Page 25 - Florida Sentinel 2-12-16

Health
4 Ways To De-Stress Instantly
Zika Virus Alert: 5 Natural Mosquito Repellents
Yes, everyone handles stress differently, so not every solution is going to work for you, however here are a few things to consider in an effort to de-stress!
1. Stop waiting until the last possible minute to get things done. Some of our stress is brought on by our own actions. There are some people who feel that they work well under pres- sure, or work well against a dead- line looming near; it’s not healthy. Any way you slice it, you are producing anxiety, and there is always the possibility that you will make errors. Plan a strategy for getting projects done. Work on them a little at a time, espe- cially if you have multiple proj- ects to complete.
2. Find time in your day to simply “breathe”. It may be that your lunch hour is the only time that you are able to take your mind off of work. Make sure that you use any free time wisely. Play soft music, try reading the “funny papers” (laughing is very relaxing), start reading your new book or write in your journal. Free time should be used to be “free,” so no working on your breaks!
3. Plan a “staycation”. We aren’t always able to travel to that tropical island, or to another de- sirable place away from home, but a mini “staycation” may just be the perfect getaway from the norm that you could use! For ex- ample, book a hotel room for the weekend, catch a movie or two,
and eat at restaurants that you wouldn’t ordinarily patronize. Experience your city in a totally different way...plan a staycation!
4. Make time for media- tion and reflection weekly. You would be the one to deter- mine how frequently during the week you would need to schedule this quiet time, however, it’s im- portant to unwind and think about where you are, where you’re headed, and what you may need to do differently. You are important to your end goal. If you’re always sick or always tired, how will you effectively reach your end goal? Spend some time with your spouse; read a book to your children; have a visit with an elderly relative; sit quietly at your favorite coffee house...you choose what quiet meditation and reflec- tion looks like and get some of that time in for yourself.
It is very easy for us to get overwhelmed and we sometimes take out our frustrations on those closest to us. Let’s practice pro- ductive self-care habits to ensure that we are being good to our- selves! Stress will come, but make sure that you de-stress so that ‘it’ goes away!
Mosquitoes have become enemy No.1 now that Zika virus has been declared a global health emer- gency. The virus, which has been linked to brain damage in newborns, is spread by the Aedes mos- quito and is a particular concern for pregnant women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently advises that pregnant women avoid travel to areas of the world currently affected by Zika (the Americas and the Caribbean). If you must travel to those areas or are concerned about mosquito- borne illness in general, the CDC recommends wearing protective clothing, staying indoors during peak mosquito activity times (dawn and dusk), and using insect repellents.
You have to keep in mind that DEET is a pesti- cide and pesticides are toxic. Although the amount of DEET applied when surrounded by mosquitoes is relatively little, it will still create some sort of toxic burden to the fetus, which may not show any effects initially, but later in life may be part of the accumulation of toxins (pesticides, heavy metals, etc.) that could possibly present problems.
Anyone wanting to become pregnant - or if you already are pregnant - should consider using one of these natural repellents. These repellents are better for anyone versus using a chemical-based re- pellent, which could be harmful to your health.
Citronella Essential Oil
This oil is extracted from the citronella plant, a grass that grows in some Asian countries and the South Pacific. This oil needs to be reapplied every 30 to 40 minutes. While citronella oil is an effective bug repellent, you should use a high quality oil, since the diluted or synthetic versions may not work as well.
Soybean Oil
This oil is effective at keeping insects away, but it needs to be applied ‘much more frequently’ than some other alternatives. It shows up in several all- natural repellents, but is difficult to find on its own.
Oil Of Lemon Eucalyptus
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a plant-based oil de- rived from the leaves of the Eucalyptus citriodora tree that contains a chemical that repels mosqui- toes. This is a favorite due to its longer-lasting pro- tection compared to other natural products. Protection from insects can last up to two hours and you don’t have to apply it as often as citronella products.
Lavender Oil
This oil has been used as a bug repellent for cen- turies. In the past, it was used to protect clothes from moth and other insect infestations (which may explain why drawer liners often come in a lavender scent). Typically, it’s recommended that you mix it with another oil so it doesn’t irritate your skin. High concentrations of these products can be harmful as well.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil, which is extracted from rosemary leaves, crops up in some all-natural insect repel- lents, but it’s expensive on its own.
Cedar Bark Oil
This essential oil is derived from foliage, wood, and roots of pine or cypress plants. Like soybean and rosemary oils, cedar bark oil often shows up in all-natural repellents.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 13-B