Surviving the festive season if you have epilepsy.
Maria’s ‘Ten-Plus-One Valuable Tips’ on surviving the festive season:
1) If you are prone to photosensitive epilepsy as a result of: flashing fairy lights, sunlight bouncing off the water or through the trees, and even the tv or the computer screen, by covering one eye and turning away from the source of the light this may prevent a seizure from happening. Wearing wrap-around glasses may also help to avoid those glaring sun-rays.
2) Christmas is a stressful time of year and so find out what your stress triggers are and try to avoid them; be it mad late-night shopping trips, crowds of people, hot and sticky weather conditions or just the thought of coming together with family and friends. It is okay to adjust your social calendar in times of stress. Be kind to yourself to avoid unwanted seizures.
3) This festive season can be a time of over-indulgence and so go easy on those highly caffeinated soft drinks and alcohol. These can trigger seizures.
4) Be careful near the barbeque with those hot plates and glowing charcoals. Think safety all the time. There are some helpful tips to be found on ewct.org.nz....
5) Special care needs to be taken around any water activities. New Zealand has particularly high drowning rates and you are especially vulnerable if you have seizures. Swim with a buddy and avoid those activities that put yourself, and others, at risk. Take a look at: ewct.org.nz...
6) Late nights can play havoc on your body’s ability to cope with tiredness. Being tired is a seizure trigger and you may forget to take your medications, which is also a seizure trigger. If you are out late, set an alarm to remind you to take your morning meds.
7) If you take short walks in the sun, don’t forget to ‘slip, slop, slap and wrap’ to avoid getting burnt. If being hot is your seizure trigger, then find ways of keeping cool. You may like to invest in a portable fan.
8) If you are going away on holiday, make sure that you take plenty of your medications. Don’t be caught short without them, and risk becoming vulnerable to having seizures and possibly going into status epilepticus, which is a serious medical condition.
9) Keep these important telephone numbers close at hand.
10) Have fun! Do enjoy yourself, meeting friends and having fun is therapeutic and it makes us feel energised and happy to be alive. If you get a ‘dose of nature’ at the same time, then it doubles your chances of feeling great. Call a friend for a walk or a cuppa.
11) Check us out on Facebook: www.facebook.com...
or our website at www.ewct.org.nz...
Emergency (Police, ambulance and fire) 111
Healthline 0800 611 116
Poisons centre 0800 764 766
Waikato Hospital (07) 839 8899
Take special care and have a good and relaxing festive season.
What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
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