Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Ways To Beat The Summer Heat

Cooling comfort is important, but that is not the only reason to stay cool when the temperatures begin to rise. Dangerously high temperatures can result in heat-related illnesses. These illnesses include:

1. Heat cramps result when people sweat a lot during strenuous activity. Sweating depletes the body's salt and moisture and a low salt level creates painful cramps.
2. Heat exhaustion can occur in people with high blood pressure, the elderly, or people who work or exercise in high temperatures. It is characterized by heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, and/or weakness.
3. Heat stroke occurs when the body's temperature rises too high. This is a true medical emergency because heat stroke can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.

Here are fourteen tips to help you avoid heat cramps, heat exhaustion or worse, heat stroke.

1. Alter your pattern of outdoor activities, like exercise or lawn mowing, to take advantage of the cooler times of day - early morning or late vening. If you are unable to change your times, exercise for shorter periods of time. Try walking instead of running.
2. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Cottons are better than synthetics when it comes to keeping you cooler.
3. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator to a quick and refreshing spray.
4. Fans help to circulate air, even in an air conditioned area.
5. Put lotions in the refrigerator to ease hot, tired bodies.
6. Put plastic bottles of water in the freezer to take with you outside. As the ice melts, you will have cold water to refresh you.
7. Take frequent baths or showers in cool or tepid water.
8. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks. If you start to feel thirsty, you are already showing signs of dehydration that can lead to more serious conditions.
9. Use a small battery-powered fan.
10. Soak a rag in ice water and put it under your hat or cap if you wear one. If not, put a ice water soaked rag around your neck.
11. Avoid caffeine and alcohol because these promote dehydration.
12. Instead of hot foods, eat lighter food in smaller more frequent meals. Snacks containing fruit are always a good choice. If you eat salads and lighter food, you won't have to stand over a hot stove to cook.
13. If you don't own an air conditioner, try to spend part of the day in a library, movie theater, shopping mall or other cool public place.
14. Sit on a ClimaCushion™. The ClimaCushion™ cools you by blowing cool air on you as you sit in a chair or in your car. Feel the difference of 150 air ports flowing through a woven seat pad to give you maximum comfort.

Use common sense. If the heat is intolerable stay indoors where you can avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt.

Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for http://www.ClimaCushion.com
Karen Vertigan Pope, EzineArticles.com Platinum Author


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Vertigan_Pope

Friday, May 16, 2008

How to Keep Cool This Summer

Unless you live somewhere near Antarctica, you've probably noticed that the temperature is getting warmer. Summer is on the way. The question on a lot of minds is, how can you stay cool in the summer without having to run your air conditioner all the time?

Here are a few ideas that are definitely green and will save you some cash, too.

Become a Fan-atic

That ceiling fan is a much underused, underrated cooling device. It uses much less electricity to run than the air conditioner, costs less to buy in the first place, and is simple to install. If you are a DIY kind of person, there are always the options of a hand-held magazine, newspaper or the classic Asian air-conditioner. Those fans they carry around aren't just for looks or decoration or adding an Oriental flare to a chic summer outfit. Many Asians carry and use a hand-held fan to beat the summer heat.

Turn Off the Heat

No, I am not talking about the heater. I am talking about appliances that produce a lot of heat. Turn off your computer when you are not using it. Turn off the lights. Better, switch from incandescent bulbs to the compact florescent bulbs. Don't use the oven.

Turn on the Cold

Eat cold food. Put your water in there to keep it cold. Eat small meals with foods that are high in water content like fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't forget to have a store of organic ice cream and sorbet. Just keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible.

Keep it on the Down Low

Heat rises, so stay on the lower floors of your home or any other building for that matter. If you have a stone or tile floor, wipe it off and then lie on it. You will feel cooler just having the cool surface under you.

Open Some Windows

Circulate air by opening your windows, especially those on the north and south side of your house or apartment. Deflect the sun with a white shade or bamboo curtains. If it is really hot, you can try an Israeli air conditioner: You wet some sheets and hand them over the windows in the breeze. Or hang your laundry in the window.

