TIME TO RELAX, TIME TO GO SLOW

When you try to control everything,
you enjoy nothing.
Sometimes you just need to relax,
breathe, let go,
and just live in the moment …

[ Henri Daros ]

“Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation,
for when you come back to your work
your judgment will be surer.
Go some distance away
because then the work appears smaller
and more of it can be taken in at a glance
and a lack of harmony and proportion
is more readily seen.”    

Leonardo da Vinci

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TENTANG UMUR PANJANG WANITA JEPANG

JAPANESE WOMEN RETAKE TOP SPOT
FOR LIFE EXPECTANCY

Japan Today
July 26, 2013

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A Japanese School Girl

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Japan’s women retook their place as the world’s longest-lived last year, edging out Hong Kong women as their life expectancy bounced back from the dip caused by the 2011 tsunami, officials said Thursday.

Health ministry data showed girls born in Japan in 2012 could expect on average to live to 86.41, up from 85.90 in 2011 when the average was dragged lower when thousands of lives were cut short by the natural disaster.

“Death rates rose in 2011 due to the disaster but the life expectancy picked up again with that factor coming off,” a health ministry official said.

The Japanese are renowned for their longevity, attributed in part to a healthy diet, active lifestyle and good medical system.

“Generally speaking, the high level of welfare is contributing” to national longevity, the ministry official said.

The health ministry compiled international rankings using data from Japan and 48 other countries plus Hong Kong.

Japanese women in 2011 lost the longest-lived title for the first time in more than 25 years, with Hong Kong women claiming the top place.

In 2012, Hong Kong women came second with a life span of 86.30 years, followed by Spain, France and Switzerland.

Japanese men’s life expectancy also rose to a record 79.94 years from 79.44 in 2011, becoming fifth longest-lived.

The longest-lived men were Icelanders at 80.8 years, with Hong Kong coming second, Switzerland third and Israel fourth.

© 2013 AFP

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Japanese Young Mothers and Their Healthy Babies

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henri daros

KETIKA UDARA SEMAKIN PANAS DAN LEMBAB (2)

(Illustration: Recreational Sports Newsletter)

[ Menyiasati Tibanya Musim Panas di Jepang’ ]

”DEALING WITH HEAT STROKE IN JAPAN”

[ NIC Information ]

Heatstroke is a serious condition which occurs when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. It is usually caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

★Causes

Heatstroke occurs when the temperature of the body rises sharply. This may happen because of excessively high outside temperatures, physical exertion, extensive burns, and severe sunburn or because of an undiagnosed medical condition.

The heat can affect anyone, but some people are at greater risk of serious harm. These include the elderly, babies and young children, and people who are physically active. Certain medications can also make you more susceptible to heat exhaustion.

★Prevention

Many foreign visitors to Japan, particularly those from cooler climates, are unused to high temperatures and do not cope well with intense heat.

During the summer:

– Try to avoid going out when the sun is at its strongest (11:00 – 15:00). – Avoid strenuous activity – Try to stay in the shade, – Wear a hat, loose fitting clothes and take plenty of water with you. – Drink plenty of fluids – even when you are not thirsty – avoiding alcohol and drinks containing caffeine such as tea, coffee and cola. – Use a high sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen.

★Symptoms

Left untreated, heat exhaustion can develop into potentially lethal heat stroke, so it’s important to be aware of the signs. Heat stroke can also occur suddenly – within 10 to 15 minutes of the first symptoms.

■Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness or cramps, stomach cramps, tiredness, loss of appetite, skin paler than normal, a fast but weak pulse, high temperature.

Action: If some of these symptoms occur after exposure to hot conditions, physical exertion or burns, move to a cool area and re-hydrate by drinking plenty of fluids – sports drinks are particularly effective. Remove any excess clothing and to cool your skin down, shower or sponge yourself using lukewarm water.

■Symptoms of heatstroke include: flushed, hot and dry skin, an extremely high body temperature, a rapid, strong pulse, throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; confusion and unconsciousness. Action: If victims don’t get emergency medical treatment immediately to bring down their body temperature, they can suffer permanent damage to their internal organs or even die.

(NIC Information)

henri daros

KETIKA UDARA SEMAKIN PANAS DAN LEMBAB (1)

[ Menyiasati Peralihan Musim Semi ke Musim Panas di Jepang ]

“DEALING WITH HUMIDITY AND MOULD”

[ NIC Information ]

The growth of mould is caused by high temperatures and humidity. Specifically, temperatures of 15℃ or higher and humidity levels of 75% and above — conditions found in Japan especially during the long, hot summer months. In addition to humidity during the months from June through September, humidity levels are also high inside modern Japanese buildings during the winter months. These factors create conditions for mould to grow all year round, not just during the summer.

★Allergies and Mould

Mould may not seem very harmful, but it actually can have negative affects on people. Mould can cause nasal inflammation (allergic rhinitis), conjunctivitis (pinkeye) and asthma among other medical conditions. It can particularly be a problem for children or people with low immune systems thus causing serious health issues. In worst case scenarios mould can affect the lungs and brain, so it should not be taken lightly. Mould spores float in the air and then settle and grow. In areas where water is concentrated, kitchens and bathrooms, humidity is at its highest thus allowing for the growth and spread of mould. Toilets and bathrooms are particularly difficult areas to keep free of mould as air flow in modern Japanese buildings is poor. So if you find mould, it is best to clean it up right away to prevent further growth.

