Stress and the immune system

Easing up on you over the holidays is important because the connection between stress and illness is real. In fact, a new study explains how stress may weaken the immune system. Each cell contains a tiny "clock" called a telomere, which shortens each time the cell divides. To counter this effect, the body also produces an enzyme, telomerase, which protects the cell and prevents further shortening by adding more DNA to the end of the telomere. So far, so good -- but under stress, the body pumps out cortisol, a hormone that suppresses this protective enzyme. The study found that people under chronic stress have shorter telomeres, which, researchers say, means they are more vulnerable to a host of ailments.

Health effects of stress

How to reduce the wear, tear, and misery that holiday stress can inflict? When your holiday to-do list stretches longer than Santa Claus's beard, eliminate whatever is unnecessary. Doing so may reduce your risk of:

• Heart disease, including heart attacks
• Skin conditions, including psoriasis and shingles
• Digestive disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease
• Immune disorders, including flare-ups of multiple sclerosis and lupus
• Anxiety, depression, and insomnia
• Worsening pain, if you already have arthritis, back pain, and muscle spasms

Reflect on the deeper meaning and spirit of the holidays for your personality, for your family and for humanity and the world.

Consider these important facts...

1. Fake trees and wreaths are made from nonrenewable petroleum. REAL Christmas trees and wreaths do not harm our environment and our resources... they are produced as an agricultural crop. Each year Christmas tree growers replace cut trees with a new crop of seedlings.

2. When a fake tree catches fire, it puts dangerous toxic fumes into the air. A properly cared-for REAL Christmas tree will not catch fire easily. If and when it does, its fumes will certainly not be as toxic.

3. Fake trees cannot be recycled. When they are disposed of in a sanitary landfill, they will not disintegrate, but will remain there forever, taking up increasingly scarce landfill space. Our cities today are faced with a critical shortage of sanitary land fill space. Many of them, and states as well, have passed laws prohibiting disposal of REAL Christmas trees in a landfill. REAL trees are thus being used in various helpful ways when disposed of...such as ground-up mulch to replenish the soil, fish habitat and other useful methods. But, what about disposal of fake Christmas trees? No legislation has yet been passed to prohibit their disposal in a landfill. A fake Christmas tree has no use whatsoever when disposed of, except to continue taking up space in critically-needed landfill space.

4. Fake trees are manufactured mainly outside of the United States. We hear much today about our economy being faced with a loss of jobs. Why do we continue to promote loss of jobs in the Christmas tree industry by buying and using fake Christmas trees and wreaths when very few fake trees and wreaths are made in the United States? Over the years, the Christmas tree has come to symbolize the faith and hope of harmony among all mankind. This spirit is REAL and a REAL Christmas tree, when brought inside our homes, projects this feeling through its pleasant scent and natural warm beauty. Wake Up, America! Celebrate Christmas with a REAL Christmas tree and wreath, while helping protect our valuable nonrenewable environment.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Most snow blower accidents occur when an operator attempts to unclog the machine with his hands. It takes about 10 seconds for the impeller blades to stop rotating after the engine is turned off. More than 5,700 emergency room visits stem from snow-blower accidents, with around 590 of them requiring finger amputations, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Here's how to prevent accidents:

• As with any equipment, always read the manual before operating a snow blower. If you don't understand any of the safety hazards and procedures, call the manufacturer or ask your employer for help.
• Know how to turn the engine off quickly.
• Never put any part of your body in the machine. If snow or debris jams the chute, stop the engine and wait at least 20 seconds. Then, use a solid object such as a stick or broom handle to clear wet snow or debris.
• Turn off the engine if you have to leave the machine unattended.
• If you are operating an electric snow blower, always be aware of the cord's location.
• Never start and run gasoline-powered snow blowers in an enclosed area. Always start and operate outside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never wear loose clothing or a scarf that can be pulled into the snow blower's rotating parts.
• Wear hearing and eye protection.
• Never modify or disable any part of a snow blower.
• Make sure the discharge chute is not aimed at passing motorists or pedestrians.
• Never clear snow while operating the machine across the face of a slope. Operate up and down the slope instead. Always turn toward the down side, when turning on a sloped area.
• Add fuel before starting the snow blower. Never add fuel when the engine is running or hot.
• If you or a co-worker severe fingers, toes or a foot, don't put the severed digits or limb directly on ice. Instead, wrap them in plastic and place in a plastic bag filled with ice for transportation to the hospital.