Put the Glass Down

A nice example to show you how to de-stress yourself. Take a look.

The Importance of Self-Discipline

During the 1960s, psychologist Walter Mischel conducted “the marshmallow test” with four-year-olds in the preschool at Stanford University, to assess each preschooler’s ability to delay gratification. 

Each four-year-old was given one marshmallow. They were told that they could eat it immediately or, if they waited until the researcher returned in 20 minutes, they could have two marshmallows.
 

Some kids in the group just couldn’t wait. They gobbled down the marshmallow immediately. The rest struggled hard to resist eating it. They covered their eyes, talked to themselves, sang, played games, and even tried to go to sleep. The preschoolers who were able to wait were rewarded with two marshmallows when the researcher returned. Twelve to fourteen years later these same kids were reevaluated as teenagers.
 

The differences were astonishing. Those who had been able to control their impulses and delay gratification as four-year-olds, were more effective socially and personally. They had higher levels of assertiveness, self-confidence, trustworthiness, dependability, and ability to control stress. Their Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores were 210 points higher than the “instant gratification” group! 

A key difference between successful people — leaders — and those who struggle to get by, is self-discipline. As Confucius wrote, “The nature of people is always the same; it is their habits that separate them.” 

Cheers!

Health Tips # 9 - Something for the Software Professionals

Here is something for the Software professionals to read through and understand carefully. I do not know the source of this information, got this as a mail forward way back in 2008 - but this certainly deserves a careful review.

Six software professionals under the age of 33 have died and 2 top executives from renowned software companies have become paralyzed because of stress-related heart ailments in the last six months (read as Apr-Sep 2008) in Chennai, says a study by Mitran Foundation, a Bangalore-based voluntary association of practicing doctors.

"All the six who died, and the two who became invalid, had no family history of heart attacks or any pre-history of heart ailments or paralysis. They were all in their prime, between 27 and 33 years, and handled challenging projects at work in their respective companies. They worked long and continuous hours. The end struck them very suddenly, and it looked as if their hearts refused to take any more stress," said Dr Dwarakanath, director of Mitran Foundation, who has studied stress components in 40 software companies in Chennai during the last six months.

The study, conducted at a cost of Rs 45 lakhs, covered more than 4,000 software professionals from 80 companies who were in service for a minimum of three years. The email responses were scientifically tabulated and the findings were ready in 2002.

Dr Dwarakanath, who was the late Dhirubhai Ambani's personal stress management consultant, said questionnaires extracting every minute detail were sent to the respondents. The personal background, family history and personal characteristics of these individuals were assessed and it was found that the stress in these professionals was only due to work pressure. All other factors were eliminated. 

"Our study confirmed that the number of suicides, divorces, heart ailments, BP and diabetes patients and mental depression are the highest in the software industry. The fancy salaries of software professionals are no longer something to rejoice about," Dr Dwarakanath said.

"We found that the software industry has simply no routine. Deadlines hang before them and every day they chase new problems. During weekends more than 60 per cent of the vehicles are found parked in the office complexes. There is no physical exercise and new food habits favoured by pizza culture fuel the problem. 

Cervical spondilitis and wrist problems due to uncomfortable handling of the computer mouse, eye problems and discomfort in bowel movements are common. The stress for couples where both are employed in the IT industry is the worst. The simple step of taking time off from work for three months allowed an IT couple wanting a child for years to conceive one," Dr Dwarakanath said.

 

M. T. R. Venukopalan, senior training coordinator, Covansys India, acknowledged that IT professionals were the most stressed individuals. "Even if the company sponsors a movie or self-care lecture, not many attend them," he said. Jyothsana, a travel coordinator for Temenos India Pvt Ltd, expressed concern for the young employees who complain of back and knee pains. She acknowledged that IT professionals require a specific eating and physical exercise routine to ease their stress. "Our lives are becoming mechanical, guided only by deadlines," she said. So think again if you are staying late in the office regularly. Think again about your family. Think again about your social life and health.

Work is essential. Your contribution to the goal should be great. But, please don't make it a habit to stay late.

Don't skip your Break Fast /Lunch/Dinner. None of these are equated by Pizza, Biscuits / Wafers / Chat items/ Sandwiches.

 

Cheers

 

Imported from http://pkhari.blogspot.in  

Health Tips # 5 - Stress Management

Stress is defined as the reaction of the body against the adjustment in the physical or mental change or action taking place. 

Stress can be very dangerous some times. But it can overcome easily if we take certain precautions or measurements.

There are many ways of managing stress.

Relaxation is considered as the primary one. Find time for relaxing by the means of meditation, listening to music, or by taking a bath.

Another way to overcome stress is sticking to the daily routine. If you are a person suffering from stress, don’t add too much works. This technique is also considered as one of the best in the many ways of managing stress.

Eating a healthy diet will also help in managing the stress. The diet should include fruits and vegetables.

Avoiding of the food items like fatty type foods will give a better result.

Exercising daily will also help you a lot. This will help in boosting the energy of the person, and will be better for heart, lungs and mind too. This is considered as the one of the best and practical in the several ways of managing stress.

Without any doubt, laughing is the best of all ways of managing of stress. The person should be involved in the activities he should be getting relaxed and entertained.

Don’t forget to keep a positive attitude always. This is a good way to reduce the stress.

Taking the problems to a trustable person can also control one’s stress.

Doing Yoga, especially a routine, regular session would be enormously helpful in controlling stress.

Extreme levels of stress can ultimately lead one to the stage of depression. So it is vital that you plan and control your stress through the more positive steps.

Cheers!

Source: http://pkhari.blogspot.in  

Health Tips # 3: Sleep disorders - how to address

With the current hectic life that people lead in today’s time, reducing stress is the most important thing, as it could have a clear negative impact on your sleep.

There could be different types of stress such as work stress, school stress, family stress, teen stress, parent stress, etc. If your life is full of stress then your night time sleep could be hampered also therefore it is really important to follow some important tips to reduce stress and sleep better.

Getting sufficient amount of sleep at night is very important to get rid of stress. You should keep your mind free from problematic thoughts before sleeping.

Having a proper and relaxing shower can help you get away from the stress that you gathered through out the day.

Here are the important tips to reduce stress and sleep better:

Do not over sleep - It is not right to build a habit of over sleeping because it can hamper your regular sleeping habit. Always try to have sufficient sleep but that does not mean excessive.

Exercise - Exercise is a great habit. Exercise like swimming, jogging and walking could be the best solution for sleeping disorders.

If you are a senior citizen category, then you can go for a light walk at the evening. It will help to have a nice sleep during the night.

If you are highly addicted to caffeine or alcohol then you must cut off these things from your regular chart.

If you maintain these tips to reduce stress and sleep better then you will definitely get the real result that you want.

Cheers!

Source: http://pkhari.blogspot.in