PRACTISE DESK CHAIR YOGA

Sitting in a flexed position in your desk chair weakens your back muscles.

Master the back bend: Sit on the edge of a chair, plant feet on the ground, brace abs and interlace fingers behind head. Inhale, slowly letting the weight of your head lead the back bend. Pull elbows back and down, slightly arch upper back, flex hips, gaze skyward, then pause until muscles lengthen and soften.

To come up, pull belly button to spine and lift supported head until torso is straight

(The Globe and Mail -Sept 11-09)

WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY

90 Percent of infection-causing microbes are killed after you wash your hands for 10 seconds. Experts say the length of time is less important than simply doing it on a regular basis.
(Prevention magazine August 09)

EARL GREY TEA- A GOOD DIGESTIVE AID

The bergamot oil with which Earl Grey is flavoured comes from a type of orange that is thought to help digestion because it stimulates production of stomach enzymes, helping to break down food.

Boost the Benefit of Sleep

First, slip on socks. Warm feet widen blood vessels which better enables your body to transfer heat so you sleep more soundly.

Second, turn your alarm clock away from you. Light signals your brain to wake up, and the "blue light" from your digital clock and cell phone are the worst offenders.

Always sit straight, Right? Wrong!

Here is why it is the worst thing for your back.

A study of MRI Scans revealed that sitting at a 90 degree angle puts pressure on your lower back. In fact the pressure is strong enough to squeeze fluid out of the discs that cushion your vertebrae. They saw dramatic changes after 10 minutes of being in this position.

So what is the best way to sit? According to research, you should adjust your chair height until your hips are 3-4 inches higher than your knees. Then you should recline slightly so your back is at 135 degree angle to your thighs. For added support , you can put a small pillow behind your lower back. (Prevention magazine)

Another article from Health magazine supports this. They say you should sit with your knees level or tilting down from your thighs and your feet flat on the ground. They say that the best way to sit is not bolt upright at a 90 degree angle, but, rather, reclined at about 100 to 110 degrees.

Adjust the chair at your desk so you can lean back a little. The slight tilt helps your back and leg muscles relax, and it leaves your spine less compressed, sparing you aches and pains.

They say that it may feel strange at first, but in a few days it will feel very natural.

The New Mood Booster

Turn your thoughts into a race - it can lift the blues in minutes, says a Princeton University Psychologist.
Apparently speed thinking even negative thoughts can still improve your mood.

Researchers say rapid thinking may release feel-good neurotransmitters, or it could just be a helpful distraction.

(Prevention magazine, February 2009)

Storing Foods in the Fridge

Keep your most perishable items toward the back of the refrigerator, where it is consistently cool - unlike the oft-opened fridge door

Washing Produce

The kitchen sink is often the dirtiest place in the kitchen, so never place food directly in the sink.
Use a colander to wash fruit or veggies