I like reading my AARP magazine. There's a lot of helpful hints . Here's a few that I thought was worth passing on.
I've heard this before, but it's hard for me to change. They say you should uncross your legs when you're sitting. Crossing them at your knees raises your blood pressure. It's especially bad for people who have diabetes. Crossing at the knees is bad even for people with normal blood pressure readings. Doggone it! On the other hand, crossing your legs at the ankle is fine (though not as satisfying for me).
Another advice is to use the first bathroom stall. I don't know why, but I always use the second one. This must be like always choosing B in multiple choice questions. According to AARP most people seek privacy by choosing the faraway stalls. The first one is used the least and contain the least amount of germs. They also suggest keeping your bags OFF the floor because it contains more fecal bacteria than any place else in the bathroom.
Pillows are supposed to be tossed every 18 months. Seriously? I don't think we throw pillows away much at all. A British study found 16 species of fungi in a pillow. If you can't remember how old your pillow is you can fold it in half, squeeze out the air and if the pillow doesn't spring back, it's time to buy a new one. I've seen instructions saying you could wash it but I've never tried that. Have you?
I've heard this before, but it's hard for me to change. They say you should uncross your legs when you're sitting. Crossing them at your knees raises your blood pressure. It's especially bad for people who have diabetes. Crossing at the knees is bad even for people with normal blood pressure readings. Doggone it! On the other hand, crossing your legs at the ankle is fine (though not as satisfying for me).
Another advice is to use the first bathroom stall. I don't know why, but I always use the second one. This must be like always choosing B in multiple choice questions. According to AARP most people seek privacy by choosing the faraway stalls. The first one is used the least and contain the least amount of germs. They also suggest keeping your bags OFF the floor because it contains more fecal bacteria than any place else in the bathroom.
Pillows are supposed to be tossed every 18 months. Seriously? I don't think we throw pillows away much at all. A British study found 16 species of fungi in a pillow. If you can't remember how old your pillow is you can fold it in half, squeeze out the air and if the pillow doesn't spring back, it's time to buy a new one. I've seen instructions saying you could wash it but I've never tried that. Have you?
so much to think about...lol! pillows don't wash well and do need to be replaced!
ReplyDeleteI have washed pillows and if they smell fresh out of the dryer, I reuse them. I am sure that I have old pillows that I should replace. I have very low blood pressure, but I also cross my legs.
ReplyDeleteInteresting info. I knew about the leg crossing, but not the stall and pillow stuff. I think I need to be tossing out my pillows for new ones now.
ReplyDeleteI have read these as well, I do throw our pillows out now, I tried washing one after reading this same article and near about killed myself trying wrestle it out of the washer, it weighed like 200 pounds and was not co operative at all, I just went and bought new ones, or I put mine out in the sun, don't know if it helps but makes me feel better!
ReplyDeletegreat tips Kay, I like the bathroom one, so true!
ReplyDeleteYour title sure caught my attention. I have been trying to throw out replace my husband's pillow for YEARS. He will have none of it. I have washed it, recovered it. 'forgotten' it in a hotel. I have replaced it on the sly, but he always knows and gets it back. It is an unnatural attachment. Ick.
ReplyDeleteI read that magazine. too. Ever since then I try to use the first bathroom stall :-)
ReplyDeleteI've tried washing pillows with limited results. Often the filling bunches up, but my cervical pillow from the chiropractor has a flat rectangle sewn in the center which keeps the filling in place. I've had it (and thrown it in the washing machine) for years.
I guess the first stall makes sense
ReplyDeleteThe king sized pillows we buy are over $50 EACH. We wait for the White sale to get them for $25.
ReplyDeleteBut we make it a habit to buy new ones every two years or so.
The pillows in our kids rooms are usually about $5-$10 each and are replaced every year.
Wow! I'm impressed! I still have pillows from 20 years ago. I guess it's time to throw them away.
