Category: Uncategorized

Can you Help Prevent the Winter Cold and Flu?

Published on by Nikken

Your lifestyle and immune system can make the difference between staying healthy or getting sick. Here are some tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season:

• Keep your hands clean by washing them often. Touching Infected surfaces is the most common way to pick up a virus, so use soap and water and wash for 20 seconds, minimum.

• Don’t touch your face. Apparently, children touch their faces an average of 16 times an hour!1 Rubbing eyes, scratching your nose, chewing on fingernails all help viruses get into the body.

• Keep surfaces clean in the house. Use disinfecting wipes to help reduce germs.

• Get enough sleep to help keep the immune system healthy and strong. Lack of sleep makes the body more susceptible to germs. Create an environment that helps you sleep “like a baby.”

• Eat nutritious foods to help strengthen the immune system. Boost intake of infection-fighting antioxidants—lots of colorful fruits and vegetables.

• Blanch your veggies. Viruses linger on produce, so boiling them for a couple of minutes kills them.

• Increase omega-3 intake to help spur production of infection-fighting cells. Eat fish. For those who avoid seafood, find vegetarian sources, such as flax seeds, for a daily dose of omegas 3, 6 and 9!

• Drink green tea. A catechin in green tea called EGCG is believed to damage flu virus particles and stop them from entering your system. German scientists believe this catechin may also interfere with pneumonia-causing bacteria.2

• Eat yogurt. A study published in “Clinical Nutrition” showed that people who consumed a strain of specific probiotics daily reduced their risk of catching a cold or flu by 27%.3

• Use ginger. Researchers in Taiwan discovered fresh ginger can inhibit respiratory viruses from attaching to cells and may reduce their ability to replicate.4 Make spicy tea or add ginger to a stir fry.

• Keep your nose warm—the cilia in your nasal and sinus cavities help sweep away pathogens, but move slowly when cold.

• Hum! According to an Indian study, humming can increase antimicrobial nitric oxide in the nose! Take a deep breath, close one nostril and exhale out the other nostril as you hum.5

• Do yoga. Japanese scientists contend that combining relaxation and physical activity triggers an increase in saliva levels of an antimicrobial peptide that breaks down invading microbes. A 90-minute yoga session doubled the peptide called beta-defensin 2.6

• Exercise. Physical activity helps you become less prone to colds and flu, as movement helps stimulate the white blood cells that fight infection.

• Decrease stress. Try targeted massage and acupressure to help roll away tension!

1 https://www.laurelpedsmd.com/blog/10-tips-to-help-prevent-winter-colds-and-flu#:~:text=Get%20and%20stay%20physical,blood%20cells%20that%20fight%20infection.

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 https://www.today.com/health/26-ways-avoid-getting-sick-winter-1d80290214

Do You Like Winter Weather?

Published on by Nikken

There are lots of people who prefer cold to hot, and that includes their preferences for weather! Do you tend to think of vacations being time spent at the beach, in the balmy tropical weather, sunshine and swimming, or do you prefer holidays spent in the snow—skiing, snowboarding, sledding, making snowmen and having snowball fights?

Psychologists have looked into seasonal preferences to better understand the mood and behavioral changes that temperature and light variations have on people. Personal preferences seem to reveal specific personality traits. For example, your cognitive performance, your preference for certain colors and different types of music, and the kind of foods you tend to eat all vary over the course of the year.One study conducted in Belgium found that people had the hardest time keeping their focus in the summer and the easiest time doing so in the winter.1

The seasons also appear to influence how kind you are to others. For example, charitable contributions in countries with Christian traditions increase dramatically around Christmas. People in these societies are also more likely to tip their waiters generously during the holiday season. Aggressive behavior, from horn honking to violent crime tends to peak in the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere.2

Who likes winter? If you count the chilly months of winter as your favorite season, it might mean that you tend to be a bit of an introverted homebody.3 Does a warm sweater and curling up on the couch with hot cocoa on a cold night sound like your ideal afternoon? Here are some other types of people who enjoy winter:

•          Thermophobes. In Latin, therm means heat and phobe means fear.

