Good eyesight is crucial, but are you doing all you can to protect your vision?

Whether you’re mowing the lawn, playing racquetball, or flying across the country, here’s how the experts say to take care of your eyes.

STARING AT THE SMALL SCREEN
All that time spent using computers and PDAs can lead to eyestrain, dry eyes, and blurred vision. To combat these problems, check your work station: Ideally, your monitor should be 5 to 9 inches below eye level. This brings your lids downward, maintaining the healthiest blink rate, says Susan Resnick, an optometrist in New York City. If you can’t move the monitor, measure the distance between it and your eyes, then consult your eye-care professional about the right pair of glasses for that distance, says Dr. Gail Royal, an ophthalmologist in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Also make sure there’s no glare on your screen. And obey the 20/20/20 rule: For every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to maintain your eyes’ focusing system.

IN FLIGHT
Airplane cabin air is very dry, so keeping your eyes moist is important. Direct air vents away from you, and use artificial tears once every hour, suggests Dr. Royal. But avoid drops that reduce red eye, because they constrict blood vessels. If possible, wear glasses during the flight. If you choose to wear contacts, look for a new class of lenses made with silicone hydrogel, a permeable plastic that allows more oxygen to reach the eyes. Resnick often recommends Acuvue Oasys because they have added wetting agents to help keep the eyes moist.

IN THE SUN
Did you know that UV rays can hurt your eyes as much as they hurt your skin? Overexposure can increase your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygia, little bumps on the whites of the eyes. “Every 15 minutes outdoors—even on cloudy days—adds to the cumulative effect of radiation damage,” says Resnick. Make sure both sunglasses and contact lenses are UV-protective. (Even with contacts, though, you’ll still need sunglasses to protect the whites of your eyes.) Lenses should cover from the forehead down to the cheek and ideally wrap around the temple region, says Dr. Robin Vann, chief of comprehensive ophthalmology at Duke Eye Center in Durham, N.C.

IN THE DARK
Pupils enlarge at night, so any slight blur on the retina becomes exaggerated. Get a thorough eye exam to make sure you’re seeing clearly. When driving, minimize glare by looking to the bottom right of the road, use the night setting on your rearview mirror, and keep your car in tip-top nighttime shape (clean headlights, taillights, signal lights, and windows—outside and in). Also, move your eyes from the road to the dashboard and back again to avoid “highway hypnosis” and maintain a keen sense of depth perception. If you read in bed, make sure the light is bright enough that you can see the words without straining, but not so bright that you get a glare. A 60- or 75-watt bulb is best.

WORKING UP A SWEAT
Some 325,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year—many resulting in permanent vision loss. More than 90% of those accidents could have been prevented with proper eyewear. Choose protective lenses designed for your specific sport. Look for polycarbonate lenses or a new material called Trivex—both are thin and won’t shatter. Check the product’s certification seal: It should meet the requirements of the American Society for Testing Materials, which vary for each sport. For outdoor sports, polarized lenses help you see more clearly.

Article by: Leslie Pepper – Parade Magazine

Men have a reputation for avoiding the doctor’s office, even when they’re sick. But lots of them are opting to go in for non-medical reasons.

Plastic surgeons are reporting an uptick in the number of male patients seeking slimmer waists and stronger jaw lines — up 16 percent from 2002 to 2007, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery.

Local physicians say they’ve seen more men, especially since the start of the year.

Once considered a strictly female practice, plastic surgery is gaining popularity among American men. With the wide variety of procedures available, there is something that will appeal to everyone, regardless of gender. Even female favorites like Botox and liposuction are being tailored to suit men’s needs. So, what do you have to lose? A few wrinkles?

The effects of aging are often the targets for cosmetic surgery. Wrinkles, double chins, and sagging skin can all make you look and feel older. Although a few lines around the eyes may be considered distinguished on a man’s face, turkey necks and hollow eyes won’t add much class to your mature aura.

Liposuction under the neck, mini facelifts, and injectables can fill in, what time has taken away. All of the procedures have lasting effects and are subtle enough, so no one at the office is going to whisper behind your back.

