Saturday, June 3, 2023

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for June 2023

There are numerous special health-related months and weeks and days designated during June. Every exhibit and display this month is dedicated to one of these important topics.

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this post. Click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images.

If you click each poster, you will get a message with additional information and live links.


Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island

Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24


June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22


Ultra-Processed Foods

*June is Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24


June is National Safety Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22


June is National Cataract Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24


June is National Aphasia Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26


You've Been Diagnosed with BPH!

*June is Men's Health Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28


National Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30


Scoliosis

*June is Scoliosis Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32

 


Thanks to Mook for assistance with the posters this month.


Sunday, May 28, 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – Can you pass this quiz?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Surely, you’ve read an article about it, or attended Virtual Ability’s Mental Health Symposium. We hope you checked out the poster displays on Healthinfo Island. There have been lots of opportunities to learn the facts about mental health.

Are you ready to test your knowledge? Here’s a short true-false quiz. Try to answer all of them before looking up the answers!

  1. Everyone gets depressed from time to time. Depression isn’t a real mental health condition. True or False?

  2. Mental health diagnoses are common. True or False?

  3. Mental health conditions are not really illnesses. True or False?

  4. People with mental health conditions could just “snap out of it” if they really tried. True or False?

  5. Someone with a mental health condition most likely brought it on themself. True or False?

  6. If you have a mental health condition, you shouldn’t be employed. True or False?

  7. People with mental health conditions are no more likely to be violent or dangerous to others than are people without mental health conditions. True or False?

  8. Counseling helps people with mental health conditions, so nobody needs to be medicated. True or False?

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Answers

  1. False. There is a difference between ordinary depression and clinical depression. Temporary mild sadness about something is not uncommon, and soon passes. Clinical depression is a serious condition that interferes with everyday activities and relationships. It is described as a mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

  2. True. Mental health conditions are common worldwide and are nothing to be ashamed of. About one in five US adults and one in six children have some kind of mental health problem. Not all are serious, though, and the severity of each condition falls along a spectrum. Approximately one in twenty US adults has a serious mental health condition.

  3. False. Mental illness is identified by its symptoms and causes. It is as real as any other kind of illness or disease. Diagnosis with a mental illness is helpful, because it is the key to access to appropriate care.

  4. False. Stigmatization of mental illness is unfortunately common. This misbelief is harmful to persons with mental illness, because it blames the person for not getting better. Medical issues need medical treatment. Some symptoms can’t be easily controlled, however, even when the person is compliant with recommended treatment.

  5. False. Mental health problems are complex, usually caused by an interactive combination of genetics, environmental factors, and life event triggers such as trauma. People are individuals, with different capabilities for dealing with these potential causes. But mental illness is never a “fault” of the person dealing with it.

  6. False. Although underemployment of persons with mental illness is common, individuals living with mental illness can enter or return to the workplace. They can be as productive as any other employee; employers are legally required to provide appropriate accommodations for their needs. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides employment modification suggestions for employers and employees.

  7. True. Despite what is reported in the media, most people with mental illness are no more dangerous to others than are those without mental illness. In fact, a person dealing with mental illness is ten times more likely to be a victim of violence or abuse than are others.

  8. False. While it is true that counseling or psychotherapy is a cost-effective and long-lasting treatment method that helps many people with common types of mental illness, some conditions need to be addressed through hospitalization and medication. Every condition and every individual is different and requires individualized treatment plans.

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for May 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Read more about the special celebration here: https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month.

NOTE: All the poster sets on Healthinfo Island this month support Virtual Ability's annual Mental Health Symposium on Friday, May 12. For information on the Symposium: https://virtualability.org/mental-health-symposia/mental-health-symposium-2023/.

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this blog entry. Click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images.

If you click each poster, you will get a message with additional information and live links.

Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island

Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24


Loneliness, Social Isolation & Mental Health

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22



Counteracting Loneliness

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24



Music and Mental Health

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22



Minority Mental Health Equity

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24



Tips for Maintaining Mental Health

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26



Boost Your Resilience

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28



Stress Awareness

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30



How to Get Mental Health Help

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32

 


Thanks to Mook for assistance with the posters this month.


Thursday, May 11, 2023

Mental Health Symposium 2023 Schedule of Events (cont.)

 Virtual Ability Presents
the 12th Annual Mental Health Symposium
“Self-Identity and Mental Health”
Friday, May 12, 2023
Sojourner Auditorium,
Virtual Ability Island
In Second Life

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/53/172/23

Mental Health Symposium 2023 Schedule of Events (cont.)

All times are in SLT/PDT.

