The Post-Thanksgiving Cleanse & Detox Plan

Turkey.  Stuffing.  Rolls.  Mashed Potatoes.  Green Bean Casserole.  All that and more is a typical feast for Thanksgiving.  And that is not including the pies and wine.  The truth is, Thanksgiving is a time for festivities and food, in no particular order.  Of course, the other 'F' word falls off the list of priorities as a result.  That 'F' word is Fitness.  And with "fitness" forgotten we on average consume more than 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving feasts as a whole.  With a caloric intake more than three times the daily need or requirement, how do we bounce or get back our fitness and health?

There are many articles and blogs commenting on this very question.

The most common recommendation is to return to normal.  Go back to your normal dietary habits as soon as possible.  It may take a few days to return your body and its energy demands vs supply and metabolism to normalcy but you will get there.  I agree with this simple suggestion, but what if you are like most people and have bad dietary habits or follow a low-quality, poor nutrition plan.  Perhaps you are like most people and eat more than the recommended amounts of artificial sweeteners, food additives or dyes, processed chemicals, refined sugars, saturated fats or trans-fatty acids.  Yes?  If so, the best thing to do would be to do an effective, gentle cleanse and detox in addition to exercising regularly and following a sound nutrition plan.  The cleanse and detox plan would clean out and recharge your body and its organs and systems, especially your gut, and restart your metabolism.  The exercise and nutrition plans would allow you to continuously improve and maintain all areas of fitness and health, relaxation and restoration.

No other way around it, "The pathway to good health is through your gut."

The human body is innately equipped with highly ingenious and involved organs and processes and systems which are naturally designed to continuously give itself fuel and nutrients and also often or regularly mobilize and remove chemicals, inflammation and toxins.

The primary organs for the above said are: 

• Blood and Skin
• Colon and Intestines
• Gallbladder, Kidneys and Pancreas
• The Heart, Liver, Lungs, Lymphatics

The organs above mentioned and the respected functions and pathways are in reality  interconnected with and interdependent upon the others synergistically.  Therefore, if the organs are functioning properly and together we will be and feel in good health.  But if any of the organs or its functions or pathways is performing less than optimal, such as its slow, then an unnatural burden exists on other organs which precedes unpleasant symptoms.

The signs or symptoms that the body has or shows as a way of indicating it's tired, toxic, and unclean and needs a little gentle, tender loving care by means of a cleanse & detox plan. The usual constellation of complaints that your body tells you you are toxic and and unclean and to what extent or severity you need to detox and cleanse it are:  

• Bad Breath and Coated Tongue
• Bowel Issues, Chronic Bloating and Constipation
• Chronic 'Cold' Symptoms, Fatigue, Lethargy and Tiredness 
• "Gassy", Hormonal Imbalances and Hunger Cravings and Pangs
• Persistent Dizziness, Headaches, and Muscle Aches and Weakness
• Problematic Skin Conditions, such as Acne, Eczema, Hives and Rosacea
• Reduced Sex Drive; Stubborn Weight Gain or Unexplained Weight Loss; and MORE.

Why is it important to do a Cleanse and Detox Plan?  Will not my body handle and normalize itself over time?  Maybe.  Probable not, though.  When a body becomes filled with uncontrolled levels of acids, toxins and waste it lets out or shows signs or symptoms that signal errors in our natural method of ushering out "cardio-metabolic" waste from numerous by-products, contaminants or poisons, such as: air pollution and household and personal care products, "American-ized" consumption of high fat and sugar food, contaminated farms and livestock, exercise metabolism, medication by-products, normal human functioning and physiology, and stress. With all the the possible degrees and severity of hyper-toxicity and uncleanliness at any given point or time in the human body, it and all of its organs and systems can become affected and "sick." Simply, a toxic and unclean body and metabolism makes us sick and tired!!!  The GOOD NEWS: is you can do something about it and it starts at "The Gut!"

