Introduction

Introduction- By DaNelle Bushnell

Do you spend eight hours a day sitting in a desk behind the screen of a computer? Or choose that candy bar for a snack instead of an apple? Would you like to learn how to make better choices pertaining to your health and work on a better you? Then you are in the right place and this blog might be just what you are looking for. We are the Healthy One’s and in the following posts on our blog, Fitness Feigns, you will learn some practical and easy ways for you to stay healthy and how to improve your overall well-being. We hope that each one of you will find our tips and inspirational stories helpful, encouraging, and applicable to your daily life.

It is no secret that the health and wellbeing of the members of our society are becoming less of a priority as other more important issues take their place. However, it is more important now than ever to focus on how technology influences our culture and everyday lives (Burnett & Marshall, 2003) A recent study found that adults who live in the United States spend an average of more than eight hours a day in front of a screen, whether it be a computer, the television, or other similar devices (Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 2008). These technological breakthroughs affect the well-being of their user’s (Bargh & McKenna, 2004) and can have a negative impact on the user’s health. The inactivity of being behind a screen all day can lead to both physical and physiological defects. One of which is obesity. To date, there are over 130 million American’s that are overweight and that number is on the rise (Heller, 2007). With numbers like these it is more important than ever to take into account the information that we have taken the time to provided in this blog.

The office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (www.healthypeople.gov, n.d) reminds us that when providing the public with useful information on ways to stay healthy and improving their well-being it is important to “reflect the realities of people’s everyday lives and their current practices, attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyles” (p. 3). With the way that technology has become implemented and integrated into our everyday lives (Burnett & Marshall, 2003) the following tips are both functional and practical. This blog provides you with information in three main areas of health and well-being:

• Ways To Stay Healthy: In the first portion of the blog you will begin to understand the major role that computer mediated communication plays in your health and well-being and discover that technology can actually be used to stay healthy!

• Useful Tips: This portion of the blog will give you some easy and applicable ideas for staying healthy and staying active even if you sit in a cubicle, in front of a screen for eight hours a day!

• Inspirational Stories: Sometimes you may feel alone and thank that this information is useless and a bunch of fluff but you may find that hearing real life testimonies might be help. You will discover that your personal relationships, the way your eat, how much you exercise, and various forms of technology can be used in a positive way to improve your health and help

References:

(2001). Healthy People 2010. Health Communication. Retrieved on April 22^nd, 2009

from http://www.healthypeople.gov/document/HTML/Volume1/11HealthCom.htm

AFP. (2008). The Boys and Girl Club of America. Americans spend eight hours a day on

screens. Retrieved April 22^nd, 2009, from

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.92e661444313b232e8931de00c29

c73b.431&show_article=1

Bargh, J. A., & McKenna, K. Y. A. (2004). The internet and social life. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 573-90.

Burnett, R., & Marshall, P. D. (2003). Web theory: An introduction. New York: Routledge.

Ways to Stay Healthy

Computer mediated communication (CMC), has significantly influenced how we perceive information related to health and wellness through ways to stay healthy. There are many different health professionals that take advantage of spreading valuable health information through the Internet. According to Bargh and McKenna (2004), “In 2002, more than 600 million people worldwide had access to it” (p.574). The Internet can provide many different resources to learn about health and to find information on ways to stay healthy. According to Cassell, Jackson, and Cheuvront (1998), “Like traditional mass media formats, the Internet has the capacity to economically reach large and geographically diffuse audiences” (p.6). It is also important for Internet-based sites to deliver health information with relevant facts, advice, and professional references. According to Cassell, Jackson, and Cheuvront (1998), “Internet-based resources also enable health professionals to disseminate persuasive health communications to an expanding global audience at relatively low cost” (p.7). It is important to understand how CMC has been integrated into our lives and therefore important for health professionals to deliver information to people accordingly.

