Health Briefs TV on Why Lunch Hour Can be a Healthy, Fun Hour

Let’s face it. Going to a fast food restaurant several times a week can take a toll on anyone’s budget. And making the same lunch every day to eat at the desk can be a bore. Health Briefs TV offers some healthy lunch ideas to make that break time something to look forward to.

One of the first things to change up is the way a home-brought lunch is stored and carried into the office. If this is something you do every day, why not invest in reusable containers in different sizes and colors? There is something available for almost any kind of food or condiment. Bring your own silverware, wash it when done and store in a desk drawer so it is always there. It’s also a good idea to bring your own water bottles filled with water to work. This reduces the amount of plastic being tossed in the trash. And in most cases, one can add ice cubes, lemon or other citrus wedges into the bottle for flavor.

Healthy lunches can be shopped for and premade on the Sunday. Think whole wheat pasta salads packed with sautéed veggies, fresh parm, feta or goat cheese. Chicken tenders are also a great lunch idea and pack extra protein for the remainder of the day. Lean or low-fat deli meat and cheese on flavorful thin breads are also a nutritious option. Health Briefs TV also suggests cleaning, slicing and storing fresh fruit in different container so all you have to do is put on in an insulated lunch carrier. Make healthy, fun and flavorful lunches every day for work. Save money and improve your health. Take a walk after eating to get the body a chance to loosen up.

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Small Steps Can Improve Health from Health Briefs TV

Health Briefs TV looks at the small steps everyone can take every day to improve their health.  Many people spend most of the work day sitting at a desk.  Not only does this affect posture, but it also affects blood and oxygen circulation, joints and bones.  One easy way to circumvent future health problems caused by sitting all day is to stand up every hour and walk a little bit.  Not only will this loosen stiff muscles and joints, but it will also relieve stress and improve mood. Take a break in the morning and afternoon to go outside and walk can decrease premature death by 33 percent, a recent study found.

When home, get in more walking after dinner.  Light gardening and even vacuuming the carpet are good, light exercise.  To measure how much walking is accomplished in a day, why not invest in an activity tracker? These can be worn on the wrist or clipped to a belt loop. Health Briefs TV notes that these devices are beneficial and useful to people to want to measure how much physical activity they get in a day. Every minute of exercise we can get adds to our overall health.  Moderate exercise strengthens the heart, muscles and bones.  It will also help people who sit all day at work then have a long commute home. It feels good to get up and let the body recover from sitting all day. Look around and find fun ways to increase exercise.

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Health Briefs TV Shares How to Stay Healthy and Fit at Work

People who are stressed at work tend to overeat. Comfort food really does help relieve anxiety and tension, even when it is unhealthy. Health Briefs TV shares how to stay healthy and fit at work.

It can be really hard to focus on wellness when stress in the workplace is heavy. Snacks are visible and most of them are not all that healthy. A bag of M&Ms can really perk up a bad day. So can some chips and a hamburger with fries at lunch. But none of this is healthy. Over time, it packs on the pounds and soon we feel lethargic.  It’s time to break out of the bad habits and reduce stress in a healthier way.

Bring your own lunch and snacks to work. A lean turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with low-fat cheese is better for us than that hamburger. Toss in a baggie of healthy veggie chips to get the crunch and salty goodness. Grapes, snack size carrots, bottled water and a small piece of dark chocolate can ease the stress of any tough workday.

Take a break. Go outside for 15 minutes and take a walk. Inhale deeply, stretch, let the sun warm the back and neck. Smile. It’s amazing how this one short break with a change of scenery can reduce tension in the body.

The Health Briefs TV show suggests taking a longer walk at lunch time. Pick up the pace and burn off some stress. Drink plenty of water when back in the office.  Stay healthy and fit during times of high stress at work with these helpful suggestions.

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Health Briefs TV Explains Why Everyone Needs a Power Nap

There is nothing like a power nap to refresh energy and boost brain power.  Health Briefs TV explains why we all need one of these.

Short naps are 30 to 45 minutes long and are most beneficial for memory retention and recall, according to researchers in Germany. The study involved two groups of people: a control group and a group of participants that took a power nap. Those who took the power nap were found to perform better than the control group when remembering work pairs during a performance test. Results such as these can be useful for college students and others who rely on information learned.

Power naps are beneficial to everyone. A short 20 to 30 minute nap refreshes a tired mind, boosts energy and increases stamina for the rest of the day and evening. The Health Briefs TV show suggests taking one on hot days when the sun is at its highest. Workers might want to use half of a one hour lunch break to grab a power rest.  Napping was once thought of for infants, small children and the very elderly. But the German study results prove that a power nap helps everyone retain more information, and endure a long day. For best results: close the office door, turn the lights off and set an alarm to go off in 20 to 30 minutes. Use a jacket or sweater for a pillow and stretch out at the desk or on the floor. Just be sure to get up when the alarm rings. 

