What should you do? The weather is hot~!

What are the risks?

Dehydration: One of the biggest dangers of a heat wave is the increased risk of dehydration.
This is the loss of water from the body, and with it important blood salts like potassium and sodium which play a vital role in the function of organs such as the kidneys, brain and heart.
It can lead to confusion, lethargy and problems with breathing and heart rate.

Heat stroke or exhaustion: Under normal circumstances the sweat we produce when we get hot keeps us cool when it evaporates from the surface of our skin.
However, on extremely hot days, or when we over-exert ourselves, this system can fail, and body temperature can start to climb to dangerous levels.
This leads to heat stroke or exhaustion. This can cause headaches, dizziness and muscle cramps, but it can also be life-threatening.
It is particularly dangerous because symptoms can come on very rapidly, and - unless you are watching for the signs - very little warning.

Sunburn: A sun tan may look nice, but it is actually a sign of damage to the skin.
Not only is sunburn painful, it can accelerate the ageing process, and increase the risk of skin cancer, including the potentially fatal form, melanoma.

Tips:

1. Eat spicy foods: Have you ever started to feel sweaty after eating spicy foods? They can cause you to perspire, and occasionally create an endorphin rush. That might be why regions with hot climates eat so many spicy foods.

2. Practice yoga: Shitali pranayama, or the cooling breath, is a yoga move that’ll cool you down in no time. It’s rather similar to the way dogs cool themselves by sticking out their tongues while panting.

3. Wet the back of your neck or wrists with salt water: Instead of wetting your wrists directly, you can also get a little plastic baggie and fill it with ice water. Wrap a thick paper towel around the baggie and place it on the back of your neck or wrist once you start feeling the heat. Keep reading after the jump for the rest.

4. Make fake sweat: The perspiration process cools your body down very efficiently. Instead of using your body’s own stinky sweat, you can speed up the process by using a spray bottle with salt water (and portable fan, if possible).

5. Wear sandals: Much of your body’s heat is released through the soles of your feet. Keeping them uncovered will allow your body to cool itself more efficiently.

6. Wear white: All other things being equal, white clothes will reflect more sunlight than any other color. (Make sure the clothes are lightweight and you’re wearing proper sunblock, too.)

7. Drink a glass of water: Even if you’re not thirsty, water will help. Your body loses fluids very quickly when you’re in the sun. Once you feel thirsty, your body is telling you you waited too long to have a drink. Be sure not to have too much water, though! (Stay away from alcoholic drinks. Caffiene, sugar, and sports drinks are okay, but not as good as pure water.) As you will be losing more fluid than normal, it is important to top up your supplies.
The best way to keep yourself hydrated is to drink water, and to sip it, rather than gulp it down.
On an average day, a person of normal weight - 58kg (128lb) - should drink 8 average-sized glasses of water.
As a general rule, for every 2lbs of body weight, you need one ounce of water.
In very hot weather, consumption should be increased. However, drinking excessive amounts can bring problems of its own.
You might think a cold beer is exactly what the doctor ordered, but in fact, alcohol dehydrates the body, and consumption should be kept to a minimum.
If you can't face drinking lots of water, non-carbonated soft drinks, such as fruit juice, are a reasonable alternative.

8. Ventilate your home: Keep windows open all day and all night and use fans.
This is particularly important at night, when the body cools down.

9. Avoid heat traps: Try to avoid anywhere where shelter is minimal, and ventilation poor. Parked cars can be a particular hazard.
If you can, try to stay in an air-conditioned environment.
If you have no alternative, but to travel in a hot, stuffy environment - for instance on the Tube - then make sure you carry a bottle of water with you.
If you face a long journey, it may be wise to plan breaks to go above ground for some fresh air.

10. Be sensible about exercise: Do not exercise vigorously during the hottest times of the day. Instead, run, jog or exercise closer to sunrise or sunset.
Take things slowly and adapt to the pace of life in the sun. If you feel breathless or your heart is pounding, stop what you are doing and try to cool your body down, for example, by taking a cool shower. Rest if you feel faint or dizzy.

