Feeling Tired?

From MSN:

It’s easy to get run down this time of year, but, your low energy could be due to something other than marathon shopping. Here are some common causes - and the cures - for your fatigue:

• You're bored. Dr. Judith Sills, a clinical psychologist and the author of The Comfort Trap, says that new experiences stimulate your brain and boost energy levels. You don’t have to do anything monumental, either. Something as simple as trying a new food on your lunch break, or seeing a foreign film will do the trick.
  
  
• Too much caffeine. It seems like a contradiction, but caffeine can actually make you tired. Registered dietician Cheryl Forberg says people can create a vicious cycle when they keep ingesting more caffeine to counteract the exhaustion they feel. The cumulative effects of the day's caffeine, like an increased heart rate and a rise in blood pressure, can then keep you from getting a good night's sleep.
  
  
• This next behavior causes a lot of afternoon slumps: Multi-tasking. Neal Roese, a professor of psychology at The University of Illinois, says multi-tasking is a big drain on glucose, which is your brain’s main source of fuel. That means your brain can literally run out of gas. He suggests keeping the number of things you do at one time to a minimum.
  
  
• Poor posture. According to exercise physiologist Kathleen Koch, standing up straight doesn’t just make you look better - it makes you feel better! That’s because when you slouch, your heart and lungs have to work harder to get blood to your muscles. So take you thumbs, put them under your armpits, and pull up gently. That’s about where you should be holding your posture.

If making these changes doesn’t put a spring in your step, it’s time to visit the doctor. Chronic fatigue could be caused by medical conditions like diabetes, anemia, or an under active thyroid.

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Beware of Flirting Robots!

From PC World Magazine:

Singles beware! If you’re looking for love online, you now have another reason to be careful: Flirting Robots! They’re the latest tool used by hackers to gain access to your personal information and passwords. Here’s how they work: The software’s called Cyber Lover and it can establish a new relationship with 10 people in just 30 minutes. How? By masquerading as an online dater. It’s so high-tech that it can take on a variety of personalities and respond to your questions, just like a real person.

Next, the program lulls you into a sense of security by being sweet. It asks you questions like, “When’s your birthday?” and “What’s your address? I want to send you a card.” As you chat, Cyber Lover compiles a detailed report of your personal information. It can even include your picture if you make it available! Then, it sells the information to hackers who use it to access your bank accounts and credit cards. Don’t think you can trust your instincts! Sergei Shevchenko, a computer security expert, says that it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between the software and a real person. So, here’s how to protect yourself:

• Use an alias. Until you’re positive that you’re dealing with a real human who has no ulterior motives, use a screen name that keeps you anonymous.
  
  
• Protect your personal information. Don’t answer any questions about where you live, work, or go to school. Also, don’t reveal information like your birthday, or where you bank.
  
• Don’t click on links sent in instant messages, or visit new websites at the suggestion of someone you’ve met online.

Now, if you’re worried you’ll scare off potential suitors, don’t be. Anyone who really wants to get to know you will understand why you’re cautious. That’s because the only thing they want to steal is your heart - not your hard-earned cash.

Can You Be Injured From a Sneeze?

Did you hear the one about the guy who sneezed so hard he broke a rib? It can happen! Ask Phil Hughes, a pitcher for the New York Yankees who suffered a stress fracture from a giant sneeze. He ended up on the disabled list, and it took him five months to get back on the mound. According to WebMD, a sneeze expels a jet of air at about 100 miles per hour and the quick, sudden motion can aggravate an underlying problem, like back or neck discomfort. You’re also more prone to a sneeze injury if you’ve got a bone-weakening disease, like osteoporosis or cancer.

Sneezes don’t just break ribs. If you suppress a sneeze by pinching your nostrils or closing your mouth, it can rupture your eardrum or damage your middle ear. A woman in Massachusetts sneezed so hard she got whiplash and had to get a neck brace and muscle relaxants for the pain. What about the two huge sneezes that sent Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa’s back into spasms before a game in 2004. He landed on the disabled list with a sprained ligament in his lower back. Traffic accidents and fatalities have also been caused by sneezing. A Boston man recently lost control of his pickup after a sneezing fit behind the wheel. He wasn’t hurt, but his vehicle ended up in the Charles River.

Even one sneeze can get you into trouble. According to the British Allergy Foundation, if you sneeze while going 70 miles per hour, you’ll travel 100 feet with your eyes shut – almost twice the length of a bowling lane! There are a few rumors about sneezes that aren’t true. Like, you can’t keep your eyes open during a sneeze. Actually, some people can – but it’s very rare. What about the myth that if you could keep your eyes open during a sneeze, your eyes would pop out of your head. No. Your eye sockets are made of bone, they’re not connected to your nasal passages, and there are no muscles back there to tighten when you sneeze and eject your eyeballs. Another myth: Your heart stops when you sneeze. Not true. Doctors say your heart doesn’t even pause when you sneeze.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Have a great 2009!