Why We Need the Turn the Volume Down from Health Briefs TV

Turn the volume down

Nothing sounds better than listening to a favorite song with ear buds or head phones on. Keep in mind though that we don’t have to amp up the volume.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 billion people could possibly lose their hearing and most of those between the ages of 12 and 35. This is mostly due to cranking the volume up with ear buds in the ears or head phone use.  Forty percent of the above are likely to lose experience some level of hearing loss due to being in venues where the decibel levels are very high, such as concerts. And hearing loss is forever.

Below are some steps to prevent premature hearing loss:

Curtail listening to loud music from ear buds or head phones to no more than one hour per day.

Don’t spend more than eight hours per day in a job where the inside noise decibel is more than 85 decibels. These jobs are usually in bars, nightclubs or sporting venues.

Turn the TV volume to a reasonable listening level.

Watch children and teens to be sure they are not blasting music or games in their ears with buds or head phones. Headphones can be cranked up to 110 decibels.

The Health Briefs TV show reminds readers that hearing loss is permanent. There are no quick fixes. And hearing aid devices, no matter what the cost, do not restore hearing one hundred percent. In fact, hearing aids amplify ALL sound including background noise. Protect the ears always. 

Health Briefs TV Warns Readers about E-Cigarette Dangers

Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things to do. Breaking that nicotine habit is hell. There is no other way to describe it. Today, there are nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges and e-cigarettes to help people who want to quit smoking. As many could guess, some of these helpers are not all that good for you.  Health Briefs looks at the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are a popular option for people who are trying to quit smoking. Shaped like a long cigarette, the item can be loaded with flavored vapors and a heavy dose of nicotine. Newer models of the e-cig allow the user to adjust the level of nicotine they get. But along with that comes a higher amount of formaldehyde, which is a probable human carcinogen. Health Briefs TV notes that cigarettes also contain formaldehyde. Researchers found that the higher the voltage chosen on the e-cigarette, the higher amount of formaldehyde. They also note that people who vaped three milliliters of e-liquid per day would inhale 14.4 milligrams of formaldehyde. This can possibility increase the risk of cancer up to 15 times.

While there are many options today to help the smoker kick the nicotine habit, our best suggestion is to ask a doctor. Most of the products on store shelves are expensive. But quitting sure beats the high cost of healthcare that a cancer diagnoses will eventually bring.

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Health Briefs TV Explains Why a Short Walk is Better than No Walk

A recent study from Cambridge University reports that a short daily walk is better than no walk at all. Health Briefs TV explains why a little daily exercise can prolong life.

Researchers studied nearly 300,000 people and found that a brisk 20 minute daily walk can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. The study also found that this short bout of activity is better for longevity than body weight. People that walk or do some other form of physical activity daily increase blood to the heart, raise their energy levels and the exercise improves mood. In contrast, someone who is sedentary can become lethargic, cranky and is at risk for becoming obese and suffer from the consequences. Those who work at jobs which require sitting all day should take breaks to move. Head outside for a quick walk, take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators and park farther from the office building. The Health Briefs TV show strongly encourages readers to add some kind of daily activity to their regular routine. The extra energy, health benefits and longer longevity that comes from daily exercise makes one feel physically better and stronger. Plus, it can lower health insurance rates .Get up and move now.

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Health Briefs TV on the Flu

The flu is widespread across America and there are many questions about it and the flu vaccine. Health Briefs finds and shares the answers.

Some people with the flu are contagious before they feel any symptoms. But for the most part, adults are considered contagious about 24 to 72 hours after contracting the virus and remain that way for up to five days after the onset of symptoms. Kids and people with compromised immune systems can be contagious to anyone around them for up to two weeks.

Flu symptoms are: headache, fever, chills, runny nose, muscle aches, sore throat, warm, flushed skin and watery eyes. The virus is spread when respiratory moisture droplets from an infected person are spread through sneezing, coughing, touching common surfaces and clothing.

Health Briefs suggests keeping a good supply of tissues in the home or classroom and making a visit with a healthcare professional if flu symptoms seem to be apparent. The flu vaccine is helpful in prevention of catching the virus, even though this year’s strain is not the same strain in the vaccine. Stay well.

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Health Briefs TV on How to Prevent Getting Colds and the Flu

Offices are not the best places to work during cold and flu season. Open work environments and even those with cubicles are the perfect places for cold and flu germs to spread. Health Briefs TV offers some suggestions about how to prevent getting colds and the flu this season.

Wash your hands. The lesson we learned in early childhood still holds true today: wash your hands after using the bathroom and before touching any part of the face. Use warm water, if available, and soap and vigorously rub hands together for 15 seconds. Use a paper towels to dry them.

Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Cubicle walls do not stop the germs flying through the air. Ask co-workers to do the same. Keep tissues on your desk also. 

Get a flu shot. It takes two weeks after the injection for immunity to build so now is the best time to visit the pharmacy.  The strain of the flu which is circulating now is particularly dangerous to seniors.

