Brain Stimulation Ideas

Set in your ways?  Most of us are.  Here are some ideas to stimulate your brain, and bring some variation into your realm!

Switch up any mundane routines
Humans are very habit forming in seemingly non consequential activities. How often do you take the exact same route to work? Studies have shown that even small changes in daily patterns cause brain stimulation.

Pick a random topic and learn something about it
Mostly visiting the same websites and reading about the same types of things?  Music, Sports, Web happenings, World News. Pick something outside of that orbit and set out to learn something about it. Art Deco Design. History of the Cuban Revolution. How your car engine works. Spend just 10-15 minutes a day on a completely new or random learning project.

Switch your news sources up
Every once in a while pick up a different newspaper form a different city. Read from sources that go against your political leaning, something very liberal or very conservative. I try to read the Wall Street Journal Op-Ed page at least once per week. It usually stimulates thoughts.

Balance your brain
Stimulating different segments of my brain takes a little bit of conscious effort. Spend a lot of time online reading and writing emails, looking at stats, working on documents or spreadsheets?  Hone in on activities that bring something different to the table. Actually sit and listen to music without doing something else. Spend a few moments observing nature. Stretch you body for 10 minutes and think about your body alignment.

Shut it off
Everyday, schedule time to do absolutely nothing. It’s akin to shutting down your computer once in while. Take 10-15 minutes of your day to do absolutely nothing. Don’t allow yourself to think about what you have to do next. Don’t stress about whatever is on your mind. Focus on clearing your mind. Focus on nothing. Sound silly? It really works. You’ll bring a more refreshed state of mind to the rest of your day. It takes some practice but you’ll start looking forward to this part of your day.

Exercise
Exercise strengthens the mind. Find some exercise you like and make it a constant part of your week.

Search out new conversation
Another area that finds ruts is in the people with which one is to converse. The problem is that they tend to be the same people all the time. This is not suggesting ditching your friends. However, try to be open to new opportunities to interact with new people. New people bring new perspectives and experiences. New people force you to be on your toes a little bit more. They require that you listen a little closer. This stimulation strengthens and stretches your brain.

Ditch the calculator once in while
When routine math problems come up, force yourself to do the calculation in your head. It surprising how this “old fashioned” way of doing things has become increasingly difficult. Forcing yourself to do the calculation pumps up the brain.

Write something by hand
Try putting together a few paragraphs in long hand. It may be frustrating at first, but will challenge your mind. Its crazy how little we actually write by hand these days.

Eat well
It makes sense that what you eat afffects what you are. Make sure to get plenty of bright colored veggies and fruits like spinach, carrots, oranges, tomatoes.

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Garlic Selection, Storage and Peeling

Garlic Selection and Storage 
Choose garlic heads that are firm to the touch, with no nicks or soft cloves. If you notice dark, powdery patches under the skin, pass it up because this is an indication of a common mold which will eventually spoil the flesh.

Store unpeeled heads of garlic in an open container in a cool, dry place away from other foods. Do not refrigerate or freeze unpeeled garlic. Properly stored garlic can keep up to three months.

As garlic ages, it will begin to produce green sprouts in the center of each clove. These infant green sprouts can be bitter, so discard them before chopping the garlic for your recipe.

However, if you plant the cloves and let them sprout to a height of about six inches, you can use the sprouts like chives in salads and such.

Garlic can also be purchased as peeled whole cloves or minced, both stored in olive or vegetable oil. It is imperative that garlic in oil be stored under refrigeration to avoid potentially-deadly botulism bacteria growth. If you use a lot of garlic and wish to cut your preparation time down, you can pre-peel and store your own in olive oil in the refrigerator, but the best flavor will come from freshly-peeled cloves. Use garlic powder, garlic salt, and garlic extract (juice) only as a last resort.

How to Peel Garlic
To peel a garlic clove, place it on a cutting board on its side, and gently press down quickly with the flat side of a butcher knife. The skin should then easily peel off. If you find the skin clinging desperately to the clove, congratulations! You have fresh garlic. As garlic ages, it shrivels inside the skin, making it easier to peel.

By Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

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Humor - It's a Conscious Effort

Humor. It's what's good about life! It has a purpose. It is an integral part of us. No matter our age, humor provides balance. A sense of humor keeps us young, well and happy. Our laughter can help balance the difficult sides of life. When we are going off the rails, as we are prone to do, humor can step in and point out what is silly or just plain ridiculous about our situation.

Humor and comedy are good for our physical and emotional health. The power of the mind, or the soul, can influence the body. The body and soul are a unit and influence each other. As stress saps our immune systems, the mental takes a toll on the physical. Laughter also has a physical side and does subtle, positive things to the body. These body changes are measurable and observable. Laughter releases endorphins, chemicals in the brain, which help control pain.

Ever feel "so good" after a "good laugh"? It perks us up, gives us a hop in our step and we feel alive! Well, a shy smile or sly grin can be more telling than the howl.

Try it on for size - one size fits all! ~ Michael J. Farrell

Quotes:
"Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keep friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment." ~ Greenville Kleisser

"Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you." ~ Langston Hughes

A Bit of Humor: A LITTLE BOY AND THE BIG FAMILY BIBLE
A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it closely. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages “Momma, look what I found,” the boy called out.“What have you got there, dear?” his mother asked. With astonishment in the young boy’s voice, he answered: “I think it’s Adam’s underwear!” ~ Author Unknown

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Healing Power of the Human Touch

From our first moments of life, the sense of touch is the most important of our five senses. We can't live without it. It is a basic human need. This isn't surprising when we think about how infants need loving touch to be healthy and develop properly. Additionally, touch can heal. Many conditions can be alleviated by the healing touch of another human being: headaches, stress, anxiety, difficulty relaxing, tiredness, chronic pain, strained or injured muscles. Healing touches release the body's natural capacity to heal. It's holistic; starting with the skin, it "touches" the mind and spirit as well as the body.

Simple affection is the most basic form of healing touch. Hugs, caresses, hand holding, cuddling, kissing and putting an arm around another express love and nurturing. A pat on the back communicates support and praise. And doesn't it feel so good???

Therapeutic Massage
This can bring deep relaxation to the body and reduce stress and mental and physical fatigue. It can help circulation and healing of tissues and bones. Headaches, back pain, and the pain of tight or overworked muscles can respond to massage. It can also improve posture, flexibility and give an overall sense of well-being.
~ Joel Schorn

Quote:
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~ Leo F. Buscaglia

Helpful Hint:
It is possible to relieve or fend off a headache by gently massaging your ears, which releases tension from head muscles.

A Bit of Humor - You Might be a Massage Therapist if...
■Your uncle throws his back out. And you throw it back in.
■You're the strongest muscle relaxer available without a prescription.
■You never rub people "the wrong way."
■You relax more shoulders before 6 a.m. than most people do their entire lives.

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Salt, It's Not Just for Food!

Again, we find other functions for a common household item!

Uses for Salt:

•Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
•Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.
•Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
•Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
•Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
•A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
•Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
•Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
•Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
•Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
•Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
•Clean you iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
•Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
•Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
•To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
•Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
•Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
•Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
•Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
•A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.
•Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
•Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
•Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
•Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
•Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
•Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
•Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
•Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.
•Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
•Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains.
•Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
•Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
•Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
•If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled.

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Biggest Wedding GUEST Mistakes

Even the most experienced wedding guest sometimes makes a wedding etiquette faux pas. Here's how to make amends after a wedding-related misstep. ~ By Kate Wood

Being invited to a wedding is fun, but it can also be a minefield of unfamiliar etiquette. How do registries work? What's okay to ask the bride? It's all too easy to make a mistake — and in real life, there's no "undo" button you can push to fix everything. You can, however, take some simple steps to make amends and keep your relationship with the bride and groom pleasant.

The Mistake: It's a week before the wedding, and you haven't RSVP'd.
Damage Control: Pop that card in the mail, but remember, it's called "snail mail" for a reason. Call or email the bride and groom as soon as possible to let them know you're sorry you forgot to RSVP and confirm whether or not you'll be coming. While they've probably been counting you in, it will be a relief to know for certain.
Future Fix: When you receive a wedding invitation, send in your RSVP ASAP. Even if the response deadline is weeks (or even months) away, it's better to be on the list early than to be a source of last-minute drama.

