Friday, May 31, 2013
In Dating Game, Narcissists Get the Girl
Men with high levels of narcissism -- an unrealistically positive self-image coupled with feelings of entitlement -- have an easier time than others attracting a potential mate, new German research says.
"Narcissism is linked to mate appeal in a real-life situation," said Michael Dufner, a researcher at Humboldt University of Berlin, who led the study.
The research is published in the July 2013 issue of the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Dufner and his team first measured narcissism levels in 61 men with an average age of 25, who were invited to join a courtship study in Germany. "We focused on narcissism as a personality trait, not the personality disorder," he said. "This means that everybody has a certain narcissism level -- for some it is higher, for others lower."
Next, the researchers asked the men to approach women they did not know on the street and get contact information. It could be a phone number, email or Facebook contact.
Research assistants followed the men (which the men were aware of), observing the interactions. Dufner decided to focus on men in this study because men traditionally court a potential mate in this way, compared to women's typically more subtle approaches, such as flirting, he said.
"We tested if individuals with higher narcissism scores are more appealing," he said.
On average, the men approached about 23 women. To rule out the possibility that the more narcissistic men were more selective in who they approached, the researchers analyzed each woman who was approached on her physical attractiveness and manner of dress. The narcissists weren't more selective.
The narcissistic guys did get the girl more often. The higher the level of narcissism, the more likely they were to get more contacts.
"The effect was not due to high self-esteem, but indeed the narcissism," Dufner said. The physical attractiveness and social boldness of the narcissists were the two likely reasons for their appeal to women, he said.
Dufner offered some caveats about the research, though. "We were not able to directly test the causality underlying the association between narcissism and physical attractiveness," he said.
One possibility, he said, is that physical attractiveness may be a partial cause of narcissism, as other researchers have suggested.
For narcissists -- and the women they seek -- the news is not all good, Dufner said. "Narcissists are charming and appealing at first sight, but they are not long-term romantic partners," he said.
The study findings confirm what many experts have long suspected, said Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University who has written about narcissism. "Narcissists are very good at initiating relationships," she said. "On first impression, they come across as confident and charming. The problems arise later on, when you realize that he doesn't actually care about you -- it's all about him."
Twenge was not involved in the study, but reviewed the findings.
Caution is the byword for those attracted to narcissists, both experts agreed."In the long run, narcissists made bad relationship partners," Twenge said. "They lack empathy and have a difficult time taking someone else's perspective."
Twenge said she does understand why women fall for narcissists. "The initial appeal of narcissists comes from their assertiveness and confidence," she said. "These are stereotypically masculine traits that many women find appealing."
SOURCES: Michael Dufner, Ph.D., researcher, Humboldt University of Berlin, and International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course, Berlin, Germany; Jean Twenge, Ph.D., professor of psychology, San Diego State University, and co-author, The Narcissism Epidemic; July 2013, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
"Narcissism is linked to mate appeal in a real-life situation," said Michael Dufner, a researcher at Humboldt University of Berlin, who led the study.
The research is published in the July 2013 issue of the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Dufner and his team first measured narcissism levels in 61 men with an average age of 25, who were invited to join a courtship study in Germany. "We focused on narcissism as a personality trait, not the personality disorder," he said. "This means that everybody has a certain narcissism level -- for some it is higher, for others lower."
Next, the researchers asked the men to approach women they did not know on the street and get contact information. It could be a phone number, email or Facebook contact.
Research assistants followed the men (which the men were aware of), observing the interactions. Dufner decided to focus on men in this study because men traditionally court a potential mate in this way, compared to women's typically more subtle approaches, such as flirting, he said.
"We tested if individuals with higher narcissism scores are more appealing," he said.
On average, the men approached about 23 women. To rule out the possibility that the more narcissistic men were more selective in who they approached, the researchers analyzed each woman who was approached on her physical attractiveness and manner of dress. The narcissists weren't more selective.
The narcissistic guys did get the girl more often. The higher the level of narcissism, the more likely they were to get more contacts.
"The effect was not due to high self-esteem, but indeed the narcissism," Dufner said. The physical attractiveness and social boldness of the narcissists were the two likely reasons for their appeal to women, he said.
