#intelligenceforyourlife

[conniesellecca]

Why you should gift your local nail salon a plant!

You may want to give a gift to your local nail salon: A dracaena plant! According to the American Chemical Society, that plant can clean the air as well as some ventilation systems. Removing harmful chemicals and pollutants.

Researchers were testing plants for their purification qualities - particularly how well they removed V-O-Cs from the air: Volatile Organic Compounds, which can be found in paint, furniture, dry cleaning chemicals and acetone — the ingredient in nail polish remover.

And the researchers found that the dracaena plant absorbed an amazing 94% of acetone. Researchers say their findings could pave the way for plants to replace more expensive ventilation systems in places like nail salons.

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[conniesellecca]

Swing away your stress and anxiety!

If you’re feeling anxious, hit the playground and hop on a swing. Or find the nearest hammock, porch swing, or rocking chair. Then spend two minutes swinging, rocking or swaying. The repetitive motion relaxes the nervous system and calms the amygdala, the brain region linked to stress and anxiety. In fact, swinging is so powerful, the University of Miami says it can cut production of stress hormones by 25% for 2 hours. Just from 2 minutes of swinging, rocking or swaying.

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[conniesellecca]

Do you need inspiration to lose weight?

What’s the #1 thing that inspires people to lose weight? How good they’ll feel afterward? Buying new clothes? Feeling less self-conscious? Nope… According to a survey of 2,000 women trying to lose weight, the #1 thing that inspires people is: Seeing before-and-after photos online! The survey was conducted by Slimming World, which is a weight-loss organization. They found 70% of the women surveyed were inspired by things they saw on social media - from workout videos, to seeing other people who've transformed their bodies, to following fitness influencers who share motivational tips every day. But the #1 source of inspiration was before-and-after transformation photos. 91% of the women who used social media said before-and-after photos helped them realize it’s possible to reach their goals. The Slimming World survey also found that people trying to lose weight love the positive community they can find on social media. 87% of the women surveyed said that being part of a group going through the same thing helped them stay accountable.

Before-and-after photos… Powerful inspiration.

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[conniesellecca]

Is it bad to share an ice cream cone with your dog?

Yes! Microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba says dog and human mouths contain different types of bacteria. And what’s in a dog’s mouth can cause gum disease in you, or salmonella poisoning. Face it – we love our dogs but, as Dr. Gerba puts it, “They use their tongue for toilet paper.” So keep dog slobber away from your mouth. Besides, dogs don’t have the enzymes to process dairy - so ice cream will give Rover the runs.

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[conniesellecca]

Here’s an odd tip to help you fight a cold or flu:

Tap your chest!

There’s an acupressure point in the middle of the breastbone – at about where your third rib would be. Gently tap that point for a minute every couple of hours. Eastern medicine experts say it’ll trigger the thymus gland to produce more T-cells, which are the cells that help our immune system find and attack viruses.

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[conniesellecca]

Do you eat too fast?

You know you should eat more slowly to lose weight… but if you struggle to pause between bites, use a smaller fork! British researchers say it’ll reduce your calorie intake by as much as 29%. Because by forcing you to take smaller bites, it gives your brain a chance to register fullness. And by taking MORE bites, your brain will also think you’re eating more – so you’ll feel satisfied sooner. And you’ll actually want to eat less than usual.

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[conniesellecca]

The BEST time to check your blood pressure.

From now on, check your blood pressure in the morning. So says Jichi Medical University in Japan. Because a morning reading is a more accurate way to assess stroke risk. That’s because our blood pressure naturally rises in the morning. Whereas at night, our reading could be influenced by the stress of a tough day, taking a hot bath, or eating a big dinner. But when our blood pressure surges in the morning, it’s due to physiological factors – like our sympathetic nervous system kicking into gear. So take your reading in the morning – before you eat or take a shower – and you’ll get the most accurate assessment of your stroke risk.

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[conniesellecca]

Are you thinking about getting the shingles shot?

Don’t get it too soon! The shingles rash is triggered by remnants of the virus that gave you chickenpox – and it’s incredibly painful. But Dr. Maria Nagel, a neurologist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, says you’re less likely to have an outbreak when you’re younger, and your immune system is stronger. And if you get the shingles shot before age 60, you might not be protected down the road, when you’re much more likely to develop the rash – and your risk of complications are much higher. Bottom line: Don’t ask your doctor for the shingles shot until after you turn 60.

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