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"Speaking Of Women's Health" Millions Will Be 'Speaking Of Women's Health' Through New Program By Foundation And Wal-Mart Women's Health, Well-Being And Personal Safety To Get Boost After Speaking Of Women's Health Foundation Enlists Wal-Mart's Support CINCINNATI, OH -- The National Speaking of Women's Health Foundation (SWH) will receive a big boost in reach this year from national sponsor Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart will establish in-store education centers in all of its 2,748 stores nationwide and host quarterly "edu-tainment" events that provide information and health screenings to its women customers and associates. Speaking of Womens Healths mission is to educate women to make informed decisions about their health, well-being, and personal safety. The organization hosts conferences in more than 30 cities reaching thousands of women with important health information and screenings. "The Wal-Mart sponsorship with Speaking of Womens Health increases our reach exponentially, said Dianne Dunkelman, Speaking of Womens Health president and CEO. Over the past seven years weve grown from a local Cincinnati event to a national force in womens health education. Now, with the support of Wal-Mart and our other national sponsors, our information will be accessible to tens of millions of women every week." National corporate sponsors, Wal-Mart, Procter & Gamble, Lifetime Television, and Guidant, are leveraging their collective assets behind SWH to reach out to women through conference and community events, in-store education centers, and a national health education television series. "Speaking of Womens Health does a tremendous job of helping women lead happier and healthier lives," said Charlyn Jarrells Porter, senior vice president, people division of Wal-Mart Stores. "By bringing Speakings information into our stores, were trying to make a positive difference in the lives of our female customers and associates." "Brighten Up & Smile -- Your Self-Esteem Will Soar" is the theme of this years Speaking of Womens Health conferences, which kick off March 13-17 in Cincinnati. Thought leaders and self-esteem experts will lead discussions on the importance of a positive attitude and the steps to prevent low self-esteem in these full-day conferences. Five minority health initiative events, called "Universal Sisters," will also celebrate being a woman with health information and screenings. In addition to the conference schedule in 2002, Speaking of Womens Health and its sponsors will continue to reach women through a variety of venues: - Every day, Wal-Mart stores will feature a permanent womens health education center featuring a variety of free health and wellness brochures on more than 23 topics, including diabetes, heart health, skin health, osteoporosis, menopause, and stress management. - Every week, Lifetime Television will air Lifetimes Speaking of Womens Health on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. The program is dedicated to keeping women on top of the latest health news that affects their body, mind, and spirit. - Every three months, Wal-Mart will host in-store women's health events, including health screenings, "pampering" demonstrations, product sampling, and pharmacist conversations. Since 1996, Speaking of Women's Health has been coordinating conferences and special events throughout the country and raising funds in sponsorship with beneficiary organizations to help support projects related to women's health and well-being in communities across the country. The effort has grown from a one-day conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a national foundation with programs planned in more than 30 cities in 2002. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates more than 2,740 discount stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, and more than 500 SAM'S CLUBS in the United States. Internationally, the company operates more than 1,170 units. Wal-Mart employs 1.3 million associates worldwide. -=- Scrambled Moms and SPAM Written by Diane St. James Copyright (c) 2002 Many folks, in America anyway, have changed ever since the tragedy of 9-11. What I see a lot from my daily interactions of being on the Internet, are moms...wanting to stay home with their children, more now than ever. Many are more uncertain about the future and they just don't want to leave their children in day care day after day, month after month. Women's egroups are sprouting up everywhere to help support and promote each other as they try to find their niche on the Internet. Many moms are getting into direct or indirect sales, trying to earn money so that they can stay home. I belong to several of these women's groups and many of them allow something called signature lines. These are the lines that are found at the end of someone's email correspondence. I noticed on some members' emails that these are growing longer as someone tries representing one compan 4e represents. Many of us try to take care of the children and the household chores during the day and grab some Internet time when they are napping or late at night when everyone is tucked in bed. It takes a lot of work, time and patience but a lot of these women are slowly starting to see some results from their efforts. A little at first and then as business builds they feel more confident in themselves and promote harder and succeed even more. There is so much out there to choose from too. Spam has become known as Internet junk mail. There is so much being received every day in people's inboxes. It is hard to know what is legit and what is a scam. This makes it really important to check out a company thoroughly before 'buying" into it. There are many places on the Internet that you can check out a company before you 'buy' into it. Some of these places are: http://www.worldwidescam.com http://www.victimsagainstscams.com http://www.scambusters.com/ http://www.fraud.org http://www.ifccfbi.gov http://isaaf.com/index2.shtml http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html http://www.cai.com/virusinfo/encyclopedia/ It also helps to find others that may be working for the company you want to represent. Find out how well they are doing and how long they've been in business. Of course, an original idea is best (less competition that way, at least at first.) If you are someone wanting to be a work at home mom, or maybe not a mom but would just like to get out of the rat race, I have a suggestion. Take a piece of paper, write the word Perseverance on it, and tape it along the top frame of your monitor. Whenever you get discouraged, rejected or feel burnt out, look at it and do it! When I was a young girl I remember hearing about how in the future everyone would be able to work from home and not have to report in to an office. Everything would be done with communications technology that would enable them to get things done that they used to do in an office. And I remember wondering if that really would be true. Now I definitely think it will be true, because it is already happening. -=- About the Author Diane St. James is a mortgage professional with 21 years experience. Her website exists to help educate people about the Maze of mortgages. She is the author of "How to Get a Mortgage," an E-book filled with vital tips and secrets, and publishes a biweekly Ezine called Diane's Mortgage Tips + Other Tidbits. To subscribe Click Here Visit her web site: http://www.abcmortgage.net To Start Succeeding, Stop Pushing! (c) 2002, Julie Jordan Scott "I have to solve this problem now. The sooner the better!" "Once I figure this out I will....." "I can't do Y until I do X and I do X RIGHT" Push, push, push. As a society, it seems popular and highly favored to become a "go getter". Some one who "knows where she is going and makes a way to get there." Ladder climbers have been known to trounce several or quite a few on the way above and beyond. The easy way? Never! Part of the badge of honor is the striving, the struggle, the sweat and the tears. There has GOT TO BE a better way. The good news there IS and it is SOOOOO much simpler! Instead of pushing so hard and becoming so frustrated, simply tap into the most efficient methods of using your personal gifts to achieve the desired results. You might be asking, "Well, how is that possible without pushing?" Here is the often overlooked secret. There are three simple steps: 1. Instead of saying "I HAVE TO solve this problem or ONCE I figure this out or I MUST do X before Y, ask yourself something else. The have to's and the once I's and the I must's are fruit of not having enough. They are the outcome of believing the world is a place of poverty, powerlessness and scarcity. One moment walking along the shore and you will remember this is a world of incredible abundance. So ASK yourself, "How can I solve this?" or "How can I do this now?" or "In what way can I do Y before X is in place?" Simply, quietly and reflectively ask yourself those replacement questions whenever one of the scarcity based statements begins playing in your mind's audio system. 