•          Winter sport fans. As mentioned above, skiers, snowboarders, sledders, etc.

•          Those sensitive to the sun. If you sunburn easily and are always applying sunblock or searching for an appropriate sun hat, overcast or snowy winter days provide some relief.

•          Those sensitive to bug bites. One winter blessing is the decrease of mosquitoes and other “biting” insects.

Whether or not you’re a fan of winter, Nikken has the perfect products to make your cold weather days the coziest ever. From the Kenko Dream Comforter of your choice to the KenkoTherm support products, Nikken takes its lead from nature and weaves in ceramic reflective fibers to help keep you toasty. And, when you purchase a Kenko Naturest® Fit mattress topper now through year end, you receive a complimentary Kenko PowerSleep Mask!

1, 2 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unserious-psychology/202306/how-the-seasons-affect-our-psychology

3 verywellmind.com/what-your-favorite-season-say-about-personality

Why Do We Like to Be Scared?

Published on by Nikken

As we approach Halloween, do you ever wonder why some of us like to be scared? From toddlers to grown people, being a bit (or even a lot) scared is an enjoyable sensation for some of us, as long as there’s no real danger. Science has an explanation!

When you participate in frightening activities, the brain is manipulated into a series of chemical reactions that produce “feel good” sensations. Several simultaneous processes occur in the body when being scared:

• The fight or flight impulse is triggered, causing the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol, both stress hormones.

• The adrenaline in turn causes dopamine and endorphins to rush in—which produce the good feelings.

• The heart rate and blood pressure go up and goosebumps may even pop up.

• The senses are intensified and any physical process that doesn’t help with surviving the fear, such as digestion, is temporarily suspended.

Fear that you choose to experience—scary movies, haunted houses, Halloween costumes with bulging eyes, blood and guts, rollercoaster rides and so on—provide the adrenaline, endorphins and dopamine without the stress that comes with real danger. When you know it’s “fun” and not actually dangerous, you can experience a positive fear while still feeling safe.

Take the example of the rollercoaster ride. It’s perfectly acceptable to shriek and scream at the top of your lungs. During a regular day, there are many types of stressors, but it’s not socially acceptable to scream and react the way you might want. In this way, choosing to put yourself in a fear-inducing situation can be cathartic. You not only get the adrenaline rush with endorphins, you also get to behave in a way that “lets it all out.”  In fact, you’re expected to react in an extreme way. You can behave like a child when reacting to scary movies, too! The result is that your mood improves—so no wonder people like horror movies and ghost stories!

Successfully enduring something scary or spooky can be satisfying—if you make it through a haunted house or the rollercoaster ride, you’ve proven you’re “tough”. The emotions you feel when engaging with something scary are magnified when you’re with other people. That’s why scary movies make for a great group night—you can indulge in camaraderie to support each other.

Being scared shows you different aspects of yourself you typically may not notice. How do you respond to challenges? How do you handle anxiety? How careful or how brash are you? In some respects, how you respond to fear provides a mirror image of part of your inner self.

Happy Halloween! Remember, if all the ghoulish fun becomes too much, Nikken has an array of calming and balancing tools just for you, so you can relax with magnetic and tourmaline technologies—and of course, the Kenko Sleep System helps you rest after all that spookiness.

1 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-do-we-like-to-get- scared/#:~:text=Nonthreatening%20scary%20situations%20%E2%80%94%20like%20visiting,and%20do pamine%20in%20your%20brain.

Do You Know Who You Are?

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Who you are or your sense of identity, refers to your perception of the collection of characteristics that define you.1 Your abilities, beliefs, morals, likes and dislikes and everything that motivates or demotivates you, all contribute to your sense of who you are.

