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You are here: Home / 2008 / Archives for May 2008

Archives for May 2008

Be Safe This Weekend and Every Weekend

May 24, 2008 by Joi Leave a Comment

Car According to the National Sleep Foundation, Memorial Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times on our roads. One of the reasons is “drowsy” drivers. Some people are more susceptible than others to nodding off behind the wheel. Personally, my own driving concerns me too much to drift off. By “concerns,” of course, I mean my driving scares the spit out of my mouth.

“Too many Americans are too tired to drive. In fact, according to NSF’s recently released 2008 Sleep in America poll, an alarming 36 percent of respondents admit to actually nodding off or falling asleep while driving,” David M. Cloud, NSF’s chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement.

“Hectic weekend getaways may add to the problem as many get on the road at ungodly hours to beat traffic. Not getting enough sleep puts everyone at increased risk for fall-asleep crashes. Understanding crucial warning signs and countermeasures is key to preventing sleep-related crashes,” he added.

If you ever experience any of the following, be sure to pull off of the road asap:

  • Heavy eyelids
  • You find yourself swerving out of your lane
  • You lose touch with your surroundings
  • You’re frequently yawning
  • Your head keeps nodding forward or falling backward

Never take any risks.  Ever!  If you won’t be extra cautious for yourself, think of your passengers or other drivers’ safety.  

The following are some suggestions that’ll help keep you safe:

  • Always get a really good night’s sleep the night before a trip.  Don’t stay up late, packing, or finishing up preparations.  Do that earlier in the day and aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep – more if you can get it.
  • Give yourself plenty of time.  This way, you can stop frequently during the trip to stretch your legs and get your blood circulating. 
  • Make frequent stops.  Stop at least every two hours – the movement will do you a world of good.
  • Don’t take any medications that’ll cause drowsiness.  Benadryl and other allergy medications knock most people flat on their backs.  If you aren’t sure how a medication will affect you, try not to take it until after the trip.
  • C-O-F-F-E-E!  Caffeine makes a perfect  co-pilot for all of us, but for those who fall asleep easily at the wheel, it might just be the perk they need.  A word of caution, however, if you aren’t used to high levels of caffeine (the mind boggles), drinking a great deal might give you the jitters.  A jittery driver’s just a little bit better than a woozy one!  Bottom line:  Don’t go ape.  Two cups of coffee should keep you alert for about two hours.
  • If you can avoid it, don’t travel alone.
  • Turn the radio on, turn the radio up, and sing out loud.  Louder!

If you’ve taken the precautions but STILL start to feel sloppy-eyed and drowsy, don’t be a hero.  Pull off the road and, if you have to, take a nap.  Even 15 to 30 minutes can help you feel better and fresher.  Just be sure you’re in a safe place.  And lock the doors!  Great, now I’m mothering you.  Next thing you know I’ll be asking if you’re eating enough vegetables lately.

Well, are you?

 

Filed Under: Health, Self Help

Excellent Advice On Staying Young

May 22, 2008 by Joi Leave a Comment

My aunt sent me this in an e-mail and, of course, I had to pass it along. There’s some great advice here, guys. The cool thing is, the title could just as easily read, “How to Have Less Stress in Your Life,” “How to Enjoy Life More,” “How to Make People Want to Be Around You,” etc.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan’s and Madam) she
said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice… loved it both times!

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those
grouches)

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’ And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him/her.

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love. Whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance.

These 11 admonishings should be written down and lived out!

Filed Under: General, Health, Self Help

An Inspirational Little Book That Makes a Great Graduation, Birthday, or Christmas Gift!

May 12, 2008 by Joi 1 Comment

Just Who Will You Be by Maria Shriver
This morning, over cup of coffee #1, I began and finished reading a wonderful little book I received yesterday.  The first thing I did when I closed the back cover was think, “I want each of my three daughters to read this book.”  Then I thought, “I want everyone to read this book!”

The book is Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within by Maria Shriver and would be an ideal gift for a graduate (either from High School or College).  You’ll want to be certain to do one thing, however, and that’s read it before you pass it along!  It’s of the utmost value for everyone.  Why?  I’ll let Maria Shriver’s own words explain:

I’ve learned that asking ourselves not just what we want to be, but who we want to be is important at every stage of our lives, not just when we’re starting out in the world.  That’s because, in a way, we’re starting out fresh in the world every single day.   –  Maria Shriver, Just Who Will You Be?

The book includes a really inspiring and beautiful speech Maria Shriver gave to her nephew’s senior class. After the speech, students and parents, alike, came up to her thanking her for her words and telling her what they meant to them. Soon thereafter, the idea for the book came about – giving a much wider audience to the speech and it’s inspirational message.

If I were shopping for a graduation present for someone special, I’d go out and buy a great card, a bright gift bag, and some cool tissue paper.  Then I’d get a copy of Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within. and nestle it into the toilet paper.  Since the gift would probably be for a really young person, I’d also buy and add a great necklace, candy, a gift card, or money to the bag as well.   On the card I’d point out how the message inside the book will do them a lot more good than anything else in the bag.  Even if that something else is chocolate.

The really beautiful thing about this book is that it will touch the graduate not only on the day you give it to him/her but everyday for the rest of their life.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

**** Be sure you read the book first!  It’s beautifully written and the message is huge.

UPDATE:

I just discovered that this amazing little book is also available as a CD (pictured below). It’s read by Maria Shriver – how cool’s that? The  Just Who Will You Be CD would also make an excellent gift.

Just Who Will You Be CD

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books I Love Tagged With: book review, gifts for graduates, graduate gifts, Just Who Will You Be, Maria Shriver

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