2. Do not become overly concerned about an immediate answer. Simplyask, and if you have not had a "Eureka" moment, continue to quietly and peacefully re-ask the question WITHOUT pushing. One of the best times to ask yourself your question is before going to sleep at night. In fact, this is a practice you may want to try each night before going to sleep. 3. Be alert to any possible response from your subconscious mind. You may want to spend some focused contemplative time and directly ask yourself for the response. Many people will say "I don't have any more minutes in my day. How can I spend contemplative time?" One response is ASK yourself! And for now, use the time you are already using for something else and build a bridge. One method is to use your shower or bath time. Hopefully when you are showering you are relaxed and comfortable, which is the perfect context to tune into your wellspring of ideas. Using your subconscious mind to be drawn into success is so much simpler than pushing yourself unmercifully right OUT of success. Partnering with your subconscious, you will be amazed at the brilliant solutions you create over very little time. A variation of this technique is used in test taking: you may have learned it when you were younger. In college, one professor advised me to read the entire test through before starting to answer any questions. This way, for any answers you are not clear on, your subconscious will immediately begin searching for the answers while you are busily responding to those questions you know the answers for immediately. It's like when you are digging around your brain for someone's name, or a book title, or a movie, and you say, "Shoot! I know what it is, I just can't remember right now!" and twenty minutes later you will shout (seemingly out of nowhere) "A Wrinkle in Time! That's the book I read in sixth grade by Madeliene L'Engle!" or "Russell Crowe won best actor last year!" Your brain has an even more amazing search function than your computer. Using this function will empower you to stop pushing your way to semi-success. You will now be able to flow your way into flourishing prosperity. Review the three steps and ask yourself the questions. Allow yourself to receive the answers while not being overly concerned with the immediate answer. Instead, know the perfect answer is already within you. Embrace the truth that to truly start succeeding, it is most fruitful to stop pushing. -=- About the Author Julie Jordan Scott is a Personal Success Coach who left her career as a government bureaucrat and built a successful business in less than six months. She inspires people worldwide with her books, ezine, teaching and personal coaching. To subscribe to her newest ezine, Daily Passion Activator, the Little Ezine with the Powerful impact send a blank email DailyPassionActivator-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or via web: http://www.5passions.com Speaking Up: How to Be More Assertive By Edel Jarboe What Does It Mean To Be Assertive? Let's start by defining what it is not. Being assertive does not mean being aggressive. Assertive behavior is not hostile, blaming, threatening, demanding, or sarcastic. Assertiveness differs from aggression in that standing up for yourself does not trespass on the rights of others. Assertiveness means communicating what you want in a clear manner, respecting your own rights and feelings and the rights and feelings of others. Being assertive is an honest and appropriate expression of one's feelings, opinions, and needs. Assertiveness is also often associated with positive self-esteem and a better self-image. Gender Roles and Assertiveness According to Dr. Linda Tillman, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and founder of SpeakUpForYourself.Com, "our culture still supports men in aggressive behavior and women in deferent behavior. So men who are afraid to speak up may express themselves aggressively and women who are afraid to speak up may put aside their wishes to please the other person." Take for example the wife who does not defend herself against her sister-in-law's put-downs because she knows how important family harmony is to her husband. She is allowing herself to be stepped on in the best interest of her husband and is ignoring her own best interests. Why Don't People Stand Up For Themselves? "Most of our personal styles are established when we are very young," says Dr. Tillman. "If your parents were rigid and controlling, then you may have felt invalidated so much as a child that now you are afraid to speak up. If you were taught that it is good manners to be focused on the other person and not on yourself, then you may feel that it is not okay for you to ask for what you want." She adds. Read any popular woman's magazine and invariably someone will ask how she can get what she wants from her husbands in the bedroom. The answer is usually, "Dont be afraid to just ask for what you want." However, a lot of women are afraid to ask for what they want, especially when it comes to sex. Most women are raised to be "good girls" who aren't supposed to think about sex, much less talk about it. This can leave many women feeling unsatisfied and frustrated in their sexual relationships. Dr. Tillman points out that assertiveness and low self-esteem are linked. "Low self-esteem can affect interaction in two different ways," she says. "A person who feels bad about him/herself, may find it hard to feel the confidence needed to speak up. On the other hand, if a person has low self esteem, he/she may be aggressive- like the Wizard of Oz, 'I am Oz the Great and Terrible'- when he/she is just a scared little person." Take the department manager who routinely has harsh words for her department's team members. Even going so far as to call them "stupid" and standing over them as they make the necessary corrections. Her team members know that she is frustrated at not being promoted to the next managerial level and they know why. While the department manager thinks she is being assertive by being honest about her feelings, she is scared to admit to herself that it is her own behavior that is holding her back and not the department's performance. Furthermore, people avoid being assertive because they are afraid of displeasing others and of not being liked. However, not asserting yourself can make you feel taken advantage of and damages your self-esteem. For example, not asking for that raise because you have a hard time asking for money not only makes you feel bad about yourself but as if you arent in control of your financial future. You may even tell yourself that if your employer valued you, they'd offer you a raise, which leads you to doubt yourself and your abilities even more. In essence, this cycle of low self-esteem makes you feel like a powerless victim of your employer. Moreover, even if you aren't aware of your non-assertive behavior other people are. Non-assertive behavior can hurt your career because people won't take you or your abilities seriously. If, during staff meetings for example, you constantly allow yourself to be interrupted, the higher-ups may perceive this lack of assertiveness as a reflection of your abilities, regardless of how competent you actually are. Powerless Communication "A major nonverbal way women unconsciously communicate powerlessness is by letting their tone of voice rise at the end of the sentence. The words float up as if they were attached to a helium balloon," Dr. Linda Tillman points out. "Something that should be a statement then sounds like a question and therefore sends a message that she is unsure about what she is saying," Linda continues. We've all heard other people doing this. And it does make them sound as if they are unsure of themselves and robs them of credibility. Are you guilty of it as well? If so, how can you stop doing it? "To make such a statement sound powerful, make a conscious effort to drop your voice tone at the end of the sentence as if a choir director were in front of you, bringing your voice down," Dr. Tillman suggests. "This minor nonverbal change makes a major change in effectiveness," Dr. Tillman adds. What else do women do to sabotage their power? A woman will often start her sentence by saying, "I'm sorry... (but I disagree with you)." According to Dr. Tillman, "apologizing unnecessarily is a verbal indicator of inner powerlessness." What she is actually saying is, "I'm sorry for having a thought, but I'm going to share it with you anyway," which removes most of the effectiveness of the statement, " Dr. Tillman says. How do you change this behavior? "Apologize only when you've done something wrong," Linda advises. "If you spill coffee on someone's lap, then it is appropriate to say, "I'm sorry." How Do You Become More Assertive? 