Do this-'The Plan.'  It consists of nutrition, supplementation and water.  It's several steps!  And the key is to avoid Cleanse & Detox symptoms (The Healing Crisis) by being persistent and proactive to support your body’s inherent ability to clean itself or clear out and unload toxins and waste.   

1.  Cut Out Toxic & Unclean Foods: The more you breathe, drink, eat, use or wear toxic or unclean air, drinks, food or products, respectively, the more severe will be your symptoms. Think, a heavy coffee drinker or smoker that suddenly stops their consumption or use will experience numerous symptoms, including intense, regular headaches and tiredness.  The first step of 'The Plan' is to breathe, drink, eat and live a CLEAN life.  So GO and get rid of anything and everything that prevents you from doing so.

2.  Drink Lots of Water, Water, Water: The transparent fluid you call water is essential to life.  It's important in almost every way possible, such as aid digestion, assist in about 90% of all chemical physiological reactions, boost the immune system, cut certain cancer and cardiovascular disease risks, help compose more than 60% of muscle tissue, and increase energy and metabolism.  It will also help you lose or maintain body weight and more importantly filter out acids, toxins and waste from blood, organs and tissues.  So DRINK-DRINK-DRINK a lot of water!- Perhaps set a daily or hourly reminder on the Fitbit application that's connected to a Fitbit Flex and take a water bottle wherever you go if possible.  Shoot, even the First Lady Mrs. Obama is all about drinking water.  

3.  Get Help From Digestive Enzymes:  You also must understand daily nutritional support and water is not enough by themselves.  You need to consume digestive enzymes to help metabolize food and process nutrients and substrates too. Without digestive enzymes your body will be unable to breakdown and use essential nutrients or substrates which could cause digestive issues, nutritional deficiencies, reduced labido, tiredness, and more.  [I had bloating, cramping, gas and stomach pains everyday for more than three years.  It affected my eating and exercise habits, energy levels, mood and sleep.  I ate healthy and was an avid exerciser of at or more than 90 minutes of exercise per day (I am an exercise physiologist and personal trainer), but my GI system sucked!  However, my GI symptoms resolved after I was introduced to and started using doTERRA Terrazyme Digestive Enzyme Complex.]  The said is a digestive enzyme treasure.  It's a concentrated digestive enzyme supplement with a patented assimilation system to make the enzymes distribute evenly to the proper cells, organs and systems, especially in the GI tract to clean out the intestinal walls and keep the "Gut in Check."  After a year my GI system is symptom-free.   

4.  Maintain Daily Nutritional Need, Support: Understand your body is designed to filter out and eliminate toxins from in the body's organs and systems. Though you may drink and eat a perfect all-Organic, Gluten-free, Paleo or Vegan diet your food alone can not provide all the essential fatty acids and macro and micronutrients the body needs to regulate its physiological development, functions and metabolism and support its natural cleansing and detoxification processes. Don't worry!  There is a complete and easy solution. It again comes from doTERRA.  It's doTERRA Lifelong Vitality (LLV).  Its a complete, daily, easy-to-use nutritional system containing all 4 categories of nutrients- antioxidants, essential Omega- fatty acids, minerals and vitamins- that boost immunity, support the body's cleansing and detoxification processes and reduce cellular fatigue, inflammation and oxidative stress.  The doTERRA LLV is the first complete nutritional system and after using it with a healthy nutrition plan it, I had cleansed and detoxed my body, enhanced my exercise performance and recovery time, improved my sleep quality, and much more.  

5.  Use doTERRA Essential Oils and Products: What's up with doTERRA?  Why the mentioning and use?  Well, if there is something good it's expected to tell everyone about it.  The Bible.  doTERRA.  You get the idea.  The doTERRA Cleanse and Detox Plan is the most gentle, superior program.  For example, The Master Cleanse Plan specifically detoxes the gallbladder by drinking a cayenne, lemon and pure maple syrup drink several times a day for weeks.  In comparison, a daily drop of the doTERRA Lemon Essential Oil is equal to 20 lemons and detoxes the gallbladder.  The doTERRA Zendocrine Supplement contains whole food constituents and extracts that specifically support cleansing and detoxifying the colon, kidneys, liver, lungs and skin.  Again, you may ask, "Why doTERRA Oils and Products?"  Trial and error!!!  "These are the only "things" I have had complete success for cleansing and detoxification (and increasing my immune system among other things).  If you follow 'The Plan' you'll benefit greatly and have success too.