People who are clear about these many aspects of themselves generally have a strong sense of who they are, while those struggling to identify these characteristics may have a less defined sense of self.

Your identity affects your relationships, your work and your overall emotional health. When there isn’t a clear sense of self, you may find it difficult to make decisions, interact in group settings and in a nutshell, know what you want.

Sometimes groups help answer the question, “Who am I?” Membership in groups provides a sense of belonging, a social role which helps in identity. The “me” in who you are transforms into the “we” of belonging to a group. Not everyone enjoys group activities, but as the saying goes, “No man is an island.” At some point in time, you have to interact, develop relationships and bonds.

According to psychologists, groups usually outperform individuals; however, the other side of the coin is that groups tend to be underachievers. For example, a single person working on a paper will get less done in an hour than four students tackling the paper as a joint project. On the other hand, people exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone.2 Psychologists also found that people trying to generate creative new ideas in group brainstorming sessions usually put in less effort and are less productive than those creating new ideas individually.3

Whether you are a loner or more of the gregarious type, impacts your sense of who you are. Even people who choose to live separate and apart from others, may join groups to meet their psychological and social needs.4

As your sense of self evolves, ask what brings you happiness, what is your purpose in life and how do you live accordingly? Do your choices and decisions reflect your own true interests or someone else’s?

No matter how gregarious you are, alone time helps you get to know yourself better. So, be a team player, but also be independent. And if you’re interested in finding out more about who you are together with like-minded individuals, check out Humans Being More training online with Jeff Isom!

1 https://www.healthline.com/health/sense-of-self

2, 3, 4 https://nobaproject.com/modules/the-psychology-of-groups

Let’s Have Some Fall Fun!

Published on by Nikken

Fall is a wonderful season to tap into the child within you! You can delight in the cool weather with the changing colors of the leaves, and watch the beauty of nature transform all around you. Let’s make sure to participate in autumn’s seasonal pleasures!

•          Depending on where you live, fall is a great time to visit an apple orchard. Many will allow you to pick your own, and it comes out to be less costly than apples at a grocery store. This is an activity the whole family can enjoy together, and there’s a special joy to crunching down on a freshly picked apple.

•          October and November are pumpkin months. Pumpkins are not only nutritious and delicious, they make for some messy fun. When you dig the seeds out, save them for roasting!

Pumpkin-carving can be loads of fun, even amid the mess and slime! If you live where there are pumpkin carving contests, you’re probably already a pro! Now’s the time to indoctrinate the little ones. Don’t forget to make pumpkin pie and pumpkin stew.

•          Even if you live in the heart of a city and now anywhere near the countryside, autumn is a great time to try your hand at making a bird house. You can buy pre-made ones in many sizes and shapes and paint them, or if you’re handy at carpentry, start one from scratch. You’ll be amazed and happy when you hang it up and the birds come around—even outside an apartment building!

•          Visit an autumn harvest festival. If you live near any kind of agricultural center, there’s bound to be an autumn festival for you to attend. There will be lots of activities, possibly costumes, petting zoos, baking contests and more.

•          Make a fall wreath. Collect fallen leaves of a variety of hues, find acorns, pine cones, twigs, add seeds. Add dried flower petals and anything else your creative mind suggests. A wreath made from the gifts of nature is the most beautiful wreath of all.

•          Make it a point to take a nature walk as often as possible during the autumn months, if not for the visual delight, then for the sheer exhilaration of a brisk walk on a windy day.

•          Fall weather is soup weather. Make use of the abundance of squash (pumpkins are great in soup!) and add all your other favorite veggies. Spice it up and the whole family will love it.

•          Most people love cookies, but again, the cool autumn weather is great for being in a warm kitchen and creating the smell of freshly baked cookies! Even toddlers like to help out.

•          Do you have a farmer’s market in your area? Even if you don’t go to one regularly, go during the autumn months. You won’t be disappointed at the many varieties of fruit and vegetables. This is also the time of year where artisans come out with their crafts and rent stalls along with the farmers.

