SLEEP IS OUR FRIEND

Had enough sleep last night?

It's possible to eliminate many minor sleep problems by creating a comfortable sleep environment, maintaining a healthful balance of nutrition and exercise, and engaging in relaxing activities near bedtime.

• Keeping a regular sleep schedule—even on weekends—maintains the timing of the body's internal clock and can help you fall asleep and wake up more easily.

• Even if real life stands in the way of achieving the perfect sleep routine, making just a few small changes can improve your sleep dramatically.

Read more here...

RUN SHIRTLESS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD

Going out for a run in summer? Go shirtless. 

This blogger tells us how running shirtless outdoors gives him more of the fitness boost he needs.

"Running Style: I feel so free when I run shirtless.  I’m able to run in the most natural form possible; minus the whole shorts and shoes thing.  Honestly though, running without a shirt does allow me to concentrate more on the arm pumping portion of my running form.  Most runners ignore the importance of pumping your arms.  If you have forgotten how to pump your arms then I suggest you run shirtless.

Temperature: It’s obviously much cooler (yeah, there’s a double meaning there) to run with your shirt off.  Your body is able to release the heat and cool itself down easier.  

Read the whole thing here....

SEA FOR THE SKIN

Water from the sea reported improves skin condition. 

The researchers then analysed the effects of the individual compounds in seawater and said that two of them - salt and potassium chloride are the main healers. They seal the damaged skin and allow it to mend.
The researchers also claimed that bathing in seawater increases the elasticity of the skin, and improves its outer appearance.

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DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SPF ?

Photo shot for People Asia Magazine

How much sun protection do we really need?

The SPF rating is a measure of the time it would take you to sunburn if you were not wearing sunscreen as opposed to the time it would take with sunscreen on.

"SPF is not a consumer-friendly number," says Florida dermatologist James M. Spencer, MD. "It is logical for someone to think that an SPF of 30 is twice as good as an SPF of 15 and so on. But that is not how it works."

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BE LIKE THE BRAZILIANS : LESSON ON POSING

Some people just have it, some need to work at it. I have yet to meet a Brazilian male model who does not deliver the projection I need for my shoots. I'm wondering if they start boys on modeling at primary grade. Pedro is the first model from Brazil whom I shot in Singapore, and he was awesome, practically directing himself throughout the whole fashion shoot. I had many other shoots with many other Brazilian, I was never disappointed.

We can all learn from models as to how they project beautifully in front of the camera. Start with these tips.

"3 Ways To Be Photogenic ": Read Here.

TOO BUSY OR TOO BORED?

 Yes, you CAN make time for exercise today!

"If you’ve recently identified more excuses than reasons to visit the gym, you may be battling a case of boredom in your exercise routine. Simple, small changes in your normal regime may reunite your feet and the elliptical machine once again.

Read more here...

OFFICE WORK IS GREAT, BUT...

Model: Ms. Farrah Florer

Don't get wasted at work!

Productivity Expert Laura Stack zeroed in on some very helpful insights into feeling good about working in the corporate setting -- she has this 7 Tips for Leaving the Office Earlier...so intriguingly true!

1. Stop participating in the cultural rules. Commit to getting out the door on time. Who decided that you should work until 7:00 p.m.? How much is the time “you’re devoting because you’re a salaried employee and obligated to do what it takes to get the job done” worth?

2. Start meetings before 4:00 p.m. If you have some say or control regarding meeting times, schedule them to end by 4:30. Preferably, start meetings right after lunch. Block out your calendar beginning at 4:00 every day so people can’t schedule with you. And don’t ask people to begin projects at 4:45 PM. Respect their right to a life, too.

3. Be assertive. Don’t be afraid to tell others, “I leave work at 5:00, on time, every day. I have a 5:30 commitment I must adhere to.” It’s none of their business that your commitment is with yourself or your family. People tend to support others when their goals are made public.

4. Schedule fixed office hours. If you have an assistant, block off certain hours a few days a week to accept appointments. Perhaps Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you take appointments from 9:00 to 10:30 and 2:00 to 3:30. This way you don’t have interruptions overlapping the time you’re trying to leave the office.

5. Make preparations to leave. Gather up your coat and put it in a visible spot so others can see you’re on your way out. Close your door a few minutes before quitting time so people will think you’re busy or already gone. Whatever they want, it can wait until tomorrow.

6. Challenge your assumptions. Long hours aren’t “the way it is.” To reduce the time pressure you feel, decide to reclaim your day, not by working longer, but to finish your work within the workday. Don’t focus on “catching up.” You will never catch up. There will always be more things to do than time to do them. By being more productive during the day, you’ll get the same amount of work done and leave earlier.

7. Start small. Pick a single day, perhaps Thursdays, to be “the” day you leave work on time. To support this decision, you will automatically begin to be more productive on Thursdays and work your day more carefully. Keep working on productivity skills and adding more days, until you’re working your 40-hour workweek again and accomplishing even better results.

(C) Copyright 2005 Laura Stack, MBA, CSP. All rights reserved.

This article may be reprinted provided the following credit line is present: "Laura M. Stack, MBA, CSP, is "The Productivity Pro"® and the author of Leave the Office Earlier. She presents keynotes and seminars on time management, information overload, and personal productivity. Contact her at 303-471-7401 or Laura@TheProductivityPro.com."