The Internet today has many different sites that offer information on ways to stay healthy. According to Burnett and Marshall (2003), “The web offered a wide array of dimensions that promised a better world: e-commerce provided better business solutions; the massive amount of information on the web meant it was ultimately the most interesting and diverse library available for education; and its transnational quality allowed for greater global communication and the generally implied understanding than could be imagined through the past media forms” (p.8-9). For instance, there are sites that provide information on ways to stay healthy such as journals, blogs, news, health sites, and more. There are sites such as Wellness.com that allow professionals to post blogs about their knowledge on health and wellness. According to Dr. Maoshing Ni (2008), he discusses the essential ways to stay healthy at work and tips on how to reawaken the senses and have positive energy. It is important to learn and understand ways to stay healthy in the workplace for many reasons. Many individuals spend most of their day at work, long hours can become tiring, loss of energy, stressful, and more. According to Dr. Maoshing Ni (2008), “since most of spend forty or more hours at our jobs weekly, it is crucial to our health and longevity that our place of work is conducive to wellness” (p.1). Blogs such as Dr. Maoshing Ni, are very informational for readers to understand and relate and they can also post comments and questions regarding his expertise. Dr. Maoshing Ni is also author of “Secrets of Self-Healing.” Dr. Maoshing Ni (2008), also addresses in the workplace it is important to not use cleaning solutions with harmful chemicals that carry out fumes in the environment. According to Dr. Maoshing Ni (2008), “This is where Mother Nature’s air purifiers come in: plants produce oxygen and eliminate VOC’s at the same time. The most effective plants include indoor palms, English ivy, focuses, peace lilies, and chrysanthemums” (p.1). There are many different individuals that may find this to be new information because usually when we think of ways to stay healthy we think of eating right, exercising, reducing stress, and so on. I think that this is a very valuable tool because we breathe air for existence and there are so many different pollutants in the air that may be already harmful. If you can limit the amount of extra chemicals or pollutants you put in the air and breathe may help you have more clarity and a sense of fresh air.

There are also many different steps one can take to stay healthy in the workplace. According to Dr. Maoshing Ni (2008), “Take frequent breaks from sitting. The key to staying alert and awake on the job is to keep moving. Instead of using the phone to get what you need, use your legs! Take the stairs instead of the elevator” (p.1). These are just a few simple steps to become more active to have more energy during those long hours at work. Dr. Maoshing Ni (2008), also discusses the importance of good posture and taking breaks. I think that this is useful information that many different professionals may benefit from because at work sometimes we are so preoccupied we forget about our well-being and health.

There are other blog sites that allow users to post information as well such as Expertdoctor.blogspot.com. On this site there was a blog posted by a user named Lifeguard that posts information about “5 Ways to Stay Young, Healthy and Happy.” He discusses the importance of taking care of your health will give you a long and happy life. According to Lifeguard (2009), the number one way to stay young, healthy and happy is to watch what you eat. It is important to eat a balanced diet that contains all the important main food groups and to be aware of your own metabolism. Number two is to limit your consumption of salt and sugar because too much sugar may cause diabetes and too much salt can lead to kidney stones (Lifeguard, 2009). According to Lifeguard (2009), the third way to stay young, healthy and happy would be to take a multivitamin, boost antioxidants, and minimize sun exposure. These tips are very helpful for people wanting to learn more about simple ways to stay healthy. There are many people that do not have access to online resources. According to Rains (2008), “Inequities in the adoption of broadband technology were examined and the comprehensive model of health information seeking (CMIS) was used to make predictions about the implications of broadband Internet for personal health” (p.1). There is a digital divide between those that have unlimited access to the Internet and those of lower socioeconomic status that may not. This does affect the amount of information that can be learned for those who do not. According to Mehra, Merkel, and Bishop (2004), “Disparities in technology access and use are related to socioeconomic status, with income, educational level and race among the factors associated with technological attainment” (p.782, as cited in NTIA, 1999, 2000a, b, 2002). It is important to close this gap by giving all individuals the same opportunities in school.

References:

Bargh, J. A., & McKenna, K. Y. A. (2004). The internet and social life. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 573-90.

Burnett, R., & Marshall, P. D. (2003). Web theory: An introduction. New York: Routledge.

