Water therapy that works!

Water has been used as a stress reliever for centuries. Go for a swim, sit in a sauna or relax in a Jacuzzi. Twice a month, soak your body in a hot bath to which you've added a cup of sea salt and a cup of bicarbonate of soda. It will relax your muscles and make you drowsy, helping you having a good night's rest and ensuring you wake up feeling refreshed and energised. 

The jalopy called South Africa

Facts about Back Pain

Many people suffer from back pain and most of them can deal with it on their own. Here are some facts about back pain:

• Most back pain settles quickly enough to allow a sufferer to continue with normal activities of life.
• It affects about 80% of the population at some point in their lives.
• Approximately half of the people who get backache will have it again within a couple of years. However, this does not mean it is serious.
• Most people return to normal activities between attacks with few if any symptoms.
• During an attack the pain can be very severe and some physical activities may need to be reduced for a time.
• Rest for more than two days usually does not help and may do more harm than good. It is better if you can keep moving.
• Your back is designed to move; the sooner you return to normal activity the sooner your back will feel better.
• The people who cope best with back pain are those who stay active and continue with their lives despite the pain.

As mentioned above, many people experience back pain at some time in their lives. Problems can occur suddenly after an accident or injury, or as the result of a slow gradual process due to lack of exercise or poor posture. Incorrect posture throws the head forward and puts a tremendous amount of stress on the muscles in the back of the neck and upper shoulders. Muscles in this position maintain a constant state of contraction, resulting in injury and subsequent discomfort. Poor sleeping habits, poor work habits, and tension can all contribute to this problem. While tension is not often the primary cause, it can certainly worsen pain and make you more prone to injury.

Got Rhythm?

Want to thrive while juggling job and family?  Get into a regular rhythm of work and rest.  It's as vital as inhaling and exhaling.

The right rhythm for you is uniquely yours. 

A daily period of 10 to 20 minutes to relax and rejuvenate can do wonders.  You might decide that one day per week; you'll avoid work related to your paid job and keep household chores to a minimum.  Vacations of several days or longer are marvellous to look forward to.

The key is to make periods of relaxation a regular part of your weekly, monthly and yearly schedule.

START SMALL.

Short breaks are the easiest to schedule.  Even moms with toddlers can manage a few minutes a day to read, pray, stretch or whatever else helps you find your center.

During the spring when my first child was learning to walk, I benefited enormously from spending just five minutes a day reading The Physics of Star Trek.  Over time, my rhythm came to include longer rest periods, with even greater benefits.

Now, if I slip out of my rhythm, my family reminds me to get back into it.  They can tell the difference in me!

So, don't wait until you're frazzled and depleted.  If you haven't do so already, start experimenting to today to find your own, unique rhythm of work and rest.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED:

On what day or days of the week can I most successfully claim time for myself? What time of day works best? What activities will I avoid during my "time off"? What activities will promote inner calm and vitality?

Enjoy!

 By Norma Schmidt
Who is Sylvia Kristel?

Happiness means longer life

A scientific review found evidence that people who feel positive about life, not stressed or pessimistic, have a tendency to live longer and experience better health than their unhappy peers.  But what if you're feeling down?

Get some exercise – this will boost your feel-good hormones; phone a friend – a kind voice at the other end of the line can sometimes make you feel a thousand times better; eat something – a sandwich might make you feel better instantly, especially if your blood sugar levels are low; bury yourself in a book – there's nothing like an interesting story to take your attention off your own troubles; get out into nature – a walk on the mountain is guaranteed to lift your spirits; take a nap or a bath – often you just need some rest to perk you up.

Health24