Dufner offered some caveats about the research, though. "We were not able to directly test the causality underlying the association between narcissism and physical attractiveness," he said.
One possibility, he said, is that physical attractiveness may be a partial cause of narcissism, as other researchers have suggested.
For narcissists -- and the women they seek -- the news is not all good, Dufner said. "Narcissists are charming and appealing at first sight, but they are not long-term romantic partners," he said.
The study findings confirm what many experts have long suspected, said Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University who has written about narcissism. "Narcissists are very good at initiating relationships," she said. "On first impression, they come across as confident and charming. The problems arise later on, when you realize that he doesn't actually care about you -- it's all about him."
Twenge was not involved in the study, but reviewed the findings.
Caution is the byword for those attracted to narcissists, both experts agreed."In the long run, narcissists made bad relationship partners," Twenge said. "They lack empathy and have a difficult time taking someone else's perspective."
Twenge said she does understand why women fall for narcissists. "The initial appeal of narcissists comes from their assertiveness and confidence," she said. "These are stereotypically masculine traits that many women find appealing."
SOURCES: Michael Dufner, Ph.D., researcher, Humboldt University of Berlin, and International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course, Berlin, Germany; Jean Twenge, Ph.D., professor of psychology, San Diego State University, and co-author, The Narcissism Epidemic; July 2013, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Thursday, May 30, 2013
New MERS Virus Threat To The Entire World Says WHO Leader
In a speech this week, Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the newly named Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a "threat to the entire world".
Her warning came in her closing address to the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva on Monday. And, as if to underline the singificance of her words, on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia reported that five more people have been infected with the virus, bringing the unofficial total number of people infected in the country to 37, with 18 deaths.
Adding these new cases to the figures issued early Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brings the unofficial global case count to 49, with 24 deaths, distributed as follows:
France 2 cases (1 death); Jordan 2 (2); Qatar 2 (0); Saudi Arabia 37 (18); Tunisia 2 (0); UK 3 (2); and UAE 1 (1).
New Coronavirus
First identified in the 1960s, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, common throughout the world, that can infect people and animals. They are so called because of the crown-like projections on their surfaces.
Five different coronaviruses can infect humans and cause illnesses. Mostly these are mild to moderate upper-respiratory infections like the common cold.
But some coronaviruses cause much more severe illness, such as the one behind the 2002 SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak that spread from Hong Kong around the world, killing around 800 people.
Like all viruses, coronaviruses cause infection by invading host cells and taking over their processes to make virus particles instead. But exactly how this happens in the case of coronaviruses is not well understood.
A study published in PLoS Pathogens in 2008 went some way toward understanding the replication process of the coronavirus.
However, this new MERS coronavirus is genetically quite distinct from SARS, according to information published on the WHO website in September 2012.
The name Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was put forward by the Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses and is the result of widespread consultation with scientists, says WHO.
The international agency has accepted the new name despite normally not being in favour of having geographic designations in virus names.
Chan Concerned About Fast Emerging Disease
Chan sounded the alarm on the global threat posed by MERS as she closed an intensive seven-day international meeting that had agreed new public health measures and recommendations aimed at securing greater health benefits for all people, everywhere.
However, Chan said as she surveyed the overall global situation, "my greatest concern right now is the novel coronavirus".
She is concerned that we "understand too little" about the virus, when viewed agains the size of its potential threat.
"Any new disease that is emerging faster than our understanding is never under control," Chan explained.
"These are alarm bells and we must respond. The novel coronavirus is not a problem that any single affected country can keep to itself or manage all by itself. The novel coronavirus is a threat to the entire world," she warned.
WHO Team to Help Saudi Arabia Assess MER Risks Ahead of the Annual Haj
The new cases in Saudi Arabia appear to be older people who are not in good health.
A brief statement from the Saudi Ministry of Health says "... five novel Coronavirus cases have been recorded among citizens in the Eastern Region, ranging in age from 73 to 85 years, but they have all chronic diseases".
According to an article in Arab News on 25 May, the WHO is sending a second team to Saudi Arabia to help investigate the new virus.
