Proper recycling of fluorescent bulbs for safety ~ Maine.gov ~
AUGUSTA - The US Environmental Protection Agency said yesterday that, based on a study conducted by the State of Maine, they have revised their recommendations for the use and disposal of compact fluorescent bulbs ("CFB") in the home. CFBs are still recommended to reduce energy comsumption and combat global warming. However, because of risks posed by mercury in these bulbs, they may not be the best option in some rooms, such as a child's bedroom, or an exposed area where they are prone to breakage--especially over carpet. CFBs should NOT be disposed of in regular trash, but instead should be disposed of as household hazardous waste. Further, the Maine study issued new guidelines for the safe disposal of broken CFBs. These include:

• Leaving the area/room and waiting 15 minutes after breakage before returning to begin cleaning up (mercury levels in the air will have fallen from their highest levels by then);
• Using a glass container, metal screw top lid with a seal, such as a canning jar, to contain the lamp pieces, powder, and cleanup materials;
• Immediately removing the lamp breakage from the home once containerized, especially if the homeowner did not have a glass container with a good seal;
• Continue ventilating the room for several hours;
• Suggesting that homeowners consider removal of the area of carpet where the breakage occurred as a precaution, particularly in homes with infants, small children or pregnant women;
• If carpet is not removed, the homeowner should consider ventilating the room during vacuuming for the next several vacuuming events;
• If consumers remained concerned regarding safety, they may consider not utilizing fluorescent lamps in situations where they could easily be broken, in bedrooms or over carpeted areas frequented by infants, small children or pregnant women; and
• Avoiding the storage of too many used/spent lamps before recycling as that could increase the chances of breakage.

Four Habits of Happy People ~ WebMd.com
article by Nancy Kalish ~ WebMD Feature from "Prevention" Magazine
excerpt: "Being optimistic in middle age increases life span by at least 7.5 years--even after accounting for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and physical health, according to a large Yale University survey. What's behind their hardiness: They minimize the destructive effects of stress. ... Here are four habits that longevity experts say are at the heart of a sunny disposition--and that you can adopt, too. ..."

Cats Help Shield Owners From Heart Attack ~ U.S.News & World Report
article by E.J. Mundell
excerpt: "Whether it's a frisky kitten or a tubby tabby, a cat at home could cut your heart attack risk by almost a third, a new study suggests. The finding, from a 10-year study of more than 4,300 Americans, suggests that the stress relief pets provide humans is heart-healthy. ...
"For years we have known that psychological stress and anxiety are related to cardiovascular events, particularly heart attacks," noted study senior author Dr. Adnan Qureshi, executive director of the Minnesota Stroke Institute at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. According to Qureshi, the new research shows that "essentially there is a benefit in relieving those inciting factors from pets." He was slated to present the findings Thursday at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in New Orleans.
The stress-cardiovascular disease link is well-documented in scientific literature, and the affection and pleasure pets give humans is a known stress-buster. In fact, one study presented in 2005 at an American Heart Association meeting found that a single 12-minute visit with a dog improved the heart and lung function of people with heart failure."

Image: Two Russian street cats sleeping. photographer: George Shuklin - used by permission under licensed under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 1.0 License. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:2_russian_street_cats-crop.jpg

60 U.S. Cities Simultaneously Dance Their Way to Health ~
FoxBusiness.com, PR Newswire
excerpt: "Spirit of Women Health Network announces that more than 60 cities will host the 2008 Spirit of Women National Day of Dance for Health on Saturday, February 23, 2008 to inspire women and their families toward better overall health. Proving that exercise can be both fun and beneficial to the heart, the program combines the fun of dancing to different forms of music, such as ballroom dancing, rock 'n' roll, jazz, salsa, swing, and hip-hop, with health screenings and consumer education on heart disease and other women's health issues. ...
Lasting four to six hours, events will include dancing, prominent physician speakers, screenings, tips on healthy cooking and stress reduction, and other activities to remind participants that heart disease prevention can be a fun and energizing experience. Day of Dance for Health events are presented by affiliate hospitals of the Spirit of Women Health Network in more than 60 cities across the United States."
http://www.spiritofwomen.org
Image: 1930's jitterbug dancers ~ (PD) New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: Alan Fisher - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c34893

