A Relaxing Bath Surprise

Ah, it’s been a long day and you can’t wait to get home and soak in the tub. You light the candles and reach for those relaxing bath salts only to find you are out. That’s strange you just picked up some the other day and the bath salts are all gone. Without giving it another thought you take your bath promising yourself that needed soak another day.

Once again your thoughts drift to lit candles, soft music and those relaxing aromas that await you. The bath salts are gone again! Ok; it’s time to get to the bottom of this! In your child’s trash basket you find empty packets of bath salts. What is going on here? My child has the sudden need for relaxing baths?

You get a phone call from the hospital telling you your child is in the emergency room. Your child has overdosed on bath salts. Bath salts? Shocked you go to the hospital and find your son has tried to cut his own throat. Stunned by the whole thing you seek answers.

Snorting, smoking and injecting bath salts is the new drug craze! Some say the effects are as powerful as abusing methamphetamines. Law enforcement agents and poison control centers say the bath salts with complex chemical names are an emerging drug problem. Sold under such names as Ivory Wave, Bliss, White Lightning, and Hurricane Charlie the chemicals can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts. The drugs cause intense cravings with kid’s bingeing three to four days before showing up in emergency rooms.

The chemicals, mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, are in bath salts and even plant foods that are sold legally at convenience stores and on the internet. The stimulants aren’t regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration because they are “not intended” for human consumption.

Niel Brown got high on bath salts, took his skinning knife and slit his face and stomach repeatedly. In Brown’s case, he had tried every drug from heroin to crack and was shaken by the terrifying hallucinations. Mark Ryan, director of Louisiana’s poison control center said “even though it’s a horrible trip, they want to do it over and over again”.

The bottom line for parents is to go with your instincts when it comes to your family. If something does not feel right, then it probably isn’t. Experts say that education is key when it comes to your child. Education does not always work especially with kids and teens; but you have to try anything you can to help them.

Excerpts of this article were taken from “Bath Salts are a growing drug problem” by Shelia Byrd Associated Press. Read the full article here.

Hints and Tips for Springing Forward Without Becoming a Zombie

We have heard all our lives that a good night’s sleep is essential to our overall well-being; so we decided to provide some hints and tips for getting a good night’s sleep. Read on for our dos and don’ts.

Recently we turned our clocks forward; and lost an hour of sleep. This just happens to coincide with the end of National Sleep Awareness Week. (Who knew?) Joking aside, sleep deprivation can cause us to be a grumpy gus; or something much more serious like a heart attack. Here are some statistics found in the San Leandro Times:

1.Sleep deprivation is the most likely cause of a 17% increase in accidents after the spring daylight saving time change.

2.There is a 5% increase in heart attacks in the first week after the time change.

3.The level of impairment for sleep-deprived drivers is comparable to those who drive drunk.

Most of us know we need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. However, not as many know that it is not only the quantity of sleep we get; but also, the quality. So, how do we ensure that we always get quality sleep?

Do set a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible. Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday. Keep this schedule on the weekends, too.

Don’t eat or exercise just before going to bed. These type activities tend to keep us from sleeping.

Do turn off the TV and the laptop. Better yet, don’t have a TV in your bedroom. A quiet relaxing space is best for good sleep.

Don’t take naps. It is best not to nap throughout the day; however, if an afternoon nap is a must use an alarm clock; and keep it under an hour.

Do create a dark and quiet environment. Light and noise will keep your mind from relaxing. Turn off the lights; and eliminate noise. If there is outdoor noise that is out of your control, mask it with a fan.

Do make sure your bedding is comfortable. Use a properly supportive mattress, comfortable bedding and appropriate pillows for the way you like to sleep.

Do take a few moments before bed to clear your head and unwind. A conscious effort to put aside thoughts of the things you did not get done today or the things you must do tomorrow will help you rest easier.

