Paws for Thought

There are so many reasons why we love our pets so much and take care of them – feed them, give them shelter, give them attention and even buy them stuff that can make them jump with joy (maybe that pink little collar for your cute little puppy). One reason is that, spending quality time with Bruno and/or Whiskers can totally rejuvenate you.

Many studies have shown that taking care of pets — or just even watching fishes swim around that aquarium — can actually lower one’s blood pressure, amplify one’s brain’s feel-good chemicals, and at the same time decreases stress hormones. How is that for taking the time off with Garfield?

So the next time you feel stressed out, take Fido for a walk around the subdivision (this is a good exercise too), or call Whiskers over for some belly scratching (Hmmm, just make sure that your pregnancy isn’t making you allergic to her).

But well, if you don’t have a pet of your own (like me), you may give your best friend a visit and ask her to let you share her quality time with her pup or kitty. You may also opt to visit the local pet store to look around for a pet of your own (Who knows? Your little angel might appreciate having a pet when he comes of your tummy). You may also go to a zoo and walk around or find an aquarium and just watch the fishes do their thing.

What’s The Matter

You’ve been working on that monthly report for hours now, knowing that it is due first thing in the morning. Your mind is full of great ideas; you even found some discrepancies that you wanted so much to revise so you’ll have a powerful report the next morning. But though your brain is pushing for more, your hands are asking for a break. The baby in your tummy is even wriggling more frequently as if telling you that your hands are about to fall off.

What You Should Do

As there are many available remedies for eyestrain (what happens when one is focusing much on the monitor), there are also stretches that will give your typing fingers (as well as your arms and shoulders) a breather, so you can move on to those pending excel sheets and even tackle that concluding paragraph in a breeze. Just give yourself some time to do the following:

1. Bend and then straighten your fingers – do this for several times.

2. Keep your arms in front of you and then clasp your fists gently. Gradually twist your wrists inward, then back – do this for five times. After that soothing wrist-twisting, proceed to rotating your fists in circles.

3. Next, smooth down your arms against your sides and press in for five seconds (be careful not to compress near your tummy), then release them. Repeat this step for two or three times.

4. Finally, put your arms down and lift up your shoulders in the direction of your ears. Hold yourself in this position while you count to five; then gently drop your shoulders back. Repeat this one more time until you feel that wonderful sensation traveling from your shoulders down to your arms – and of course to your hands.

Why It Works Magic

It is never a secret that stretching amplifies the blood flow; the stretching steps given above do so to your fingers, arms, and shoulders. It also helps keep your muscles unrestricted and loose. Also, it’s good to take a break before going through the final pages of that report; it’ll do good to your brain and will even keep you sane LOL!

What’s The Matter

In less than an hour, you are scheduled for a company dinner meeting but there were emergencies during the afternoon that just took every ounce of energy from your body. You see that the bed’s inviting you and you can barely keep your eyes open. Surely Mommy needs a little rest now. But it would spell trouble if you miss that company dinner. How can you ever make it through there without collapsing?

What You Should Do

In times like this, a power nap can be very effective. Do you know that there are malls who offer lounge and “nap pod” services for people on the go to help them revive their energy in the middle of the day? Professionals even shell out serious cash (yes, they do spend for it) for 20 minutes in a “nap pod”. Well, you can get the same effect and benefit at the comfort of your own bed for free. You’ll just have to be more creative in doing so. You may put on some relaxing music (try some classic or soft jazz), then set your alarm clock to wake you up after 20 minutes. Put that “Don’t disturb” sign on your door as well. Then just crash.

Why It Works Magic

Many studies have proven that a 20-minute afternoon sleep gives more respite and relaxation than a 20-minute extra morning sleep. Well, that just proves that oversleeping in the morning isn’t that very invigorating huh! It works like this, according to experts, when one sleeps for just a short spell, she doesn’t necessarily enters a deep sleep, or what is more commonly known as REM sleep (that’s when vivid dreams occur). Meaning, coming out of a power nap is easier, and you will definitely wake up revitalized, refreshed and alive, instead of sleepier. I actually tried this yesterday after getting so stressed out with my computer. My body was aching for a rest but then I have to attend a dinner meeting at 7PM, so I took a power nap. It works!

Mommy just wanna share her little sad experience yesterday. The computer died on her at 1PM. It just turned off like that and wouldn’t go back to life anymore! So, with her big tummy, Mommy went down on her knees and checked the CPU. The position was difficult so she sat on the floor and opened the CPU casing to check what’s wrong (well, that’s after checking all the wiring and connections). There’s no disconnected wire inside or anything. Nothing smelled burning as well. Mommy decided it’s definitely the power supply. Shucks! Just barely a month and the power supply already gave up? How lucky can I get?

So Mommy stood up from sitting on the floor (which was hard to do since Little Nicholas is very very heavy) and dialled the computer shop’s number. After begging (yes begging) and almost crying while talking to the customer service, Mommy found out they cannot offer her a Home Service at that time. They can and they will but later in the evening and it will definitely come with a fee. They asked Mommy to carry the CPU to the computer shop. What??? They wouldn’t even consider that Mommy’s 9 months pregnant of Little Nicholas and that she’s alone and she definitely can’t carry the unit all the way to the shop.

Mommy thanked them for their inconsiderate customer service, stared at the CPU and burst out crying. Well, after crying for a few minutes, she decided to muster a thick face and dialed her office. Mommy pleaded for Bryan (one of the MIS staff) to help her carry the unit to the computer shop. Thank God for nice people out there. Thanks to Bryan, who volunteered to go to my little house, get the CPU unit, bring it himself to the shop, wait for the repair to be over and bring the CPU back to the house for FREE! I owe you one kid!

As Mommy was lying on the bed later that afternoon, she realized how difficult life can be in times like this. That wasn’t even a complicated situation yet, and she needed to turn to someone else for help (so much for being independent and a responsible single Mom!). Mommy cried again, when she realized this won’t be easy, no, it will never be easy at all…