As you get cozy with autumn, remember that until year end, whenever you purchase a Kenko Naturest® Fit mattress topper you’ll receive a complimentary Kenko PowerSleep Mask. And, whenever you purchase a PiMag Waterfall®, you’ll get a box of 30 packets of delicious Kenzen Jade GreenZymes® Citrus as our treat!

Getting Restful Sleep During Autumn Weather

Published on by Nikken

Did you know that the seasons can affect your sleep? When the cooler months come around, sleep may be disrupted. That’s because your body naturally makes more melatonin—the hormone responsible for sleepiness—when there’s more sunlight. During the cooler months, when days are shorter and darker, less melatonin is manufactured by your body.

One of the biggest culprits of disrupted sleep schedules is the use of electronic devices. This is due to the blue light emitted from electronic devices. The blue light suppresses the natural production of melatonin by the body, so you may not be able to fall asleep easily when you barely went off your cell phone, tablet or computer. You might want to try shutting down electronic devices an hour before your bedtime.

Developing a sleep routine, the same way parents sleep-train children, can help you reach restful sleep faster. By doing the same relaxing things consistently, your body has a chance to get accustomed to the routine and to anticipate sleep. The bedtime routine allows your brain to relax and not have to react to something unexpected. Although the body does not do well with electronic devices close to bedtime, it does react well when reading or listening to music. Choose reading material that is relaxing and listen to something soothing.

What you eat and drink can affect your sleep. If you go to bed hungry, chances are you won’t get a sound sleep, and the same thing goes for eating too much. Hunger will wake you up and overfullness makes the digestive system work harder. When it comes to beverages, caffeinated and alcoholic ones can cause insomnia in some people, so try to avoid them or enjoy them no later than afternoon tea time.

The most obvious way to help get a great night’s sleep is to make sure your bedding is comfortable. Nikken is a pioneer in sleep technology, and we want everyone to try the Kenko Naturest® Fit. This mattress topper can change the softest or the hardest bedding into the ideal sleep surface. The special sculptured rubberthane latex provides a relaxing massage effect and allows for air movement. Ceramic reflective fibers help provide an ideal temperature while a magnetic field cocoons the body for a feeling of security.

Now through December 31, 2023, when you purchase any size of the portable Kenko Naturest® Fit, you’ll receive a complimentary Kenko PowerSleep Mask that not only helps to block out light but also to keep your eye area relaxed. We call them “perfect partners” that can make your autumn months the most restful ever!

Do You Follow Through?

Published on by Nikken

There are many types of people and each has notable strengths and weaknesses. Some naturally lead, others are strong in executing plans, and the rare ones do both. Regardless of your personality or strengths, follow-through is what propels you to closing the deal, completing a project, sealing a relationship, achieving a goal or honoring a commitment.

Knowing what you want to achieve is important, but setting a concrete deadline is equally crucial. Set a deadline that will drive you to follow through to ultimate success. The deadline should be one that you can work with, be accountable for and help you stay on track. Setting realistic, timely goals is the key to achieving them.

Often in our lives, not following through may have consequences. Follow-through may not always be pleasant, but without it, there is no reward. Here are a few tips to make follow-through easier:

•          Break tasks down into do-able parts. No task is too trivial to be part of the whole.

•          Do one thing at a time. This requires focus. Multi-tasking splits your focus and often ends with nothing being actually completed, and many things half-done.

•          Commit to completing a specific activity within a specified amount of time.

•          Think ahead and prioritize. What is most necessary to be done immediately vs. what can wait? Or, what can be completely crossed off your list?

•          Understand what motivates you. You are much more likely to follow through if you are motivated. Are you motivated by material rewards, emotional fulfillment, camaraderie, prestige, etc.? Once you determine what motivates you, you will be able to reward yourself accordingly.

•          Be real. Is there too much on your plate? Are you taking on too many things with too short a deadline? People-pleasers have the hardest time saying ‘No’ but it’s imperative to be realistic in order to follow through on what is most important.