Don’t let poor quality or insufficient shut-eye turn you into a zombie. For more hints on how to improve sleep read Mayo Clinic’s 10 tips for better sleep. Good luck and good sleeping!

30,000 Found Dead in Japan

We have all heard the words “good job” but very rarely do you hear “perfect job”. Try as we might perfection is impossible to achieve; and that is what drives a perfectionist crazy. All of our lives we have heard “nothing is perfect”; but we continue to strive for perfection. Most of us have perfectionist tendencies; but when it becomes an obsession, perfectionism is a disorder.

Who would you rather have in this scenario, a perfectionist, or someone that does a good job? You have very little time to get a proposal ready for a customer. If the proposal is not completed in time you will lose a $100,000.00 contract. It is your job to assign the task to either Jane Doe, the perfectionist, or John Doe, the “good job person”. It needs to be perfect; but if it’s late you’re dead in the water. Jane Doe is your best worker; and every job she does is “perfect”. While talking to Jane you find out it takes her 3 hours or longer to get dressed for work. She tries on each outfit to make sure it is perfect for that day. So, if you assign the job to Jane she will definitely provide you a perfect proposal; but will she get it done in time? In this scenario, John might be your best choice as he will do a good job; AND get it completed by the deadline.

Perfectionism, as defined by The American Heritage Dictionary is a propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards. Perfectionists are often high-achievers; and they are also at risk for eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, divorce, and suicide. They lead a life of continual anxiety and fear of failure even when they succeed. As is the case with Jane, she has to be perfectly dressed before leaving for work. Even simple daily tasks can create tremendous anxiety. Read more about perfectionism here.

Why is being a perfectionist a bad thing? Stress plays a major role in your health; and perfectionists spend much of their time stressed. We are taught from early childhood to be perfect, especially in school. The pressure for good grades by your teachers, parents and peers plants the seed of perfectionism. Problems can arise when children are pressured for excellence. Dr. Sidney J. Blatt, a psychologist at Yale University, and others say that harsh parental standards are a frequent source of neurotic perfectionism. Such expectations send a message to the child that whatever he or she does is never quite good enough; and that the child must be flawless in order to win approval and love.

The solution might be to stop the grading system of A,B,C,D or F. The grading system of pass or fail is itself a failure. Pass or fail grading promotes under-achieving and “just getting by”. So, maybe the system should be Good job, Just getting by, and Under-achieving. You can add a category of “over-achieving” with a warning to parents of the dangers of perfectionism. Japans suicide rate is about 30,000 a year due to many factors; but the one that stands out the most is failure due to the pressures of perfectionism. Failure for a perfectionist or even the perceived notion of failure can send a perfectionist into the dark depths of suicide.

Unfortunately, the reward system we have when we are young starts the perfectionism ball rolling. We are praised; and given money when we get good grades. That feels good; so we then strive to please and be rewarded over and over again. People want to feel good; so they chase the feel good dragon. To the perfectionist the feel good dragon is being rewarded for perfection.

Perhaps, the best thing to do is take a critical look at how our school system and accepted parenting practices are potentially creating future perfectionists. Of course, we don’t want to lower standards to prevent this. How would you like a doctor who was a chronic under-achiever? So, where is the middle ground? Maybe a system that rewarded effort on a regular basis rather than just the final result is the answer.

How do we do a good job without crossing the line into perfectionism? Simply put, we don’t know. Maybe that is a question that can only be answered on an individual basis. However, we believe it is possible to do something to help future generations avoid the anxiety and stress that striving for perfection cultivates. We need our children to learn to do their best; and be able to accept that it is good enough.

Hints for Making the Right Impression During a Job Interview

The U.S. unemployment rate is at 9%; and in some states or localities it’s even higher. If you are one of the many that is on the job hunt, you know you have to stand out in a crowd in order to beat out the competition. It seems like common sense that you would try and put your best foot forward in a job interview. However, being an employer I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Here are some tips to help you avoid the bad and the ugly.

