Monday, December 22, 2008

Silent Library "Very Funny Show"

T R A V E L T I P S


Before Leaving Home:

Tell the people around you when and where you're going to have a vacation. Just keep them informed about it so that they'll have an idea about when will they will expect you to be back.

Ask someone, maybe a friend, neighbor or relative, to pick up mails and newspapers for you.

Bring adequate amount of traveller's check so that you won't have to bring lots of cash.

Have your passport photocopied, if you are travelling overseas, and pack it in a different place than the original. It the passport is lost or stolen, the photocopy may serve as proof that you have a valid passport.

Make sure that all windows and doors are closed, and that all appliances are turned off and disconnected to the electric outlets.

Avoid too much baggage, bring only the necessary things that you need.

Always bring some medicines like anti colds and vitamins for your medication.

When travelling by a car be sure that it is working in prefect condition.

Be sure to put your name and your destination in your luggages. In case of lost the finder can return it immediately.

Put your personal and valuable belongings in a safe place.

It is also a good thing to have padlocks in your suitcase to avoid lost.

Dont forget to bring your camera or a video camera when you travel. Memories are never to be forgotten.

Don't be in a hurry take your time to prepare all the necessary things you need.


While Traveling :

Do not bring large amounts of money with you. As much as possible, bring only the minimum amount you need and the credit card(s) you use.

Distribute the cash you have in your pockets.

It is good to have travel books, brochures or leaflets while you travel. You can use them to know the cheapest hotels, restaurants and best food about your destination.

Be a part of a group tour in order to explore the different insights of your destination.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Headaches



It is estimated that between 40 and 50 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches. Headaches are believed to be the result of an electrical and chemical imbalance at centers in the brain that regulate blood vessels around the head and neck. Headaches may be caused by a wide variety of factors including stress, reactions to certain foods, hormonal imbalances, genetic predisposition, fatigue, noise, and glare.


• What are the different types of headaches?
• When should I consult a physician?
• How can I prevent a headache?
• How do I treat a headache?
• Are there effective alternative remedies for treating a headache?

What are the different types of headaches?

Tension headaches are the most common type and are typically caused by muscle contraction in the head and neck. Lasting between five and six hours, a tension headache is characterized by dull, steady pain that feels like a band tightening around your head. Vascular headaches, which include cluster and migraine headaches, are the result of overactive blood vessels. A migraine can last between 12 and 24 hours and is often accompanied by nausea and other symptoms. Cluster headaches, which typically affect men, are accompanied by throbbing pain around one red, watery eye, and nasal congestion. A sinus headache is characterized by congestion and steady pain behind your face that worsens if you bend forward.


When should I consult a physician?


While most people experience occasional tension headaches, in certain cases a headache may be a symptom of a more serious condition. A very severe headache that appears suddenly, one that continues for more than a week following a head injury, or one that worsens instead of getting better with time, should be investigated. If your headache is accompanied by fever and a stiff neck, see your physician to rule out meningitis or another serious infection. Also consult a doctor if your headache is accompanied by disturbed vision or speech, numbness or weakness on one part of the body, blackouts, or confused thinking, or loss of memory.

How can I prevent a headache?


• Exercise regularly
• Try to reduce stress
• Identify precipitating factors including foods, alcohol, and oversleeping. Trigger foods typically include hard cheeses, chocolate, dairy products, MSG, and caffeine.
• Avoid overuse of pain relievers. Rebound headaches can occur when pain relievers are taken too often, reducing your body’s natural ability to fight pain. When using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, follow package directions.

How do I treat a headache?


In most cases, you will probably find relief in OTC pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen).


• For chronic headaches, you should consult your physician.
• For sinus headaches, decongestants and antibiotics can provide relief.


Are there effective alternative remedies for treating a headache?


• Supplements and herbal products have been shown to be effective in preventing migraines.In particular, magnesium supplements, riboflavin and the herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) may be worth trying if you suffer from migraines.


• Biofeedback and relaxation therapy have been shown to help relieve tension headaches. Biofeedback is a method of learning to regulate biological processes such as heartbeat, blood flow, and blood pressure. Relaxation therapy takes many forms, including meditation, visualization, and breathing exercises, which are most productive if practiced daily.


• Chiropractic manipulation has been shown to alleviate tension headaches caused by muscle strain brought on by poor posture. Some studies have shown spinal manipulation to result in better long-term benefits and fewer side effects than drug therapy. If your job requires you to sit for long periods, work at a computer, or perform repetitive motions, chiropractic may help reduce the incidence of headaches.


• Hypnosis has been shown to work as a treatment for chronic pain, but its success depends to a large extent on an individual’s responsiveness to hypnotic suggestion. Hypnosis is similar to relaxation therapy, but it also allows a therapist to access subconscious parts of the mind, which may reveal emotional traumas or underlying psychological causes of stress.


• Acupuncture may help to reduce pain and frequency of headaches. It is believed that the thin needles used in treatment may stimulate the nervous system to release endorphins or other chemicals and hormones that affect mood and pain perception. Studies suggest that acupuncture is most effective in tension-type headaches and migraines.
The following remedies are supported by anecdotal information, but have not been studied in clinical trials.


• Massage therapy can relax the headache-induced pain in muscles in the head, neck, face, and shoulders.


• Homeopathic remedies are available over-the-counter to treat specific types of headaches, but are best prescribed by a homeopathic practitioner, since ideally each remedy is tailored to an individual’s unique characteristics. There is no danger in trying a remedy for an acute headache, however, and homeopathy books are helpful in describing specific headache symptoms for each remedy.


• Aromatherapy oils that may help relax muscles and ease headache pain include lavender, eucalyptus, wintergreen, peppermint, and rosemary. Aromatherapy oils can be applied through massages, baths, and vaporization.