1. Develop a value and belief system, which allows you to assert yourself. In other words, give yourself permission to be angry, to say "No," to ask for help, and to make mistakes. Avoid using tag questions. ("It's really hot shouldn't you close the door?") all lessen the perceived assertiveness of speech. 2. Resist giving into interruptions until you have completed your thoughts. (Instead, say - "Just a moment, I haven't finished.") 3. Stop self-limiting behaviors, such as smiling too much, nodding too much, tilting your head, or dropping your eyes in response to another person's gaze. 4. When saying "No," be decisive. Explain why you are refusing but dont be overly apologetic. 5. Use "I want" or "I feel" statements. Acknowledge the other person's situation or feelings followed by a statement in which you stand up for your rights. E.g., "I know you're X, but I feel..." 6. Use "I" language (this is especially useful for expressing negative feelings.) "I" language helps you focus your anger constructively and to be clear about your own feelings. For example: - When you do (Behavior) - The effects are (Results) - I feel (Emotion) Remember: Stick to the first person, and avoid "you are". 7. Maintain direct eye contact, keep your posture open and relaxed, be sure your facial expression agrees with the message, and keep a level, well-modulated tone of voice. 8. Listen and let people know you have heard what they said. Ask questions for clarification. 9. Practice! Enlist the aid of friends and family and ask for feedback. Tackle less anxiety-evoking situations first. Build up your assertiveness muscle. Dont get discouraged if you behave non-assertively. Figure out where you went astray and how to improve your handling of the situation next time. Reward yourself each time you've pushed yourself to be assertive regardless of whether or not you get the desired results. Dr. Tillman also suggests using "successive approximation", a psychological term referring to trying to go part of the way toward a goal. "For example, if it is difficult to speak up, try saying just one assertive statement. When you have accomplished that, then the next opportunity, try saying two assertive statements, " she explains. "Each practice opportunity is also an opportunity to feel good about yourself for speaking up and feeling good about yourself is a step toward building self esteem," Dr. Tillman concludes. -=- Copyright (c) 1999 by Edel Jarboe. All Rights Reserved. About the Author: Edel Jarboe is the founder of Self Help for Her.com (http://www.selfhelpforher.com), an online self-help magazine helping you create your better life. She also publishes a free weekly newsletter, which features advice on goal setting, stress management, coping with difficult people, and overcoming obstacles. Subscribe and receive a FREE stress report! Subscribe: Click Here 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Dietary Supplements Supplements are meant to augment, not replace, a healthy diet! (ARA) - Americans have become increasingly health conscious over the past decade, and there is more widespread understanding of the connection between good health and diet. And yet, this knowledge has not translated into healthier eating habits. By some estimates, 90 percent of us are not getting the vitamins and minerals we need on a regular basis. "We are a time-starved society," points out Jeff Zwiefel, an exercise physiologist with Life Time Fitness. "People generally don't take the time to plan meals or do the shopping and cooking that's necessary to eat healthfully. We don't eat enough fruits and vegetables and don't get the anti-oxidants we should have in our diets." There are many factors contributing to our lack of proper nutrition, Zwiefel says. Environmental factors such as pollution, preservatives in prepared foods, and poor soil quality as fields are over-farmed and over-fertilized all have contributed to a lack of proper nutrients. Lifestyle factors such as increased stress, excessive use of alcohol or tobacco products, lack of exercise and over-use of preserved, prepared foods as opposed to whole, unprocessed foods also have contributed to the problem. Apparently, a lot of us realize what we're lacking, Zwiefel says, since some 56 percent of adults use vitamins and supplements on a daily basis to make sure we're getting the nutrients we need. But Zwiefel cautions that supplements should not replace the vitamins and minerals found in whole foods. "Supplements are meant to augment a diet, not replace healthy eating and exercise habits," he says. But for those who decide to use supplements, Zwiefel cautions that the quality and effectiveness can vary widely, and consumers would do well to educate themselves before adding one or more to their diet. Zwiefel says there are five key things people should look for when they begin researching and shopping for dietary supplements. -- Look for a product that has a gender-specific formulation. "The more we learn about nutrition, the more obvious it becomes that men and women have different needs. A good supplement will have different formulations to meet those needs," Zwiefel says. -- Look for a supplement that has morning and evening formulations. "Our bodies don't need or use nutrients all at once," he says. "We need different vitamins and minerals to help us gear up and get through the day, and others to help our bodies repair themselves at night. And some nutrients counteract each other and shouldn't be taken at the same time," Zwiefel says. -- Read the label to make sure the formulation has been independently tested and analyzed. Supplements should be tested for potency and potential toxicity and backed up with the best research and science available. A good manufacturing source is a key element in ensuring quality. -- Buy supplements in capsule form rather than tablets. "Tablets may be cheaper to manufacture than capsules, but capsules are better because they don't include as much filler and the nutrients can be more efficiently absorbed into the body," Zwiefel says. -- Finally, look for chelated minerals when reading a supplement's label. Chelation is a process that binds fatty acids or amino acids to a mineral, which aids absorption into the body, Zwiefel says. Life Time Fitness formed a team consisting of Zwiefel, a biochemist and a dietitian to develop its own line of high-quality dietary supplements. Two lines -- the Elite Multi Vitamin and the Peak Performance Multi Vitamin -- come in gender-specific formulations and are manufactured according to strict standards set by Life Time Fitness. But Zwiefel stresses that these supplements are only one element of the holistic fitness concept Life Time Fitness emphasizes. "We provide our members education about how the body works: body mechanics, metabolism, motivation and behavioral change," Zwiefel says. "We also promote fitness, using both aerobic activity and strength training; and finally, we provide information on diet and nutrition, including supplementation when needed." To find out more about Life Time Fitness' lines of dietary supplements or its fitness and nutrition programs, go to http://www.lifetimefitness.com to find the center nearest you. What Happened To My Address Book? By Jim Melvin Most everyone has an address book of one type or another. We need some method of storing those frequently used address and phone numbers for handy reference I happened to be thinking of some of the various address books I have used over the years. It made me realize the changes this book has gone through since I began collecting other's contact information. My first address book was a "Little Black Book" that was small enough to fit in to my back pocket. It kept track of address and phone numbers of my friends. I remember writing in it the most insignificant phone numbers just to fill it up. After all when you're 16 you have to impress others (especially the opposite sex) and you figured that a whole bunch of addresses would do that perfectly. After graduating from the impressionistic stage, I turned to a more practical address book. It was one of those freebies from a Hallmark gift and card shop that they give away every January. It was a great book since it not only kept all my addresses and phone numbers but birthday information and important dates as well. I always knew when the next holiday was coming. However this book lasted about 6 months before it began falling apart and losing pages. I tried keeping it together with a rubber band but soon gave up. What I needed was a solid, no holds barred address book. After much searching through stationary and gift shops I found the perfect address book. The metal-covered pop-up book. You could slide a little arrow to the letter of the alphabet you needed and push a button at the bottom of the book and presto you were at that page. This was truly an amazing invention. However, certain letters like M and S seemed to fill up fast. I guess I should have set a limit to the amount of people I knew with each letter of the alphabet. When introduced