Book Recommendation

 The fact is, the power of the human mind is very impressive and amazing; this book is a testament to this fact. 

 

“Northern Awakening: The Evolution of Consciousness,” by Brian C. Watts

5 Healthy Morning Routines to Kickstart Your Day

 Just click on the link below, please.

Kickstart Your Day

Remember, establishing healthy habits and routines are essential to living each day to the fullest!

Remember this...

 Be, Do, & Have

 

When you work to be the person that you seek to be through appropriate goal setting, and do the things required to accomplish your goals, you will have the attributes and accomplishments that you so seek and deserve!

 

Remember…

Be, Do, & Have!

Disposable Face Mask vs. Cloth Face Mask: Which is Better?

 COVID-19 left us in need of masks on a scale like never before. Cloth face coverings were the creative and economic solution for many. Being washable and reusable, they allow community members a cheap and convenient way to mask up. Let’s face it, they’re much more fashionable too! So, how do these cloth masks compare to others?

In theory, any mask worn correctly is better than no mask. In covering the mouth and the nose it prevents, to some extent, the exchange of respiratory droplets. However, the level of prevention largely depends on the type of mask. It is important to first differentiate between a non-surgical face mask and a surgical mask. Surgical masks are tested to meet certain standards and approved for clinical use. A cloth-mask would classify as a non-surgical face mask. While there is no testable standard for them, the CDC still recommends cloth masks as a mode of infection prevention in the community setting. The historical use of cloth masks and prior research shows that cloth masks are still effective in reducing infection rates.

While surgical masks are overall more effective, and are considered the gold standard by the CDC, the benefits of cloth face masks should not be overlooked. In reality, most of us are not actually using our disposable masks just once. We’re throwing them back into our purses and pockets, and then fishing them out the next time we need them. This is where cloth masks have their time to shine. We can throw the dirty one we just wore in the laundry to disinfect it, and then pick up a clean one for next time. It is important to note that not all cloth masks are created equal. If you are using a cloth mask, consider the fabric, number of layers, and fit. The most effective cloth mask will have a fabric with a tight weave, multiple layers, and one that cups tightly around the face. This will most securely block your respiratory droplets from contaminating other individuals and surfaces.

If you are opting for a disposable mask, be sure to check whether it is a surgical mask or a non-surgical face mask. Surgical masks will offer the most protection, both for yourself and others. Surgical masks are tested by The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). They are tested for bacterial filtration, particle filtration, synthetic blood splatter, flammability, and breathability. Surgical masks are sorted into three levels, ATSM 3 offering the highest degree of protection. If you’re looking for a quality, comfortable mask, Patriot Medical Devices makes ATSM 3 surgical masks that offer the highest level of protection against particles and fluids!

This article originally appeared on Patriot Medical Devices

Book Recommendation

“The Healing Power of Humor: Techniques for Getting through Loss, Setbacks, Upsets, Disappointments, Difficulties, Trials, Tribulations, and All That Not-So-Funny Stuff,”  by Allen Klein

*This is an excellent book, as it provides awareness into the life enhancing power of vitamin H (humor). 

Insights into how facemask work

 1. They keep your respiratory droplets from spreading to others! 

 

The CDC outlines three transmission-based precautions to help stop the spread of various pathogens: contact, droplet, and airborne. A pathogen is the agent that causes a disease, and different pathogens use different methods to spread. Surgical masks are a key protective measure in droplet precautions and airborne precautions. Surgical masks are routinely used in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of infections such as influenza, pneumonia, and meningitis. In what the CDC terms “source control”, they outline that the infected individual should wear a mask to help prevent transmission.

 

Many viruses and bacteria, such as the ones previously listed, are spread through respiratory droplets. These respiratory droplets are generated when a person is coughing, sneezing, or talking. That’s right, even just by talking! If you are infected, the pathogen can travel through your respiratory droplets and be transmitted to people around you, or they can contaminate surfaces. So, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be an unaware vector of the disease and wearing a mask helps you keep your droplets to yourself when interacting with others.

 

2. They protect you from infected individuals!

 

In regards to the same CDC transmission-based precautions, specific personal protective equipment can be used to decrease your chances of contracting various pathogens. When viruses and bacteria spread by respiratory droplets, those droplets infect you by traveling into your mouth, nose, and eyes. Wearing a mask properly helps block infectious particles from finding a home in your mouth and nose. COVID-19, in most cases, is believed to be spread by respiratory droplets. Thus, wearing a mask can help reduce your risk of contracting the disease.

 

Now that we know how face masks protect us, it is important to note that different masks can offer different levels of protection. The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) is an international standards organization that develops technical standards for many different fields-including healthcare. They put face masks through a series of five tests to determine what standards they meet. These tests are: Bacterial filtration, particle filtration, synthetic blood splatter, flammability, and breathability. Based on specific criteria, the masks are sorted into one of three levels after they are tested. Level 1 offers the lowest level of protection, while level 3 offers the highest. Patriot Medical Devices offers masks that have been tested and proven to function at the ASTM 3 standard. Patriot masks offer the highest level of protection against particles and fluids, while also being comfortable to wear!

 

*This article was retrieved from https://patriotmedicaldevices.com/

 

Stay healthy & Live Each Day to the Fullest! 

"Core Insights"

 What is the core?

·       Possibly the most common discussion of stabilization relates to core function; this is because the hips and the trunk serve as our center of mass.

·       The principle of core stability can be illustrated in a simple comparison: shooting a canon off of a canoe versus a stable surface; think about the importance of and implications of this very accurate comparison.

·       The fact is, to date, there is no universally accepted definition of the core, some researchers describe the core as a muscular cylinder with the abdominals in the front, the multifidus and gluteal muscles in the back, the diaphragm as the roof, and the pelvic floor as the base of the cylinder.

·       The core is also defined as all the muscles of the trunk and pelvis that contribute to maintaining a stable spine, an integrated system composed of passive structures, such as ligaments and bone.

·       The core is universally agreed upon as being essential to all kinetic chains, and that upper and lower extremity movement is greatly improved in conditions where there is adequate endurance and neuromuscular control of the core.

·       Proper core function improves the spine’s ability to withstand the various weight/stress and directional forces that it encounters every day, during daily activities, and exercise and sport participation.