


2. Make sure that your kit contains important basic medical supplies. The number of each item in your kit will depend on the size of your family; however, when it comes to bandages, gauze and other lightweight items, the more the merrier. Make sure your kit includes antiseptic wash, medical tape, anesthetic spray or lotion, 4-inch sterile gauze pads, various sizes of ace bandages and adhesive bandages, oral antihistamines, gloves, antibiotic ointment, scissors and tweezers.


3. Keep other must haves in your first aid kit as well. For example, if someone in your family has allergies, the first aid kit is a great place to keep shots or emergency medications prescribed by your doctor. You might also include emergency phone numbers, snake bite kits, ipecac, charcoal tablets or other items in your home first aid kit.


4. Separate your first aid kit into two sections. One section should include all of your basic medical supplies, such as bandages and ointments, while the second compartment should include medications. Again, make sure that everything is kept in zipper baggies.

Avocados are touted by some for having healing properties and qualities that improve the body's well-being. Avocado pits have been used to create hair treatments and poultices for bodily discomforts. While it can be difficult to work with these seeds because of their solid composition, you can grate and cook them to make them more manageable and useful for your healing recipes.

Instructions

• Cut an avocado in half with a knife. Be sure to handle the fruit carefully while you are cutting it, as the insides can be slippery. Cut or scoop out the pit in the middle and wash off any excess avocado flesh. Pat the seed dry.


• Grate the avocado pit into small pieces. Hold the pit firmly in your hand and apply it somewhat forcefully to the grater. This can be a little difficult; it is not always easy to hold onto the hard, small seeds. Keep a tight grip and take your time to grate the seed into a pile of slivers. Repeat this step as needed.


• Follow the instructions in your recipe to measure out the necessary amount of water into the pot. Bring the water to a boil. Add the grated pit pieces to the water. Continue following your recipe's instructions to complete your cooked product or poultice.

Source: eHow