•          Manage your time. There are 24 hours in the day and they are yours to schedule, so be clear on what activities require the most energy. Remember to factor in some down time so you can breathe, relax and keep burnout at bay.  This may require “padding” your blocks of times so you have a little extra leeway with each task.

Whether you’re easily distracted or totally engaged, follow-through is easier when you block time to work without having to answer calls, check social media or reply to emails. Distractions are everywhere, but remember that you are in control: you can mute the phone and shut off notifications on all devices. Let’s approach the final months of the year with determination and follow-through!

Source:

https://fellow.app/blog/productivity/ways-to-overcome-a-lack-of-follow-through/

Nature Cycles into the Autumn Equinox

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This year, the Autumn Equinox falls on September 23. The Autumn Equinox is the day of the year when day and night are almost equal in most locations on planet Earth. The term equinox comes from the Latin words “aequss” (equal) and “nox” (night).

Ancient cultures perceived the changing of the seasons as key points in the cycle of life in nature. Cultures around the world continue to celebrate the Autumn Equinox with different festivities. Consciously linking an awareness of the cycles of nature seems to help humankind understand our own inner cycles, as we try to evolve into the best versions of ourselves.

The Autumn Equinox is a meaningful time of the year, where people celebrate the harvest—symbolically, this can be reaping the rewards of the past year’s work, and physically, it really is a time that farmers bring in the bounty of their crops.

In nature, there are cycles of growth, harvest, death and rebirth. The same can be said of human cycles. The Autumn Equinox is a time to focus on what you have produced (reaped) and how you have benefited or prospered. It is a time to be conscious of what you have rather than what you lack.

Because the Autumn Equinox traditionally signals the end of the harvest season, it also sets the scene for you to activate a new cycle of growth. This is not only an ideal time to recognize and give thanks for the past seasons but also to evaluate, strategize and plan for the rest of the year. As we give thanks for what we have received, it’s an appropriate time to look back and see if we maintained balance in our lives and what changes may be needed.

As the seasons cycle, so do our energy levels. What worked in the warmer months may not be best for the approaching colder winter months. Physical energy may be channeled into intellectual energy. In other words, the warmer months may have been filled with physical activities, while the cooler months may lean more toward thoughtful learning.

What is your vision for the new seasonal cycle? Is it the same as it was earlier in the year or do you need to make space for a newer, possibly bigger vision? No matter your what your focus may be, enjoy the Autumn Equinox, the bounty the season brings and the inspiration for nature’s cycle heading toward the Winter Solstice!

Sources:

https://exploredeeply.com/live-your-purpose/the-spiritual-significance-of-autumn-equinox-in-our-modern-lives

https://www.spiritualityhealth.com/spiritual-meaning-autumn-equinox

Heart Health and Inner Balance

Published on by Nikken

What do you think of when you want to achieve inner balance? Do you think of calming your mind with meditation? Or, going for a run to get rid of some nervous energy? At the University of Hawaii, there is an innovative approach to improving emotional well-being called Inner Balance technology. Inner Balance analyzes and displays your heart rhythms, measured by Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which shows how emotional states are affecting your nervous system. Incoherent patterns impair inner balance with negative feelings while coherent rhythms promote inner balance with positive emotions.

“Inner Balance by HeartMath” measures how the heart reacts under anxiety, fatigue and depression vs. when the heart experiences focus, sufficient sleep and calmness. HeartMath measures whether or not the heart, mind and emotions are aligned and working together harmoniously. The term for this is “psychophysiological coherence” and it is characterized by increased order in both mental/emotional and physical processes. When aligned, the heart-rhythm patterns look wave-like and smooth, whereas when unaligned, they look spikey and show higher and lower ranges.