Start Time: 9:00 am
Presenter: Dr. Kate Cooper

Institution: University of Bath

Presenter Biography: Dr. Kate Cooper is a clinical psychologist and researcher from the University of Bath in the UK. Kate’s work focuses on understanding social identity and gender identity in autistic people to promote psychological wellbeing.

Title of Talk: 
Autism social identity and well-being

Abstract: This presentation will start by looking at different ways to understand identity. It will focus on research about identity in autistic people and how social identity processes can support psychological wellbeing.


Start Time: 10:00 am
Presenter: 
Dr. Fred Berlin

Institution: 
Johns Hopkins

Presenter Biography: Fred S. Berlin, M.D., Ph.D. is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and an Attending Physician at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is the Director of the National Institute for the Study, Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Trauma and the Director of The Johns Hopkins Sex and Gender Clinic. Dr. Berlin has given addresses at the White House, the US Senate, and the European Parliament, and frequently testifies as an expert witness in addition to his numerous publications.

Title of Talk: 
Transgender Persons (Gender Dysphoria)

Abstract: The presentation will describe the nature of gender dysphoria (sometimes called gender incongruence), and what is known about its etiology. It will review historical and cross cultural examples of transgender persons and communities. It will discuss whether transgender persons should be permitted to participate in athletic events in keeping with their personal sense of gender identity, and it will address the question of what is a man and what is a woman. It will briefly discuss hormonal, surgical, and mental health supports available for transgender (and non-binary) adults and children.


Start Time: 11:00 am
Presenter: 
Dr. Bonnie Vest and Dr. Rachel Hoopsick

Institution:     University at Buffalo,
                        University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Presenter Biography: Dr. Bonnie M. Vest is a Research Associate Professor in the Primary Care Research Institute, Department of Family Medicine, at the University at Buffalo. She is a medical anthropologist and her research focuses on the complex relationships between identity, substance use, mental health, and social-environmental factors that impact healthcare utilization and overall well-being of military populations, using qualitative and mixed-methods approaches.

Dr. Rachel Hoopsick (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She uses epidemiologic methods and a socioecological lens to understand risk and resilience for problems with substance use and mental health among populations with high-stress occupations and life circumstances. Her research has primarily focused on military populations (including veterans, active duty service members, reservists, and military-connected families), with a particular focus on never-deployed service members and veterans – a population at increased risk for problems with substance use, mental health, and barriers to healthcare services, yet remains understudied.

Title of Talk: 
Military Identity and Service Expectations among Reservists: Associations with Mental Health and Substance Use

Abstract: Operation: SAFETY is an ongoing longitudinal study (PI: G. Homish) that examines the health and well-being of US Reserve and National Guard soldiers and their spouses. In this presentation, we will share insights into how military identity and military service expectations play into mental health and substance use outcomes among reservists. Specifically, we will discuss relationships between negative emotions related to not deploying and veteran identity centrality on substance use and mental health, as well as the intersections between them.


Start Time: 12:00 pm
Presenter: Wonkyung Jung, PhD, RN

Institution: Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

Presenter Biography: Wonkyung Jung is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the RESILIENCE Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland. Her research interests focus on healthy aging and social integration among people with disabilities.

Title of Talk: Social Integration and Resilience

Abstract: 
We will talk about the concept of social integration and introduce the Resilience Center at the RESILIENCE Center in the School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University.  The RESILIENCE Center funds several research projects for intervention development and dissemination. Among the projects, we will introduce “CAPABLE Family” and “Designed With You.”  “CAPABLE Family” is to adapt the original CAPABLE study for older adults with mild cognitive impairment and early-stage dementia and their family members. “Designed With You” is aimed to identify the needs of caregivers with disabilities and develop tailored interventions using human-centered design. 

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Mental Health Symposium 2023 Schedule of Events

Virtual Ability Presents
the 12th Annual Mental Health Symposium
“Self-Identity and Mental Health”
Friday, May 12, 2023
Sojourner Auditorium,
Virtual Ability Island
In Second Life

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/53/172/23

Mental Health Symposium 2023 Schedule of Events

All times are in SLT/PDT.

Start Time: 7:00 am
Presenter: Dr. Joanna Fox


Institution: Anglia Ruskin University

Presenter Biography: Dr Joanna Fox is a social work academic and expert-by-experience. She is Associate Professor in Mental Health Recovery at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, England. Joanna uses her own experiences of recovery in mental health to both teach social work students and development the involvement of people with lived experience in all forms of mental health research and services.

