PETS KEEP US HEALTHY (c) By Polly Guerin

I am always amazed how people react to my little poodle dog, Colby. A smile instantly comes over their grime city face and they sometimes ask, “Can I pet him?” Well, these little furry angels dispense a whole wealth of canine therapy to make us feel happy and less stressed. However, people in different age groups benefit from pets in different ways. It’s a well known fact that therapy dogs and even cats are already dispensing love and comfort in hospitals and long term care facilities and nursing homes, not to mention being a great distraction from feeling ill. Studies verify these facts and have shown that having a pet has a positive impact on physical and emotional health.
THE FEEL-GOOD CURE It’s been recognized by the sage medical doctors and therapists that pets can improve your life by bringing unconditional love, not to mention providing a constant and comforting companion. No wonder there has been a surge in dog ownership. You do not need a doctor’s prescription to reap the benefits of animal communication, just own a pet of your own. However, if your lease has a ‘no pets’ policy you can still interact and get some puppy love at your local animal shelter. At the same time your volunteer time there will give some love back to needy animals waiting for adoption.
PET PRESCRIPTION So when you’re feeling blue, stressed out, and tied in knots take time out and just communicate with your pet. They welcome pets and it's amazing how they listen so intently. However, you need to consider just how much time you can spend with the animal. Although a pet, especially interacting with a dog, can help to relieve stress, if you do not have the time to devote to a pet, you can cause the animal great stress and anxiety, even excessive barking while you are away too long.
TRAVEL/VACATION ARRANGEMENTS If your work requires travel you also have to know what arrangements can be made to take care of the animal during the time you are away on business or during time away on vacation. Many dog groomer businesses also offer overnight and even weekly accommodation in their facilities, but this service is usually quite costly. If you are lucky enough to have a relative who will accommodate your pet in their home, while you are away, that would be a feel-safe advantage.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS While many people acquire their pet through a private breeder or a reliable pet store, there are also many dogs and cats in animal shelters with pedigree breeding. I highly recommend you investigate what kind of dog or cat is available there first or look up ‘rescue sites’ on the Internet for a specific breed you are interested in. There are also financial considerations like costs for pet food, grooming and veterinary care. These costs of pet maintenance can be expensive but I opt for reasonable clinics like the Humane Society of New York’s clinic on East 59th Street in New York City.

Since Scientific studies prove that petting your dog increases the level of pleasure hormones and lowers the stress hormone this may be the time to get one of these furry angels of your own.

CELLPHONES CAN MAKE YOU SICK (c) By Polly Guerin

Electronic devices---cellphones, IPhones and Blackberrys may be the source of modern communications but they are also the reason a lot of people are getting sick. Really? You ask. Can this be so? Yes, indeed, these modern tools of convenience also bring and harbor germs with them. According to a medical study bacteria from a phone can cause flu, pinkeye and even diarrhea. Germs are lurking everywhere and people need to be careful about sharing photos with strangers. Even members of a family sharing phones can transfer germs between one another. The proximity of a cellphone to your ears, nose and mouth are the perfect environment for germs to lurk undetected.

THE HEALTH RISK Once it was thought that all we needed to do was to wash our hands to safeguard our health, but most everyone is at risk today. Even though you may clean your computer, pens, keys and landline phones very little thought seems to go into cleaning cell phones, which attract bacteria in an unsuspecting but alarming rate. The cause can be attributed to the fact that these devices have become like extra appendages to one’s body. People take them everywhere---plugged into their ear on the street, to the health club, to the restaurant and even into public bathrooms. There the greedy little cell phones zap up bacteria in an alarming rate.

CLEAN IT NOW You don’t go anywhere without your electronics so keep it clean and remove dirt, grim, fingerprints or facial oils, and ladies ‘makeup,’ that may prevent your smart phone from working properly because of the germ buildup. It is important to ‘not’ use the usual household products to clean electronics, but to find a line of cleaners intended specifically for electronic devices. In any case to sanitize the product it is best to read the advice in the manufacturer’s manual. It usually cautions about using aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia or abrasives, all of which may harm screens.

BE A HAPPY-GO-EVERYWHERE ELECTRONIC USER BUT KEEP IN STEP WITH YOUR HEALTH AND FIND PRODUCTS SPECIFICALLY FOR MOBILE PHONE CLEANING.

TEA TREE OIL'S ANTISEPTIC QUALITIES (c) By Polly Guerin

What is Tea Tree Oil? Good Question! It’s a wild bushy tree native to Australia, and  it is one of the most powerful elixirs of nature and one of its most active essential oils, The Aborigines knew about the properties of the tea tree long before European settlers had ever heard of it. It was Captain Cook who first mentions the tea tree and its healing properities in his journal during the 1770s, after the Aborigines showed him how to make tea from its leaves. Yet, when we go into the a health store today there is a plethora of products to purchase with tea tree property benefits.If you have never purchased any Tea Tree  perhaps  now is the time to consider the value of Tea Tree's antiseptic qualities, which also makes it an essential ingredient in aromatherapy medicine.
CLEANSING NATURALLY Tea Tree ranks high among natural products that produce proven results. It is valued for its stimulating and germicidal actions and refreshing camphor-like scent. Tea Tree's natural benefits stimulate the immune system by activating the white blood corpuscles to defend the body against infections. You can actually prevent germs spreading because Tea Tree is the only antiseptic that also acts to stimulate and tone our natural defenses against infection.
COLD SEASON COMING ON If there’s a cold going around your office or threatening the health of the entire family, begin before it starts to catch up with you and wash your hands in tea tree soap to eliminate germs. Washing your hands is obviously a good idea anytime your hands have been in contact with public places, like on a bus or subway car. Preventive precautions can help you to chase away cold and flu with a facial steam. Just add 10 drops of tea tree and 5 drops of eucalyptus and inhale deeply.
A MYRIAD USES Tea Tree seems to have many other unexpected benefits. If you want to acquire a blemish-free complexion a tea tree facial steam will also unblock pores and clear up infection. Antifungal tea tree is especially effective for clearing up infections such as athlete’s foot. You can even treat nail infections by massaging the affected nail with undiluted tea tree oil three times a day. Nothing greets the morning better than a refreshing mouthwash. Simply add 3 percent solution of tea tree to water. It also fights gum disease and clears up mouth ulcers.
TEA TREE IS INDISPENSABLE OIL!!! KEEP TEA TREE WITH YOU WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO WARMER CLIMATES TO SOOTHE SUNBURN, CUTS AND BRUISES. APPLY IT UNDILUTED TO STINGS AND BITES FOR SWIFT PAIN RELIEF.