FIST BUMPS

We all know how good the feeling is to shake hands.  It seems to be a habit that we have learned from childhood.   It’s a custom that has quite a long history.  One explanation of its origin goes back to medieval times when knights would show and grip each others’ hands to confirm that they were not concealing weapons and meant no harm to each other.  The first documented human handshake appears in museum archaeological displays of Assyrian-Babylonian friendship.   Ancient texts show that handshaking was practiced in ancient Greece as far back as the Fifth Century B.C.  

 Handshaking is done upon meeting, greeting, and parting, offering congratulations, expressing gratitude, or completing an agreement.  It’s also done as a sign of good sportsmanship to convey trust, respect and equality.   Today, there appears to be a glitch to this practice.  Have you noticed the prevalence of antiseptics made available for us in grocery stores, hotels, cruise ships, hospitals and many other public places?  We are encouraged to wash our hands or use products such as Purell or Lysol Wipes.  We are not becoming mysophobic (fearful of germs), but there is a major drive toward health consciousness to avoid the spread of germs, particularly from our hands.

 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 80% of all infections are transmitted by hands.  The CDC points out that hand washing is like a “Do it Yourself” vaccine involving five easy steps:  Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, and Dry.  This process can reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory diseases.  The spread of influenza, an attributable illness in adults, costs the nation $83.3 billion each year in lost productivity and medical bills.

 There is a movement afoot to end hand shaking by introducing a style of greeting referred to as Fist Bumps or High Fives.  Researchers at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University in Wales documented that Fist Bumps are 20 times more hygienic than handshakes.  The results were published online (2014) in the American Journal of Infection Control.  Dr. David Bishai at Johns Hopkins University (2011) was inspired to study handshaking by observing 16 graduations of 5,000 students in which Deans and seniors shook hands.  He had the left and right hands of the deans before and after each handshake cultured.  There was some pathogenic evidence in only the right hand.  But, the results were not significant.   The point is that contamination by hand shaking may yet to be confirmed. There is no doubt that handshakes do transmit pathogens.

 A Fist Bump is performed when two participants each form a closed fist with one hand and then lightly tap the front of their fists together.  This sign may be done with either hand.  Fist bumping first appeared in the 1940s as biker gangs gained popularity.  Motorcyclists sitting next to each other at traffic lights found it easier, given their riding stance to extend a quick fist bump to a fellow rider.  Today, it appears to have become popular with young people and also among athletes competing.

 I doubt whether we, as seniors so habituated by hand shaking, may find it comfortable to resort to such a greeting. Yet, maybe we could give it a try. If nothing else, be sure to wash our hands often and after a hand shake.

 

 

 

 

 

              

HAVE A NOSH?

 

    Eating, in addition to being a need for survival, is probably one of the most popular and enjoyable activities in our life.   It also seems that three meals a day is not enough to satisfy us.  So, we resort to a “nosh” now and then.  The word itself has an interesting origin:   from the Yiddish meaning to nibble on, eat sweets or from the Middle High German naschen to eat between meals.  Nevertheless, to nosh is really not a need.  After all, most of us have three meals a day.  But, you see, eating is so much fun that we take advantage of it to try and satisfy ourselves. 

     There is a saying:   “Some people eat to live and some live to eat”.  Most likely, those who eat to live probably don’t face the problem of overweight.  Oh, yes, there are all kinds of dieting programs such as Jenny Craig, The Atkins Diet, Nutrisystems or Weight Watchers.  There is much more to consider when life conditions are examined.
     Once we get past the concept that eating is a necessity for survival why are there so many people having problems with food?   These problems are so prevalent that they are referred to clinically as eating disorders.  They are usually identified as having abnormal eating habits that may involve inadequate or excessive food intake resulting in harm to an individual’s physical and mental health.
     There are classic cases of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN), characterized by individuals who do not maintain a healthy body weight with an obsessive fear of gaining weight.   Some of these people suffer from this condition unconsciously.  Unfortunately, the risk of losing one’s life is greatly increased with this disease.  Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by recurrent eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging (self-induced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics).   Sometimes fasting and over exercise may be used as a method of purging following a binge.   Binge Eating Disorder (BED) or ‘compulsive overeating’ is a type of eating disorder that is binge eating without any compensatory behavior.  It is more common than bulimia or anorexia.  This disorder can develop in a range of ages.
     We often associate eating disorders with younger people;   but, it is interesting to note that the elderly also experience these problems.   Seniors develop symptoms like younger persons in an attempt to feel in control.  Cultural idealization of thinness and youthfulness has contributed to eating disorders particularly among the young.  However, seniors frequently feeling the effects of their bodies failing, and loss of autonomy to loved ones turn to their diet as one of the things that they can control.   When they are depressed and lonely, they may find themselves denying food or even losing themselves in overeating.  
     Dieting is not always the solution to weight loss or gain.  Obviously, the social aspects of life can play a big part in how one eats.  It is true that one cannot always control the social life one has.  However, fundamentally, self discipline can be significant in how we address food.  As the philosopher once said, “Take everything in moderation”.
     A nosh once in a while is okay but regularly eating between meals is not good. 
                                         Think about  it!  

 

EYES

                                           Focus on what’s clear

They see things far and near

Always giving an important view

Searching for something that’s always new

Seeking to broaden your visions

To news that affords you better decisions

Providing you choices to help you find satisfaction

And avoiding annoying distractions