The source of the outbreak is still not known, but as cases have appeared in clusters it suggests the virus is spreading from person to person.
Chan told Arab News that they need to do a proper risk assessment to get some clarity "on the incubation period, on the signs and symptoms of the disease, on the proper clinical management and then, last but not least, on travel advice".
The UN agency, which sent a first team to Saudi Arabia earlier in May, says it will provide a fresh assessment ahead of the annual Haj that is due to take place in the Kingdom in October.
Haj is the single largest gathering of human beings on the planet. In 2012, it attracted over 3 million pilgrims from 189 countries.
Her warning came in her closing address to the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva on Monday. And, as if to underline the singificance of her words, on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia reported that five more people have been infected with the virus, bringing the unofficial total number of people infected in the country to 37, with 18 deaths.
Adding these new cases to the figures issued early Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brings the unofficial global case count to 49, with 24 deaths, distributed as follows:
France 2 cases (1 death); Jordan 2 (2); Qatar 2 (0); Saudi Arabia 37 (18); Tunisia 2 (0); UK 3 (2); and UAE 1 (1).
New Coronavirus
First identified in the 1960s, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, common throughout the world, that can infect people and animals. They are so called because of the crown-like projections on their surfaces.
Five different coronaviruses can infect humans and cause illnesses. Mostly these are mild to moderate upper-respiratory infections like the common cold.
But some coronaviruses cause much more severe illness, such as the one behind the 2002 SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak that spread from Hong Kong around the world, killing around 800 people.
Like all viruses, coronaviruses cause infection by invading host cells and taking over their processes to make virus particles instead. But exactly how this happens in the case of coronaviruses is not well understood.
A study published in PLoS Pathogens in 2008 went some way toward understanding the replication process of the coronavirus.
However, this new MERS coronavirus is genetically quite distinct from SARS, according to information published on the WHO website in September 2012.
The name Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was put forward by the Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses and is the result of widespread consultation with scientists, says WHO.
The international agency has accepted the new name despite normally not being in favour of having geographic designations in virus names.
Chan Concerned About Fast Emerging Disease
Chan sounded the alarm on the global threat posed by MERS as she closed an intensive seven-day international meeting that had agreed new public health measures and recommendations aimed at securing greater health benefits for all people, everywhere.
However, Chan said as she surveyed the overall global situation, "my greatest concern right now is the novel coronavirus".
She is concerned that we "understand too little" about the virus, when viewed agains the size of its potential threat.
"Any new disease that is emerging faster than our understanding is never under control," Chan explained.
"These are alarm bells and we must respond. The novel coronavirus is not a problem that any single affected country can keep to itself or manage all by itself. The novel coronavirus is a threat to the entire world," she warned.
WHO Team to Help Saudi Arabia Assess MER Risks Ahead of the Annual Haj
The new cases in Saudi Arabia appear to be older people who are not in good health.
A brief statement from the Saudi Ministry of Health says "... five novel Coronavirus cases have been recorded among citizens in the Eastern Region, ranging in age from 73 to 85 years, but they have all chronic diseases".
According to an article in Arab News on 25 May, the WHO is sending a second team to Saudi Arabia to help investigate the new virus.
The source of the outbreak is still not known, but as cases have appeared in clusters it suggests the virus is spreading from person to person.
Chan told Arab News that they need to do a proper risk assessment to get some clarity "on the incubation period, on the signs and symptoms of the disease, on the proper clinical management and then, last but not least, on travel advice".
The UN agency, which sent a first team to Saudi Arabia earlier in May, says it will provide a fresh assessment ahead of the annual Haj that is due to take place in the Kingdom in October.
Haj is the single largest gathering of human beings on the planet. In 2012, it attracted over 3 million pilgrims from 189 countries.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Probiotic Bacteria Beneficial For Brain Function
Bacteria in food can affect brain function, according to new research published in the journal Gastroenterology.
The study, carried out by UCLA researchers, found that brain function changed among healthy women who consumed probiotics in yogurt.
Brain function changed among the women while in a resting state as well as during an emotion-recognition task.
They found that the bacterial environment in the gut can affect brain activity.