Now if you do not try the doTERRA essentials oils and products PLEASE use something to cleanse and detox your body's organs and systems.  And if you or your body does not agree with or have positive changes from using perhaps a commercialized or OTC product then perhaps give  'The Plan'  a reasonable try.  As with any change in or following of a new lifestyle plan of cleansing & detoxing, exercise, healthy nutrition and stress management, including massage and yoga, it is MOST IMPORTANT to just do something.  There are numerous methods, plans and techniques for a cleanse and detox, exercise, nutrition and stress management, so it's important to find the best, most effective and suitable plan.  And it's equally important to follow a plan that has the fewest chemicals and only natural products, long-term benefits and real results that are shared by trusting allied health professionals, dietitians, M.D.'s, and people like you.  I don't like juicing.  I like 'My Plan.'

The Gentler, Simpler 'Cleanse & Detox Plan'

The Cleansing and Detoxing Plan for Today

The terms "cleanse" and “detox” are popular buzzwords today.  The popularity of them is a positive sign people are becoming more aware and cautious of the hidden and out-in-the-open dangers of acids, chemicals, toxins and more that contaminate air, food, household products, water and more.  Also, people are realizing that chronic, ongoing exposure to chemicals and toxins can cause allergies, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, joint or muscle aches and pain, skin conditions and problems, unusual tiredness, and more. However, what follows good news about health practices and programs are arguments and statements against the benefits and effectiveness of a plan or products, and people who take advantage of an opportunity to persuade others of a plan or product to make money and sell it as a  sponsor.  Calling Dr. Oz! Calling Oprah!  As such, there are a lot of athlete and celebrity cleanse and detox diets, juicing plans and raw food programs.  These do not work.  These are fads among other things.  Simply, there is no magic bullet or pill that is anti-aging or fulfills all health and wellness needs and requirements.  Still, a cleanse and detox plan can be effective and necessary for the body and it's cells, organs and systems to function optimally most, if not all, the time.  We just need the best, right 'Plan.'

The Cleanse & Detox Plan is the right 'Plan.'  It's carefully designed and layed out to make it easy to follow and produce maximum effectiveness (That means 'The Plan' is easy to implement into your daily habits without much change and you will have long-term results).  It does not make false promises or suggest a quick fix, solution.  A cleanse and detox has to gently, gradually filter out and remove most, if not all, chemicals, toxins and waste over time without robbing the body of key nutrients and substrates necessary for cellular function, energy, growth, metabolism and physiology.  The Cleanse & Detox Plan carefully and selectively incorporates all-natural food, herbal and organic products and supplements, and exercise and nutrition programming.  The gentle and gradual inclusion of the cleansing and detoxification products and supplements will assist, guide and propel the body and its cells, organs and systems to achieve greater and maintain high levels of health, vitality and wellness.

'The Plan'

All cleanse and detox plans are daunting and it is absolutely necessary to go slow to offset any side effects  You will have side effects, but the degree and severity of them will depend on the level of acids, chemicals, toxins and waste in the body's cells, organs, tissues, water, and more.  So GO slow with 'The Plan' and consistently and persistently follow the plan's steps and you will feel and see the elements or products synergistically benefit and produce profound improvements in health and well-being.  Thereafter the old bad daily habits of contaminating the body with chemicals, sugars or toxins will be taken oven by ingesting healthy drink and food and performing healthy habits, such as exercise, stress mangement techniques and yoga.  You will be amazed from 'The Cleanse & Detox Plan' as you will have a more active, better digestive and immune systems, greater energy, less irritability or muscular aches and pain, and much more.  Though, in order for you to experience and see "these" you will actually have to try 'The Plan.'  But don't wait long- your body can't wait.  It's depending on you.

