I write because it's a part of me that I can't turn off. It's a significant part of who I am and who I have been almost all my life. Heck, I was even the high school newsletter editor back in the day!
Right now, I write just to express myself and maintain some brain function. Other parts of my life, I can run on autopilot at times. A lot of it, like laundry and dishes and packing lunches just doesn't challenge me. Ha Ha. Please Lord, don't let the washing machine break down just because I said laundry didn't challenge me! I value that machine more than you'll ever know.
I took a little look back at some of the columns I've blogged here. Some are worth re-reading. Some... at least the spelling and grammar are sound... for the most part.
Typically the blogs attract somewhere around 100 readers per column. And I rarely check this data. It's not a popularity contest and I'm not writing about politics or anything remotely controversial. But I do find it very interesting, and you might too, that the most well read piece I've written here is the one called Bacteria in your pillow . It was read about 5 times more and shared widely. It was also read by folks on pretty much every continent. So, that was interesting.
This of course should be a reminder to all of us to change our pillows. It's a new year. Get a new pillow!!!!! And, while you're at Superstore pillow shopping, grab new toothbrushes for the whole family and some Cold-FX. And, if you haven't taken your "at work" coffee cup home and run it through the dishwasher lately... it's time. Or maybe just chuck that bacteria infested germ factory out and use a new one. After all, when we wish each other good health in 2012 we should take action ourselves too.
Showing posts with label pillows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pillows. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, March 14, 2011
Bacteria in your pillow
Eat your veggies and get your rest! Good advice that I think we can all agree is necessary for good health.
But did you know that the fluffy white pillow you rest your head on at night could be causing a host of health problems? Do you wake up "stuffy" or congested? Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Have asthma, allergies or feel groggy in the mornings? It could be because you've been breathing in bacteria, fungus, dust mites and worse. Even if you wash your pillow case every week, you could be harbouring a mass of health hazards under your head.
Pillows absorb germs, skin, bacteria and saliva when we sleep. Even with the cases washed in HOT water and dried on hot heat, the germs from the pillow itself can bounce right back into your lungs while you sleep.
What can and should be done? To extend the freshness of your pillow, use pillow protectors or antibacterial covers underneath your own decorative pillow case. And since most pillows don't respond well to washing machines, you may wish to simply give it 10-15 minutes in the dryer to kill bacteria. Paediatricians and allergy specialists recommend changing pillows every 6 months to year for allergy prone patients.
Bedding manufacturer, Martex, recommends that everyone replace their pillow at least every two years.
In my house, we get a "round of new pillows" each new year. "Out with the old and in with the new," I say.
There are new antimicrobial and antibacterial pillows on the market, and are priced as low as $10. (Loblaws/Superstore). Pillows come in all shapes, stuffing and sizes. Prices vary from 2/$8 at Walmart to $25 or more at specialty home retailers. Regardless of the pillow you chose, I believe it's a very small price to pay to breathe easier. So if it's 2 years old or more, it's gotta go!
But did you know that the fluffy white pillow you rest your head on at night could be causing a host of health problems? Do you wake up "stuffy" or congested? Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Have asthma, allergies or feel groggy in the mornings? It could be because you've been breathing in bacteria, fungus, dust mites and worse. Even if you wash your pillow case every week, you could be harbouring a mass of health hazards under your head.
Pillows absorb germs, skin, bacteria and saliva when we sleep. Even with the cases washed in HOT water and dried on hot heat, the germs from the pillow itself can bounce right back into your lungs while you sleep.
What can and should be done? To extend the freshness of your pillow, use pillow protectors or antibacterial covers underneath your own decorative pillow case. And since most pillows don't respond well to washing machines, you may wish to simply give it 10-15 minutes in the dryer to kill bacteria. Paediatricians and allergy specialists recommend changing pillows every 6 months to year for allergy prone patients.
Bedding manufacturer, Martex, recommends that everyone replace their pillow at least every two years.
In my house, we get a "round of new pillows" each new year. "Out with the old and in with the new," I say.
There are new antimicrobial and antibacterial pillows on the market, and are priced as low as $10. (Loblaws/Superstore). Pillows come in all shapes, stuffing and sizes. Prices vary from 2/$8 at Walmart to $25 or more at specialty home retailers. Regardless of the pillow you chose, I believe it's a very small price to pay to breathe easier. So if it's 2 years old or more, it's gotta go!
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