The researchers said that this finding has important implications for future dietary or drug interventions to improve brain function.
Dr. Kirsten Tillisch, an associate professor of medicine at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and lead author of the study, said:
"Many of us have a container of yogurt in our refrigerator that we may eat for enjoyment, for calcium or because we think it might help our health in other ways. Our findings indicate that some of the contents of yogurt may actually change the way our brain responds to the environment. When we consider the implications of this work, the old sayings 'you are what you eat' and 'gut feelings' take on new meaning."
It has been established that the brain can send signals to the gut, which explains why stress can often be the cause of gastrointestinal problems.
The authors say their study proves what has been suspected for some time.
Tillisch added that "time and time again, we hear from patients that they never felt depressed or anxious until they started experiencing problems with their gut. Our study shows that the gut- brain connection is a two-way street."
A total of 36 women between the ages of 18 and 55 were included in the study. They were split into three different groups:
Group one ate a yogurt containing a mix of several probiotics twice a day for four weeks
Group two consumed a diary product that contained no probiotics
Group three ate no product at all
In order to look at the brains of the women in a state of rest and in response to an emotion-recognition task the researchers conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans before and after the four week study period.
The emotion-recognition task involved making the women look at pictures of angry or frightened faces and matching them to other faces with the same expressions. This was done in order to measure the affective and cognitive brain regions' response to visual stimulus.
They found that during the emotional reactivity task, those who consumed the probiotic yogurt experienced less activity in both the insula and the somatosensory cortex - which processes internal body sensations.
In addition, women who consumed the probiotic yogurt had decreased activity in emotion-, cognition- and sensory-related areas of the brain compared to those in the two other groups.
In a resting state, women consuming probiotics had shown more connectivity between an important brainstem region called the periaqueductal grey and areas of the prefrontal cortex responsible for cognition.
Tillisch said he was surprised to see that brain effects occurred in various different regions, including those that have nothing to do with emotion, such as sensory processing.
Dr. Emeran Mayer, a professor of medicine, physiology and psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the study's senior author, said that the fact that signals sent from the intestine to the brain can be influenced by dietary change, will hopefully drive further research on digestive and mental disorders.
Mayer said:
"There are studies showing that what we eat can alter the composition and products of the gut flora ''" in particular, that people with high-vegetable, fiber-based diets have a different composition of their microbiota, or gut environment, than people who eat the more typical.
Western diet that is high in fat and carbohydrates. Now we know that this has an effect not only on the metabolism but also affects brain function."
The researchers are now focusing on finding the chemicals that the gut produces which send signals to the brain.
In addition, they want to find out whether gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating, abdominal pain and altered bowel movements correlate to variations in brain response.
Future research will look into whether probiotics have any effect on mood symptoms and anxiety.
The researchers hope that in the future they will be able to manipulate intestinal content to treat brain related diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
Benefits of Probiotics
According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, professional long distance runners who ingested the probiotic Lactobacillus had shorter and less severe spells of respiratory illness than those who ingested a placebo.
Scientists at Michigan State University reported in the Journal of Cellular Physiology, that a natural probiotic supplement can help male mice produce healthier bones.
Probiotic bacteria have the potential to alter brain neurochemistry and treat anxiety and depression-related disorders, according to research published in the prestigious international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Brain function changed among the women while in a resting state as well as during an emotion-recognition task.
They found that the bacterial environment in the gut can affect brain activity.
The researchers said that this finding has important implications for future dietary or drug interventions to improve brain function.
Dr. Kirsten Tillisch, an associate professor of medicine at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and lead author of the study, said:
"Many of us have a container of yogurt in our refrigerator that we may eat for enjoyment, for calcium or because we think it might help our health in other ways. Our findings indicate that some of the contents of yogurt may actually change the way our brain responds to the environment. When we consider the implications of this work, the old sayings 'you are what you eat' and 'gut feelings' take on new meaning."
It has been established that the brain can send signals to the gut, which explains why stress can often be the cause of gastrointestinal problems.
The authors say their study proves what has been suspected for some time.
Tillisch added that "time and time again, we hear from patients that they never felt depressed or anxious until they started experiencing problems with their gut. Our study shows that the gut- brain connection is a two-way street."