Aromatherapy at Home or Work. Necessary? YES!

About a few weeks past, my wife and I had a date night and scheduled individual massage sessions at Burke Williams Spa at Santana Row in San Jose, CA.  I say “Spa” and we all say “Ahhh!”  I ask, “Why are we adulated and enamored with spas?  Is it not only a beauty and health center?”  Absolutely not!  It’s a destination place to stimulate our senses and receive the therapeutic powers of aroma, beauty and light, sound, touch and water.  Whether we want to detox, de-stress or dethrone health or lifestyle-related conditions or disorders, such as aging or stress, we have an opportunity and surely a willingness to go to a spa for pleasure and rejuvenation.

Again [looking for a reason], “Why do we go to spas?”  Is it for the aromatic oils, baths, euphoric lighting, hot stones, lovely sounds of harmonious music, massage therapy or running waterfalls?  I think it’s about all the above among other things.  But still, “Why?”
  

As a result of spending a few hours at the Burke Williams Spa I was completely rejuvenated, relaxed and restored.  “Ahhh Haaa.”  I know “Why.”  We go to spas because they can clean and condition our bodies and minds from the inside out and completely transform us.  “Uh oh, Houston we have a problem.”  I see a dilemma in this situation.  I will not be able to maintain my altered and “loving it” state of well-being.  You see, once we exit a spa we will have to face head on unhealthy living conditions and stress, especially at work.  So I see and understand that we seek out spas to get relaxed, restored or revitalized.  But can we replicate the smells and sounds of a spa into our everyday life and surroundings, especially at work?

I had seen a saying about spas: “Saturday is a day for the spa. RELAX, indulge, enjoy, and love yourself, too."  What about the other days of the week?   

A spa is a novelty for some.  It's a nice place for pleasure and relaxation.  But that is the problem too.  The benefits from experiences at spas due to their ambiance or surroundings and therapy ought to be able to be copied to places where we spend the most time doing day to day activities or our occupation, such as around the home or office or in our commuter vehicles. So how can we make our cars, homes or office desks more spa-like?  One answer divided five ways: AROMATHERAPY, ergonomics, lighting, plants and water.

There are a lot of things we cannot change in life or work.  Perhaps life is work.  We cannot change our age, ethnicity gender or genetics.  And it is likely we do not have control over the office amenities, furniture layout, lighting or noise.  And we probably do not have much of a say on the choice of color for the floors and walls.  Ahhh!  I occupy and use an office with beige and cream or tan floors and walls.  I hate beige and tan colored things.  They drown my energy and kill my mood and positivity.  However, I have a solution via BLUEPRINT ESSENTIALS education and use and it involves the aforementioned one answer divided five ways. 

The best and easiest solution is AROMATHERAPY; its benefits are discovered and shown via essential oil therapy.  Aromatherapy and essential oils are no longer just for cosmetic products and spas.  The benefits of them are invaluable.  Aromatherapy and essentials oils are a form of alternative medicine in which the aromatic compounds of volatile plant materials create a healthy environment or setting and reduce stress.  For example, a scientific study had shown inhaling lemon oil and peppermint oil increased mental clarity and focus by 54 percent and 28 percent, respectively.  Other studies have stated aromatherapy inhalation alters or betters anxiety, blood pressure, breathing rates, heart rates, moods and pain sensations.  It can also in an instant positively affect energy, hormonal influence or sexual function and sleep.  Aromatherapy is effective and quick.

  

Aromas of essential oils can travel to the deepest part of the brain via the olfactory system.  It’s the power of the scent.  “Smell” can influence brain activity and stimulation and of the senses it is by far the most powerful and strongest.  The aromas can directly go to the brain’s hypothalamus among other parts that are involved with autonomic or subconscious processes, cognition, emotions, hormone or immune functions, memory and pain relief.  In addition, breathing the diffusion and scent of essential oils makes it possible for the aromatic oils and their benefits or properties to travel to the circulatory system by way of the lungs and respiratory system. The aromas from essential oils can balance our energy or homeostasis or boost our self-confidence and self-esteem.  They also can calm or relax us, energize or stimulate us, help us concentrate and focus, and provide a means to a clean, germ-free and healthy work environment or setting.  The aromas of essential oils exert autonomic, behavioral and systemic wellness.