11. Take a dip: Water exercise is a great alternative in hot weather. Water keeps your body cool and reduces how difficult you perceive your workout to be. Be sure to drink plenty of water even while swimming to ensure that you are properly hydrated. Hot weather isn't the time to take risks. Even healthy people should take it easy in extremely high temperatures and everyone should understand how to exercise safely and effectively at the height of the season. Summer brings many fun and exhilarating opportunities to get outside, so enjoy yourself!

What they say?

According to treehugger.com, there are some psychological tricks you can play on yourself that work to help one cool down. Don't wear jewelry, don't wear underwear. Wear your hair up. Turn on nightlights only. Postpone stressful tasks for another day. Use your water taps and run your wrist under them, often. Splash cold water on your face.

Don't think you should only drink cold drinks. A nurse in England, who works in a hospital with no air-conditioning, said they drink warm tea. Why? Hot drinks make one perspire more and this cools the body down.

Another thoughtful blogger on treehugger.com said he does what his dad told him. He fills his bathtub with cold water only and adds some salt. This is supposed to make the water colder. Then he put a fan in his bathroom facing his bedroom. This can only work if you live in such a configuration. The cooler air is drawn by the fan and heads to the bedroom. Hmmm ...; a possibility.

Wear a short sleeve shirt and/or long pants. Squirt water on sleeves or pants. The cooling sensation will chill you right down. This works very well, but only if you are home alone or with a close associate. It is not always a pretty sight to behold.

Of course, there is always the ole drinking lots of water. Tried and true, this works, too. Contrary to popular belief, ice cubes aren't always such a good idea, even though very cold ice water tastes so good. The colder the water, the more energy your body spends making it body temperature so it can use it.

Stay out of direct sunlight, if possible. A wide-brimmed hat is a must and wear light colors and loose-fitting clothes. We all know this, but how many of us do it? Cotton and linen work the best. Bedouins — in an arid humid client, believe it is best to wear two or more layers of cotton.
If you don't have AC and have two floors, stay downstairs. Hot air rises. Stick as close to the ground as you possible can.

Long a favorite, the hand-held paper fans are not all that helpful. The energy expended to wave the fans in front of your face burns calories and raises your core temperature. But, if it burns calories ...;

Eat less. Do less. Use products with mint in them. Mint creates a cooling sensation.

Take off your shoes when indoors. Much of the body's heat is released through the soles of the feet.

P/s: Hope it is informative and can help. I got this from couple of sites online. =) enjoy~

Living in the NOW

Living in the NOW

Life is short. And we should all strive to make the very most of out time on earth, writes Sharmini Hensen.

I was driving home after a lovely evening with a dear friend. On the highway i saw a crumpled, motionless body, people hovering and cars stopping to assist. I said a prayer and was reminded of the brevity of life. One moment we are here, the next we're gone. So what fragments of our life do we leave behind? How did we live our life? Was it a worthy life? How will we be remembered for years to come?

So let's consciously create our life, while we have the gift of life. I have been thinking about it for a long while. Eventually, we all have to face our own mortality. Death is such a taboo topic on our society. It is surrounded by mysteries and scary folklore. Heave forbid we even mention death and dying. We say "if we die" not " when we die". The only choice we have is how we live it, creating the experience of life we truly desire. It is possible to have it all.

Firstly, let us reframe death. I remember sitting one weekend having my roti canai breakfast while my son was reading the newspapers. He saw articles about wars, accidents and all the gory, unfortunate events that occur daily. And he asked me "why"? I explained that sometimes, people choose to fight to reach a solution regardless of who gets hurt. My answer did not satisfy him. Finally, I understood what he was really asking. "What if I die, Mommy?"

If you thought the sex question was difficult, try this one. I took a deep breath and shared with him my thoughts and beliefs about the subject.

"Most parents outlive their children, son," I said to him. "However, if you should go before me, I would be very sad. I would cry for the loss of you. While your body is gone, I will always have my memories of you and it will warm my heart. Thoughts of you will remind me of how much I love you and how you love me. And your spirit lives on that way. Your spirit will never die. You'll be my angel. When I close my eyes, I will feel you in my heart and your presence all around me. I will remember you always and in all ways. Is that a good enough answer? Do you understand?"

