Safety tips for soccer lovers

The 2010 World Cup is at its peak as I write this post (with Brazil suffering a big upset courtesy of the Dutch). The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons takes advantage of the big event and push for amateur players to take some caution for their own safety when playing soccer.

The association of doctors reminds sports enthusiasts that soccer is a demanding sport and can cause a lot of injuries even to the best of players. Injuries can range from ligament tears, sprains, fractures, and other physical damage which may need surgery to repair.

Even athletes who are in superior condition are at risk to incur injuries. It is very important for every player to implore proper techniques, warm up properly, and be conscious of the condition of the soccer field.

The AAOS wants to reiterate the importance of being in tip top condition and making sure soccer players are taking steps to be in great condition for the game. This applies to all ages.

According to a study, about 570,000 players were injured last year while playing soccer.

The group of doctors reminds us of these safety tips:

• Get in shape. It will be best to stay in shape if you want to engage in the game. Make sure that you do proper stretching, agility routine and strength training if you haven’t played soccer in a while.

• Remember to warm up, wear the right shoes, have the right gear, and drink a lot of water.

• Your team should also have a plan to properly deal with concussions, contusions, dislocations, sprains, and fractures.

Why I Get a Flu Shot Every Year

We typically think of the flu as miserable, but it is a very dangerous illness. Many people die every year from the flu, although the victims are typically the young, elderly or have immune systems that are already compromised. Working in public places with a large number of people can also increase your risk of exposure to the virus. Those who live in small spaces with others, such as in college dorms, jail or assisted living facilities also have a greater risk of contracting the flu. Overall, preventative measures, including flu shots, are critical to avoiding the flu.

My concern for my own health, as well as the health of those around me, is why I get a flu shot every year. I combine other preventative methods along with a yearly flu shot. During flu season, I wash my hands with warm water and soap more frequently. I also drink warm beverages such as hot water, tea and broth to prevent bacteria from cultivating in the back of my throat. A bacterial infection can weaken your immune system significantly and make you an easy host for the flu virus. I also try to get plenty of sleep and avoid stressful situations that I know will weaken my immune system. If I feel illness coming on, I am sure to drink lots of fluids, rest and take vitamins to try to avoid becoming sick.

The preventative costs of avoiding the flu, or any other illness, are always less than the treatment. Flu shots are quick and affordable. Many public pharmacies now offer flu shots on a walk-in basis, with little or even no waiting. Compare the cost and convenience of such a flu shot to a week or more of missed work, doctors visits and misery. Additionally, imagine if the flu virus spreads to your partner, children or other family members who live with you. When you weigh the costs in time, money and health, getting a flu shot is the right thing to do for you and the ones you love.

Tips on how to avoid sitting all day and moving more

Are you worried about extra pounds? You may be able to find a ton of information about exercise, proper diet, trainings, and more but there is really no magic needed to start shedding off that extra baggage. Read our tips below and start simple by moving as much as possible throughout the day.

 

 

Make multiple workstations

No you do not need several office tables for this but all your stuff are still on the same desk but you have to move that office chair and twist your body as you do your tasks for the day. You can also make an area where you work while standing.

Walk while talking over the phone

Walk around while talking over the cellphone. You can opt for a good headset so it will be more convenient when you want to move around.

Walk over to your co-worker

If not necessary avoid emails and do some work stuff by going to the desk of your colleagues. During brief meetings, stand instead of sitting in the room. You can also chat about work while walking around.

Do not bring chairs

If you are going to the park, tailgate, or a concert, do not bring your own chair. Leave the chairs at home . This forces you to stand the whole time.

Move around after eating

After a meal, it will be best to move around. The levels of fat in your blood are highest after eating so move around to help trigger the release of a chemicals in the body which makes your metabolism work faster.

Health products that you might not really need

There are health products you will see on TV, see on billboards, and all your friends might have it already, but why be dragged into the hype? These health products that you can buy over the counter may not always be worth your money while some may even cause you more problems than doing you good:

Eye drops to reduce redness

You are wondering why you look like you are nominated as the best individual with the worst hangover in the world so you buy that little bottle of eye drops to help with the redness. Eye drops though may not help in the long run since the real problem will be masked and you will not be treating dry eyes, irritation, or allergies after all. Instead, go to your doctor and get a workup so the real problem can be pinpointed.