There are more than 50 isolated, specific essential oils in the world.  And there are over 200 companies dealing with essential oils in marketing and sales throughout the world.  As such, I believe Shakespeare was incorrect and instead “A Rose” is not just a rose.  Essential oils are only as good as they are real.  A rose oil with added solvents or synthetics is NOT the same as the rose oil that goes through a two-part distillation and extraction process to have and maintain 100% of its lifeblood, purity and vitality.  The essentials oils that are of the highest grade, most pure and optimal quality are the most beneficial and effective and can back or parallel their claims of promoted aromatic scientific evidence or results. 

If any or all of the essential oils’ purity and quality matter it is necessary and recommended to do research to find and know of the best and most credible and prestigious companies dealing with and selling essential oils.  There may be a lot of companies involved with essential oils but the list of company names are few that are effective and safe and meet the highest standards.  I have done my research and tried to find the most truthful “One.”  The lone survivor is doTERRA Essential Oils.   And doTERRA has a number of essential oils and blended essential oils that are effective and safe for your emotional and physical needs and wants at the office or wherever else.

CALM

Vetiver, Serenity, Lavender, Marjoram, Clary Sage

ENERGY

Elevation, Citrus Bliss, Peppermint, Slim & Sassy, Wild Orange

FEEL INSPIRED

Balance, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Black Pepper, Frankincense

FOR SELF-CONFIDENCE

Jasmine, Whisper, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang

LOWER OFFICE STRESS

Rose, Melissa, Geranium, Grapefruit, Sandalwood

MENTAL CLARITY/STIMULATION

Basil, Lemon, Cypress, Melaluca, Peppermint

TO REFRESH THE WORK AREA

Lemon, Lavender, Melaluca, OnGuard, Euclayptus

There are a variety of essentials oils used for particular conditions or reasons.  The essential oils listed above are only a sample size.  And they can be applied or used countless ways.  However, it is best and easiest to use them, especially at the office, in methods and respects that make them simple to use.
 

1. Consume a few drops of certain essential oils with H2O.
2. Diffuse essential oils in the air via Lotus Diffuser or other.
3. Infuse bookmarks or office stationery with essential oils by: 1) Place a few drops of on paper or other stationary; 2) Put them in a plastic bag; and 3) Seal the bag and leave it overnight.  It is a great idea to pass on or send only good news in infused letters or other stationary.
4. Make a pendant necklace.  Make the pendant out of clay (terra-cotta).  Infuse the pendant with essential oils and wear it as a necklace as much as needed.
5. Or purchase a ceramic-, crystal-, glass-, metal- (i.e. Pewter) or pottery-pendant necklace specifically for aromatherapy or diffusing essential oil treatment.
6. Place a few drops of an essential oil on the back of ears, jaw, neck or wrists.
7. Place a few drops of an essential oil directly onto the pedals or stems of dried or silk plants or flowers.  This can also be done on real flowers or plants as well.
8. Place certain essential oils in small essential oil bottles in a drawer and place a few drops of a specific essential oil into a handkerchief or tissue to smell at times.  
9. Place specific essential oils in a spray bottle and use it as a disinfectant on equipment, furniture or surfaces or use them as a fragrance or perfume, or both. 
10. Put specific essential oils in cleaning agents, such as disinfectant wipes or hand soap, to fend off bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.  The essential oils are effective against fighting off common cold, Herpes, influenza, MRSA, parasites,polio, etc.

