Impact Fusion

There are always suspicions of a kind of shallowness that run through most New Year’s resolutions.  This is particularly true with those promises that revolve around the physical appearance only; getting in shape in order to look good for the next swimsuit season, or becoming trim enough to fit into some old clothes.  Truly, there’s nothing wrong with a focus on health, but in terms of motivation, it’s much more likely to be successful if there is a deeper reward.

Having a terrific exterior is always a positive, and can do wonders for a mood, but it’s much more profound when it matches the interior.  That is to say, the vehicle might have brand new cooper tires, but if the engine isn’t running right, it’s not going to be a good ride.  The car analogy is not a bad way to consider it.  When looking at one’s decisions to take care of their physical appearance in the New Year, matching the internal world with the external is a worthy challenge, and its rewards are immense.

It is, in many respects, a self-correcting mechanism.  A healthy body is a reflection of a healthy life, one where instinct and reason are not at odds, but in a constantly shifting state of balance.  Becoming tuned in to one’s own deeper processes is rewarding for its own sake, because it means a certain peace and serenity that are very pleasurable.  It also means being tuned into the smaller and subtler changes in the body, and constantly shifting and accommodating can lead to an inner stability that is visible from the surface.  When it comes to a healthy exterior, it’s more a matter of projecting out than reflecting in.

An internal engine that is running well will show on the outside.  In terms of the human body, this means healthy looking skin, clear eyes, and a kind of radiance that comes from deep within.  Clear eyes are the whitewalls of the body.

This doesn’t mean that it’s pointless to try to make cosmetic changes.  One can certainly help to enhance what’s already there.  Just like with a vehicle, the main components have to be in place, and well-maintained, to make a solid announcement of presence in the world.  Keeping one’s own internal equilibrium is the most important step, then, and every attempt to help maintain that state will only work toward creating a healthy inner image, that really does shine in the world.

Quitting drugs seems like an especially good idea if you live in Chicago. While the Windy City is known for its weather, its art museums, and pizza, it’s also known for something darker – its substance abuse problems. According to data collected about roughly three to four years ago, in 2008, when folks are arrested in Chicago, they are more likely than any other prisoner in a U.S. major city to test positively for drugs. In that year, 87 percent of those under arrest in Chicago came up positive for drugs. According to a report from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in 2008, Chicago was the nation’s number one city for heroin use among those arrested.

Some other quick facts for Chicago and substance abuse:

Fifty-two percent of those under arrest in the Chicago metropolitan area test positively for cocaine, despite the fact that in the rest of America, marijuana is the most used illegal drug. Most likely, this may have something to do with the fact that individuals with drug addiction problems often commit criminal acts to keep their addiction going. They often, too, lose their jobs, and crime is perhaps the quickest, if not the safest or most reliable method of acquiring fast cash.

Thirty-five percent of those arrested in Chicago are what are known as “poly-drug” abusers. This means the substance abuse user is mixing different types of illegal drugs at the same time. It’s one way to obtain different side effects from the drugs, or to keep the effects of the drug going, even increasing the drug’s effects.

While it may seem that a large number of residents might want to quickly check into Chicago rehab programs , the use of illegal drugs is certainly not limited to Illinois.

In a report from September of 2010, 21.8 million Americans who were twelve years old or older used illegal drugs within the past four weeks (at the time the report was issued). This was up from 19.7 million Americans who used illegal drugs within the last month in 2006. Among the population, the highest usage demographic is among those aged 18 to 21 years old. The most abused drug appears to be marijuana with a total of 14.6 million users, whereas 2.4 million Americans will use cocaine regularly.

Other studies find that addiction and substance abuse costs the state of Illinois about $4.8 billion a year. Approximately $2.4 billion is for drug addicts and their care while in prisons and hospitals, while about $179 million is provided for prevention and treatment.

There are a wildly diverse number of points of view when it comes to the question of whether or not natural sunlight is a healthy thing or not.  For most people, even the most generic common sense response can weigh in equally compellingly for benefits as much as for dangers.  There are, of course, so many variables in any equation, even in hypothetical ones.  Whether or not people are talking about spending hours in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, or just adding a touch of atmosphere to a room by cracking open metal mini-blinds will each provoke a very particular response.  However, even under the most studied conditions, one can still come up with two very different arguments, and find plenty along the spectrum in between.

The argument on the balance side in favor of sunlight can probably best be covered by a paper set forth by Haven Emerson almost 80 years ago.  He argues along the same lines that have favored natural light for generations, and still have the same kind of currency.  The skin absorbs vitamins from sunlight, it has positive effects on mental functions, and it is also the light source offering ideal reading conditions for the human eye.  These arguments very likely ring true, and they still have their resonances in social and scientific circles.  The old doctor’s prescription to take a vacation in a sunny place to improve the constitution is still a part of contemporary culture.

The arguments on the other side of the spectrum are not necessarily based on any belief held for generations, but are actually quite new in the human story.  The reasons the arguments are not part of common belief is because of the changes in the ozone layer, and a radical increase in incidents of skin cancer during our lifetime.  Here there are the warnings about the skin, the sun’s potentially detrimental effects on the eyes, and can even take into account the effects of too much sun on the mood, how some people can go a little mad.  Sunlight here is better left avoided and, taken to an extreme, one shouldn’t even open the panel track blinds in order to stay safe.

In truth, both sides offer extreme versions of what are both potentially moderate positions.  Total exposure to sunlight all throughout the day makes as much sense as total darkness, and both options sound rather dismal in their own way.  The healthiest position is perhaps the same one that is nearly always suggested when it comes to health.  Somewhere in between, a healthy balance, and moderation, these are all keys to balance.  Physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health do depend on some amount of sunlight, along with some protection from the damage of the sun’s rays, which means that the truth is always somewhere in between.

