GETTING RID OF YOUR TOXINS

GETTING RID OF YOUR TOXINS

1. What are toxins?

·         We are exposed to toxins daily, either through the polluted air that we breathe, the chemical preservatives in packaged food, or the contaminants in the water.

·         They also come from the emotions we suppress, or the negative thoughts we think of and the energies we absorb from negative environments.

·         It is therefore good to detoxify our minds and bodies regularly.

2. What is detoxification?

·         Detoxification is simply a way of eliminating and neutralizing the collected toxins to restore our natural balance.

·         Detox routines are not just to cleanse you from the effects of drugs and alcohol, but to restore well-being and peace.

3. Symptoms for detoxification

·         Constant tiredness, sluggishness and bloating.

·         Difficulty focusing or concentrating on daily chores.

·         Low immunity – constantly catching colds.

·         Bad breath or body odour from poor diet, smoking, alcohol

·         Irregular bowel movements.

·         Food allergies.

·         Recurring skin ailments.

·         Irritability, depression, pessimism.

4. Advantages of detoxification

·         Feel lighter, healthier and more energetic.

·         Feeling clearer and peaceful.

·         Concentration also improves.

5. Detoxification programmes

·         A detox programme is best done with experts.

·         These vary in intensity and duration, depending on your medical conditions.

·         Detox diets – they can vary from fasting to simply having juices, milk, fruits to more specialized ones for weight loss.

·         Yogic breathing – it clears carbon dioxide from the lungs and stimulates digestive organs.

·         Asanas – they cleanse by focussing on stretching and compressing the body.

·         Herbal and fruit supplements – also help in detoxification, but under medical supervision.

·         Naturopathy – it also involves colon cleansing and enemas.

·         Panchakarma – routines in Ayurveda.

IMPROVING BODY LANGUAGE FOR AN INTERVIEW

IMPROVING BODY LANGUAGE FOR AN INTERVIEW

·         Very few people realize the importance of non-verbal communication during an interview.

·         You may be saying all the right things, but the panelists often look at what your body is telling them.

A. WHEN YOU WALK IN

·         Tidy up yourself before walking in and don’t enter adjusting your clothes.

·         If there is someone to direct you to the interview room, follow the person.

·         It shows that you understand and respect protocol.

·         Greet everyone in the room by making soft eye contact with each.

·         When you extend your hand to greet, come across as trustworthy, rather than confident.

·         Do so with your palm facing upwards as it indicates sincerity and honesty.

·         You can keep your portfolio on the table, but a briefcase or a bag should be on the floor.

·         Keep the belongings on your left so that you are free to shake hands.

·         Don’t keep anything on your lap, which might be seen as trying to create a barrier around yourself.

B. AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW

·         Do not take a seat until you are offered one.

·         Sit in a way that you occupy as much space in the chair as possible.

·         Sit straight, but not as if a steel rod has been inserted in your spine.

·         Keep both feet on the ground, as it allows one to use both hemispheres of one’s brain equally well.

·         Do not cross your legs, since you could be seen as being unsure of yourself.

·         Don’t sit with one leg bent backwards, as it shows you are impatient or nervous.

·         If you keep your head straight, it shows you are neutral to what is being said.

·         Even tilting your head slightly to one side indicates a positive attitude as you are telling the interviewer that you are ready to listen.

·         However, make sure you don’t face the panel with your head pointing downwards, as it signals a negative and judgmental attitude.

·         Also, don’t nod too much as it denotes nervousness and a desperate attempt to agree with the panelists.

·         Eye contact is crucial and should be as natural as possible.

·         If you don’t look at the interviewer in the eye, it implies that you are a shy person, who is unsure of himself.

·         On the other hand, staring at a person without a break can be intimidating.

·         Hold eye contact for about 10 seconds before looking at other members of the panel.

·         Make random eye contact with others before returning to the person who asks the question.

·         At some time, you could look away as you try to think of what to say.