+ How to Get Rid of Mould

• Keeping doors and windows open and the fan running all the time are highly recommended. Beyond that, using strong disinfectants like Ethanol, “domesuto” and “kabi-killer” are the only other reasonable options. (It is said that Ethanol is very good in preventing mould.) Using disinfectants regularly will help keep mould to a minimum, however once a month or so one should spray strong disinfectants in water concentrated areas and leave it for a while before rinsing away. Please remember to use caution when cleaning with disinfectants as they give off strong fumes. It goes without saying that children and pets should not have contact with such disinfectants.
• Fans in Japanese homes and apartments are not very strong, so it is a good idea to put out a separate fan when you are using strong cleaners. Wearing a mask, appropriate clothing (the cleaners can bleach out clothes), long sleeves and gloves are recommended, will help protect you. Lastly, be especially careful NOT to mix different cleaners when refilling bottles or cleaning as chemicals can react and cause dangerous fumes.

+ Futons, Closets and Mould

• Did you know that humans lose about 1 liter of water a day? During the day and while sleeping our clothing and beds/ futons collect dead skin and absorb the moisture we lose by sweating. In order to keep clothing and bedding clean, it is important to air out such items out regularly – particularly futons, blankets and pillows. Hanging futons and bedding out in the sun is a very effective way to get rid of built up moisture, dust and to prevent mould.
• On sunny days people hang futons out on their balconies and beat them with an item called futon-tataki (futon-duster) to get rid of dust. For those people who really want to clean their futons, sending them off to the cleaners or washing them at a coin-laundry shop are other options. In the case you wash futons and blankets on your own, be sure to run them through the dryer thoroughly and then hang them outside in the sun (preferably on a hot, sunny day) for some time. As humidity levels are highest in the morning and after 3pm, it is best to hang out futons, bedding and clothing from about 10am to 3pm. On rainy days and the day after, humidity levels are high so leave your futon out (on the floor) for about an hour before putting it away, this will help it dry out a bit.
• Closets: Airing out closets is very important too as it does little good to hang out one’s bedding and then store it in a humid environment. Regularly opening closet doors and airing them out or running a fan in front of closets are good ways to deal with humidity. Cleaning out closets and running a vacuum cleaner also help to cut back on dust and mould.

★Humidity Countermeasures

Products that absorb moisture are all the rage and there are various items available at stores and online.

• Newspapers: If you are the type of person who likes to use items that are already on hand, then here is a simple method – newspaper. Roll up fairly recent newspaper (old papers have absorbed moisture and aren’t as effective), rubber band them and then place them standing up in closets. Every couple of months be sure to replace the newspaper and you will have a very reasonable and handy way of dealing with humidity without having to buy special items.
• Wooden Racks: For those people with futons, placing wooden racks (sunoko = すのこ) under futons and bedding in closets will help keep moisture away and keep mould from growing. Slipping sheets of newspaper underneath the racks, and changing them every couple of months, will also help prevent moisture build-up. Such wooden racks can be purchased at home centers for under 1000 Yen.
• Absorption Goods: If you would like to try some of the items available out on the market, one particular company puts out items under the name “Dry Well” (ドライウェル) in the form of sheets and pads that absorb moisture. Putting these items in one’s closet, dresser, or storage box can help deal with humidity. The reusable blue colored pads turn pink after they are full of moisture thus letting people know that it is time to hang them out in the sun for 2 or 3 hours. Afterwards the pads can be used until they turn pink again. These items may be purchased online starting for around 6000 Yen.

★Food Poisoning 

While humidity and mold may be unpleasant, food poisoning is dangerous and in rare cases can even be fatal. Make sure you’re taking the right precautions to avoid it. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected, and the hot, humid weather makes outbreaks all the more likely. So, please keep the tips below in mind and keep yourself healthy throughout the summer.

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before eating or handling food.
• Be sure to abide by the “best-before” dates (shohi-kigen) printed on food packaging, and throw out anything that is past its expiration date right away.
• Don’t forget to wash all fruit and vegetables before eating them.
• Do not eat meat or poultry that is raw or undercooked. If you are eating sashimi, make sure that it is very fresh before you touch it.
• It is best to keep any and all meat in the freezer. Use a microwave oven to thaw out meat or poultry and then cook it immediately. Do not leave it out on the kitchen counter.
• You may safely refreeze frozen foods that have thawed if they still contain ice crystals or if they are still cold.
• Make sure that you use up any leftover food within a maximum of 48 hours, preferably sooner.
• When re-heating cooked rice or any other food, make sure that it is piping hot right through.

• Cleaning Kitchen Items
  
  • Sponges, knives and chopping boards should be disinfected with boiling hot water, vinegar or strong cleaner like “domesuto”, but be sure to rinse well after cleaning.
  • Use separate knives and chopping boards for raw and cooked foods, and wash them well between uses. Don’t chop vegetables on the same board that you use for meat or poultry. Acrylic nonporous chopping boards are recommended over wooden ones.
  • Boil your dishcloths frequently and keep your kitchen as clean as possible.

(NIC Information)

henri daros