GLENN'S STRATEGIES FOR WELLBEING: Honey and its Benefits ~ EurWeb.com
article by Glenn Ellis
excerpt: "Honey is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulphur, iron and phosphate. It contains vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 all of which change according to the qualities of the nectar and pollen. Copper, iodine, and zinc also exist in it in small quantities. Several kinds of hormones are also present in it. Approximately one half of the human diet is derived directly or indirectly from crops pollinated by bees.
Doctors have been using honey in healing for centuries. There are three ingredients in honey that make it ideal as a healing compound. Many types of honey are found to be high in hydrogen peroxide, which you probably use at home to disinfect scrapes and cuts. In addition to this disinfecting power, the high sugar content in honey is great for absorbing moisture inside wounds. This makes it difficult for bacteria to survive. The ingredient is propolis, a substance found in the nectar of some honey, which can actually kill bacteria."
http://www.glennellis.com
Image credit: USDA - US Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service

Prospective moms list preferences in 'birth plans,' from music to Caesarean sections ~
Daily News, Los Angeles
article by Patricia Farrell Aidem
excerpt: "From the type of music in the labor room to elective Caesarean sections, a growing number of expectant moms have begun showing up at hospitals with custom "birth plans" listing dozens of personal preferences for the blessed event.
The plans make it clear, right up front, just exactly how moms want to be treated - everything from how they want to be prepped for giving birth, limits on those exams, and whether water, ice chips or an IV should be offered in the throes of labor. ..."

Image: 1515 illustration of a woman giving birth on a birth chair. From: Eucharius Rößlin, Der Swangern frawen vnd hebamme(n) roszgarte(n). Hagenau: Gran, um 1515. (First edition: 1513, this is from one of two versions of the 2nd edition). the „earliest printed text-book for midwives. It survived 40 editions, being used as late as 1730“ (Garrison-Morton) Public Domain ~ SOURCE: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Eucharius_RöÃlin_Rosgarten_Childbirth.jpg

Sleep disorders: Don't take it lying down ~ Irish Independent, Ireland (Independent.ie)
excerpt: "Getting to sleep tonight will be a big problem for millions of people. Insomnia affects one in four of us at some time, but it's far from the only disorder that spoils our sleep – researchers have now identified 75 such conditions, from snoring, sleep apnoea, restless legs, bruxism and nocturnal cramps, to sleep-talking, rhythmic movement disorder and confusional arousal. Some 31 per cent of people, including children and teenagers, have one or more of these disorders at some time. They can severely affect everyday life. ...
Yet treatments exist for many of the conditions that work well for large numbers of patients. Although half of those who see a doctor are prescribed drugs, other treatments and lifestyle changes can work, too."

New website helps Canadian pick wellness spas ~ Canada.com
article by Martha Worboy, Canwest News Service
excerpt: A new website launched in January encourages travellers to choose Canada when looking for a "wellness" destination.
The online travel guide, www.traveltowellness.com/canada, offers tips on spas to visit across Canada, from Tofino, B.C., to Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.

Techniques of Yoga and Types of Yoga ~ American Chronicle, California
article by Pradeep Chauhan
excerpt: "Yoga is very good for stress. It offers gentle asana, relaxation, pranayama, meditation, shat kriyas and hand mudras. The complete breath exercise can be done at your desk, in the car or anywhere else when you start to feel stressed out. Meditation helps calm your mind, teaching you to relax at will and giving you a quick mental vacation whenever you need one. And daily practice of three or four yoga poses will help ease knotted muscles. The methods of classical yoga include ethical disciplines, physical postures, breathing control and meditation. Virtually everyone can see physical benefits from yoga, and its practice can also give psychological benefits, such as stress reduction and a sense of well-being, and spiritual benefits, such as a feeling of connectedness with God or Spirit, or a feeling of transcendence."

Image: Shiva Statue in Bangalore, India - photographer: Deepak - used by permission under licensed under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 1.0 License. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sivakempfort.jpg

Music Mends Minds After Stroke ~ WebMd
Listening to Favorite CDs Speeds Stroke Recovery
article by Daniel J. DeNoon, WebMD Medical News.
excerpt: "Our research shows for the first time that listening to music during this crucial period can enhance cognitive recovery and prevent negative mood," study researcher Teppo Sarkamo, a doctoral student at the University of Helsinki, Finland, said in a news release..."

Professionals stress link between diet, wellness ~ ASU News
ASU's departments of Exercise and Wellness and Nutrition will play host to physical activity, nutrition and wellness experts from around the world for the third annual Building Healthy Lifestyles Conference, Feb. 28-March 1, at ASU’s Polytechnic campus in Mesa.