Reduce chronic stress, reduce the amount of sugar consumed, reduce salt intake and quit smoking. All of these will further boost the body’s immune system which fights of the viruses that attack it.

Health Briefs TV also recommends eating a diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, whole grains, lean meat and fish. Get off the sofa at home and walk around the neighborhood. Clean outdoor air is good for us. Finally, lead a meaningful life. It doesn’t have to be grand. Find something that is important to you and embrace it. All of these also help build stronger bodies which can fight off colds and the flu every year.

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Health Briefs TV Reviews Who Can Get Blood Clots

Most people know that blood clots can occur when we sit in one position for too long and when we lie still for too long. Health Briefs TV reviews the other ways we can be affected by a life threatening blood clot.

 Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) develops when a blood clot occurs deep in your body, usually in a leg, and travels to the lungs. This can happen after surgery or sitting for a very long flight. Results of blood clots are called venous thromboembolism and can cause fatal blockages of blood flow in the lungs. It is imperative that we know what the other risk factors are so a blood clot can be prevented.

Premature birth is a risk factor for infants, children and young adults to developing VTE which can affect DVT and other types of blood clots.

The genetic background of a person is also a risk factor when there is a history of factor V Leiden and deficiencies of proteins C and S.

Cancer, traumatic brain injury, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy and childbirth, and vitamin D deficiency are other risk factors which can cause a fatal blood clot. Health Briefs TV suggests talking to a family physician if any of these risk factors affect you.

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Health Briefs TV Reminds Readers of the More Common Viruses

Please cover your mouth much better than this.

There are several viruses which are more worrisome than the Ebola virus. Health Briefs TV reminds readers of what they are and how to prevent catching one.

The Flu – Droplets from an ill person’s sneeze or cough can travel up to six feet away.  Please remember to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing around others.

Enterovirus – This is the virus that is mostly affecting young children. It can be passed by touching an infected person or surface. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer. Don’t touch the face anywhere.

Norovirus – This virus spread when an infected person touches a surface, food or water and other people tough or eat the same surface or food. Again, wash hands thoroughly before touching food or any common surface.

HIV – HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids and shared needles. To prevent transmission, don’t shares needles and wear condoms or other items to block transmission during sex.

Hepatitis – The virus is transmitted through sharing dirty needles. Don’t share needles and be sure any medical worker is using a clean, sterilized one on you, if needed.

RSV – RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It mostly affects very young children and the elderly. It is spread through coughing and sneezing.  Health Briefs TV urges readers to teach young children to cover noses and mouths when coughing and sneezing, and reminds seniors to do the same.

These six viruses are more contagious and easily spread than the Ebola virus.

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Health Briefs Reports on the New OSHA Regulation

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is instituting a new rule which aims to help employees, employers and the government stay abreast of serious workplace accidents. It is requiring companies to notify the agency whenever an employee is hospitalized for an on-the-job injury or suffers an amputation or the loss of an eye at work. Currently, Health Briefs notes that companies only have to notify OSHA when a work accident kills a worker or at least workers are hospitalized. So why are some companies upset about this rule change?

The new rules take effect January 1, 2015. Some industry groups are already annoyed with the new reporting mandate saying it will burden businesses without really helping the employees. However, when these smaller and significant injuries occur at the worksite, it is often due to some safety protocols not being followed. If the new rule can save even one employee’s limb, eye or life, it well worth the extra documentation and paperwork. Health Briefs TV thinks that it is important to identify and address safety hazards in all workplaces before lives are lost and preventable injuries occur. The new rule will also spur companies into better compliance on safety issues which is needed throughout the country. Quite frankly, it’s about time this new OSHA workplace rule is put in place. Workplace safety can be pushed aside in the desire to make money. But there is nothing more valuable than the health and safety of every worker in every industry.

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Health Briefs and How to Prevent the Spread of Germs in the Office

Recently, a team of scientists added samples of a virus like the common cold to everyday workplace surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, desks, and bedrails. They learned that within two to four hours, it had been picked up by about 40 percent of the workers in that office and detected on more surfaces. Below are some easy, everyday ways Health Briefs suggests to prevent the spread of germs in the office.

Instruct the cleaning company to use a disinfectant spray or wipe on all doorknobs, stairway rails, elevator buttons, sinks, counters, desks, light switches and other common surfaces.

Remind employees to clean up break room messes using provided disinfectant wipes.

Wash hands after using the bathroom, before eating or touching food and use a hand sanitizer when needed.

Health Briefs TV also reminds readers of some basic hygiene etiquette: cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and stay home if not feeling well.  

Bring a box of tissues and hand sanitizer to use at the desk.

Fist pump a co-worker for a job well done instead of shaking hands since hand shaking spreads germs. Avoid hugging as this brings germs of the mouth closer to a healthier person’s face.

These same reminders should be shared with children of all ages. Let’s stay healthy this year.

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