Aromatherapy at the home or office or during drives from or to work is a basic and simple way to calm oneself and lower stress, give energy and/or increase focus and productivity or success.  I call home Los Gatos, CA that is in the South Bay of San Francisco’s Silicon Valley and do work in the Upper Peninsula.  As such, I have to deal with heavy traffic in the morning and night.  I hate traffic.  I tell my wife that sitting in traffic is perhaps one of the biggest wastes of time and a risk to my health and sanity.  I get so frustrated and restless needless to say.  But by accident I have learned to use the essential oil Vetiver to calm me and let me relax during my commute and whatnot.  I had in the backseat of my car a bag and inside it was a towel that accidently had been infused with a few drops of Vetiver essential oil from an open Vetiver essential oil bottle that has been left there for some time.  The commutes were jammed and slow with traffic but my energy and mood were different because once I experienced the effects of inhaling Vetiver I was patient and relaxed.  It was an answer to my unhealthy emotions and mood and I forever have Vetiver or a like essential oil in my car to help me with my commute or perhaps to cover up my smelly clothes from working out.

Aromatherapy.  It’s great to stink at work.  LOL.  And like the Old Spice commercials and saying, it will help you be your best SMELF. 

At work we used to stop each other and ask, “Hey.  Do you smell that [Sniffing]?”  It’s the smell of success.  Try it.  You’ll see…..or smell.  Success too.  

Phytly's Corporate Wellness. Art & Blueprint of Sitting & Standing at Work: Part I

I previously blogged about and mentioned of the effects of sitting versus standing on health and well-being.  I was pleasantly surprised many clients, colleagues and friends had taken my advice and its information to heart and planned to change their habits of sitting versus standing, at home or work, and redo their workplace. 

If a lot of clients, colleagues and friends plan to change their daily habits of sitting and standing and clean up their work areas, it is important to help them know what are their options and show them how to properly perform each one of them.  I call it: "The Art & Blueprint of Sitting and Standing at Work."
    

On average a human being coasts through each day and sits 20% of the time.  That equates to approximately 300 minutes.  Yikes!  And research studies have stated sitting more than three hours a day shortens life expectancy by two years. Double Yikes!!  Another research study stated people sitting and television watching approximately four hours a day lived approximately five years less than only those who did not television watch.  Triple Yikes!!!  And I will stop with the "Yikes."  Still, it is essential to know how much we sit and its effects on our health and well-being, and it is equally important to understand economic and ergonomic solutions or ways we can kickstart our functional movement patterns, strength and support and physical activity levels and improve our state of health and wellness.      

The majority of administration and corporate office are filled with office chairs. Office chairs are not the cause of low back pain or worsening health and wellness. The act of sitting is.  But we must sit in order to work.  And if we must sit then it is important to have a friendly ergonomic set-up to suit our needs and wants, especially after LONG days week after week.  Is this picture a timeline..... of you? 

               - 8 AM -                                                                               - 4 PM -                  

I am not sure if this picture is of a coworker or yourself, but one thing for sure is he or she definitely needs one, if not all, of the following: aromatherapy for concentration, energy and stamina, better ergonomic setting and workstation to lower chances of posture deviations and injury risks, more fun (obviously), increase in core, gluteals, lumbar and rhomboids strength and support to improve body control, function and load, or a new job! At 4 PM I am thinking its the latter.

I have been known to be a splitting image of the picture.  Please do not tell.  But my ergonomics and mechanics in sitting are not ingrained in my bank of muscle memory because "I hate sitting" and it is tiring too.  I feel sorry for my wife because my three sons have adopted my hatred towards sitting.  They are all over the place ALL the time.  And I have noticed and realized from my sons that at infancy and onward we are bombarded with instructions on how to roll, SIT and stand.  Do any of these sound familiar to you? "Be aware of your posture and sit up.  Don't be lazy and get up.  Don't slouch!"  I heard these commands and suggestions hundreds of times at home, school and work.  I suppose my parents and teachers were looking out for me and were right! Though its not like I was leaning in my chair for no reason.  I wanted to act and be or look cool and leaning while driving or sitting was the cool thing.  Then I grew up and learned how to properly sit. Whether at the dinner table, school, home or work, we have great intentions to sit up straight and tall but we fall victim to gravity and time. As such, over the course of a day we get tired and progressively slouch and slumber. Sometimes we take a Zzzzzz!  The change in our posture is inevitable over time, but is the problem a lack of aromatherapy mood boosters, muscular strength, poor sitting mechanics, proper workplace setting or unfriendly ergonomic set-up, or possibly all of them? 