·         However, avoid looking down, which is a sign of embarrassment or shame.

·         Rolling up your eyes or looking away while speaking indicates that you are unsure or shy.

·         Never cross your arms when you are being interviewed.

·         It is a sure sign of a closed mind or defensiveness, implying that you disagree with what the interviewer is saying.

·         Keep your hands in your lap or on your knees, but don’t grip them tightly, which indicates you are tense.

·         If you cover the mouth with the thumb pressed against the cheek, it’s a sure sign of lying.

·         Rubbing lightly below the nose or eyes, touching your ears or scratching your neck can also be indications that you don’t believe what you are saying.

·         If you press the fingertips of your hands together to form a church steeple, it suggests confidence.

·         Clenching your hands together might be seen as a sign of frustration or self-control.

·         Concealing your hands under the table indicates that you have something to hide.

·         Tapping your fingers is another negative action as it shows impatience and nervousness.

·         Shrugging of shoulders signifies that the person is willing to unload the problems or is detached.

C. AFTER THE INTERVIEW

·         After the interview is over, don’t let go of your composure.

·         Gather your belongings calmly, get up slowly but smoothly, and nod your head.

·         If it is not possible to shake hands with everyone, do so at least with the head of the panel and the person who brings you in.

·         Walk out of the room in a smooth and steady manner without hurrying.

·         Even if you slipped up during the interview, a confident good-bye could help improve the impression.

EAR DISORDER

EAR DISORDER (BAROTRAUMA)

·         Barotrauma occurs when the pressure inside the ear does not match the pressure outside, causing discomfort, loss of hearing or injury.

·         It is damage to the middle ear caused by unequal pressure on both sides of the eardrum during changes in atmospheric pressure when the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear with the back of the nose and upper throat, is blocked.

·         This happens particularly to air travelers, scuba divers and drivers in the mountains, who experience changes in pressure.

·         It is also experience by children as they usually have tonsils and adenoid enlargement and swelling.

MAIN CAUSES OF BLOCKAGE

·         Congested nose from allergy, cold, or an upper respiratory infection

·         Swelling in the throat

·         Viral infection hamper the Eustachian tube’s functioning

·         Congenital (before birth) blockage of Eustachian tube

SYMPTOMS

·         Dizziness

·         Ear discomfort or pain in one or both ears

·         Slight, moderate or severe hearing loss

·         Sensation of fullness or stuffiness in the ears

·         Feeling of pressure in the ears (as if underwater)

·         Nosebleed

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

·         Acute ear infection

·         Hearing loss

·         Ruptured or perforated eardrum

·         Vertigo

TREATMENT

·         Inhale, and then gently exhale while holding the nostrils closed and the mouth shut

·         Swallow

·         Yawn

·         Blow nose

·         Steam inhalation

·         Chew gum

·         Suck on candy

·         When flying, do not sleep during the descent

·         Decongestant nasal drops

·         1 out of 100 patients will require a surgical treatment called myringotomy, in which a small incision is made on the eardrum to release the negative pressure in the middle ear.

PREVENTION

·         Use nasal decongestants or antihistamines before altitude changes.

·         Try to avoid altitude changes while you have an upper respiratory infection or allergy attack.

WATCH OUT FOR COMMON FOOD ADDICTIONS

·        Even simple foods could over time turn you into an addict, leading to a situation that you can’t do without them even if you feel sick after a bingeing episode.

·         Bingeing on any food leads to an unbalanced diet and reduced immunity.

·       You know that too much of that food is bad but you ignore the protest of your mind and body.

·       When you try giving it up, you suffer from headaches and feel depressed.

·       Despite what you think, advertisements influence you, so limit your viewing time or mute the TV and walk away during advertisements.

·      Build your willpower by telling yourself that you dislike your favourite food, especially when you crave it, and over time, you will believe it.

1. Sugar

·         Excess sugar leads to diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and pesky skin problems.

