HOW TO TREAT A BEE STING

1. Scrape the stinger out as quickly as possible - do not pull or squeeze the stinger out as this may release more venom
2.Clean with Soap and water

To reduce pain and swelling
-ICE - lessens swelling by constricting vessels and reducing flow of venom in the blood- and the numbing effect soothes pain and itching
BAKING SODA - make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to sting site - the alkaline nature of the baking soda helps to neutralize the acidity of the venom
VINEGAR- when stung by a wasp, vinegar is the soother of choice. Remember baking soda for bees ( both at the beginning of the alphabet) and vinegar for wasps ( both starting letters at the end of the alphabet).
TOOTHPASTE - This is a great remedy which works on the same alkaline/acidity as baking soda. The presence of small amounts of glycerin in the toothpaste may also soothe.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
-if swelling in other parts of body especially face or neck
-if person has been stung in the nose ,mouth or throat which might interfere with breathing.

LEAN BACK RATHER THAN FORWARD

Sitting up straight may be the cause of those nagging aches and pains in your back. Lean Back and relax. Doctors in Scotland used MRI to scan people while they were seated in different postions. Sitting hunched over or really straight ( with thighs at a 90 degree angle to the body) compressed the disks, placing strain on muscles of the lower back.

But when people sat with a cushion with their hips slightly higher than their knees - the trunk and thighs were at a 135 degree angle- the spine remained close to its natural alignment, easing pressure on the disks and keeping muscles relaxed.

Try raising your chair high enough to put your hips above your knees, or sit on a cushion and recline slightly .

Sit with a slight backward tilt to alleviate pain.

BE A STEADY SIPPER

The secret to all day energy is fluid, fluid, fluid....All of our metabolic reactions happen in water so it is important to stay hydrated to keep energy levels at their peak.

Studies show that even being a little dehydrated can hamper your brain's ability to function.

Apparently it is not enough to chug a glass or two a few times a day. Instead, sip fluids in small amounts all day long, so they are easier for your body to absorb and you don't end up just peeing them out.

(Chatelaine, Sept 2010)

JUST... YAWN

Yawns get a bad rap for being rude, but yawns are one of the best-kept secrets for flexing your mental muscles . Brain scans reveal that yawning activates areas responsible for social awareness and feelings of empathy - which may explain why yawns are so contagious.

Yawns also may strengthen the precuneus- a part of the brain that plays a central role in memory retrieval and self-reflection.

When you yawn - the quick hit of oxygen wards off sleepiness and helps you stay focused by regulating metabolism and cooling the brain.

S0 - yawn as often as possible - in the morning, at work, before a big test. It will give your brain an instant pick-me-up. Fake it a few times and you won't be able to stop.

(Self magazine- July 2010)

1-SECOND CONFIDENCE TRICK

For an instant mood lift, sit or stand up straighter. In a study, at Ohio State University, researchers asked study particpants to rate their skills related to job opportunities and they found that those who completed the task with proper posture were more secure in their abilities than those who were slumped over.
People feel more confident when they are sitting upright and they can attribute that confidence to their present thoughts.

Burger + frozen yogurt

The next time you eat a food high in saturated fat, follow it with a low-fat calcium -rich dessert. Calcium binds to fatty acids in the digestive tract, blocking their absorption.

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)