I think the acute or chronic changes in our posture is a matter of all of the adaptable conditions and circumstantial situations- aromatherapy deficient, lack or loss of muscular strength, especially of the core, gluteals and rhomboids, poor sitting mechanics no matter the sitting tool, such as an office chair versus stability ball, and an unfriendly ergonomic workstation.  

The easiest and most perfect means to assist in dispelling foul odors, improving concentration and mental clarity, increasing energy and stamina, reducing airborne bacteria, fungi, molds or viruses, and relieving stress or tension is the use of aromatherapy, or specifically doTerra essential oils diffused in the work setting. Essential oils, such as Cassia, Eucalyptus, Lavender, OnGuard, Peppermint, Wild Orange and Ylang Ylang, are found to enhance the immune system, improve mood and increase our overall mental outlook, physical stature and well-being.  And the best is they are harmless, potentially life-saving and uplifting.  The Vanderbilt University Hospital Emergency Department uses it for their staff with great results and success.

The use of aromatherapy at work is possibly atypical but it is the first step in creating a healthy and pleasant work setting.  Its sort of like thinking outside the cubicle. However, in order for your work area to be an enjoyable and productive safe haven, a home away from home, it is necessary to use essentials oils and plants for energy and health.  The other aspects of the work setting, such as office chairs and desks or stability balls, are typical and must be personally and specifically dealt with in their own unique way.

There are a lot of people in the world.  And our bodies are different from person to person in regards to varying shapes and sizes.  We are not alike in many ways. My best friend and I wear different sized pants, shirts and shoes and yet we are expected to sit in the same office chair type at work.  We should not be expected to fit perfectly in the same office chairs.  The office chair highly recommended and most suitable for office work addresses and offers numerous adjustments for altering body positions among varying body shapes and sizes.  The best features most recommended by ergonomic specialists are:

• Armrests
• Lumbar Support
• Forward Tilting Seat
• Reclining Seat Option
• Seat Cushion and Height 

It is proven people more comfortable in their office chairs are more likely to be less injured, productive and sit for longer periods of time. Conversely, people using uncomfortable and unsupportive office chairs are at increased risk of discomfort, injury and pain, including increased spinal stress. Therefore, it is an understatement to say the office chair is perhaps the most important entity of a healthy workplace environment and personal workstation.

Though the office chair is a staple of an office workstation, in my previous blog I stated the importance of alternating between sitting in an office chair, sitting on a stability ball and standing and increasing the level of movement or physical activity throughout the day week to week.  The stability ball is my preferred choice of sitting device but it does have limitations and precautions. It is not for everyone straight out of the box to use. But you can adapt to the stability ball over time as long as you are using the best sized stability ball specifically for you.  The considerations of a proper sized stability ball for sitting are:

• Ball Size 
  
• Feet Stance
• Position of Neck and Shoulders
• Position of Pelvis and Spinal Column
• Selection of Individualized Exercises 

While enduring or prolonged use of a stability ball can put a heavy toll over time, intermittent use helps improve mood, increases energy expenditure, make stronger the back, core and leg musculature, and promotes well-being.

The creation of a routine in regards to alternating between sitting on different seat types and standing allows for more enjoyment or fun and spontaneity and enables the body to burn more calories, lessen the risk of back pain or injury and maintain muscular strength and support.  And did I mention its more fun?  Who does not want to break out doing a set of "bounces," crunches, planks- stirring the pot, plyometric push ups, side lunges or squats on a stability ball? You could learn and master a few new tricks and be a hit at the next work party.

In the coming blogs I will draw up and explain the aspects of diffusing essential oils and ergonomics of traditional and alternative sitting and standing options and solutions- all at and for work.  I will also list and show examples of exercise routines while either sitting in an office chair or on a stability ball or while standing.  Are you at the edge of your seat? Standing up? Stay tuned in.