·         Ironically, sugar addiction results from depriving your body of its daily sugar requirement in the morning, leading to its craving later in the day.

·         Instead, have a teaspoon of sugar in your morning tea as the body needs glucose to sustain itself through the day.

·         Since starch converts to sugar, you could try filling up on wheat, rice etc. to beat the craving for sweets.

2. Caffeine

·         Caffeine causes the release of adrenaline in the body which makes us feel energized, albeit only for about two hours.

·         To cope with a fast-paced life, we tend to have too many cups every day, which leads to a coffee or tea fix.

·       Just limit your intake to a cup a day, preferably in the afternoon.

3. Salt

·         Salt addiction is common since popular fast foods and packaged snacks are high in salt.

·         This leads to risk of high blood pressure.

·         Cut down on junk food as soon and as much as possible.

·         If you crave for that tangy taste, substitute the same with lemon juice.

4. Mints, supari, gum

·         Some people crave such foods that require them to chew 24/7, which leads to overworked salivary glands.

·         Such cravings are higher on an empty stomach, so try munching on healthy foods and the craving will die down too.

TEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE TURNING 40

1. Develop your own style.

2. Put your sexual and emotional life in order.

3. Know your weaknesses.

4. Know your strengths.

5. Start putting away your “I Quit” money.

6. Develop a successful communication network.

7. Learn to delegate.

8. Learn when to keep your mouth shut.

9. Learn not to worship false gods.

10. Develop your sense of humour.

EYE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

EYE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

·        Your eyes are among the most precious and useful parts of the body.

·        They assume an even more important role in old age when other physical tasks become impossible with the body weakening due to age.

·        At such times, reading and watching television and teaching grandchildren – all tasks done by the eyes – become important.

A. EYE DISEASES OF THE ELDERLY

1. Cataract

·        It is the commonest ailment of age.

·        It causes blurring of vision, haloes around light and difficulty seeing both in sunlight and dark.

·        However, it is treated easily with surgical replacement of the affected lens with an intra-ocular lens.

2. Glaucoma

·        This is a common disease after 50 years of age in which eye pressure increases and damages the optic nerve.

·        Diagnosis is through 4 tests and treatment is primarily with eye drops.

·        In patients where pressure is uncontrolled with drugs, surgical procedures are available.

3. Dry eye

·        It is a common problem in old age, when tear-producing glands produce less than the required amount of tears.

·        One then needs lubricant drops in the eye.

·        This disease is diagnosed clinically by Scrimer’s test.

B. EFFECT OF AGE ON THE EYES

·        Ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney and liver disease, arthritis, asthma, thyroid, cancer and allergies also affect the eyes.

·        These cause frequent change in power of glasses, early development of cataract, swelling (inflammation) of inner structures of the eye, hemorrhages and blockages in the retina and damage to optic nerves, leading to vision deterioration and even blindness.

·        Diabetes and high BP can cause bleeding inside the eye and blockage of blood vessels, causing temporary or permanent vision loss.

C. EYE CHECKUP AND PREVENTION

·        In old people who have ailments associated with lifestyles and age, eye checks should be done every 6 months.

·        In the elderly with no systemic illnesses, a yearly checkup is advised.

·        Diabetics should keep strict watch over their sugar and BP levels, as sudden fluctuations damage the eyes.

·        Assessment for cataract, eye pressure, and retina is important.

·        Check glasses yearly, and if there are frequent changes in power, consider it a warning sign.

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR BEING A GOOD COMMUNICATOR

1. Seek to clarify your ideas before communicating.

2. Examine the true purpose of each communication.

3. Consider the total physical and human setting whenever you communicate.

4. Consult with others, where appropriate, in planning communications.

5. Be mindful of the overtones as well as the basic content of your communication.

6. Take the opportunity, when it arises, to convey something of help or value to the receiver.

7. Follow up your communication.

8. Communicate for tomorrow as well as for today.

9. Be sure that your actions support your communications.

10. Seek not only to be understood but to understand by being a good listener too.