A total of 36 women between the ages of 18 and 55 were included in the study. They were split into three different groups:
Group one ate a yogurt containing a mix of several probiotics twice a day for four weeks
Group two consumed a diary product that contained no probiotics
Group three ate no product at all
In order to look at the brains of the women in a state of rest and in response to an emotion-recognition task the researchers conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans before and after the four week study period.
The emotion-recognition task involved making the women look at pictures of angry or frightened faces and matching them to other faces with the same expressions. This was done in order to measure the affective and cognitive brain regions' response to visual stimulus.
They found that during the emotional reactivity task, those who consumed the probiotic yogurt experienced less activity in both the insula and the somatosensory cortex - which processes internal body sensations.
In addition, women who consumed the probiotic yogurt had decreased activity in emotion-, cognition- and sensory-related areas of the brain compared to those in the two other groups.
In a resting state, women consuming probiotics had shown more connectivity between an important brainstem region called the periaqueductal grey and areas of the prefrontal cortex responsible for cognition.
Tillisch said he was surprised to see that brain effects occurred in various different regions, including those that have nothing to do with emotion, such as sensory processing.
Dr. Emeran Mayer, a professor of medicine, physiology and psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the study's senior author, said that the fact that signals sent from the intestine to the brain can be influenced by dietary change, will hopefully drive further research on digestive and mental disorders.
Mayer said:
"There are studies showing that what we eat can alter the composition and products of the gut flora ''" in particular, that people with high-vegetable, fiber-based diets have a different composition of their microbiota, or gut environment, than people who eat the more typical.
Western diet that is high in fat and carbohydrates. Now we know that this has an effect not only on the metabolism but also affects brain function."
The researchers are now focusing on finding the chemicals that the gut produces which send signals to the brain.
In addition, they want to find out whether gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating, abdominal pain and altered bowel movements correlate to variations in brain response.
Future research will look into whether probiotics have any effect on mood symptoms and anxiety.
The researchers hope that in the future they will be able to manipulate intestinal content to treat brain related diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
Benefits of Probiotics
According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, professional long distance runners who ingested the probiotic Lactobacillus had shorter and less severe spells of respiratory illness than those who ingested a placebo.
Scientists at Michigan State University reported in the Journal of Cellular Physiology, that a natural probiotic supplement can help male mice produce healthier bones.
Probiotic bacteria have the potential to alter brain neurochemistry and treat anxiety and depression-related disorders, according to research published in the prestigious international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Care for Your Skin Daily
Proper care of your skin each day can keep it healthy, supple and attractive.
The Cleveland Clinic offers these daily suggestions for healthier skin:
1. Drink plenty of water each day.
2. Give your skin a thorough cleansing twice a day. At night, make sure all makeup is removed and skin is clean.
3. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
4. After your cleaning, use a formulated toner or astringent to remove any missed dirt or makeup.
5. Moisturize your skin regularly. If you have oily skin, use a moisturizer that is oil-free.
6. Be aware of any skin changes, and discuss them with your doctor.
The Cleveland Clinic offers these daily suggestions for healthier skin:
1. Drink plenty of water each day.
2. Give your skin a thorough cleansing twice a day. At night, make sure all makeup is removed and skin is clean.
3. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
4. After your cleaning, use a formulated toner or astringent to remove any missed dirt or makeup.
5. Moisturize your skin regularly. If you have oily skin, use a moisturizer that is oil-free.
6. Be aware of any skin changes, and discuss them with your doctor.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Lawn Mower Injuries Often Caused by Distraction
Each summer, lawn mower accidents send countless numbers of people to the emergency room. Mishaps often involve serious injuries to the fingers, hands and feet. Often caused by a moment's distraction, injuries may require a team of specialists and months of reconstructive surgeries -- even such as replacing a severed thumb with a big toe -- experts warn.
"Too many people are injured each year because of lawn mower-related incidents," Dr. Joshua Jacobs, president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, said in an AAOS news release. "Many of us underestimate the damage that these powerful machines can cause, but it is imperative that we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our families from getting hurt by keeping up to speed on all safety precautions."