Cassell, M., Jackson, C., & Cheuvront, B., (1998). Health Communication on the Internet: An Effective Channel for Health Behavior Change? Journal of Health Communication, volume 3, 71-79. Retrieved April 19, 2009 from

http://66.102.1.104/scholar?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&q=cache:qVi25cTjluEJ:journals.taylorandfrancis.com/forms/hcm/3_71.pdf+author:%22Cassell%22+intitle:%22Health+communication+on+the+Internet:+An+effective+...%22+

Lifeguard, (2009). 5 Ways to Stay Young, Happy and Healthy. Retrieved April 19, 2009, from

http://expertdoctor.blogspot.com/2009/04/5-ways-to-stay-young-healthy-happy.html

Mehra, B., Merkel, C., & Bishop, A. P. (2004). The internet for empowerment of minority and marginalized users. New Media and Society, 6, 781-802.

Ni, M., (2008). Essential Ways to Stay Healthy at Work. Retrieved April 19, 2009, from

http://www.wellness.com/blogs/DrMao/419/essential-ways-to-stay-healthy-at-work/dr-maoshing-ni

Rains, S., (2008). Health at High Speed, Broadband Internet Access, Health Communication and the Digital Divide. Communication Research, volume 35,283-297. Retrieved April 19, 2009, from

http://crx.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/3/283

Useful Tips

Useful Tips

Now in days, the majority of Americans use their computers more than any other electronic device in their lives: television, cell phone, i-pod, and even their treadmill! Well the last one is sort of a given, but in this world of fast paced technology, we are selves seemed to have slow down in comparison to are electronic counter parts. These devices make our lives easier, faster, and more productive; just by sitting in a chair, looking at a screen, and clicking a mouse. Of course a computer is much more stimulating mentally but when it comes to stimulating you mussels, joints, and blood flow, it’s typically not the case. According to Bugija (2005) “Media appliances and computer technology displace us in the confines of our own home”(p.2). These technologies have advanced our lives in many ways but are also preventing us from enjoying the outdoors or exercise, adding to America’s high obesity rate and creating health complications for desk job workers. According to Public Productity & Management Review “The physical conditions of work also influence productivity”(p.1) Bugija(2005) also opines on the effects technology has even on children’s physical state; “Between 1993 and 2000 many children went from playing in parks in front of neighbors…to playing in mall arcades in front of parents…to playing in living-rooms on consoles in front of each other…to playing online in their rooms in front of no one in a place that is actually not there”(p.2) This is similar to adults as well; we used to be physical but the confines of sit-down careers stunted our physical activities. He’sfit.com states: “Obesity, back pain, and muscle imbalances are three of the most common health consequences that can be caused by the typical desk job. American Journal of Preventive Medicine recently documented, people who put in more than 6 hours a day at a desk job are at a significantly increased risk of obesity, particularly when compared to those working at a desk less than an hour a day” (2007). According to Ecomonic and Political Weekly, “All work done by human beings involves muscle contraction. Even the results of mental work can not be communicated to others without some form of muscular activity…Static contraction of muscles results in lack of circulation and thereby leads to local muscle fatigue”(p.1). Thanks to Ergonomics, the study of human being in their work environment, there has been great improvement to the development of desks and office chairs to make the desk job workers more comfortable and less prone to injury. Although there are advances in the designs of office environments, employees confined to cubicles still need to get up out of their chair! Here are some useful tips on staying active in the workplace form an article by Kristie Leong M.D:Kristie Le

• If you have a private office, shut the door several times a day and do biceps curls and lateral raises using hand weights. Even five minutes of upper body exercise can help to tone muscle, build lean body mass, and optimize your metabolism. A pair of six to ten pounds hand weights is easy to store in an office drawer. (2008)
• You can actually do a very effective abdominal workout without leaving your office chair. Spend five minutes each day doing leg lifts while seated. Bring both knees up to your chest and then extend them. Continue doing reps until you feel the abdominal muscles burning. The abdominal muscles are relatively easy to tone up with simple exercises such as this(2008) You can also you a balance ball to sit on to obtain good posture and to strengthen your core.
• Even if your lunch hour is more like thirty minutes, you can get your heart pumping by taking a brisk walk around the building or by doing fifteen minutes of stair climbing. When the weather's nice, find a coworker who also wants to get into shape and head out for a fast lunchtime stroll. You'll feel invigorated after your workout and will probably accomplish more later in the day.
• Instead of looking for the closest parking space, park as far as possible from the building. When you head to and from work to your car, walk as rapidly as possible to get your heart rate up. Those extra steps you take by parking far away can add up over time and result in weight loss and better cardiovascular health(2008)
  

References

Bugeja, M. (2005). Interpersonal divide: The search for community in a technological age. New York: Oxford.