A mini facelift and liposuction have a fairly minimal recovery time (between one and two weeks), it may leave few discrete scars, and will give you a refreshed, but not overly youthful appearance. For a mini facelift, the skin around the nasolabial folds and neck is pulled back and tightened.

Often liposuction is used in conjunction to remove excess fat cells that collect below the chin. A hollow tube is placed in an incision below the chin. It is moved back and forth, sucking up the fat and leaving a sleeker looking neck. A combination of injectables can also be used to perform a less invasive version of a facelift. Filler is pumped into hollows to plump them up, and it can also erase deep furrows as well as fine lines.

Liposuction is also the answer to a variety of other cosmetic concerns. Help for love handles, pot bellies, and male breast reduction are all commonly sought plastic surgeries. Men may find that exercise and diet alone will not eliminate the fat deposits in stubborn areas. When this is the case, liposuction is often the only alternative. This is especially true as the body ages and becomes more prone to sagging and weight gain. Liposuction can be a permanent solution to banish the unwanted fatty areas.

Another popular procedure among men is Rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, can shave down bumps, straighten crooked bridges, and even add height to noses that appear too feminine on a male face. In order to create a pleasing facial harmony, chin augmentation is often performed at the same time. A receding or small chin can make a big nose appear even larger, and a strong jaw line is often the landmark of a chiseled, masculine face. When performed together, these two plastic surgeries can transform a weak profile into a more sculptured and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Although women may seek out cosmetic procedures more often than men, there is no reason to feel intimidated or alone. New techniques and procedures allow for minimal scarring and quick recoveries. Plus, cosmetic surgeons are sensitive, and all of your information is kept confidential. No one has to know why you look so good.

Anara Spa is located in the luxurious Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in tropical Kauai, Hawaii. Since 1991, the spa has pampered guests with world-class treatments that blend traditional Hawaiian customs with nature’s soothing powers.

Anara Spa’s multi-million dollar expansion and renovation added five elegant open-air hale (thatched roof bungalows), each hale features its own exclusive lava rock shower and steam grotto.

Two hale are designed specifically for couples treatments. An open-air Vichy treatment room for soothing hydrotherapy was also added along with two lava rock botanical baths, a relaxation room, and an open-air hale for fitness classes, yoga, and personal training.

Existing treatment rooms, each opening to their own private garden, were completely renovated adding native koa wood cabinetry.

The well appointed fitness center, open 24/7, was expanded by 900 square feet allowing for additional cardio and strength equipment.

At Anara Spa you can choose from an array of innovative treatments rooted in Hawaiian healing traditions for a spa experience like no other.

Anara Spa
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road, Koloa, Hawaii, USA 96756
Tel: +1 808 742 1234

Movie stars, celebrities and super models always look fabulous. It doesn’t matter if they appear in television extravaganzas or movie films or strut their stuff along the red carpet for opening movie premiers and  Academy awards, they always amaze us with larger than life presence.

In fact it takes an extraordinary degree of effort in order for them to appear so glamorous. The larger than life public show pieces that they present, they cannot slack off taking care of their physical presentation.

Accordingly, it is not surprising that the stars possess their own secrets in all matters relating to remaining fit and gorgeous. Health agenda regimes can range from daily extreme physical workouts to well-planned and designed menus and meals. Wouldn’t we all give a lot to be privy to the secrets of the stars in remaining beautiful and  sexy? Here’s a glimmer of the diet secrets of seven women stars and celebrities.

Celebrities livelihood’s depend enormously on their public persona. In addition to their clothes, gorgeous hair styles plus their makeup, celebrities must lavishly take good care of their number one asset….their bodies.

Check out the diet secrets of the following famous celebrities: Jennifer Aniston, Christie Brinkley, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Claudia Schiffer, Oprah Winfrey  Full article

We all experience it at one time or another; this trespasser called stress. It is perhaps the number one cause of most health problems today.

Let’s explore 6 ways to deal with the stress in your life in a healthy and effective manner.