Health is on everyone’s minds these days. Well, okay, almost everyone. And for those of us who aren’t obsessed with it, we should give it some consideration. Everything affects our health and well-being. Our diet, exercise habits and even job choice can impact our health. In addition, our relationships, various financial problems and all sorts of other personal lifestyle elements come into play and can have a major effect on our health and overall well-being. It’s no surprise that stress can affect our health, which is where the majority of our lifestyle elements come into play. It’s also widely understood the important role exercise plays in our health.

There are numerous books, web sites and magazines devoted to different health relate topics and it is easy to become lost in the myriad of diet recommendations and treatments for various minor ailments. In addition, the amount of legitimate information available on major illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease can be staggering for a new patient to try who finds themselves trying to sort through it. So, how do you find your way through the vast sea of the Internet? Health care providers and information sources want to ensure their information is available on readily accessible on the web. LinkedIn profile such as Elixir Interactive is a professional networking resource that allows medical an other professionals to build strong connections and maintain a solid online presence. This can also be a great resource for patients and other consumers.

So, how does the average layperson consumer navigate the vast wealth of information? Well, the first thing you can do is ask your doctor or health care provider to give you the best information, or direct you to it. From there, you can branch out your search on your own. Also check to see what the source of the information is. This means that when you find and interesting article online, it’s import to determine who wrote it, what their qualifications are and what agencies or associations they might be affiliated with or working for. Of course some of the standard most of the government related sites will have the latest information, and certain non-profit or doctor-managed sites will also be good. One of the great support systems available on the Internet is peer related and/or sponsored. Support groups, online patient meetings or personal experience blogs are frequently one of the best support resources for patients and other consumers. Resources for family, friends and other caregivers are also available online are easy to access. Finding a quality Internet source is important, and using various networking sites can help your search. There are professional agencies with experts in the field,  see Elixir Interactive speaker profile, that understand the important of a strong Internet presence and assist professionals with search engine optimization techniques. If you’re worried about loosing weight, quitting smoking or making other positive lifestyle changes, there is a bulk of information and resources available online. In addition, if you’re suffering from a major health issue or illness, the information found online, as well as the various support systems, can help you cope with the disease and deal with your treatment options.

The statistics are chilling with regard to becoming disabled to the point of being unable to work. Nearly one third of those entering the workforce today will face disability before reaching retirement age. Currently 18% of the population are classified as fully or partially disabled and more than 5% of American workers receive Social Security Disability Benefits. Many of these are individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who are facing a lifetime of relying on disability insurance.

When someone is disabled through accident or illness, they have so many things to worry about. Doctor visits, physical therapy, and radical changes in mobility and lifestyle can be overwhelming. Add to that the pressure to pay medical bills and purchase necessary equipment on top of dealing with the loss of income and the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a disability denial . Yet, many claims for disability benefits are denied — whether by the Social Security Administration or a private insurer.

The process for applying for disability benefits is arduous. This is why many people seek out the help of experienced attorneys in filing applications and supporting medical evidence. Lawyers are also capable of representing workers in appealing a denial. It is possible for individuals to successfully apply and even appeal on their own behalf, but the aggravation and frustration that can accompany the process isn’t ideal for someone learning to live with a disability . Sometimes it’s better to get help from experienced professionals so that the claimant can focus on their health and well being.

Human cultures move through different cycles of growth and development, where there are some cycles focused on material expression and collection, and some based on focusing the inner journey. There are many positive rewards that come from working with consciousness exploration techniques such as visualization, meditation, and biofeedback . Recent developments seem to suggest that human cultures are entering into one of the periods of great exploration of inner space. While these techniques are showing very optimistic findings in terms of helping people maintain lower stress levels, and healthier lives in general, there might be a little bit of love magic in the picture as well.

Work by anthropologists like Helen Fisher , who focus their research on how human beings love is revealing some fascinating findings. Most people understand that love is a biological function, but that it also originates in the mind. It’s possible, then, that one could conceivably create the physical chemistry in the body that reproduces the feeling of actually being in love. Some tests in biofeedback where partners focus on the heartbeat simultaneously are demonstrating that this kind of physiological syncing up produces a greater awareness of love, and this in itself is capable of producing the emotion in a more profound way. Two hearts can beat as one.

There is an old cliche in Western films about a cowboy, sometime in the 1880s, who has come to town to take a bath at the local hotel and saloon. Proudly, he’ll claim that he takes a bath once a year, whether he needs it or not.

There are a number of variations of this joke, where the cowboy takes different amounts of time — sometimes it’s a week between baths, or only months — but the humor comes from the same idea: People in modern society, accustomed to daily bathing, find it funny that anyone would think that going so long between bathings was healthy or desirable, while the cowboy thought he was doing well to get a bath in as often as he did.

While the Greeks and Romans developed the idea of bathing in steamy, thermal springs to an art, the religiously devout of the Middle Ages felt that cleanliness was anything but next to godliness. In those times, bathing was frowned upon, because to do so meant you were paying more attention to the flesh than to the spiritual worship of God. They also felt the dirt protected them from the various illnesses in the era.

Fortunately, clearer and cleaner heads prevailed, and, as indoor plumbing improved, baths became popular everywhere. Eventually, the shower became even more popular, expanding to various types, including steam showers , that allow people today to experience the sauna-like atmosphere that has been enjoyed by people for centuries.