DeleteI pass the AARP magazine to husband to read lol, since my brain cannot remember more information. He occasionally tells me what he has read and finds a lot of good information too. I bought some pillows from Sam's Club awhile ago that is sold with special pillow protectors that can unzipped and washed. Interesting about stall #2 and crossing legs...well I could never cross at the hips anyway and envied others that could.
ReplyDeleteL...w
This sounds like a wonderful idea. I will have to write this down to remember.
DeleteI tried looking at Sam's website for the pillows that came with the zippered pillowcases, but I don't see it listed. I bought the pillows over a year ago and it is still feels clean.
DeleteL...w
Interesting about the toilet stalls. I am sitting here with my ankles crossed and realize I do it often. And I rarely if ever throw out pillows, although I have a little one that I travel with that can be washed. It's due. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou find the most wonderful things to blog about! I'm not sure what the AARP magazine is, but it sounds fascinating. I have real trouble finding a pillow that suits, but then after a couple of years it seems to stop being just right, so I have to start the process of finding just the right one again. We seem to have bought a lot of pillows recently.
ReplyDeleteAARP stands for American Association for Retired Persons. They put out a magazine with fun topics for seniors.
DeleteNice legs, Art!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh.... He'll love this!
DeleteI do wash my pillows. Often. If I am in a hurry, I just dry them....the heat kills all the bugs. :) The experts tell us that the bottom of purses are the dirtiest spots in the world.
ReplyDeleteI use memory foam pillows. Wonder what the protocol is them? I haven't crossed my legs since my mother's doctor fussed at her for doing that. Besides, both feet on the floor is better for the posture. Good to know I was heading for the correct stall all this time. Just lucky habit.
ReplyDeleteNow that I've lost weight I actually CAN cross my legs comfortably, and sometimes i do. but to really sit comfortable, I need my feet and legs raised on an ottoman or in my recliner. then i often cross my ankles.
ReplyDeleteI confess, I have old pillows. The fungus among us is our own.
I never use the first stall. I thought everybody else did. guess I was wrong, again.
Hattie beat me to it: Art has nice legs....
ReplyDeleteWe must have tiny bladders in Kansas; our first stalls are used a lot because the toilet paper rolls are the most emptied. Maybe we're not so scared, with our history of roaming around cattle poo.
I've had several elderly patients with serious ankle/shin wounds from resting their heel or the back of their ankle on their opposite shin all their lives. It's hard to keep a pillow between them for healing, even when asleep.
I keep pillows until they don't work anymore. I've never seen zippered covers on newly-purchased pillows. You can buy a 2-pack of covers at WalMart for about $3. It's much easier to remove the cover for washing. There's even a pillow for people who use a CPAP machine, with sections partially cut out for the mask/hose.
Sweet Dreams, DrumMajor
When reading your title, I was hoping these three things were not somehow connected.
ReplyDeleteYes, it IS nice to see those slim strong runner's legs. :)
It's an old Israeli (or Jewish Mother) custom to air out your pillows often. A few hours of our hot sun must surely kill any germs in there.
For the last decade I no longer cross my legs. While living (as a vol) at the Protestant monastery in Switzerland we learned that the proper way to meditate and pray is with both feet on the ground.
But I never realized it was physically unhealthy to cross one's legs.
Straight from there I went to visit my old synagogue in Chicago. The rabbi was about to start a study/meditation hour with a few dozen congregants seated in a circle. He looked around and observed that he and I were the only ones with both feet on the floor, and he then taught everyone to do that.
And finally, here in Jerusalem the Eastern Orthodox churches do not allow leg crossing during the prayer service. In the Armenian church a monk will come up to any visitor with crossed legs and say it is forbidden. Apparently it is seen as being disrespectful to the Cross.
On the other hand, I've hear that some Orthodox Jews will not cross their legs in order not to make any sign of the Cross.
Excellent ideas. I knew about the toilet stalls, however I use the Handicapped stall as it is bigger and has a raised seat and a grab bar. As for pillows, I better get some new ones. I had loads of knee pain, and figured out crossing my legs, even at the ankles was the cause. Dianne
ReplyDeleteAh-CHOO!
ReplyDelete