The Mistake: You sent an RSVP saying you'll be coming, but now you won't be able to make it.
Damage Control: Call or email the bride and groom right away to let them know. It's absolutely okay to back out of a wedding — you just need to tell the couple so they know exactly how many guests to expect. Let them know you are sorry for the change of plans, and be sure to still send a gift.
Future Fix: It's hard to plan for events that aren't your choice (like coming down with the flu), so this isn't a problem you can always avoid. If you think you will be able to attend a wedding, it's better to RSVP yes. Etiquette-wise, it's okay to go from a "yes" to a "no," but you shouldn't switch from a "no" to a "yes."

The Mistake: You forgot to get a gift until the week of the wedding, and now there's nothing left on the registry.
Damage Control: First, double-check — is there really nothing left? It's not uncommon to find gifts guests avoid but that the bride and groom really want (for example, the old superstition that it's unlucky to give knives). Another option is to choose a gift that will coordinate with items on their registry (for example, table linens that match a color in their china pattern). Even easier: Give them a gift card to one of their registry stores.
Future Fix: Hit the stores (or the web) early so you can give the gift you want. If you don't want to store a present in your home for months, remember it's not against wedding etiquette to have the gift shipped to the bride and groom before the big day.

The Mistake: You're late to the ceremony.
Damage Control: When you arrive at the ceremony site, keep it quiet. There may be an usher or someone from the site there to guide you in. If not, head in discreetly through a back door. Don't make a fuss about where to sit; if you're a guest of the groom but there are only spaces on the bride's side, just take one of those. Either way, find a seat promptly and quietly so you don't disturb the ceremony.
Future Fix: Even if you swear you've never been to a wedding that started on time, it's rude to assume you can roll up late. While the reception can be the high point of the wedding for guests, you've really been invited there to witness the ceremony. Give yourself ample time for tangling with traffic and parking when you're planning your wedding day timeline.

The Mistake: You got them a gift for the shower, so you didn't bother with a wedding present.
Damage Control: In theory, you have up to a year after the wedding to send a gift, but go ahead and send something as soon as you can. It doesn't have to be huge, especially if you blew your gift budget for the shower. It's a lot of gifts, but etiquette says you should give a gift for each party invitation you receive.
Future Fix: Plan your gift budget around this rule. For example, if you have $100 to spend total, budget $25 for the shower gift and $75 for the wedding present. That way, you aren't overspending, keeping your bottom line — as well as the bride and groom — happy.

Quote:
“A gloomy guest fits not a wedding feast.” ~ Friedrich Von Schiller

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Your Rights As A Hospital Patient

Being hospitalized can be a very intimidating experience. Patients find themselves thrown into a foreign environment and often feel that they have very little or no control over what is happening to them.

Dealing with an illness is stressful for patients as well as family members. This stress is magnified by the busy and seemingly impersonal environment of the hospital. In this situation, patients often feel intimidated about voicing their concerns related to their care.

Patients have many rights and protections guaranteed under State and Federal law. Don’t feel that you must “do as you are told”. The following are some of the rights that every patient should be aware of:

~ All patients have an absolute right to an understandable explanation of their complete medical condition, recommended treatment, expected results, risks and reasonable medical alternatives. Should the treating physician conclude that this information would be detrimental to the patient's condition at the time, a family member/next of kin must be provided with the necessary information.

~ No patient’s question is a silly question. It is the doctor's obligation to help you fully understand all pertinent information and to make your own informed decisions based on this knowledge. You have the right to insist on clear explanations of all treatment, including any tests, procedures and medications. Patients have the right to play an active role in developing their plan of care. You should not hesitate to ask any and all healthcare providers what they are doing and/or giving and why.

~ If you find any healthcare discussion difficult to understand, do not be embarrassed to say so and ask to have it explained in a simpler way. It’s your body and you have a right to fully understand what is going on.

~ You have the right to be treated with respect and to have your privacy protected. The hospital staff must be sensitive to any cultural, racial, linguistic, religious, age or gender differences and must address any specific needs you may have.

~ You have the right to have your information treated confidentially. Information in your medical record may not be released without your approval, unless required by law. You have the right to inspect your medical record within ten days of your request to do so.

Never hesitate to ask what they are doing — and why!

BY LOUISE CURRAN R.N., J.D.

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