Two Socks to Success

Surgeons call it double gloving – one latex glove over another for extra protection in difficult or potentially dangerous procedures. Though not for the same reasons, scientists have now discovered that ‚double socking‛ – wearing two layers of socks could change your life… here’s why. Red blood corpuscles transport oxygen to every cell and organ in your body. More corpuscles mean more available oxygen, which is the most essential ingredient for optimal functioning, thus resulting in better performance on a mental and physical level. Fewer erythrocytes (corpuscles) mean less oxygenation in the blood, which leads to a condition known as hypoxaemia. Although the body adapts to this insufficient supply of oxygen over time, it can’t possibly operate to its full potential. The normal lifespan of an erythrocyte is about 120 days, after which it undergoes natural haemolysis or breakdown. That haemolysis happens prematurely for damaged corpuscles â€? and that’s where the socks come in handy (or is it footy?) Most damage related haemolysis occurs in the soles of our feet â€? due to the pressures exerted by walking, standing and exercising (no other part of the body takes the sort of beating our soles do). According to researchers, not only does the dual sock layer decrease the pressure effects on the feet, but also provides a layer of insulation that maintains a higher temperature in our extremities, resulting in an increased blood flow, with lower vascular resistance and ultimately less damage to erythrocytes. It’s a simple equation – more socks, mean less damage to blood corpuscles and more available oxygen, resulting in greater performance overall. No ‚sole searching‛ required â€? just do it.

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What Really Matters

A man died ‘in my arms’ this past weekend. After 20min of CPR on the beach we managed to get his pulse and breathing back momentarily – but it was shortlived. By the time the ambulance arrived, he’d been pulseless for too long. Just an hour before, a father, mother and daughter were enjoying some quality time on their boat – when it accidentally flipped and suddenly their whole world imploded. His tragic passing brought a simple truth to light for me again: Yes, life’s short (we’ve all heard that before) – but you never know just how short it’ll be … so do what matters.

Make that call, pay that visit – you know what’s really important … please do it.

Adrenaline Junkie

To those who make the world go round, the achievers, the movers and shakers, the driven, the unstoppable, the determined, those who strive for excellence in all they do, and those who live life to the fullest … a warning: You may have an addiction problem – one that threatens to shorten your days on earth drastically.

“I’m an adrenaline junkie!” is a boast that tends to draw more admiration than condemnation these days. Hopefully the next few lines will dispel that unapprised swank and help those of us who feel this way to keep our cravings to ourselves.

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A Virtual Coach

A change of schools is usually a bit disruptive for most ten year olds. When it’s from a football playing English medium to and rugby playing Afrikaans one – the change can be traumatic. Playstation can change all that …

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From Rush Hour with Love

I’ve just spent a week away from home on business – long days, short nights, little shut-eye and maximum productivity. All good, except phone calls to my kids have degenerated to “Hi dad, bye dad”. So I plan to take an afternoon off to spend with them. I mention that to another business traveler on the plane home and he scoffs: “Where do you find the time to take an afternoon off?” Suddenly embarrassed Itry to recover my dignity (or is it ego?) with a mumbled answer about working through the night, putting in extra hours blah blah. Then in a pregnant pause it dawns on me: I’m an addict, caught up in the “long hour culture” that pervades a world in incessant Rush Hour.

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Stress is not the enemy

Some people thrive under pressure, others wane � why? Sustained high performance demands physical, emotional and mental strength. To keep all three in peak performing condition, executives need to learn what world class athletes already know: Recovering energy is as important as expending it.

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Old wives tales

Feed a cold, starve a fever

Or is it starve a cold and feed a fever? It really doesn’t matter, since both are wrong. Whether you’re burning up or nursing a cold, good, ample nutrition always aids in the healing process.

Put butter on a burn

Twaddle. This is silly and dangerous, as the greasiness holds the heat inside the skin, deepening the burn and making it more severe. Cool (not cold!) running water will effectively reduce the heat and minimize damage.

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A lesson in cellular biology

As a child, my mother led me to believe that if my ears glowed, someone, somewhere was talking about me. More recently though, I came across the real reason for red ears (which now makes me wonder about the validity of the tooth fairy).

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Forget the Taliban – Ban the tan

Introduction
More and more companies are doing it. Just the other day I sat in a conference with one of South Africa’s multi-nationals and they were doing it. Chances are, if your company hasn’t started doing it, it’s going to start fairly soon.

What is the ‘it’ that they’re starting to do? They’re starting to see their employees and associates as more than simply resources to be arranged, motivated, and controlled to make more money. Someone has finally cottoned on to the fact that they’re human beings who are really valuable and part of a bigger system, that includes time and space outside of the working environment. I’ve actually observed companies actively engage their people about healthy ways to live, and helpful information on how to ensure a longer more fulfilling life.

The healthier people are, the happier they’ll be, and the more they’ll enjoy their work. Finally business is starting to understand that if you can get that right, there’s a direct link to productivity, customer satisfaction, market growth, and bottom line profit. Wonder why it’s taken so long to work that one out?

TomorrowToday.biz has started a new series that focuses on healthier living. Here’s to a longer healthier life, for you and me.…….

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