to anyone with a letter that was filled up in my book, I would simply state that I am sorry, but I just can't get to know you since I have no more room in my book. If you could just change your name from Jones to Zones there would be no problem is we becoming lifetime friends. Another problem with this fantastic invention was the fact that when you placed the arrow on the "A", it would pop up in the "B" section. Not good at all. This lead to my next address book, which was a real beauty. My parents were vacationing in British Columbia, Canada and purchased one of those scenic address books with great pictures. I gradually updated this new book with all of the numbers I needed. I still use this book to this day. I am a technology nut so when the first PIM's (Personal Information Manager) became affordable I had to have one. It had a place for everything. It had a calendar, calculator, reminder, and schedule as well as an address book. It contained a little keyboard (that was almost impossible to use, since you kept hitting multiple keys). Plus it could fit into your pocket and go almost everywhere you went. However, there was only one problem and it was a big one. Batteries! If you didn't change the batteries in enough time you lost all of your vital data. Needless to say, it is sitting in a drawer, completely dead at this moment. I now have the perfect address book, my computer. I have set up directories to sort out my friends, customers, prospects, and suppliers. I use Eudora Pro Email 4.2, which I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great email program at a good price. It can keep most of the same information that I had in that first "Little Black Book." I also carry address and phone numbers in my "Day Planner." Any important numbers I usually have scratched out on a collection of business cards in my wallet. The next time I happen to be in one of those huge office supply warehouses I think I will purchase a "Little Black Book" for those numbers I need to keep with me. Jim Melvin (c) Copyright 2000 About the Author For premium value web hosting services please check out: http://www.ehost4u.com Jim Melvin of Ehost4U: mailto:admin@ehost4u.com Subscribe to their biweekly ezine "The Control Panel" at http://ehost4u.com/main/DOCS/subscribe.html 7 Essential Letter-Writing Strategies (c) 2002 by Shaun Fawcett Based on the feedback that I have been getting from visitors to my writinghelp-central.com Web site, letter writing is definitely the area where most people are looking for help or guidance when it comes to day-to-day writing. Over 55% of the visitors to my site are seeking some sort of letter writing information or assistance. The following lists the types of letters that people request information on, in order of popularity: * recommendation letter * business letter * thank you letter * cover letter * complaint letter * sales letter * resignation letter THE 7 STRATEGIES Here are some key practical letter-writing tips and strategies to help you when writing that next letter: 1. Keep It Short And To The Point Letters involving business (personal or corporate) should be concise, factual, and focused. Try to never exceed one page or you will be at risk of losing your reader. A typical letter page will hold 350 to 450 words. If you can't get your point across with that many words you probably haven't done enough preparatory work. If necessary, call the recipient on the phone to clarify any fuzzy points and then use the letter just to summarize the overall situation. 2. Make It Clear, Concise, And Logical Before sitting down to write, make a brief point-form outline of the matters you need to cover in the letter. Organize those points into a logical progression that you can use as your guide as you write the letter. The logical blocks of the letter should be: introduction/purpose, background/explanation, summary/conclusion, action required statement. Use this outline process to organize your approach and your thoughts, and to eliminate any unnecessary repetition or redundancy. 3. Focus On The Recipient's Needs While writing the letter, focus on the information requirements of your audience, the intended addressee. If you can, in your "mind's eye", imagine the intended recipient seated across a desk or boardroom table from you while you are explaining the subject of the letter. What essential information does that person need to know through this communication? What will be their expectations when they open the letter? Have you addressed all these issues? 4. Use Simple And Appropriate Language Your letter should use simple straightforward language, for clarity and precision. Use short sentences and don't let paragraphs exceed three or four sentences. As much as possible, use language and terminology familiar to the intended recipient. Do not use technical terms and acronyms without explaining them, unless you are certain that the addressee is familiar with them. 5. Use Short Sentences And Paragraphs Keep your sentences as short as possible, and break the text up into brief paragraphs. Ideally, a paragraph should not exceed two to three sentences. This will make the letter more easily readable, which will entice the recipient to read it sooner, rather than later. 6. Review And Revise It Do a first draft, and then carefully review and revise it. Put yourself in the place of the addressee. Imagine yourself receiving the letter. How would you react to it? Would it answer all of your questions? Does it deal with all of the key issues? Are the language and tone appropriate? Sometimes reading it out loud to one's self can help. When you actually "hear" the words it is easy to tell if it "sounds" right or not. 7. Double Check Spelling And Grammar A letter is a direct reflection of the person sending it, and by extension, the organization that person works for. When the final content of the letter is settled, make sure that you run it through a spelling and grammar checker. To send a letter with obvious spelling and grammatical errors is sloppy and unprofessional. In such cases, the recipient can't really be blamed for seeing this as an indication as to how you (and/or your organization) probably do most other things. The foregoing basic letter writing strategies and tips are mostly common sense. Nevertheless, you would be amazed how often these very basic "rules of thumb" are not employed when people write letters. -=- About the Author Shaun Fawcett is webmaster of writinghelp-central.com and author of the new eBook "Instant Home Writing Kit". His FREE e-mail COURSE "Tips and Tricks For Writing Success", offers valuable tips on home/business writing. Sign-up for FREE at: http://www.instanthomewritingkit.com/free-course.html The Mirror Man A Fable by Peter Murphy Lady Twilight felt angry. It was one of those days when she was doing her best to be nice to everyone but nobody was being nice to her. What if people could be friendlier she thought. The chatter of voices was all around while she sat at a table by the side of the shopping crowd. She sipped a glass of green juice and felt very alone despite all the shoppers rushing about the street. Just then she spotted a young man and the newspaper headline on his paper... Lead And They Will Follow. Twilight finished her drink and wandered along the street, feeling heavy, tired and still a little angry with this world full of unfriendly people. She turned to the left and walked right past the mirror man, he was there every week selling mirrors of all shapes and sizes. He was singing away to himself until he spotted Twilight, then the sparkle left his eyes and his face froze into a stern harsh expression. She glared at him and out of the corner of her eye she caught her reflection in a mirror. She looked so angry and so bad tempered that she even surprised herself. So shocked was she by her look of rage that she burst out laughing. The mirror man started laughing too and the two of them laughed until it hurt. With a sore belly, Twilight bade farewell to her friend and skipped along through the market with an inner happiness and a smile for everyone she met. Something weird happened though. At this end of the market everyone wanted to talk to her, and most people seemed pleased to see her. People went out of their way to help her and it was a pleasure dealing with these nice people up this end of the street. She walked past a news stand and there was that headline again... Lead And They Will Follow. Something clicked - so that is how it works. Smile and people will smile back, give first and then you will receive. The world is like a mirror and people reflect back to you what you give out. Although not everyone will be nice back the odds certainly are in your favor if you take the risk and give first. Lead and let others follow your example. People want to be liked, let them know that you like them and they will feel safer with you and the quality of communication will improve dramatically. Lady Twilight smiled and the world smiled