Be prepared; and think ahead. Try and anticipate the kinds of questions you think you will be asked. Then, formulate an answer in your mind. Don’t memorize so that you sound like a robot or a bad actor when the question comes up; just have some idea of what you will say. Learn something about the company with which you are interviewing. What do they manufacture? What do they sell? What service do they provide? Think of how your particular skills and experience apply. Potential employers aren’t mind readers. You need to show them how you will be an asset to the company. Even if you’ve listed your best attributes on your resume; don’t be shy about pointing them out in the interview.

Sometimes the simplest things are the ones that we forget. Put gas in the car and get directions ahead of time. Last minute errands and becoming lost will do nothing for your state of mind on the day of the interview. You need to be calm. The interview itself is enough to make us a little nervous; so don’t let any added stresses creep in.

Dress appropriately. Did I just hear you say, “well duh”? Amazingly enough many of us have a funny idea of what is proper dress for a job interview. You need to be your best in all areas; and that includes looking the part. So, what is appropriate? A good rule of thumb is to dress as you would if you’ve already landed the job. However, this doesn’t always work. My daughter who’s a nurse was recently searching for new employment. On the job, she wears scrubs everyday; but going on job interviews in scrubs isn’t the way to go. Use your head. If it’s a professional office job, wear a suit. This applies to guys and gals. If it’s a job on a loading dock, you can dress down a little. Dressing down doesn’t mean wearing the most worn out pair of jeans you own and an old sweatshirt even if that would be appropriate to wear on the job.

So, what about those nerves I mentioned earlier? The morning of the interview is here; and you have a bad case of the jitters. First, let’s cover what not to do. Don’t take a “nerve pill” that will impair you to the point of “I don’t give a flip land”. Don’t drink two beers just because that’s what your Uncle Lush advised. Do take deep calming breaths while trying to clear your mind. Get in some exercise. Go over your answers. (See paragraph two above.) Give yourself a pep talk. Knowing you can do the job goes a long way toward calming those nerves. Mentally list all the ways in which you are perfect for the job. If you don’t believe it, the potential employer won’t either.

Feed yourself before you go even if you don’t feel like eating. Have a light meal so that you don’t get a rumbly in your tumbly. This can be very distracting in the middle of an interview; and there is just no way to disguise the noise. Avoid foods that give you gas like the plague. Undesirable bodily noises (or smells) are a big no-no! Hey, it had to be said.

One of the worst things you can do is be late. DON’T! Set three alarm clocks if you must, put a note on the refrigerator, have your mommy call you, whatever it takes. No excuse is good enough if you are late to an interview. If I’m the interviewer and you show up late; don’t bother to come inside and waste my time and yours. In fact, you should be a few minutes early. By the way, it’s okay if you had your mommy call you to remind you of the interview; but don’t take her with you.

The day is here. You’ve thought about what you will say, you’ve dressed appropriately, calmed yourself, and arrived at the interview spot. So, now what? Don’t chew gum. No interviewer wants to look across the desk at what appears to be a cow chewing its cud. Don’t fidget. Look your interviewer in the eye. If your eyes are darting around the room, you’ll have your interviewer wondering if you are there for an interview or if you are casing the joint. If there is a jar of, let’s say jelly beans, on the interviewer’s desk; and you absolutely adore jelly beans, resist the urge. If you followed advice and ate a light meal, you shouldn’t be hungry. Besides I’m pretty sure the interviewer didn’t put jelly beans on the desk just because they knew you were coming.

Relax as much as possible. This doesn’t mean take off your shoes and slump down in your chair. Sit straight in your chair; and put your hands in your lap. When the questions begin be honest. Also, be thorough; but don’t ramble on forever. If the nerves set in and you feel a trickle of sweat on your brow; remember those calming breaths. Take a couple of quiet ones to help.