The conference brings together more than 200 health and wellness professionals to focus on this year's theme of reducing cardiovascular disease through healthy lifestyle changes. Speakers from the United States and Sweden will speak about making changes that could help save – and add quality of life and years – to everyone's lives.

Barbara Ainsworth, ASU professor in the Department of Exercise and Wellness, says: "This conference will help support the push to improve health and wellness of all through active living and healthy eating."

For more information, visit the Web site www.bhlconference.com or call (480) 727-1945.

Chris Lambrakis, lambrakis@asu.edu
(480) 727-1173
Public Affairs at ASU Polytechnic campus

Ten strategies to manage stress ~ New York Daily News
article by Wendy L. Hurwitz, M.D.
excerpt: "Dr. Barrie Cassileth, Chief of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center writes that "Music therapy...the use of music to encourage healing and promote a general sense of well-being …is a documented effective complementary therapy." So try listening to tunes that make you feel relaxed. Remember, the right music can also promote the release of feel-good endorphins."

Working it out ~ Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Municipalities' health insurer puts emphasis on free wellness programs
article by By Lynne Klaft CORRESPONDENT
excerpt: The Well Aware program is designed to help keep employees, retirees and dependents healthy," she said. The trust has a staff of five health professionals who work with communities tailoring programs to their needs.

"Our major emphasis is on cardiac risk reduction. We know that it is a major category of expense with almost all of our member communities," said Ms. Ludlow, noting that an eight-week to 10-week program, Heart Matters, focuses on reducing cardiac risk.

"We also do health screenings at our wellness fairs, which serve a dual purpose: to give employees information and screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol," she said.

Three Stress Reduction Tips for the Office ~ CIO.com Business Technology Leadership
Recommendations to balance mind and body and keep you at the top of your game at work and during other stressful situations
article by Tevis Gale, author and founder of Balance Integration
excerpt: "Practice cultivating clarity and centeredness by trying this: As you sit at your desk, notice the rhythm of your breath. As the words you are reading register in your consciousness, keep observing a slow steady rhythm to your breath. Notice how calming it is to allow the mind to be active while remaining centered and grounded in your breath. Try this as you move through the day."

New Bed and Breakfast in Washington State is a Replica of Mount Vernon.
Sequim Gazette
The George Washington Inn, located between Sequim and Port Angeles, celebrates its grand opening Feb. 16.
article by Ashley Oden
excerpt: "The Abbotts relocated from South Carolina to build and manage the Mount Vernon-inspired inn. They purchased five acres in 2002 after reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about Sequim and later bought an additional five acres to open the bed and breakfast. ...
The distinguished bed and breakfast overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca as George Washington's home overlooked the Potomac River. Guests stay in large private suites that include a king size bed, whirlpool bath, shower, flat screen television, wireless Internet and a fireplace."
http://www.georgewashingtoninn.com

10 surprising ways to keep your heart healthy ~ Daily Herald
article by Pam DeFiglio | Daily Herald Staff
excerpt: "Since it's American Heart Month, an Itasca Park Distrisct fitness manager challenges her clients to put some heart into their efforts to keep healthy. She has them tally up points for heart-healthy behaviors. Some are no surprise, like taking the stairs, skipping fried food and getting a regular workout. But others are far less obvious. We're listing them here so you can see how easy it is to reduce your risk of heart disease. You've still got to jog and eat broccoli, of course. But these other easy behaviors might just mean no one will ever have to dial 911 on your behalf. ..."
Image: (PD) Oats, barley, and some products made from them ~ Photographer: Peggy Greb Source: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/aug01/k9566-1.htm>

Listening to music before bedtime improves sleep by more than a third says study ~
Journal of Advanced Nursing
"Researchers studied the sleeping patterns of 60 people aged 60-83, randomly assigning them in equal numbers into a music group and a control group. They discovered that the 30 who listened to carefully selected music experienced physical changes that aided restful sleep. These included lower heart and respiratory rates.

" ' The difference between the music group and the control group was clinically significant' says lead author Hui-Ling Lai, Vice Director of Nursing at the Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital and Assistant Professor at Tzu Chi University in Taiwan.

" ' The music group reported a 26 per cent overall improvement in the first week and this figure continued to rise as they mastered the technique of relaxing to the sedative music'...

People in the music group showed significantly better scores in overall sleep quality and in five of the six sub-categories used to measure sleep quality. These included better and longer night-time sleep and less dysfunction during the day. The only element that didn't improve after listening to music was sleep disturbance."

http://www.journalofadvancednursing.com