back. -=- About the Author Peter Murphy is Publisher of the Abolish Shyness newsletter. *Would you like a free weekly ezine full of practical tips for communicating at your best under pressure* All new subscribers receive a free e-book with powerful strategies for being at your best. To subscribe send a blank email to: AbolishShynessToday-subscribe@topica.com (Click Here) or visit http://www.topica.com/lists/AbolishShynessToday/ (Click Here) April Is Foot Health Awareness Month Get Your Feet In Shape For Spring BETHESDA, MD -- Its no secret that exercise can work wonders for your physique, but what about your feet, which bear the brunt of impact during a workout? Much of what we do in the name of fitness can detract from foot health. Studies show that 75 percent of Americans will experience foot health problems at some point in their lives. Yet, over half of Americans believe that foot pain is normal and do little to stop or prevent it. That is why the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has declared April as Foot Health Awareness Month - to draw attention to this often-neglected, yet hardworking part of the body. The APMA estimates that our feet carry us at least 75,000 miles by the age of fifty, and yet a recent survey reveals that a full 70 percent of Americans have never visited a podiatrist to ensure optimal foot health. Foot care is especially important for athletes, whose rigorous physical lifestyle can wreck havoc on their feet. "Americans engage in a variety of sports and fitness activities that, although beneficial to overall health, accelerate wear-and-tear in the feet and ankles," explains Dr. Robin Ross, association member. "Fortunately, the foot and ankle are well designed to handle this stress and support the body for a lifetime, but certain conditions, if undetected and untreated, can seriously sideline even the most fit individual. With proper detection, intervention and care," Dr. Ross adds, "most problems can be lessened and even be prevented." How to get healthy feet without sacrificing workouts? Follow these guidelines and get your feet in shape for spring: - If the shoe fits: Ensuring that shoes fit properly goes a long way toward preventing many common foot problems. Podiatric physicians recommend replacing footwear before it gets so old it no longer supports the foot properly. When shopping for shoes, always wear the appropriate type of socks and purchase shoes that have: - Sturdy, proper fit and width; - Leather or canvas uppers; - Flexible soles only at the ball of the foot; - Cushioning and arch supports; and - Ample room for toes. - Combating athletes foot: Wash feet daily with soap and water and dry them completely, using a hair dryer between toes if a towel doesnt fit. Change shoes regularly and keep feet dry in fresh cotton socks. Always wear a well cushioned sock for reinforcement in athletic shoes, preferably one with a fiber content that can wick away some of the perspiration. - Conquering odor: Rub cornstarch or roll-on antiperspirant directly on the soles of the feet, and spray Lysol into shoes. - Avoiding ingrown nails: An ingrown toenail is a painful condition characterized by the nail digging into the surrounding skin. To prevent ingrown toenails always remember to trim them straight across, and select a shoe with plenty of room in the toe box. - Preventing blisters, corns and calluses: Calluses grow quickly on dry, dead skin, so be sure to use that lotion and pumice stone regularly. It is also a good idea to wear supportive shoes with a wide toe box and low heel. Use non-medicated footpads to cushion areas prone to corns, and affix adhesive moleskin to the inside of shoes to buffer areas prone to blisters. Keeping feet dry in properly fitting shoes and wearing socks as a cushion between feet and shoes also aid in preventing blisters. Should one develop, never pop it; carefully open a corner of the blister, drain, apply antibiotic cream and cover with a bandage. "Most Americans have their car tires checked each year, so why not their feet?" asks Dr. Ross. A doctor of podiatric medicine can address all of these conditions, as well as make an important contribution to an athletes total health and play a role in the success of a fitness program. For a list of podiatrists in your area, visit the APMA Web site at www.apma.org or call 1-800-FOOTCARE for more foot health information. APMA web site: http://www.apma.org -=- Editor's Note: Today's article is a special tribute to mothers, women who gave birth to children, adopted children, or simply helped a friend out of maternal instinct. For all your mothering love and sacrifices, we thank you! (LYL Mom!) -=- The Most Beautiful Hands by Shery Ma Belle Arrieta I don't think there was ever a time my mom stopped doing things for me, even during those times that I was difficult, mean, and downright disrespectful towards her. When I was five, she was worried about me because it was my first day at school. But that morning, I shoo-ed her away when she tried to wait for my bus with me. She stayed behind the gates and still saw me off. When I was seven and stepped into first grade, I joined my first school competition, a poem reciting contest. She helped me memorize the poem. I vaguely remember the poem was about a turtle trapped in a box. I lost, but I still feel she was the best coach for me. In all the years I was in school, I never went to class in rumpled uniform or dreadful clothes. She ironed each piece of clothing into straightness, and no crease was ever out of place. She hand-washed every dress, shirt and pants and I never went out in clothes with stains or spots. She made sure I wore clean, fresh, crisp and neat clothes, even if they weren't new. I never went to school hungry or without lunch. She made sure she cooked something for me. We weren't always so well-off and in my younger years, she often didn't have money to give me so I went to school with packed lunch. More often than not, I was embarrassed to bring lunch to school. I was already in sixth grade and yet, I still brought lunch with me. I wanted to be like the other kids who had lots of money to spend and who bought any food they wanted at the cafeteria. Numerous times she went up the stage to put medals around my neck, and numerous times I took her for granted. She was a perfect mother and I was an imperfect daughter. I used to be angry with her whenever she tried to tell me something or lecture me. I wouldn't speak to her for weeks. I would stop eating the food she cooked, and avoid being in the same room with her. I was 23 when one of our worst fights drove her to the hospital because her blood pressure went up. This made me realize how wrong I was. And before I could utter the words, "I'm sorry, Mom," she had already opened her arms -- and her heart -- to me and welcomed me back. A few months after that incident, I was back to hurting her again. I had been desperately trying to cope with my depression on my own for 18 months. And that day, after I was spent shouting and hurling angry words at my mother, my dam finally crumbled and I opened up myself to her -- wounds, scars and all. I had been so afraid she wouldn't understand any of it, but I was wrong. She held me tight and together we cried. And as she held me, her hands never stopped stroking my hair. They gave me incredible comfort and they spoke unconditional acceptance of me -- however, whatever and whichever way I'd come to her. They spoke a million times of accepting and re-accepting me, no matter how many more times I would falter and hurt her. It is very seldom mom would get her hands manicured. Those few times, the color would chip off after only a day. It is because she had dishes to wash and clothes to launder and iron. My mother's hands are thick. They are calloused and blisters are all over them. Her fingernails are always short. The skin on her hands is dry. Anyone who sees my mother's hands will likely think her hands are ugly. I will be the first one to disagree. I know how she spent the hours using those hands for over 25 years. I know whom she used those hands for. I know the love that went into every blister, every scar, every dry cell, every broken nail. I look at her hands and I see the tangible evidence of her love for me. I will not have any more need for words to tell me of her love. My mom has the world's most beautiful hands. All I need to do is look at them to prove it. -=- Copyright 2000-2002 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta mailto:shery@emailworkshopshowto.com About the Author In May 2000, Shery and 43 writers from around the world came together and created the e-book, MOTHERS: Recollections, Stories and Poetry. Download your FREE copy of this e-book today by sending a blank e-mail to momsdayebook@sendfree.com (Click Here). Inner Emotional Pressure by Robert Elias Najemy The Pressure Cooker Each person is like a pressure cooker with its cap on. As long as the cap is on, no one can know how much pressure is built up inside