Consult your physician before trying an alternative therapy. Be sure to mention if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription drugs.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

How to Prevent a Flu


Step1
Avoid sharing drinking and eating utensils with people who are sick.

Step2

Wash your hands before eating'it really does help keep germs away.

Step3

Increase your vitamin C intake'which may boost your immune system'by eating ample amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. Oranges, tomatoes and broccoli are good choices.

Step4

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Herbal teas and diluted fruit juices are good options for increasing your water intake.

Step5

Get enough sleep. Most people need at least 7 to 8 hours a night for optimal rest.

Step6

Manage your stress. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system.

Step7

Take a multivitamin every day to make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals.

Step8

Exercise regularly'it's been shown to reduce the occurrence of colds and flu.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Tips on Avoiding Stress


Tips on Avoiding Stress and Depression

  • Do not get mad at yourself
  • Be organized and prepared
  • Make time for fun
  • Make time for relaxing
  • Exercise
  • Eat healthy foods
  • Stay positive
  • Go to sleep at a regular time
  • Plan your time ahead
  • Be around people who make you feel happy
  • Be around people who you can talk to about your feelings
  • Stay away from people or situations that make you feel stressed

Tips on Managing Depression

  • Exercise/Yoga/Meditation
  • Eat healthy
  • Relax
  • Use support systems (friends, family, advisors, counselors)
  • Medication
  • Counseling/Therapy
  • Be social (go out and do fun things with your friends)
  • Don’t use drugs and alcohol they will make you feel worse
  • Get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors
  • Try to think about the good things in your life

Tips on Dealing with Homesickness

  • Stay busy
  • Meet new people/ Make new friends
  • Set goals to meet while you are in Canada
  • Join clubs to meet people
  • Balance time spent talking with family and friends at home with time spent talking with people in Canada
  • Do not spend all of your time in your bedroom or the computer lab
  • Try the open door policy (Leave your door to your room open sometimes to let people know that you are there to talk)
  • Be confident in yourself
  • Stay positive and open to new things

10 Tips for Preventing Pimples



1.
Keep your face clean. Whether or not you have pimples, it's important to wash your face daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and excess oil from the skin surface. Use warm, not hot, water and a mild facial cleanser. Using a harsh soap (like deodorant body soap) can injure the already inflamed skin and cause more irritation.

Avoid scrubbing your skin harshly with a washcloth, exfoliating glove, or loofah (a coarse-textured sponge). Gently wash it with your clean hands or a very soft cloth. Always rinse well, and then dry your face with a clean towel. (Toss the towel in the laundry hamper, as dirty towels spread bacteria.)

2. Moisturize. Many topical acne products contain ingredients that dry the skin, so always use a moisturizer that minimizes dryness and skin peeling. A gel-based moisturizer usually works well for oily skin. If you have dry skin, try a moisturizing cream or lotion. Combination skin may need two products (cream or lotion for the dry section; a gel for the oily part). Always hydrate your skin with water before you moisturize it.

3. Try an over-the-counter acne product . Topical (those applied to the skin) acne products may contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial agent with a drying effect, or salicylic acid, an agent that sloughs off skin and gets rid of bacteria. Start with a small amount at first. Then increase or decrease the amount and how often you apply it, depending on how much peeling or drying you have. Use these ointments with caution if you have sensitive skin. Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and scaling of the skin. It can also bleach your clothes, towel, and hair.

4. Use makeup sparingly.During a breakout, try to avoid wearing foundation, powder, or blush. If you do wear makeup, wash it off at the end of the day. If possible, select oil-free cosmetics without added dyes and chemicals. Water-based cosmetics are available. Read the ingredients list on the product label before buying.

5. Watch what you put on your hair. Avoid using fragrances, oils, and harsh chemicals on your hair. These ingredients can drip on the face, blocking the skin pores and irritating the skin. Stick to a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Oily hair can add to the oil on your face, so wash hair often, especially during a pimple outbreak. If your hair is long, keep it pulled off your face.

6. Keep your hands off your face . Avoid touching your face or propping your cheek or chin on your hands. Not only can you spread bacteria, you can also irritate the already inflamed facial skin. Never pick or pop pimples with your fingers, as it can result in infection and scarring.

7. Stay out of the sun . The sun's ultraviolet rays can increase inflammation and redness. Further, both oral and topical acne medications may increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Whether you have pimples or not, always apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. Look for a non-acnegenicsunscreen to decrease the chance of new pimples. Again, always read the ingredients on the product label to know what you're putting on your skin.

8. Feed your skin.Most experts agree that certain foods, like chocolate and chips, do not trigger pimple outbreaks. Still, it makes sense to avoid greasy food and junk food and add more fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains to your diet. Some studies show that eating foods high in vitamin A and beta-carotene may boost your immunity and skin health. Carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, apricots, kale, and spinach are all high in beta-carotene, the type of vitamin A produced by plants.

9. Exercise daily .Regular exercise is good for your mind and your body, including your skin - the body's largest organ. Working out reduces anxiety and boosts blood flow throughout the body. When you exercise, avoid wearing clothing or using exercise equipment that rubs on the skin and may cause irritation. Also, avoid wearing hats, goggles, or helmets that cause you to sweat excessively, as this can irritate the skin and increase bacteria. Always shower or bathe right after exercise.

10. Chill! Experts believe that our emotional state is related to all aspects of health, including skin function. Some studies link stress with the severity of pimples or acne. Take time to understand your stress reactions. Also, try to figure out what's causing you to feel stressed. Find effective ways to deal with stress before it builds up and causes a breakout.


While pimples are normal during your teen years, it is important to learn some daily self-care steps to manage skin problems before they get more serious. If in doubt, check with your health care provider to see if further treatment is necessary for preventing or stopping pimples.