Sleep disorder and aging

Are you one of millions of seniors who think life would be pretty good….if you could just get some sleep?

Sleep disturbances are very common in older people. Changes in sleep patterns may be a normal part of aging, but many other factors common in older people contribute to sleep problems. These include physical illness or symptoms, medication side effects, changes in activity or social life, and death of a spouse or loved one. Sleep disorders decrease quality of life in older people by causing daytime sleepiness, tiredness, and lack of energy. Poor quality of sleep also can lead to confusion, difficulty concentrating, and poor performance on tasks. Sleep disorders also are linked with premature death

Osteoporosis and yoga

I just spotted this interesting piece about the possible benefits of yoga in fighting bone loss: http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=48392&sc=274

I have to admit I'm skeptical of the anecdote suggesting that a woman with decreased bone density was able to improve it simply by dropping coffee and adding more time on the mat (what about calcium intake, Vitamin D, and other lifestyle changes?) but the point is well taken.

Yoga can be a beneficial weight bearing exercise to help build bones and I just might try some of the recommended poses. It may not be the right choice, however, for those who have compression fractures in their spine or are otherwise frail, so do check with your doctor if you are considering starting a program.

secret to flat tummy

Our tummies are always the hardest to trim whenever we decide to shape up. We do crunches and sit-ups to get rid of the bulge and unwanted "love handles," exerting so much effort into toning and firming them up, yet with little or no results--until after at least a month of doing them daily. But did you know that there’s a simple way to achieve a flat belly?

The secret, if you haven't discovered it yet, is simply practicing good posture. Abdominal muscles are partly responsible for holding our bodies upright.Imagine if your belly always looked as good as it does when you turn sideways in the mirror and suck it in. Ab exercises can help, but 5—or even 50—minutes of crunches won't do any good if you're letting it all hang out for the remaining 23 hours of the day.

No need to worry since posture can easily be corrected, and it even has a bonus: "Correcting poor posture can make you look five pounds slimmer instantly.

best way to predict a child's adult height

There's no proven way to predict a child's adult height. However, various formulas can provide a reasonable guess for child growth. Here's a popular example:

*Add the mother's height and the father's height in either inches or centimeters.
*Add 5 inches (13 centimeters) for boys or subtract 5 inches (13 centimeters) for girls.
*Divide by two.
Most children will reach an adult height within 4 inches (10 centimeters) of this estimation.

Another less accurate way to estimate a child's adult height is to double his or her height at age 2.

Remember, a child's height is controlled by genetics. It's also important to note that children grow at different rates. Some children begin their growth phases early, while others are late bloomers. If you're concerned that your child isn't growing normally, consult his or her doctor. Sometimes an underlying condition affects child growth.

Sculpt legs with stair strategy

You already know that climbing stairs is an excellent leg and tush toner. But there's a way to see results twice as fast: Simply take one minute to climb a flight of stair instead of the usual 20 seconds. As you climb, visualize the muscles that you're using. The act of focusing will naturally slow down the action, causing you to fully engage your quadriceps(the front of the thights), hamstring (the back of the legs) and gluteus maximus(the butt muscles). "Because this concentration more muscles groups, it can boost the toning effects by 50 percent. For an even firmer rear clench your butt muscles and hold for two counts as you step onto each stair.