us. Very often even we ourselves are not aware of how much pressure has grown. This release of pressure may take occur as an psychosomatic illness or an < Or the pressure may release through various pains, such as headaches, stomach aches, ulcers, colitis or breathing problems such as asthma or allergies or even as cancer, or heart problems. In others, the pressure flows out emotionally perhaps in the form of a depression, perhaps through complaining, crying, criticizing, rejecting, or perhaps through anger, aggressiveness, violence or in general an antagonistic behavior. Many manage to keep the cap on for many years so that they do not have to deal with the unpleasantness of facing and working with the < In other words we manage to avoid confronting our inner < If you have the courage and want to see the truth concerning yourself, designate a time every day in which for 20 to 60 minutes you will look into yourself and learn about your real Self in various ways. Some possible ways might be breathing techniques, deep relaxation, prayer, meditation, self-analysis and in any other way that helps you create a healthy more intimate contact with your inner self. When you do start to employ such techniques, be careful not to overdo it at first, with excessive enthusiasm. Just as damage may be done when by taking the cap off the pressure cooker when there is much pressure built up within, in the same way we may do harm to our selves by overdoing such techniques in the beginning. Touch the cap on a regular basis letting the steam out daily and slowly. Thus the pressure will be reduced to the level where you can take the cap off completely and open up the vessel with no danger to anyone. Start releasing your pressure today. (Adapted from the forthcoming "Contemporary Parables" by Robert Elias Najemy. His writings can be viewed at www.HolisticHarmony.com (Click Here) where you can also download FREE articles and e-books. His book "The Psychology of Happiness" (ISBN 0-9710116 5) is available at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/holisticharmo-20 or http://www.HolisticHarmony.com/psychofhappiness.html -=- About the Author: Robert Najemy (Author of 19 books - 95,000 copies sold, director of the Center for Harmonious Living in Athens Greece-with 3700 members and editor of the ezine "Clarity - The Psychology of Happiness".) Summertime Car Care Tips (ARA) - Undoing the wear and tear of winter should be job number one for motorists as they prepare for warmer weather ahead. Summer's heat, humidity and heavy stop-and-go traffic can cause marginal systems to fail. Why risk the inconvenience and aggravation of having your vacation interrupted? More importantly, any road-side breakdown on today's busy highways is unsafe. The experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offer the following tips to get your vehicle ready for summer. -- Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules. The manual contains a complete checklist of services, schedules and other important information about your vehicle. -- Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition and concentration of coolant should be checked periodically. If you are doing your own work, make sure the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap. -- Have engine performance problems -- hard starts, rough idling, stalling -- corrected. You'll get better gasoline mileage and you may prevent more expensive repairs later on. For example, something as simple as a rough idle could indicate an underlying problem that could ruin your vehicle's catalytic converter over time. The old adage, "Pay me now or pay me later," is especially true with today's high-tech, computerized systems. -- If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, look for repair facilities with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own, modern equipment in the service bays and signs that the automotive technicians are qualified, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and training classes, as well as national certification of the individual technicians by ASE. -- The tightness and condition of belts, clamps and hoses should be checked by a qualified auto technician. Most do-it-yourselfers do not have the proper equipment. But weekenders can look for signs of wear, cracking or frayed belts. And, once again, don't ignore the service schedules listed in the owner's manual. -- Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a qualified technician. The air conditioners on older vehicles often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the air through improper or incompetent service. -- Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner's manual. (Properly dispose of used oil.) Polls of technicians overwhelmingly indicate that this is one of the most neglected services, and one that can greatly reduce the life of your car, light truck or SUV. -- Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended in the service manual. -- Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let the tires "cool down" before checking their pressure. Uneven wear, "cupping," vibrations or "pulling" to one side indicates problems with your tires or suspension system. -- Don't neglect your transmission. Costly repairs can be prevented by routine service. -- For safety and convenience, inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs. Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer solvent on hand to fight summer's dust and insects. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign. For a free brochure with summertime automotive tips, send a self-addressed, stamped long envelope to: ASE Summer Brochure, Dept. ARA-1, 101 Blue Seal Dr., S.E., Suite 101, Leesburg, Va., 20175, or visit www.asecert.org for more information. -=- SO YOU HAVE ENEMIES? A knight returned to his castle at twilight. He was a mess. His armor was dented, his helmet askew, his face was bloody, his horse was limping and he listed to one side in the saddle. His lord met him at the gate, asking, "What has befallen you, Sir Knight?" Straightening himself up as best he could, he replied, "Oh, Sire, I have been laboring in your service, robbing and burning and pillaging your enemies to the west." "You have been what?" cried the startled nobleman. "But I haven't any enemies to the west!" "Oh!" said the knight. And then, after a pause, "Well, I think you do now." What about you? Enemies to the west? Or the north, or the south, or the east? None of us will calmly sail through our lives in perfect harmony with everyone we meet. And though most conflict can be resolved along the way, and most of our bruised relationships can eventually be healed, some passionate issues may threaten to drive a permanent wedge between people. Heartfelt moral and political stances, especially, can polarize folks who just as passionately hold differing positions. Former U.S. Ambassador Claire Booth Luce once observed: "I don't have a warm personal enemy left. They've all died off. I miss them terribly because they helped define me." So-called "enemies" can serve a valuable purpose. If we let them, they can teach us about ourselves. By holding a mirror before us, they can help us see what we may have missed. By disagreeing with our heartfelt convictions, they can sharpen our points of view. And, if we allow it, they can unwittingly help us practice strength and compassion in the face of criticism. If enemies cannot become friends, they can become teachers. If we listen, they will teach us what our friends cannot. -=- About the Author Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem is a professional speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. He has become a global voice of inspiration. Visit his site for more information, or to sign up for his free ezine at: http://LifeSupportSystem.com (Click Here) Get his eBook "Laughing All the Way" for free ($4.95 value) at http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/laughingallway.html . Just enter the code "free" (without quotes) as you check out. New Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedure For Arthritis May Delay Knee Replacement Surgery UniSpacer(TM) Knee System Offers Treatment Alternative To Those With Early-Stage Osteoarthritis AUSTIN, TX -- A promising new treatment for people suffering from early-stage osteoarthritis of the knee is now available in the United States. The UniSpacer(TM) Knee System, manufactured by Sulzer Orthopedics Inc., a subsidiary of Sulzer Medica Ltd., is a timely solution for those finding themselves slowed down by arthritis. The UniSpacer is a small, minimally invasive device made of cobalt chrome that fits between the natural bone structures of the knee and stays in place without bone cement or screws. It is geometrically designed to center itself and follow the normal motion of each individuals knee. It allows the surgeon to preserve the patients bone by replacing only the damaged cartilage and addressing alignment. Because the