Don’t be negative. Like my mother, did yours teach you that if you don’t have anything good to say to not say anything at all? Well, that truly applies here. Don’t talk bad about your spouse, your last employer, your dog, the weather, or anything. Believe me. Positivity will leave the right impression.

Ask questions. A job interview isn’t only for a prospective employer to find the candidate they are looking for. It’s also the perfect opportunity for you to find out if this place of employment is the right fit for you. If you did your homework and found out about the company, you should be able to ask informed questions. This will impress even the toughest nut to crack.

When the interview is over, it’s not over. Do not forget to thank the interviewer for their time; and advise you will be in touch. After you get home be sure and follow up with a note saying thanks; and reiterating your interest in the position. After that probably the hardest part begins, the waiting. Whatever happens, don’t get discouraged. If you didn’t land this job, don’t take it personally. Getting a few interviews under your belt will only hone your interview skills; and make you better. Hopefully, these hints and tips will help you find the perfect position. Good luck and good hunting!

Smoking Is Not Just An Addiction

The new nicotine patch?

Here is a great tip. Stop smoking! Easier said than done? Why is smoking such a difficult thing to stop? Cigarettes are very addictive and a deeply ingrained habit. People, habitual by nature, may be the reason quitting is so difficult. With the nicotine gums, lozenges and patches to overcome the cravings, the habit itself needs to be addressed.

If we were not habitual, simple tasks like going to the store, become problematic. Can you imagine looking up directions to the store every time you needed groceries, or too find your way to work? So the question becomes; are memory and habits using the same part of the brain? According to ehow the frontal lobe, is the part of the cerebral cortex under the forehead, functions to control memories involving habits and motor activity. The temporal lobes, located just above the ears, are used to control memory acquisition.

So, it makes sense why habits are so hard to break. Have you ever tried to forget something? We all have forgotten things; but have you ever made a conscious effort to forget something? That is why habits are so hard to break. Habits are a type of memory.

The more a habit is repeated, the stronger the neural connection becomes, and the deeper a pattern is engraved. If you think about how many times a day you smoke a cigarette, then multiply that times the number of years you have smoked, you can see how ingrained the smoking habit has become!

Break the habit!

The website, self improvement mentor.com states, “Experts claimed that complete abstinence of a habit for 21 to 30 days will be enough to break it. So, you don’t have to worry about having to continuously struggle to not indulge in a habit for the rest of your life. After 21 to 30 days, you would have surpassed the required threshold. What you need to do is challenge yourself to keep away from that habit for 30 days.” Take up the 30 day challenge; and see it through. If you stumble or fail along the way, start the habit breaking challenge from the beginning.

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try Try Again

 

An old saying but there is a lot of truth to it. The process of repetition is just repeating the same old habits. The process of repetition with change is a formula for success. Look at quitting smoking as a two part challenge; one, the addiction itself and two, the ingrained habit to light up.

Search for tips on quitting smoking with Google then search for tips on breaking bad habits. Use the information you find and maybe, just maybe, you can kick the smoking habit. We wish you the best of luck!

How to Guard Against Distracted Drivers

Have you noticed the improvement in drivers using Bluetooth devices on their cell phones? Or, have you noticed driving habits to be the same or worse than ever? Has the use of Bluetooth devices given drivers a false sense of security causing them to pay less attention than ever? Facts and figures for 2010 are not yet available; so determining what distractions caused accidents is difficult. The facts do show distraction caused accidents are on the rise. The proportion of fatalities reportedly associated with driver distraction increased from 10 percent in 2005 to 16 percent in 2009. During that time, fatal crashes with reported driver distraction also increased from 10 percent to 16 percent

Even though the stats show a drop in hand held device usage, observations of distracted driving today seem the same or worse. Case in point; sitting at a four way stop, waiting our turn to go, a speeding truck blows through the stop sign. Cars not staying in their own lanes, driving through red lights and cutting people off, have shown (in our opinion) no driver improvements. As a result we use defensive driving, our own dos and don’ts and situational awareness, in our arsenal for roadway survival.

