A new survey has revealed that we are turning to our PCs and the internet, when our lives are at their most stressful.
One in four people polled in the survey have said that they don’t live a balanced lifestyle, with enough time for managing home, work, family, friends and relationships.
The interesting study, published by Yahoo! goes on to suggest that us Brits are at breaking point with our stress levels, and are turning to our PCs to get some normality back into our lives.
A staggering 77% of those surveyed agreed that not leading a balanced lifestyle leads to them feeling stressed, and almost one in two (49%) admitting to feeling short tempered as a result.
But what measures are we taking to reclaim a sense of control, order and most importantly- empowerment?
Almost two thirds (62%) hail the internet as their saving grace for improving their ability to balance the multiple demands on their precious time, and for allowing them to feel more ‘in control’ in comparison to doing tasks offline.
Source : Female First,UK
1) SKIP THE SECOND ROUND
Alcohol is probably the substance used most often for sleep, reports a study in Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine (it’s also a major ingredient in many over the- counter cold medications.) However, when you fall asleep under the influence, both the quantity and the quality of your sleep are adversely affected. Even small to moderate intakes of alcohol can suppress melatonin (a hormone that help regulate sleep),2) CUT BACK ON CAFFEINE
Caffeine boosts alertness, activates stress hormones, and elevates heart rate and blood pressure — none of which are very helpful when you’re trying to get shut-eye. Some people are more sensitive than others to caffeine’s effects, and one’s sensitivity may be hereditary. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, take note that its half-life — the time required by your body to break down half of it — can be as long as 7 hours. In other words, if you were to have your last cup of coffee at 1 pm, a quarter of the caffeine it contained could still remain in your system as late as 3 am.3) OPEN A WINDOW
Most sleep researchers advise keeping your bedroom cool, but not cold — the National Sleep Foundation recommends between 54 and 75°F. This is because a cool room makes it easier for your core body temperature to drop, which must occur for you to fall asleep. (Body temp reaches its lowest point about 4 hours after you nod off.) However, the thermostat is only part of the story: Proper air circulation and blankets that aren’t too heavy —a big problem in hotel rooms — can also facilitate a drop in body temperature.
4) ORDER THE PASTA AT LUNCH, NOT DINNER
It’s true that carbohydrates boost the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan in the blood, which in turn boosts serotonin. But don’t assume that a big plate of pasta will put you to sleep; in fact, as a general rule, anything that raises body temperature, including the consumption of calories, wrecks sleep. Plus, if you have any digestive problems such as heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eating a big meal before bedtime is just asking for trouble.
5) USE YOUR ALARM EVERY DAY (EVEN SUNDAYS)
Most experts insist that we regularize our sleep. They point to evidence that our circadian rhythm — the natural ebb and flow of energy levels throughout the day — thrives on consistency. The more predictable our sleep schedule, the better our bodies work, they say. But even those who argue this most strongly admit that, while it helps to keep a regular sleep-wake schedule, it may not be the complete answer.
According to researchers, even if insomniacs keep regular sleep patterns, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll sleep well or long enough, notes Kathryn Reid, PhD, a research assistant professor in the department of neurology at the Northwestern University Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythm. Napping is an issue on which experts are also divided. Bottom line: try to get up and go to sleep at roughly the same time most days of the week.
"Mel & Ita" The best of friends,
Can change a frown,
Into a smile,
when you feel down.
The best of friends,
Will understand,
Your little trials,
And lend a hand.
The best of friends,
Will always share,
Your secret dreams,
Because they care.
The best of friends,
Worth more than gold,
Give all the love,
A heart can hold.
I've just read the Australia's WA Today article about Alfie Patten from Uk who was just 13 years old and the girlfriend Chantelle Steadman(15) was giving birth to Maisie Roxanne on Monday, Feb 9..I am totally puzzled and shocked that it really happened..!Parents out there, we do really want to look after our 12 years old child nowadays..!!! Alarm Alert everyone!!Open your eyes..! 
A baby-faced 13-year-old British schoolboy has fathered a child with his 15-year-old girlfriend, making him one of the youngest parents ever in Britain, a report says.
Alfie Patten, whose voice has not yet broken, admitted he had not thought about how he and girlfriend Chantelle Steadman would support baby daughter Maisie Roxanne, as "I don't really get pocket money".
"When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble," said the teenager, pictured on the front page of The Sun tabloid with the baby, born in Eastbourne, southern England.
"We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react. I didn't know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it," he said.
But he admitted: "I didn't think about how we would afford it. I don't really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me STG10 ($A21.91)."
Alfie's dad Dennis, 45, said his son - who looks younger than his age and is just 1.22 metres tall - was fully committed to his new paternal role.
"He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day," he said.
The baby, who weighed in at 3.27 kilograms (seven pounds, three ounces) when she was born on Monday, was conceived after just one night of unprotected sex, the paper said.
Alfie was 12 years old at the time.
In theory, police could have brought a prosecution for under-age sex, but they said they would not be pressing charges.
"Sussex Police child protection team were aware of a 14-year-old girl that had become pregnant as the result of a relationship with a 12-year-old boy," said a spokeswoman for Sussex Police.
"A joint agency investigation with East Sussex County Council Children's Services has taken place which has considered the needs of both individuals and there will be continued support for these two young people in the future."
Well,now it was still 'Hollywood Audition' stage..We can watch it from Star world ( Astro, cha 711-Malaysia Viewer ) every Wed & Thu.. Every year i started to really get into it after the top 24 picked.. Last year i was very disappointed because my idol 'David Archuletta' come as runner up..
The new features on Google's popular geography program were unveiled Monday at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where former Vice President Al Gore was among the speakers.
Users of Google Earth 5.0 can now dive beneath the ocean's surface, explore three-dimensional images of the underwater terrain and view articles and videos about marine science.
The Historical Imagery feature lets users see archive satellite images of a single location over time.
And Google Mars 3-D features high-resolution images of the Red Planet.
USA Today, 02/02/09
| By | Tedd Riggs |
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, a small organ located on the right side of the abdomen. Patients generally first experience pain that be
gins near the navel (belly button) before moving to the lower right abdomen. In many cases, this pain increases over time.
The exact cause of appendicitis is not always known, although it appears that it is often triggered by a blockage of the appendix due to infection in the digestive 
Appendicitis can occur at any age, but is more common between the ages of 10 and 30. Adolescents have the highest rates of appendicitis.
Appendicitis is often difficult to detect, particularly in children. A physician will usually perform a physical examination with special focus on the abdomen. Gentle pressure will be applied to the abdomen and quickly released to see if the pain worsens, indicating an inflamed peritoneum (inner lining of the abdomen). Blood
Surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy) is the standard treatment for appendicitis, although in very rare cases antibiotics may prevent the need for surgery. Surgical treatment may involve traditional open surgery or less invasive laparoscopic surgery. Recovery time and hospital stay following an appendectomy vary depending on which type of operation is performed and whether or not the appendix has ruptured prior to removal. Most patients make a quick and full recovery and do not require any alterations to lifestyle or diet.
In rare cases, people who have undergone an appendectomy can experience “stump appendicitis,” inflammation of the tiny part of the appendix that remains after surgery. In such cases, a second surgery may be needed to remove the remainder of the appendix. Leaving a stump less than 3 millimeters long in the original surgery usually prevents stump appendicitis.
When treated promptly, appendicitis poses little threat to the patient. However, infection of the peritoneum can occur if the appendix ruptures before it is removed, a potentially serious condition known as peritonitis. In rare cases, this can result in DEATH.