UniSpacer does not require fixation or bone cuts, it does not compromise future conversion to total knee replacement. "This is an exciting time in the area of joint restoration," said Richard Hallock, M.D., design surgeon of the UniSpacer. "With this new procedure, we may be able to extend a patients active lifestyle by delaying traditional knee replacement and retaining the natural anatomy." Traditionally, the primary long-term solution for patients with severe knee pain was knee replacement surgery, in which the surgeon replaces the damaged knee with an artificial implant. Surgeons are generally reluctant to perform replacement surgery on younger, more active patients because of the irreversible removal of bone required. Until now, the most prevalent options for delaying partial or total knee replacement were short-term arthroscopic procedures or dependence on pain medications. John Rochat, a 46-year-old police chief from Millersville, Pa., is one of more than 400 people to have received a UniSpacer in the U.S. A former college football and track athlete, Rochat began developing pain in both of his knees at age 30. Told by his doctors that he was too young for total knee replacement surgery, he suffered through numerous arthroscopic surgeries, cortisone shots and various medications for 14 years. Today, he has UniSpacer implants in both knees. "I have my life back," Rochat said, "I only wish they had the UniSpacer as a remedy 15 years ago, because I lost 15 years of my life." The procedure requires only minimal surgical intervention and is performed under general or regional anesthesia and generally takes about one hour. Most patients are able to return to normal activities within a few months. "As an alternative treatment of early arthritis of the knee, the UniSpacer opens a whole new horizon," said Marc Hungerford, M.D., acting chief for the Division of Arthritis Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore, Md. "Until we get to the point where we can actually restore articular cartilage, its good to have different treatment options that can be matched more specifically to the individual patient." The UniSpacer was cleared for use in the United States in January 2001 and is available only through specially trained surgeons. More information about the UniSpacer, as well as a surgeon locator, can be found at www.unispacer.com or by calling toll-free 1-88U-SPACERS. About Sulzer Orthopedics Sulzer Orthopedics Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, develops, manufactures and markets medical devices for orthopedic markets worldwide. Sulzer Orthopedics has focused on designing and manufacturing comprehensive joint and fracture care solutions to improve patients quality of life. Sulzer Orthopedics is a subsidiary of Sulzer Medica (NYSE: SM). More information is located at www.sulzerorthopedics.com. THE SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE U.S. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT 1995 This report contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, projections of future performance of materials and products and financial condition containing risks and uncertainties. These statements are subject to change based on known risks detailed from time to time in the Companys Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other known and unknown risks and various other factors which could cause the actual results or performance to differ materially from the statements made herein. UniSpacer is a trademark of Sulzer Orthopedics Inc. -=- A Gardener's Diary by Rachel Paxton (Email: Click Here) Have you ever thought about keeping a gardener's diary to record what you plant and where you plant it? Keeping a diary will help you plan next year's garden by recording which plants grew well and which ones didn't. You can also note which colors do or don't look good together, or which plants overwhelm one another. Keep a record of how long the sun shines in different areas of your yard so you can find plants that require the appropriate amount of sunlight. In our yard, the soil is not the same everywhere. We have made do by planting different kinds of plants in different types of soil. We have a big patch of very sandy soil that turned out to be adequate to grow a good crop of zucchini and pumpkins last year, as long as we kept it well watered. Our tulips did really well last year. We have them scattered here and there throughout the yard, but their favorite place is in a very sandy shady spot next to the front porch. Those tulips were twice as big as the ones that got more sunshine. This year, however, we got a little warm weather in early spring and then a cold spell. The poor tulips never recovered from the cold and didn't bloom at all! One plant that doesn't seem to care where it is planted is our rhubarb. It has been moved from house to house several times, it has grown in different types of soil, and it has been watered inconsistently. I then cut it all off and it grows right back again! This plant seems impossible to harm. We're experimenting with daisies this year. I wanted to add some more color to our yard. I planted them in different places and will watch to see where they do best. I love looking at my yard and looking at all the different plants that people have given me. Who would have thought that plants could be keepsakes. You can make notes in your diary as to who gave you what plants and what meaning they have to you. Our rhubarb plant is the same one that we had at our home when I was a child, and my mom gave me some of the chrysanthemums that were given to me and planted in her yard when my daughter was born almost twelve years ago. Walking around the yard I see flowers from my aunt, rosemary from my husband's grandmother, and the young maple tree my daughter grew from a seed several years ago. There are many memories in our small surroundings. Planting seedlings from other people's gardens is also a great way to save money - plants are so expensive these days. Why pay for them at the store when you can get them for free? I also buy a lot of plants at the end of the season. A lot of stores have two-for-one sales and practically give away their leftover plants. Even a half wilted annual will perk right up when you give it a little tender-loving care. It will be back good as new next year. Your diary can be as simple as a spiral notebook or as fancy as a bound diary you can buy at the store. If you are good at drawing, you can also make sketches of your plants in your diary. If you end up living in the same place for many years, your gardening diary can be a little piece of history for your family. Your family will cherish those memories for a lifetime. -=- About the Author Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who publishes the Creative Homemaking Recipe of the Week Club, a weekly newsletter that contains quick, easy dinner ideas and money-saving household hints. Visit Creative Homemaking online: Click Here and in the Home and Garden section of Suite 101 - http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/creative_homemaking Study Suggests New Simplified Tool Can Effectively Screen For Sleep Disorders 11-Item Questionnaire Takes Minutes To Identify High-Risk Individuals, May Prove Valuable In Primary Care NEW YORK, NY -- Results of a new study suggest that an 11-item, self-administered patient questionnaire can aid physicians in screening for the most common sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome.(1) The study, which was published in the March issue of the journal Sleep Medicine, will simplify the sleep disorder screening process so that primary-care doctors can reliably assess patients for specific disorders in minutes with only a handful of targeted questions. Experts hope that the practical test, known as the Global Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (GSAQ), will encourage more aggressive screening and help identify millions of Americans who suffer from untreated sleep problems. "Many patients with sleep problems fail to receive treatment because the sleep screening process is far too time-consuming for the average physician to administer during a brief office visit," said Thomas Roth, Ph.D., lead study author and chief of the Sleep Disorders and Research Center at Henry Ford Sleep Center in Detroit. "Our research demonstrates that a simple tool helps make preliminary screening more accessible to the general practitioner and can identify quickly and reliably those patients who require treatment or who would benefit most from further evaluation." * Sleep Disorders: A National Health Priority The National Sleep Foundation estimates that at least 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders.(2) Additionally, sleeplessness has been associated with a broad range of complications, including depression, heart disease, lost productivity and an increased risk of highway- and work-related accidents.