Recently I attended a seminar on suicide prevention. The most recent statistics (taken from the 2005 data from American Association of Suicidology) are staggering:
-
There are 33,000 suicides per year.
-
Suicide accounts for more deaths than homicide.
-
60% of us will personally know someone who dies by suicide.
-
Montana has the highest rate of suicide in the United States.
-
Rate of suicide increases with age.
-
1100 college students die by suicide (20-24 years).
-
There are 832,500 reported suicide attempts per year.
-
Women attempt 3 times more than men.
Throughout my life, I have had problems sleeping. I’ve noticed that this tends to happen when I have too much on my mind or am stressed. Sleep is vital for optimal health. These are things that have helped me and also my colleagues who have had trouble sleeping.
-
Have a regular sleeping schedule
Go to bed and wake up at the same times each day, including vacations and weekends. This will train your body to know when it is time to sleep.
Recently I had an ergonomic specialist look at my workstation. My job is primarily on the computer and that puts me at a greater risk for ergonomic injury or cumulative trauma disorder. This affects soft tissues usually caused by activities that you repeat over time.
Identify risk factors
Many people don’t know they’re at risk and it is important to look for any factors you’re exposed to. Last year, I wrote a blog about being aware of signs and symptoms of ergonomic injury.
You can reduce risks for ergonomic injury or cumulative trauma disorder with simple measures. Being aware of the following points can be helpful:
This is a preview of
Ways to identify risk factors for cumulative trauma disorder
.
Read the full post (315 words, 1 image, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)
Sometimes it is easy to overlook the necessity for sleep. Reflecting back on the holiday season, it was easy for me to stay up late wrapping presents, entertaining guests, visiting friends and family and going out. Sleep can often be sacrificed when we are pressed for time. Even without the holiday season to-do’s, there may be other reasons not to sleep as much. These include working long hours to make money, going to the gym to work out those post-holiday weight gains, etc.
Breast cancer is a serious condition and can be life-threatening, but there are ways of reducing the risk of getting breast cancer.
-
Maintain a healthy weight
Excess fatty tissue is a source of circulating estrogen in your body and breast cancer is linked to how much estrogen you are exposed too in your lifetime. Regular exercise, as well as limiting fat in your diet can help maintain a healthy weight. Eating cruciferous (cabbage-family) vegetables regularly can provide protective phytonutrients. Also 2 grams of fish oil or eating fish, which contains high omega-3 fatty acid can significantly reduce your risk of getting breast cancer.
This is a preview of
Ways to detect breast cancer early or reduce the risk of having breast cancer
.
Read the full post (226 words, 1 image, estimated 54 secs reading time)
Once signs and symptoms of bad ergonomics have been identified, changes need to be made. These are some of the things that have worked for me:
Computer Monitor:
-
Place squarely in front of you (middle at the g/h keys)
-
Should be straight up and down not tilted. This cuts glare and neck strain.
-
Top of screen should be at eye level.
Chair:
Whether it be a natural disaster or an accident, unfortunately it is fair game for anyone to be hurt at anytime. The good news is we can be prepared. From my days as an emergency medical technician and through research, here is a sample of a first aid kit:
Things you should have in one place (I recommend a cheap duffel bag or a storage type container):
-
sterile gloves (ex. latex or nitrile)
-
sterile dressings to help stop bleeding (ex. gauzes)
-
cleansing agent (ex. antibiotic towlettes, Bactine, saline solution)