Carnevale. David. (1992). Phyical Settings of Work: A Theory of the Effects of Environmental Form. Public Productivity & Management. Retrieved April 27, 2009, form http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/stable/3380628?&Search=yes&term=ergonomics&term=productivity&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dergonomics%2Band%2Bproductivity%26gw%3Djtx%26prq%3Dergonomics%26Search%3DSearch%26hp%3D25%26wc%3Don&item=5&ttl=481&returnArticleService=showArticle

Cieplechowicz, Lisa. (2007). Desk Jobs, Obesity, and Back Pain. Retrieved April 24, 2009, from http://www.hesfit.com/men/comment/desk-jobs-obesity-and-back-pain/

Keller, S.A. (1976). Uses of Ergonomics. Economic and Politically Weekly. Vol. 11, No. 48. Retrieved April 24, 2009, from http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/stable/4365137?&Search=yes&term=ergonomics&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dergonomics%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26wc%3Don&item=1&ttl=1898&returnArticleService=showArticle

Leong, Kristie. (2008). How to Stay Active at the Office. Retreived April 24, 2009 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/691279/how_to_stay_active_at_the_office.html?cat=31

Inspirational Stories

People of all ages have found the best ways to stay healthy and happy. They have discovered how to maintain their highest well being. Through positive personal relationships, exercising and eating right, and all of the forms of never ending creations of technology that we have within this world, we are able to be our best selves.
A person’s personal relationships are one of the main elements to having a beautiful well being and staying happy. Studies have shown that talking about the problems you encountered throughout your day with a loved one can help alleviate negative feelings associated with this problem (Diamond & Hicks, 2008). Simply using speed dial to reach your significant other, a quick text message, or even a short e-mail, expressing the problem to them, will already put you into a happier mood; and the happier you are, the healthier you are. Take Suzie for example. She discovered, while working that an order for a product was not sent out in time; creating a problem for the company she works for because they will not receive the product when they need it. Suzie did her part in the order and someone else dropped the ball. However, Suzie works side by side with this other person, and she is at fault as well. Being upset by this situation, Suzie sent a quick text message to her best friend stating how frustrated she was. Her best friend, after receiving the message three seconds later, sent her a message trying to calm her down. Immediately after sending out the text message, Suzie already felt better. Her stress level lowered and she realized that there is a solution to the problem. Having close friend to discuss a problem with, allows one to feel better quicker. Having her cell phone to send this message improved Suzie’s well-being. This is also an example of how technology increases and enhances our social connectivity (Bargh & McKenna, 2004). Social interactions bring about many positive effects, as studies have shown (Diament, 2008). Talking with someone else, whether it is face to face or through computer mediated communication, not only gets people out of a rut within their life, but communication can also help a person reduce memory sapping depression, as well as warding off diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s (Diament, 2008). Suzie is not only helping her self stay healthy and fit today, but also in her future.
Another way a person can improve their health and well being is through exercising and eating right. A great new way of doing exercise is through the Wii Fit, by Nintendo. This is a video game that any one can use. The Wii Fit offers many different ways of exercise, all which are fun and entertaining. This is a mat that you stand on, and you are able to do yoga, strength training and even balancing exercises ( WII). It is a computer interactive game that can interpret your movements. The Wii Fit, as exciting as it is, is a new form of the idealogy of technology. Burnett and Marshall, (2004) define idealogy of technology as “whatever is current appear to be normal, natural and appropriate” (p.9). Brian has used the Wii Fit for three months now. Not only has this exercise released endorphins throughout his body, fighting depression and making him feel happier and healthier, but exercising also is good for a person’s brain. As stated by
Diament (2008), “exercise reduces or delays the onset of pathological changes in the brain that lead to cognitive impairment.” Since using the Wii Fit, Brian’s response time has increased as well as improvement of his memory. Learning how to use a computer game boosts a person’s neural connections, thus, increasing things like response time and memory (Boerner). Exercise has kept Brian’s well being as best as it can, and through the technology of today that offers people Wii Fit, there are many more options in working out.
Technology today offers us many ways in order to stay healthy and provide us all with a beautiful well being. For Christmas, Mark received an Amazon Kindle. A Kindle is a device where you can purchase and download books and put them right into the Kindle. The Kindle is much lighter than a book, weighing only 10.3 ounces (amazon.com, 2009). This wireless device allows a person to download up to two hundred books, receiving them instantly into the Kindle (amazon.com, 2009). Since Mark has had the Kindle, his levels of stress and anxiety have decreased. He has made tremendous self-improvement and has made more positive life choices than ever before. Reading improves a person’s vocabulary skills, language and comprehension skills (www.nhs.org, 2008). Mark was struggling with his parent’s divorce when he received the Kindle. He has downloaded several books about coping with divorce, which have helped him tremendously. Reading has increased Mark’s health and well being abundantly.
All in all, there are many success stories out there of people who have improved their health and well being through different things. Technology today offers us many
different choices in staying healthy and happy. The things listed above, and millions more options are available to help you become your own success story!


