ArtashNikki

Posted by Jon as Fitness and Health

A recent clinical study suggests that touch reduces stress and anxiety: when a subject touched the hand of a loved one, centres of the brain concerned with fear and danger became less active.

At the Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, over 100 studies have shown the positive effects of touch on medical conditions.

Their studies indicate the benefits of touch to include:

• weight gain in preterm infants;
• increased attentiveness in children;
• reduced pain;
• reduced stress hormones and
• improved immune function.

In fact, some researchers suggest that, as a result of its effect on the immune system, wound-healing and resistance to infection is improved by touch.

Hugging also causes the release of a hormone called oxytocin, which Swedish researchers have show is associated with reduced levels of stress hormones, promotion of growth and healing and social bonding.

So make time for a hug with someone special and, hey, you might just be improving the quality of your health today!

Photo: courtesy Mr Patterson Snr

I have something to share with you guys. It was Sunday night when I have decided not report in our office on Monday for some very important reason. I’ve spent my whole day at home. Do you believe in Novena’s? Well, I do, I really do ever since. What I did last Monday is prayed hard to God for a very special intention. In my novena, I asked God to give me the answer of my prayer on or before Thursday, which is today. Last week mn jud, I’ve sent an email to our CEO, asking him regarding my yearly vacation, the exact date and blah! The problem is he seldom open his email maybe because he is too much busy. I asked God to touch our CEO’s heart and mind na unta he will have time to open his email and will answer my questions/clarifications.

Now I proved that God has a sense of humor, hehehe. He made me laugh this morning. The request prayer did happened today. Our CEO did open his email an hour ago and YES he did sent an email reply to me. Amazing isn’t it? What made me laugh is there’s no definite answer if its YES or NO, c Lord talaga..masyadong pa thrill, hehehe. But am still hoping and praying for a positive answer.

1. $329 million NBN-ZTE Deal
   • I agree with Senator Miriam Defensor with her statement “ Ang pinag-awayan ng mga tao sa Senado ay yong KICKBACK na mkukuha nila”. No more no less. Philippines politicians are greedy.  

2. P26-billion Cyber Education Project (CyberEd) of the Department of Education
   • Another source of graft and corruption.  

3. Estrada’s Pardon
   • Ang galling nman ni Gloria,,masyado pa effect. She wants to give pardon to Former president Estrada to get peoples sympathy.

The NBN and CyberEd projects were two of the five deals that were signed in Boao, China between the governments of the Philippines and China last April. President Arroyo witnessed the signing ceremonies.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.

Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits — essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for “fasting” (sawm)literally means “to refrain” - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person’s body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one’s self on the worship of God.