1. Talk about the problems you are experiencing with friends, loved ones or a professional. Keeping everything bottled up will only create more problems later on. Join a support group with people experiencing similar problems.
2. Exercise often. Go to the park and walk for 20-30 minutes either every day or every other day. Exercise relieves tension and produces a calming effect. Perhaps joining a gym with a friend would be more to your liking.
3. Yoga exercises. Sit in a quiet room alone and begin breathing exercises. Choose a mantra which will help you to stay focused.
4. Music does calm the savage beast. Listen to some classical or instrumental music. Ocean or nature sounds are a perfect way to release stress.
5. Healthy meals can become an important factor in limiting your stress. Ensure you eat three meals a day, and make an effort to avoid too much caffeine and sugar.
6. Sleep deprivation can cause stress. Go to bed early. Seven to eight hours sleep can make all the difference.

Coping with stress can be challenging. Every day you seem to be pulled in every direction, trying to accommodate others. The first priority is to take care of you. You are the thread which holds your family together. If you are stressed, you won’t be much good to anyone.

Give yourself a break every now and then. Go to a movie; do something you’ve always wanted to do. Your family can take care of themselves for one day. Alone time is just as important to you as it is for everyone else. Think of yourself as a gas tank; eventually you will run out of fuel.

Laughter is a wonderful release. You’ve probably noticed those times when you’ve laughed so hard, you cried. This is probably due to the fact you haven’t laughed in a while, and the tension released through laughter is the best cure-all method for dealing with stress-related issues. Take everything in stride. If you can’t finish a task, don’t worry about it.

Life is too short; and stress can reduce it further. Nothing is more important than your health or state of mind. Eleanor Roosevelt wisely said, “No one can make you a victim without your consent.” She was right; it is, after all, up to you.  Article by: Mila Sidman – Trendpimp.com

Have you ever peaked into a friend’s medicine cabinet and shocked to think you were staring into a pharmacy’s inventory stockroom?  Well you’re not alone.

Recent studies show that more and more Americans are taking prescription drugs, and in increasing quantities.

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit that analyzes health care issues, says that from 1994 to 2005, it’s estimated that the number of prescriptions purchased increased 71% (from 2.1 billion to 3.6 billion) compared with a 9% growth in the U.S. population.
More recently, a study by Medco Health Solutions is showing for the first time that a majority of insured Americans, 51%, took prescription drugs to treat at least one chronic health problem last year, and one-fifth of the population used three or more chronic drug treatments.

So what is actually happening?  Are that many people really sick and require all these drugs?

Or it billions in advertising from the huge pharmaceutical companies who are brainwashing us into buying their pricey drugs?

Full article

Luxury SpaFinder magazine, recently declared sleep the new wellness frontier.

And unlike some over hyped, must-try treatments, for which the only sensible course of action is to back slowly out of the room, smiling (the facial featuring nightingale droppings, the massage that slithers snakes across your back, having your toes read), this hot trend is actually sensible.

There have been many scientific studies that have linked the lack of sleep to poor health, increased stress levels and obesity.

American spas were the first to identify that a good night’s sleep is one sure way to a spa-goer’s wallet.

Some of the best spas even employ directors of sleep. Canyon Ranch, one of the U.S.’s most influential wellness companies, was a pioneer.

Other spas take a more holistic, chimes’n’chants approach. For example, the award-winning Red Mountain Spa, in Utah, holds regular sellout Sweet Art of Sleep Seduction workshops. These courses involve “fun and experiential” discussions, teaching various ways to create the correct environment for sleep.

While New York City might bask in its well earned reputation as the “city that never sleeps”, some of its residents really wouldn’t mind a bit more shuteye.  Full article

We often have bizarre occurrences in our fast-paced lives. Many times, we just shrug it off and move on to the next battle. But what if the drugs you’re taking are causing this odd behavior. Could it be side effects from your favorite medication?

As strange as this may sound, actions such as compulsive gambling and sleep-driving are two real side effects that have been reported by patients or drug manufacturers in recent years.