Injuries can be prevented if lawn mowers are used properly and certain safety precautions are taken.
"Lawn mowers are not meant to be toys and are certainly not to be used for joy rides," Dr. Joseph Serletti, president of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, said in the news release. "Most lawn mower injuries occur when the operator is distracted momentarily and injuries can range from finger tips to entire hands and feet."
The experts recommended people adhere to the following lawn mower safety tips:
1. Only use lawn mowers equipped with a control that stops the mower blade if the handle is released.
2. Do not allow children younger than 12 to operate a push lawn mower.
3. Do not allow children younger than 16 to operate a driving lawn mower.
4. Wear sturdy shoes when mowing the lawn, not sandals or sneakers.
5. Remove stones, toys and other items from the lawn before mowing to prevent injuries from flying objects.
6. Anyone operating or standing near a lawn mower should wear polycarbonate protective glasses or goggles.
7. Do not pull lawn mowers backwards or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. If the lawn mower is used in reverse, carefully check that no children are in its path.
8. Be sure to turn the mower off and wait for the blades to stop moving before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, crossing paths or roads, or making repairs.
9. Do not use your hands or feet to remove debris from lawn mowers. Opt for a stick or broom handle instead.
10. Do not take children for rides on lawn mowers.
11. Make sure children are not in the yard while a lawn mower is being used.
12. Drive up and down slopes, not across to prevent a lawn mower from rolling over.
13. Properly maintain or service lawn mowers so they are in good working order.
"Every year at this time, children can be seen operating or playing around lawn mowers in unsafe ways. In thousands of yards, injuries will occur, and a beautiful summer day will become a painful occasion," Thomas McInerny, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in the release. "We want parents and kids to be more aware of precautions to take so that injuries can be prevented."
Last year in the United States, more than 234,000 people were admitted to the hospital or treated in a clinic or emergency department for lawn mower-related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"Too many people are injured each year because of lawn mower-related incidents," Dr. Joshua Jacobs, president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, said in an AAOS news release. "Many of us underestimate the damage that these powerful machines can cause, but it is imperative that we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our families from getting hurt by keeping up to speed on all safety precautions."
Injuries can be prevented if lawn mowers are used properly and certain safety precautions are taken.
"Lawn mowers are not meant to be toys and are certainly not to be used for joy rides," Dr. Joseph Serletti, president of the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, said in the news release. "Most lawn mower injuries occur when the operator is distracted momentarily and injuries can range from finger tips to entire hands and feet."
The experts recommended people adhere to the following lawn mower safety tips:
1. Only use lawn mowers equipped with a control that stops the mower blade if the handle is released.
2. Do not allow children younger than 12 to operate a push lawn mower.
3. Do not allow children younger than 16 to operate a driving lawn mower.
4. Wear sturdy shoes when mowing the lawn, not sandals or sneakers.
5. Remove stones, toys and other items from the lawn before mowing to prevent injuries from flying objects.
6. Anyone operating or standing near a lawn mower should wear polycarbonate protective glasses or goggles.
7. Do not pull lawn mowers backwards or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. If the lawn mower is used in reverse, carefully check that no children are in its path.
8. Be sure to turn the mower off and wait for the blades to stop moving before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, crossing paths or roads, or making repairs.
9. Do not use your hands or feet to remove debris from lawn mowers. Opt for a stick or broom handle instead.
10. Do not take children for rides on lawn mowers.
11. Make sure children are not in the yard while a lawn mower is being used.
12. Drive up and down slopes, not across to prevent a lawn mower from rolling over.
13. Properly maintain or service lawn mowers so they are in good working order.
"Every year at this time, children can be seen operating or playing around lawn mowers in unsafe ways. In thousands of yards, injuries will occur, and a beautiful summer day will become a painful occasion," Thomas McInerny, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said in the release. "We want parents and kids to be more aware of precautions to take so that injuries can be prevented."
Last year in the United States, more than 234,000 people were admitted to the hospital or treated in a clinic or emergency department for lawn mower-related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
How to Become a Morning Workout Person? I am...