Title of Talk: Mental Ill-health and the Recovery Process

Abstract: Dr. Joanna Fox uses her personal story of the development of mental illness and treatment thereof to illustrate important aspects of the journey to recovery. She discusses the importance of shared decision-making during the treatment and recovery processes, and the facilitators and barriers that occur during recovery.


Start Time: 8:00 am
Presenter: Yasuhiro Kotera


Institution: University of Nottingham

Presenter Biography: Dr. Yasuhiro Kotera is an Associate Professor in Mental Health at the University of Nottingham, and Accredited Psychotherapist. His research focus is about mental health across cultures, especially the differences or similarities in the way we feel well across cultures. He balances work and family as a father of triplets+1.

Title of Talk: Cultures and how we feel well: Making a global map of mental health personal recovery

Abstract: Mental health is important to many people in many countries, and it is not just about feeling less bad (i.e., less stressed, depressed, or anxious). We also want to feel well. The way we feel well is different by cultures. In this talk, he will show you some of his research findings and current research projects about mental health and cross-culture. He would like to also think about mental health cross-culturally with the audience, and offer some practical tips for feeling well.

More tomorrow!

Monday, May 8, 2023

Save The Date! Friday, May 12, the 12th Annual Mental Health Symposium “Self-Identity and Mental Health”

 

Virtual Ability Presents
the 12th Annual Mental Health Symposium
“Self-Identity and Mental Health”
Friday, May 12, 2023
Sojourner Auditorium,
Virtual Ability Island
In Second Life

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/53/172/23

The 12th annual Mental Health Symposium will take place in Virtual Ability’s Sojourner Auditorium, on Virtual Ability Island on Friday, May 12, 2023. There is no charge to attend.

The theme of this year’s Conference is “Self-Identity and Mental Health.” We believe that personal identification can have a major impact on mental health, and we want to stress the importance of a healthy sense of personal identity to good mental health.

The Symposium will take place in the virtual world of Second Life, at the Sojourner Auditorium on Virtual Ability Island. The SLURL for the auditorium is: Sojourner Auditorium, Virtual Ability Island. (You can create a free Second Life account through Virtual Ability’s Sign-Up Portal, entering at the beginning of our New Resident Orientation Course. Next, post the auditorium’s SLURL into Nearby Chat, press Enter, click the green underlined link that appears in the Nearby Chat window, and teleport to the auditorium.)

Virtual Ability hosts this annual Symposium to share information about mental health and mental disabilities with the general population. Within our cross-disability community we have members who deal with a variety of mental health issues. Not only is this an opportunity for our community members to learn more about topics related to mental health from experts they probably would not have a chance to meet otherwise, it allows the general public to attend a professional conference at no cost.

Stay tuned for more thrills, spills, and intellectual chills!

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Gardening Safety

Watch out for children and pets.

Several types of plants commonly grown by gardeners are poisonous if eaten. Brightly colored berries are especially attractive to children. Poisonous garden plants include azaleas, bittersweet nightshade (Solanum), castor bean, Chinese lantern, Easter lily, foxglove, hydrangea, lantana, lily-of-the-valley, poinsettia, and rhododendron.

Small children and pets can drown in garden ponds.

Non-releasing plastic garden ties should not be used as toys. Children playing with them can strangle themselves.

Avoid plant and animal pests.

Plant pests include poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. These can invade your garden, so learn to recognize them.

Be sure you know the first aid for stings from bees, hornets or wasps. Be alert for signs of an allergic reaction, which requires emergency treatment. If you or a family member are severely allergic to insect stings, your doctor may encourage you to carry injectable epinephrine.

Bees are attracted to yellow and white flowers, and to flowers that create lots of nectar or pollen. Bees are not attracted to flowers such as carnations, daisies, geraniums, marigolds, red dianthus, roses, strawflowers, and zinnias. These may be safer to plant.

Be cautious with pesticides.

Pesticides are used to kill unwanted plants, animals or fungi in the garden. Be sure the pesticide you buy is labeled as approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Don’t open the container until you have read the entire label. Follow instructions carefully when mixing to get the right dosage.

Here are some tips for using pesticides safely.

  • Don’t spray pesticides when it is windy.
  • Don’t eat, drink or smoke when applying pesticides.
  • Never mix or store pesticides in food or drink containers.
  • Store pesticides in their original containers. Lock them up and keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

Handle tools properly.

April is National Safe Digging Month. Notify utilities before you start digging. In the US, 811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number.

Read labels and instruction manuals for tools and extension cords. Be sure they are safe for use outdoors. Check for Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certification. 

When using power tools such as trimmers or saws, always wear safety glasses and take off your jewelry.

Clean and put away garden tools after every use. This will prevent them from being stolen or used by children, getting damaged, or becoming a tripping hazard.