For example, popular new anti-smoking treatment, Chantix made headlines for its wide array of potential side effects. Several included  insomnia and nightmares.  Full article

Being pampered at one of the worl’d most luxurious spas is tops on most of our wish lists. CHI, the Spa at Shangri-La, has opened at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. CHI, The Spa is located on its very own private island,  within the resort’s luxury premises.

Designed as a secluded sanctuary inspired by the mystical legend of “Shangri-La” captured in Lost Horizon by James Hilton, CHI occupies its own private island, Pulau Bayu, which in Malay means “Island of the Breeze”.

The 4,161-square-metre spa features eight island villas, the largest in Kota Kinabalu. Each villa comes with the CHI signature “spa within a spa” concept, featuring private treatment rooms, lounging areas, steam rooms, outdoor gardens and bathing facilities. The villas are located within the island’s perimetres to ensure privacy as well as full sea views with access through its very own entrance lobby.

Three of the villas are designed for couples and measure 69 square metres with 88-square-metre private gardens, complete with outdoor bathing amenities.

The island spa also features a yoga pavilion with full views of the South China Sea and breathtaking sunsets, lush private gardens ideal for lounging or meditation, and a welcoming “sanctum” with a spa boutique.

The CHI concept was developed in collaboration with a team of recognised experts in traditional Chinese medicine and Himalayan healing philosophies. In traditional Chinese philosophy, chi represents the universal life force that governs individual well-being and personal vitality. Spa treatments and an exclusive product range have been designed based on the Chinese philosophy of the five elements, in which metal, water, wood, fire and earth are in balance with the positive yang and negative yin energy within the body.

CHI Spa’s extensive menu features signature therapies like the Himalayan Healing Stone Massage and the Mountain Tsampa Rub based on the ancient healing traditions of the mystical Himalayan region, while natural ingredients like Borneo volcanic mud, Sabah pearls and cocoa find their way into a number of exclusive therapies highlighting the local culture.

Since its debut in 2004, CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, has been recognised internationally as a world-class spa brand, garnering media and industry awards. CHI spas operate today in Bangkok, Cebu, Shanghai, Penang, Muscat and Guangzhou with a further 22 spas scheduled to open in premier city and resort locations over the next five years.
Article by: Asia Travel Tips.com

Ever find yourself gift-hunting for a truly self-obsessed friend? If you’ve got a lot of money, then consider buying thim or her a reading of their entire DNA code–for a staggering $350,000!

A biotech firm in Cambridge, Mass. called Knome (pronounced “gnome”) is offering the service to hypochondriacs and their sympathizers. You could find out that you’re going to keel over from cancer before you get any symptoms.

Until now …. only J. Craig Venter, the brash gene-mapper, and James Watson, who discovered DNA’s structure, have gotten to look straight at their entire DNA code. A bunch of other companies recently surfaced that give consumers a glimpse of their genes for prices ranging from $985 to $2,500. Among them are Google, who funded 23andMe, Iceland’s Decode Genetics and Navigenics of Redwood Shores, Calif.

But the low-budget products sample only 1 million common gene variations. Knome is promising to look at all 3 billion letter pairs in a person’s genome, in a few months’ time. Cofounder George Church, a Harvard professor who is separately running a DNA sequencing effort, says he started the company after people had approached him saying they would pay great sums to learn their entire DNA. He joined with entrepreneurs Jorge Conde and Sundar Subramaniam.

No buyers yet, and you might think carefully before spending that $350,000. Scientists don’t understand fully how genes interact to produce a particular disease. On the other hand, you will be in an exclusive club: Knome will take only 20 people. Church suggests they might even have an edge when it comes to biotech investing.

It seems like everyday we hear about another food that is bad for us and pushing us another step closer to the grave. But wait, maybe there is a silver lining after all.  As the holiday season winds down, most of us ponder all the food we devoured and notice those extra pounds around the mid-section.

We’ve all heard how chocolate, french fries and Burgandy wine are not wise choices for our health. However, that may be not true after all. Inhaling a box of chocolates isn’t wise, but just a small portion a day may actually help prevent cancer and stave off weight gain. Where do I sign up?  To learn more and see nine surprisingly healthy foods ….. Full article