Take a Cool Shower

It is a great way to chill out fast and to keep the air in your home or apartment feeling cooler, too. Because the water is cold, you don't want to stay in there too long, so you save on water. Putting some water in a spray bottle for a quick spritz when you feel hot will cool you off, too.

Turning Japanese

A hand-held fan is just the tip of the Oriental iceberg when it comes to keeping cool. Sitting outside will always feel cooler than sitting inside. Besides it is sociable. Put a bamboo mat in your chair. They rarely heat up and they don't soak up sweat.

Use a ClimaCushion

The ClimaCushion is a great way to feel cool either indoors or in your car. Imagine 150 tiny fans blowing cooling air across your back-side. No more sweating in the car or sticking to car seats. You be able to drive in cool comfortable and possibly save on gas because you won't have to run your air conditioner

Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ms. Vertigan Pope is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for ClimaCushion

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Vertigan_Pope

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Preventing Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain

What is it? It is pain or stiffness in the small of the back. It may also be accompanied by pain in the buttocks or the legs. Many times simple exercises and good posture will help ease most back pain. Sometimes physical therapy, medication or even surgery may be needed.

It is always best to avoid back pain to begin with rather than having to find a way to ease it later.

Here are a few suggestions:

Standing

* If you have to stand in one place for long periods of time, rest one foot on a low stool. If you are at home and working in the kitchen, open the lower cabinet and rest a foot on the inside edge of the lower cabinet. Change feet every five to fifteen minutes.

* Also, it is important to maintain good standing posture. Hold your head up, shoulders straight, chest forward and your weight balanced evenly on both feet.

Sitting


* Make certain your chair has good lower back support. The back of the chair should be curved where the small of the back meets the back of the seat.

* Keep your knees higher than you hips by using a foot rest or stool.

* Don't twist at the waist while sitting. Twist your entire body.

Sleeping

* Sleep on your side with your knees slightly bent. You can put a pillow between your knees.

* Do not sleep on your stomach.

Lifting

* Before lifting anything heavy, get a firm footing. Bend at the knees to get down to the level of the object. Make sure the lower back stays straight. Tighten the stomach muscles, grab the object firmly, and lift with your legs.

* To lift an object from a table top, slide the object to the edge of the table so it can be held close to the body. Bend the knees, grip the object firmly, holding it close and then straighten the legs.

* Avoid lifting heavy object above waist level.

* Always hold packages close with the arms bent

Another method for avoiding back pain is using the ClimaCushion. ClimaCushion is for anybody who wishes to sit in comfort and feel fresher after a day in the car or at the office. When you more comfortable, you are more relaxed and less likely to injure your lower back, even if you have to sit for long periods of time while driving. The ClimaCushion is perfect for long distance drivers, cab drivers, chauffeurs, commuters or a busy mom with many errands. Get your ClimaCushion at ClimaCushion.com.

Karen Vertigan Pope, EzineArticles.com Basic PLUS Author

Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ms. Vertigan Pope is the Project Support Manager of Ciniva Systems. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for http://www.ClimaCushion.com.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Introducing the ClimaCushion for Anyone Who Drives Anything

Stay cool, stay warm, stay dry with ClimaCushion! This amazing car seat cushion lets you adjust the temperature in your seat so you are always comfortable. The Ultimate Drive Cushion

You won't find a more comfortable seating system on the market today. With ClimaCushion you can control how cool or how warm your body remains as you drive, while refreshing air circulates under your seat. No more fiddling with the A/C or heat for the right temperature. ClimaCushion's convenient controller lets you switch from cool air to radient heat instantly! You are always fresh, dry, and ready to drive.

ClimaCushion works in any vehicle. Simply plug the cushion into your cigarette lightter and adjust the temperature. Convenient straps secure the cushion to any car seat, and two fan speeds let you adjust air flow.

High technology carbon fiber provides smooth and radiating high and low heat, and the scientifically designed seat surface is clean, soft, and helps keep skin and clothes dry and fresh.

ClimaCushion is ideal for those who drive on a regular basis. Whether you commute to work or run constant errands, you don't have to worry about sweating or freezing with ClimaCushion. Great for cab drivers and delivery drivers, too!