Sunday, April 16, 2023

Pain and Stress Are Connected

Chronic pain can be stressful, and that can lead to mental health issues. For example, many adults with arthritis experience anxiety and clinical depression.

Pain can lead to stress when your quality of life is affected. You tend to focus on the negative changes in your life, the things you can’t do or can’t do well. You may find you have difficulty accomplishing simple life tasks. This can cause negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, depression or frustration.

Conversely, stress can lead to pain. When you feel stressed, your muscles tense up, or may even spasm painfully. Cortisol levels increase, which can cause inflammation and pain.

You can make lifestyle changes that will help you control stress and reduce your pain.

  • Distract yourself. Taking your mind off stress and pain will make you feel better. Anything that you enjoy doing can help you cope better. Perhaps coffee and a chat with a friend, a walk in nature, watching a comedy on TV or at the movies, phoning a supportive family member, or working on a hobby.

  • Be active. Low-impact activity can improve your mood and reduce stiffness. Try biking, swimming, or simply taking a walk through the neighborhood or at a park. Gradually increase the time you spend on the activity so that it stays comfortable for you.

  • Get adequate sleep. Good quality sleep improves both your physical and emotional health. Try to get to bed and wake up at the same time every day of the week; don’t stay up late and sleep in on weekends. Avoid drinking caffeine late in the day. Rearrange your bedroom for maximum sleep hygiene.

If these lifestyle strategies don’t improve both your pain and your stress, consult your healthcare professional. Treatment plans can be developed to address your specific medical condition and symptoms. Don’t be surprised if you are referred to a mental health provider. You can learn new coping skills that will help you manage both pain and stress.


Saturday, April 15, 2023

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for April 2023

April poster sets on Healthinfo Island include several related to special months.

April is oral cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and Sjögren's syndrome awareness months, and includes World Malaria Day.

You can also learn about symptoms of heart disease, a hip bone destruction disease, and why walking is a healthy exercise.

Get the facts on milk and a big cool drink.

Lots to do this month, no kidding.

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the links in this blog entry. 

When you get there, click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images. 

If you click each poster, you will get a message with additional information and live links.

To go directly to Healthinfo Island, click on either the URL or the picture of the poster.

Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island

Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24


World Malaria Day

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22



Oral Cancer Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24



Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22



Heart signs and symptoms you should not ignore

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24


Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26



Walking is a healthy exercise

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28


April is Sjögren's Syndrome Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30


Facts About Milk

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32



Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Houseplants Remove Toxins from Indoor Air

Potted rubber plant

Did you know that many of your home’s furnishings, including carpeting, cleaning supplies, furniture, and paint, emit toxic gasses into your indoor air? These gasses are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In smaller amounts, VOCs can irritate your eye, nose and throat. In larger amounts they can cause fatigue, headache, memory problems, and nausea, and even damage your organs and possibly cause cancer.

If you have houseplants, you’re protecting yourself from VOCs. Plants absorb VOCs out of the air, and so do microorganisms in potting soil.

Here are some easy-to-grow houseplants that are among the best at air purification:

  • Dwarf date palm
  • English ivy
  • Ficus
  • Lady palm
  • Peace lily
  • Rubber plant

One precaution though: If you have mold allergies or asthma, ask your healthcare provider before creating a jungle in your living room. The soil houseplants grow in can harbor mold, so don’t grow too many plants, and be very careful not to overwater them.


Monday, April 3, 2023

Nutrition Tip - The Name of a Dish Can Have a Dietary Impact

Cooked vegetables on a white ceramic plate

Are you having trouble getting the recommended 2-4 cups of vegetables in your daily meal plans? Do your children (or you) reject anything green on your plate except Jello?

The reason may be the descriptive name applied to the food.

Research reported in JAMA Internal Medicine states that “labeling vegetables with indulgent descriptors significantly increased the number of people choosing vegetables and the total mass of vegetables consumed compared with basic or healthy descriptions, despite no changes in vegetable preparation.”

What are indulgent descriptors? Instead of emphasizing what is missing in the food (e.g., “low calorie,” “low salt,” or “low fat”), try describing the vegetables with positive words. These could be flavor descriptions such as “jalapeno and garlic,” “citrus-infused,” or “tangy,” or information about the preparation method, such as “glazed,” “roasted,” or “seasoned with.”

This research can also remind us that preparing vegetables does not need to result in bland food. Try some of the following techniques:

  • Oven roast veggies, then sprinkle with a little Parmesan.
  • Sauté veggies just until barely soft in a little olive oil, then sprinkle with minced garlic or chopped herbs such as basil, chives, oregano or thyme.
  • Steam veggies until cooked but still crisp or quickly blanch shredded greens, then squeeze citrus juice over them.


