These days, it seems like there are a million ways to get those daily vitamins into your system. But not all of them are created equal. Popping a pill isn’t much fun, which makes vitamin-enhanced beverages look more attractive. But when vitamins are dissolved in water, their active ingredients become less potent. Enter Activate: this dose of vitamins is stored in the cap, and only come into contact with water once you open the bottle. All that and it tastes good, too; $9 for 4-pack, ActivateDrinks.com.
Knowledge Power
Everybody tells you to check your labels when it comes to purchasing beauty products. But that doesn’t do much good when you don’t have a clue what “abietic acid” actually is. With Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, you’ll be officially armed and dangerous in the cosmetics aisles. The book details over 6,000 different chemicals and compounds, both natural and unnatural. Pick up the Kindle edition and read it on the go; $13.99, Amazon.com.
Don’t Panic!
We all get anxious from time to time. It’s normal to feel worry, nervousness, fear and concern. But millions of people suffer from devastating and constant anxiety that severely affects — and sometimes highly restricts — their lives. Some become prisoners in their own homes, unable to go to work, drive or go to the grocery store. Panic Disorder is a condition in which a person has panic attacks without warning. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, about 5% of the adult population in the U.S. suffers from panic attacks. Some experts say that this number is actually higher, since many people experience panic attacks but never receive treatment. A panic attack is extremely upsetting and frightening. It typically lasts several minutes, but in some cases, it lasts longer or strikes several times in a short time period. Often, a panic attack is followed by feelings of depression and helplessness. Most people who have experienced a panic attack say that their greatest fear is that the attack will happen again. Many times, a person who has experienced a panic attack doesn’t know its cause. Most who suffer from anxiety disorders begin to feel better when they receive the proper treatment. The most widely-accepted treatments include: cognitive & behavior therapy, systematic desensitization, relaxation training and medication. The use of medication, especially in combination with psychotherapy, is an effective treatment for many people.
Dr. Gregg Pizzi is a Licensed Psychologist & Director of Dr. Gregg A. Pizzi & Associates, P.A. in South Florida. His practice is located at 175 SW 7th St. in Miami. For more information or a consultation, call 1.888.DRPIZZI or visit DrPizzi.com.
So Scary
We humans can’t seem to figure out what’s good for us…or what’s bad. Check out these morbid statistics to see what you should really be afraid of.
Clear Skies
Afraid of flying? In 2010, 32,708 people in the U.S. died in auto accidents. Compare that to the total who kicked the bucket by airplane and you’ll certainly start feeling better about ascending.
Yuck Grub
Sure, terrorists are scary. But you know what’s almost as terrifying? That hamburger you had for lunch. About 1 in 6 people will die of conditions related to poor diet — compared to 1 in 9.3 million by terrorist attack.
Breathe Free
You’ve got about a 1 in 80,000 chance of dying by lightning strike, but are much more likely to get burned by another sort of fire: the kind you inhale. Tobacco smoking causes about 18% percent of U.S. deaths.