Antibacterial liquid hand soap

There have been no studies that have established that these antibacterial soaps are better than their regular soap counterparts. Instead of paying extra, your good old water and soap combo might be as effective.

Toothbrush sanitizers

There are thousands if not millions of germs in the human mouth and the toothbrush we buy does not come sealed so most likely they already carry germs when we take them out of the packaging. The toothbrush sanitizers though that you see in the market has not show any benefits according to studies. Instead of buying these products, you just need to wash your toothbrush with tap water thoroughly and a healthy body will always defend itself against germs.

Mouthwash

You really do not need a mouthwash for everyday use unless your dentist prescribes one to treat some problems in your mouth. All you have to do is regularly brush your teeth and floss at least twice a day. And do not miss you appointment with the dentist. If you have bad breath, it might be a warning sign of an underlying problem like tooth decay or gum disease, so do not go for a quick fix using a mouthwash but see your dentist as soon as you can.

Superfoods to help you lose weight

You might be wondering what superfoods are. These are foods which help prevent diseases, build your bones, keep your brain sharp, and enhance your eyesight. These superfoods also help you be slim and help you maintain that desirable physique. Here are some of the superfoods:

Black beans

A serving of black beans will provide you with about 15 grams of your much needed protein. This of course does not contain saturated fat that you will find in red meat.

Oats

A bowl of oats is rich in fiber and a serving of this can make you feel full for hours. A cup of oats has a lot of healthy carbs that help make your metabolism faster so you can burn fats faster.

Avocados

You can consume fats as long as they are the good kind. Oleic acid is the healthy fat that you will find in avocados. This kind of fat helps your body quiet hunger.

Salmon

This is another good source of protein which will make you feel full without having to worry about fats. Increase your intake of salmon and lower your consumption of red meat.

Blueberries

If you want to look young, blueberries can surely help you with this goal. They are tiny but is packed with figure-friendly nutrition.

Broccoli

This vegetable is best known to fight cancer. A serving gives you less than 30 calories but really give you that satisfaction since it has a lot of fiber in it.

Brown Rice

If you are used to having white rice, try brown rice which contains a lot of fiber and is a lot healthier. It contains carbohydrates which makes your metabolism faster and help burn fats.

Pears

One fruit and you will already have 15% of your fiber needs in a day. Consume three of this in a day and you will tend to consume more calories and also lose weight faster.
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5 Ways to make your weekends stress-free

Your weekdays maybe chaotic and hectic. Make sure your weekend will be all about health and trying to relax your mind and body. A lot of us though cannot achieve the relaxation we dream of. Instead, we cram to do household chores, bring home some workloads, and the weekend goes by without any rest. Boom! By Monday, you feel tired and wishing it is Friday once more.
Here are some useful tips to make most of your weekend:

 

Connect with friends and loved ones

Most of us might want some time for ourselves or spend it just with our partners, but having some time with friends or family over the weekend will also be good for you. It is all about feeling loved and connected that contributes a lot to our happiness. We spend on important experiences with people that matter to us and that means more than just buying material things.

Food for the soul

According to studies, people who frequent religious services tend to be more contented in their lives. Prayer and faith fills in a bigger portion of ourselves. Spending time to do some charity works also have the same effect. If these things are not the kind of things you want to do, just try to meditate or attend some yoga classes and see what kind of inner peace it might bring you.

Exercise

Working out does not only make us fit but it also triggers the release of the happy hormones that make us a feel a lot better. Do it outdoors since people who workout outdoors end up feeling more energetic.

Unplug

Get rid of your laptop, cellphones, and tablets at least over the weekend. Limit your TV and internet hours and see how it can help get rid of your stress.

Schedule your chores

It maybe inevitable to do some chores over the weekend but schedule them well so you have enough time to relax and enjoy your rest days.