Works Cited

(2008). NHS Choices: Your Health, Your Choices. What are the Benefits of Reading? Downloaded on April 22, 2009 from http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/2343.aspx.

Amazon.com. Downloaded on April 22, 2009 from http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wireless-Reading-Device/dp/B000FI73MA.

Bargh, J. A., & McKenna, K. Y. A. (2004). The internet and social life. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 573-90.

Boerner, Heather. Fifty Ways to Boost Your Noodle: Want To Keep Your Brain In Shape? Work It. Downloaded on April 22, 2009 from http://www.aarp.org/health/healthyliving/brain_health/articles/noodle_boosters.html.

Burnett, R., & Marshall, P. D. (2003). Web theory: An introduction. New York: Routledge.

Diament, Michelle. (2008). Make New Friends, Get Involved: Socializing is Good For Your Brain. Downloaded on April 22, 2009 from http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/diseases/articles/make_new_friends_get_involved_socializing_is_good_for_your_brain.html.

Diamond, & Hicks. (2008). How was Your Day? Couples’ affect when telling and hearing daily events. Personal Relationships. Vol. 15. 2.

Conclusion

As we have seen, there are many suggestions and ways to find help in staying healthy, fit, and happy. With the Internet, we have many resourceful ways to find information on being healthy. There are blogs and journals throughout the web, which discuss ways that people have stayed healthy and happy. Also, there are professionals that have posted information on the Internet as well, stating their knowledge, in regards to staying healthy. An added bonus is that the Internet gives people health information at a relatively low cost. Many people work long hours, and it is tough to be educated about health and your well being, along with being knowledgeable within your career. Along with the information that people can find throughout the web, another important aspect to staying healthy is that you must eat right.
Eating right is just one way to stay fit and healthy, and there are many more useful tips that people can use in order to have a great well being. Through long days in the office, or sitting at a computer for long periods of time, our bodies and health are not up to par. We need ways to stay healthy that can fit into our busy lives and not hold us back. The tips that have been listed above are great ways that people can apply within their lives in order to be fit. It is important to realize that many of the tips are simple, and easy to use.
Finally, the ideas listed throughout this blog have worked for many people, and they can work for us as well! Having people around you is a good start. Relationships freshen the person that you are, and enable you to be happy. Exercising and eating right are two other things that have been proven successful to many people in staying fit and happy. The simple ways of exercising today, bring us no excuse to not break a sweat every once in awhile. There are even fun ways of exercising, such as the Wii Fit, or other computer mediated forms. Not only does exercise promote happiness, but it is also good for the brain. Also, remember that reading is a great thing for your well being. Reading educates people and even reduces stress.
With this blog, everyone should find ways in which they can create a healthy and happy life for themselves. We have given several easy suggestions and tips, to make you feel like your best self. With all of these things you have learned, get started today. Become a healthy and fit person.