He smiled and nodded, pleased.

We need a new view on life and living.

Life begins when you let go of the fear of dying. How do you do that? Here are tools i have learned to use:

Live like today is your last day on earth

Thinking like this gives you a new perspective. Would you be doing what you are doing now? If your answer is 'no', make a list of what you are doing now and examine each item closely. What needs to be changes immediately? It's probably the one that;s causing you the greatest pain. If it's a job, look for a new one. That;s easy but what if it's your relationship, with your dad? You cannot divorce him or change him for a new one. If it was your last few hours, what would you say to him? What action would you take this very moment? How would you like to feel about him now? How would you like him to feel about you after you go? You start to realise that you can do something different right now.

You may have noticed how i have chosen to focus my examples on relationships rather than on money, a house or something tangible. Why? Because in the end, it is the part of you that you leave behind with the ones you love that defines the meaning of your whole existence.

You deserve to have at this moment all the experiences you desire in all areas of your life, career, relationships, family, spiritually and health to live everyday like it was your last day, full and fulfilled.

So really what is in the way? Pride, Pain, Righteousness. Anger, Fear, Disappointment and the list goes on and on for most of us. We all carry them faithfully like a treasure chest, safely buried within us.

But in the end, we all turn to dust. Nothing really matters then. What does matter is NOW. What would you do NOW? How much longer would you wait? It truly is all about you and only you. Let unsatisfactory matters and unsatisfactory people in the past remain in the past. And you'll be surprised at what that would do for your peace of mind.

Make things better, not worse

That brings us to the next point. Before you say or do something, ask yourself, "Will this improve the situation? So, you could either vent your hurt and anger at your dad for leaving you and your mom or you might say," I forgive you and I love you." Or you could simply sit quietly, close your eyes and remember all the good times you shared with him and all wonderful moments you will create now.

Who benefits? You or the other person?

I chose win win. There are moments when you are rushing out the door and drama unfolds with the kids and the maid, all at the same time. Been there? And really you are so late for your appointment with that important client so you can't stop.

What do I do? I say to my son, "I'm sorry I screamed at you. I'm running late, and that's no excuse. Forgive me?" He ignores me. The power struggle unfolds. " You know, I really don't want us to have a bad day. Let's make it better now ok?" Still silence.

"Okay", I say and walk to my car. Moments before I drive away, he comes to the gate and says, "I am sorry." Then he runs back in, leaving both of us smiling. And the client understands and is happy to wait because I am being my best.

When you decide to leave situations and experiences with people, in the best possible start every moment of every day, your life begins to transform. Slowly you realise that the emotional baggage you accumulate as you go through life lessens. You begin to engineer your life as you want it.

At work, you do what you are good at doing and ask to pass on what you're not so good at doing. That's called leveraging or working synergistically. The same applies to your relationships. Leverage on each other's strengths and know that it is why opposites attract. You would not want another you in the relationship, would you?

You pick only that brings you the best experiences: joy, passion, love, caring, giving, respect and that wonderful stuff. You let go and drop what does not. Your life begins to have clarity and focus because now, you have only what you want. You feel the richness that life has to offer. You are now living in the present... when you experience the bliss of being in the present, you will always only choose to live the NOW!

Welcome

Welcome! Want to know why i started this blog? Well,

One day, haha(story telling), i was reading a magazine as usual where i got it at the night market. I always go there to look for nice magazine to read, mostly influence by my parents who loves to read. While i was reading this RM1.50 Magazine in the car, a title of an article fully caught my eye.

Entitle, Living in the Now. I paid full attention in reading it. Somehow, it makes me feel like sharing it to everyone, but i dont know how. So, wala.. and here it is. :)

Moreover, i will try to post some other extra for leisure reading where i might get it some interesting articles and so on. Hope you all enjoy it as much as i do. :)

Sincerely,
Elaine