(3) Despite these facts, more than 60% of adults have never been asked about the quality of their sleep by a physician.(2) "Adequate sleep is critical to good health, yet many adults have undiagnosed sleep disorders that prevent them from getting adequate sleep," remarked Daniel J. Buysse, MD, study investigator and associate professor of psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "Undiagnosed sleep disorders are a national health priority, one that the GSAQ can hopefully help to address." * GSAQ: A Promising New Tool The GSAQ was developed at several of the nations leading accredited sleep centers.(1) Through several tiers of research, GSAQ investigators evaluated dozens of questions used in standard sleep screeners to identify those that are most predictive for a positive sleep disorder diagnosis. Researchers were able to hone the list of questions down to a list of 11, believed to be the foundation for screening of a broad range of sleep-related conditions. The questions range from general inquiries relating to falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested, to more specific questions, such as "During the past 4 weeks, how often did you have restless or crawling feelings in your legs at night that went away if you moved your legs?" and "During the past 4 weeks, how often did you have nightmares, or did you scream, walk, punch, or kick in your sleep?"(1) Each question required an answer of "Never," "Sometimes," "Usually," or "Always." Specific questions are weighted for particular disorders. Some conditions, such as parasomnia, a disorder characterized by sleepwalking, screaming, bedwetting and/or other abnormal sleep behaviors, can be effectively screened for with a single question from the 11-item list. A total of 212 adults completed the study at five sleep centers and two primary-care clinics. Diagnoses were confirmed by complete evaluations performed by sleep specialists. Of the 212 patients, 139 (65.6%) had at least one sleep disorder, 60 (28.3%) had two or more sleep disorders, and 13 (6.1%) had no confirmed sleep disorder.(1) Sensitivity is the probability that a person suffering from a disease will be correctly identified by a particular test.(4) The GSAQ demonstrated a sensitivity of 79% for primary insomnia, 83% for insomnia associated with a mental disorder, 93% for both obstructive sleep apnea and periodic limb movement, 96% for restless legs syndrome, and fully 100% for parasomnia.(1) "Given the ambiguities of sleep disorders and the lack of biochemical markers typical to other disorders, the sensitivity of this screening tool is impressive," Dr. Roth explained. "The GSAQ shows great promise as an instrument that can help primary-care physicians identify with confidence individuals who need further diagnostic evaluation and, if appropriate, treatment." Investigators are currently planning the next phase of research for the GSAQ, which will involve evaluating its performance in the actual primary-care setting. * Common Problems, Varied Symptoms A sleep disorder is a disruptive pattern of sleep that may include difficulty falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, excess total sleep time, or abnormal behaviors associated with sleep. It may be caused by stress, a poor sleeping environment and/or underlying medical or psychiatric problems.(5) Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. In the 2001 Sleep in America Poll, 51% of adults surveyed reported expe xs characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.(7) Periodic limb movement disorder usually involves repetitive lower limb movements that occur about every 20 to 40 seconds and can interfere with an individuals ability to stay asleep.(8) Restless legs syndrome is an uncomfortable, crawling sensation in the legs, which occurs when an individual is sitting or lying down. The syndromes name comes from the irresistible urge to move the legs.(9) The GSAQ study was sponsored by Pharmacia Corporation and is being further developed by Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc. With annual sales of $6 billion in 2001 and 30,000 employees in more than 100 countries, Sanofi-Synthelabo is the seventh largest pharmaceutical company in Europe and among the top 20 worldwide. Corporate headquarters are in Paris, France; U.S. headquarters are in N.Y., New York. References: 1. Roth T, Zammit G, Kushida C, et al. A new questionnaire to detect sleep disorders. Sleep Med. In press. 2. National Sleep Foundation. The Importance of Sleep. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/about.html#sleep. Accessed January 16, 2002. 3. National Sleep Foundation. Sleep Aids: Everything You Wanted to Know, but Were Too Tired to Ask. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/publications/sleepaids.html#3. Accessed January 16, 2002. 4. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 29th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 2000:1623. 5. MEDLINEplus Health Information. Medical Encyclopedia: Sleep Disorders. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000800.htm. Accessed January 25, 2002. 6. National Sleep Foundation. 2001 Sleep in America Poll. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/publications/2001poll.html. Accessed February 4, 2002. 7. National Sleep Foundation. Sleep Apnea. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/publications/sleepap.html. Accessed January 16, 2002. 8. National Sleep Foundation. Facts About PLMS. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/publications/fact_plms.html. Accessed February 11, 2002. 9. Roth T, Dement W. Restless Legs and Periodic Movements in Sleep. The Principals and Practice of Sleep Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co;1989:486. -=- Quote of the Day: "It is easy to love those who are far away. It isn't always easy to love those who are right next to us. It is easier to offer a dish of rice to satisfy the hunger of a poor person, than to fill up the loneliness and suffering of someone lacking love in our own family." -- Mother Theresa -=- BE CONSISTENT TO BE SUCCESSFUL! (c) Rhoberta Shaler, PhD When you take a moment to think about your self-esteem, what comes to mind? STOP READING NOW! Take that moment...what does come to mind? Do you immediately tell yourself what you do well? Do you remember all the good that you do? Terrific! Many folks have a tendency to first notice the places they have failed or are not doing enough. They think about what they have not done rather than what they have accomplished. They see their personal cups half-empty, rather than half-full. How about you? If your first thoughts are positive, you have self-confidence. Want some more? There's a secret! Keep your promises to yourself. Yes, when you say that you will spend an hour alone, do it! When you decide on a food program, follow it! When you determine the best exercise for you, do it! Recently I spoke with a woman who told me how well she felt after three weeks of paying attention to her health. She was thoughtful about her food choices, slept well and made time for her exercise of choice. She said that it made her feel good about herself. Of course it did! When I asked her if she was continuing with that program, she said no. Why not? Somehow her overwhelming desire to keep millions of balls in the air and run herself ragged seemed more attractive. Isn't that an interesting conundrum? This is an issue of self-esteem. You have to feel that you deserve to feel good in order to do what it takes. Sure, there are times when work or family need all your attention, however, once the crisis is over, return to taking care of yourself. If the crisis is too long, you'll run out of energy and begin to deplete all your reserves. This won't help your work or family, will it? It is also likely to cause you to resent the work, the demands or the people. Then, you might beat yourself up for feeling that when, actually, resentment is simply a sign that you are not giving yourself what you are giving to others. Notice this and take better care of yourself. Be consistent with your self-care. This doesn't mean creating a rigid schedule. That only causes resistance. Be gentle, yet firm, with yourself. Exercise for thirty minutes three times a week. That's a great start...and it's do-able. Once you get that established, you'll probably feel like adding to it, so, take a walk, play a game or go for a swim. Set yourself up to win and enjoy it! You deserve it. Consistency creates self-confidence. Go for it! (c) Rhoberta Shaler, PhD All rights reserved worldwide. -=- About the Author Motivational Keynote Speaker, Corporate TeamBuilder and Executive Coach from San Diego, CA, Rhoberta is the creator of The Consociate Way(tm): Promoting Performance & Peace in Your Workplace. Improve Your Workplace Relationships with People Skills for Sustainable Success! Visit: http://www.SpeakingAboutWork.com For reprint permission - Click Here ==============================  3 X 3 Xenical ::: Click here |
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