Saturday, April 1, 2023

How to Tame Your Cough


The best way to deal with a cough is to use the right strategy for the type of cough (wet/productive or dry/hacking) and the time (night or day).

Night coughs are problematic because you can’t sleep, and sleep is often important for recovery. Set your bedroom up for cough prevention by adding a few pillows and a vaporizer. Elevating your head allows mucus to drain rather than go down your throat and initiate coughing. Vaporizers or humidifiers moisten your airways, which soothes a dry cough. It also thins mucus, making it easier to get rid of.

Before bedtime you could try gargling with warm salt water to loosen thick mucus and calm your irritated throat. Use ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Gargle then spit. You can also try a teaspoon or two of honey, alone or in tea, to soothe your throat.

Nighttime cough medicine that you can get over the counter usually contains an antihistamine that will make you drowsy. That may help you to sleep when you have a cough.

Daytime coughs can also be treated with a vaporizer. It is important to stay hydrated, so drink lots of water, or chicken soup. Warm beverages such as tea (perhaps with honey?) also soothe the throat.

Cough drops do help, but so does any hard candy to suck on. This increases saliva flow and helps prevent a dry cough. An over-the-counter cough suppressant with dextromethorphan can also block the reflex that causes a dry cough.

Wet or productive coughs are bringing up mucus. To aid this process, over-the-counter expectorants containing guaifenesin will help by thinning the mucus and making it easier to bring up.

However you treat your cough, be sure to see your healthcare provider if you are wheezing or sort of breath, or if you also have a fever or pain in your chest.


Saturday, March 18, 2023

Most Efficient (and Safest) Uses of Kitchen Appliances

We all love kitchen appliances!

Blender:

Always put liquid ingredients in first, then smallest solid pieces, finishing with the largest. If ice cubes are on the ingredient list, they go in last.

Cool hot foods if possible before blending. If you must blend hot liquids, use the Low or Pulse setting, then gradually increase the speed if necessary. Be sure to keep the lid on, as steam can form and cause the contents to squirt out like lava.

Oven:

Clean spills as soon as the oven has cooled. Don’t allow them to harden or bake on.

Keep that drawer under the oven empty unless you are keeping cooked food warm while the rest of the meal is cooking. Pots and pans stored the warming drawer can have their finish ruined as they heat up with the rest of the oven.

Dishwasher:

Load the dishwasher properly for the cleanest wash. For more information: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/loading-a-dishwasher.

Wait to run the dishwasher until it is fully loaded to save water and energy. 

Never put new items with stickers on them in the dishwasher. Yes, the labels will peel off. But the adhesive from the stickers can clog up the dishwasher’s filter and pump.

Microwave:

Use round dishes. Square corners don’t heat as evenly and food there can overcook.

Stir salt in before microwaving; don’t leave it on the surface. Otherwise the surface layer can be dried out.

Don’t expect optimal Wi-Fi while using the microwave. They interfere with each other.

For more microwave tips: https://www.mashed.com/70561/foods-never-put-microwave/.


Saturday, March 11, 2023

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for March 2023

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this blog entry. Click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images. 

If you click each poster, you will get a message with additional information and live links.

To go directly to Healthinfo Island, click on either the SLURL or the picture of the poster.


Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island

Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24



March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/195/158/22



Trisomy Awareness Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24



Swim for Your Health

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22



Osteopenia

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24



National Nutrition Month

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26



Caffeine!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28



Somatic Stretching

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30



Stomach Flu, or Something Else?

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/21/63/32

 


Thanks to Mook for assistance with the posters this month.


Saturday, February 25, 2023

Healthinfo Island Displays and Exhibits for February 2023

February is Heart Health Month, and several of the poster sets this month relate to heart health.

You can teleport to any of the eight displays and exhibits using the SLURLs in this blog entry. Click on the poster with the same name as the title of the poster set, and you will get a notecard that contains all the text of the posters plus descriptions of the images.

If you click each poster, you will get a message with additional information and live links.

 

Central Pavilion of Healthinfo Island

Check out the calming breathing exercise on the back wall!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/126/24

 

Alcohol and Your Heart

 

Paxlovid

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/188/181/24

 

Autophagy

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/172/155/22

 

Feb 14 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/114/79/24

 

Exercise and Your Heart

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26

 

Stop That Coughing!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28


How We Damage Our Hearts

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/24/23/30

 

Heart Healthy Diet

 

Thanks to Anna and Mook for assistance with the posters this month.