Even if you're an early bird, getting up before the sun rises to go sweat your butt off can be seriously daunting. The good news: It's possible to become a morning workout person (with relatively little pain). Just follow these steps
1. Pack a Bag -
Every night when you get home from work, put your dirty gym clothes in the hamper and set aside a crisp, new exercise outfit. Having to dig through your dressers drawers at 6 a.m. is no fun. It's much easier to have an outfit ready to go, so you don't have to fully wake up before you get dressed.
2. Force Yourself Out of Bed -
Move your alarm clock across the room. That way you can't sleepily snooze-button your way through your morning sweat session. By forcing yourself to jump out of bed to silence the dreaded buzzer, you're forcing yourself to wake up quicker. And once you're already up... might as well go work out, right?
3. Have a Light Snack -
Eating a full meal in the morning before your workout can make you feel sick. Instead, try something light (half a pita, a banana, etc) before your workout (so you're not starving), and then another light snack after.
4. Skip the Booze -
Sure, a glass of wine (or two) at dinner can be a great way to unwind, but even small amount of alcohol can make you sluggish in the morning. If you do end up having a drink with friends the night before, just make sure to drink extra water before you go to bed. Otherwise, you could be dehydrated during your routine.
5. Go to Sleep Early -
Once you start getting in to the routine of waking up early, you will automatically start going to bed earlier. In the beginning, however, you will need a little coaxing. Try this: Celestial Seasonings' Sleepytime Extra tea as bedtime drink. It contains valerian, trusted as a natural sleep aid since the days of the Greeks and Romans because of its mild sedative properties.
6. Make Friends -
After the initial two months of keeping up a morning workout routine, it can be easy to slip up and "forget" to go to the gym for a week. Something that will keep you motivated? Making friends at the gym who will help you stick to your routine. Set regular gym dates with a friend, or get to know another gym-goer who you know will be looking for you in the mornings—works like a charm.
7. Plan Your Routine -
Here's something that'll make early-morning gym-going much easier: Make a plan the night before. Either sign up for a spin class, or have your entire exercise routine mapped out. Bring any of our printable workout guide for inspiration. They guarantee a super intense workout—and visible results, fast!
1. Pack a Bag -
Every night when you get home from work, put your dirty gym clothes in the hamper and set aside a crisp, new exercise outfit. Having to dig through your dressers drawers at 6 a.m. is no fun. It's much easier to have an outfit ready to go, so you don't have to fully wake up before you get dressed.
2. Force Yourself Out of Bed -
Move your alarm clock across the room. That way you can't sleepily snooze-button your way through your morning sweat session. By forcing yourself to jump out of bed to silence the dreaded buzzer, you're forcing yourself to wake up quicker. And once you're already up... might as well go work out, right?
3. Have a Light Snack -
Eating a full meal in the morning before your workout can make you feel sick. Instead, try something light (half a pita, a banana, etc) before your workout (so you're not starving), and then another light snack after.
4. Skip the Booze -
Sure, a glass of wine (or two) at dinner can be a great way to unwind, but even small amount of alcohol can make you sluggish in the morning. If you do end up having a drink with friends the night before, just make sure to drink extra water before you go to bed. Otherwise, you could be dehydrated during your routine.
5. Go to Sleep Early -
Once you start getting in to the routine of waking up early, you will automatically start going to bed earlier. In the beginning, however, you will need a little coaxing. Try this: Celestial Seasonings' Sleepytime Extra tea as bedtime drink. It contains valerian, trusted as a natural sleep aid since the days of the Greeks and Romans because of its mild sedative properties.
6. Make Friends -
After the initial two months of keeping up a morning workout routine, it can be easy to slip up and "forget" to go to the gym for a week. Something that will keep you motivated? Making friends at the gym who will help you stick to your routine. Set regular gym dates with a friend, or get to know another gym-goer who you know will be looking for you in the mornings—works like a charm.
7. Plan Your Routine -
Here's something that'll make early-morning gym-going much easier: Make a plan the night before. Either sign up for a spin class, or have your entire exercise routine mapped out. Bring any of our printable workout guide for inspiration. They guarantee a super intense workout—and visible results, fast!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)