Here are a few tips and tricks we use that may keep you from being involved in an accident.

At stop signs – Don’t assume that all the cars will stop at a stop sign. A distracted driver is more likely to not see a stop sign. People struggle with a four way stop sign. The rule is to yield to the car on the right but confusion seems to dominate. A distracted driver can make a four way stop into a disaster.

When a stop light turns green – wait at least 2 to 3 seconds before entering the intersection. Also, look both ways to see that everyone approaching the red light is slowing to a stop.

Don’t assume a person in a vehicle can see you – Even if they are looking right at you, they may not know you are there. Tests have shown people distracted don’t always see what is right in front of them.

When two lanes are going left or right, at a traffic signal, don’t assume the car next to you is going to stay in their lane. More times than not at some point during the turn they will drift into, or wind up going into, your lane. Distracted drivers may not realize that both lanes are turning; and at a minimum will cut you off.

Don’t assume a person in a vehicle can see you – Even if they are looking right at you, they may not know you are there. Tests have shown people distracted don’t always see what is right in front of them.

Do be on guard at all times – When you are next to another car they might not know you are there. With the craze in SUV’s, smaller cars hide in the blind spots.

Do make sure your vehicle is safe – Read these tips on vehicle checks and general safety travel information

Here are a few more tips we use to combat the distracted driver. Is the driver talking on the phone? Is the driver talking to the passengers? Are the driver’s arms waving about or do they look distracted? If so, give them extra room; and keep an eye on them. If the situation does not look or feel right, get out of the situation safely. Taking two minutes longer to get to your destination has to be better than not getting there at all. The bottom line is; the more you drive defensively; and are paying attention, the less chance you have of being in an accident. Watch out for the other guy!

What to do About the Moody Blues

Have you been feeling down? Are you tired of gray skies, snow, ice, and cold weather? Perhaps, you’re stuck in post-holiday doldrums; or maybe you’ve got a bad case of February funk. It could be premature spring fever. It really doesn’t matter what you call it. Many of us feel down at this time of year. Here are some hints and tips to help you beat the winter blues.

The holidays are long gone; and if you are like the rest of us you probably gobbled up goodies during the festivities. If your pants don’t fit quite as well as they used to, it can make you cringe every time you look in the mirror. Don’t say to yourself “What’s the use?”; and grab the nearest carton of ice cream. Instead, put on your favorite music that makes you want to move; and dance, dance, dance. Exercise boosts your metabolism; and gives you an overall good feeling.

If you’ve been stuck with snow and ice for days or weeks, you’re probably sick of the sight of it by now. Sorry to say, there is really nothing you can do about the weather except maybe get on a plane and fly somewhere warm. If that’s an impossibility create your own tropical paradise. Invite some friends over and throw a luau. Meet guests at the door; and drape a lei around their neck. Serve mai tais while wearing your bathing suit. Hey, maybe it’s a little zany; but it could be a brief escape from whatever is going on outside.

Another means of escape is the internet. Oh, the sights you can see! Whatever your interests are you are sure to find all sorts of information to keep your mind busy for hours. Spend some time catching up on the news with faraway friends and family via email or instant messaging. You won’t have time for feeling depressed.


Do something you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe, you always wanted to take a yoga class; or perhaps you want to learn how to cook. Now’s the time! Buy yourself some great cooking tools and get cooking.

It’s okay to treat yourself in order to feel better. Don’t do it with a bag of chips or cookies. How about a great book you’ve been wanting to read; or a new pair of earrings you can wear out on the town the first chance you get? We know there is something that pushes your “feel good” button.

The real bottom line here is to do something for yourself.  Don’t let yourself sink into the winter blues; and stay there.  Use these helpful hints to find something to shake you out of your mood.  Keep repeating to yourself, “spring is only a few weeks away!”