Scientists have long ago acknowledged that the heart sends more information to the nervous system than any other organ. When the brain receives the information, it interprets it, which can trigger calmness or anxiety, happiness or sadness. This means that learning to generate increased heart rhythm coherence with positive emotions, not only benefits the entire body, but also greatly affects how you perceive, think, feel, and perform.1

So, how can you cultivate the feelings and thoughts that make your heart function smoothly? Here are a few simple tips:

1. Don’t fear change. Try new things that resonate with you.

2. Slow down. You can’t do everything you want to do all at once—just like growth is a process, not an overnight achievement.

2. Practice self-awareness. Make a conscious effort to learn about your strengths, weaknesses, triggers and emotions—this helps you regulate your emotions effectively.2

3. Prioritize self-care, especially if you are someone who gives, gives and gives. Remember you can’t help others if you personally are not in good shape.

4. Cultivate gratitude as it helps reduce stress and therefore enhances inner balance.

5. Give yourself breathing space. Create your daily, weekly and monthly schedule with space for you to relax. This way you will not burn out.

6. Set your intentions. When you are clear about what you need and what you want, you will naturally be more balanced.

As our daylight hours shorten, take deep breaths and know that you can accomplish what you choose, as long as you don’t overdo it. Add Kenzen nutritional supplements to your daily regimen and feel the difference—your heart health and inner balance will be key to your total wellness!

1 https://hilo.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/counseling/heartmath.php#:~:text=Using%20Inner%20Balance%20may%20help,clarity%2C%20and%20improved%20cognitive%20functioning.

2 https://esoftskills.com/discovering-inner-balance-the-key-to-a-fulfilling-life/

Are You Grounded?

Published on by Nikken

Everyone has good days and bad days. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could improve the bad days? Grounding is a practice that can help you take control on not-so-good days and create better days. You can practice mental grounding as well as physical grounding, which balances both mind and body.

Physical grounding techniques makes use of your five senses to help increase feelings of well-being and calmness to help you feel at ease.

•          Sense of touch: Put your hands in warm water first, then cold water. Be conscious of what the water feels like on each part of your hands: fingertips, palms, and backs. Notice the differences between the warm-water sensations versus the cold-water feelings.

•          Sense of touch: Pick an item you like. Remember Linus in the Charlie Brown cartoons? He always carried a blanket with him, and it was described as a “security blankie.” In much the same way, people in various cultures use “worry beads” to touch and count, twirl and manipulate. Whatever you pick, be conscious of how it feels, whether it’s hard or soft, heavy or light, warm or cool. Focus on texture.

•          Sense of sight: With the same object you choose to feel, look at it and name its color, but instead of being general, such as red or blue, be specific. For example, instead of red, see clearly if it’s ruby, crimson, burgundy, fuchsia or maroon. Instead of blue, define it as indigo, turquoise, azure, navy or sky blue.

•          Sense of sight: Choose a space you enjoy. This can be a room in your home, or anywhere outdoors that you find pleasant. Look at everything in the space and identify each to yourself or say it out loud. “I see my favorite tree.” “I see a Rufus at the feeder.” Or, “I see my comfy sofa.” “I see my floral teapot.”

•          Sense of smell: Take deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly. As you inhale, say to yourself, “I breathe in” and when you exhale, say “I breathe out”. You can choose what affirmation you want to use with each in and out but be conscious of the smells you take in and visualize pushing out negativity as you exhale.

•          Sense of smell: Practice your own simple version of aromatherapy. Pick something with a smell you really appreciate. It can be peppermint tea, a spice such as cinnamon or nutmeg, your favorite lavender soap, a scented candle or potpourri. Inhale deeply and exhale.

•          Sense of taste: Nibble on a snack, but truly taste each bite. Be conscious of how it tastes and feels in your mouth. Chew slowly and don’t rush to swallow.

•          Sense of taste: Sip on a favorite drink. Truly taste each mouthful. Be aware of the liquid texture in your mouth and as you swallow. If you choose a hot beverage such as tea, savor the heat and pay attention to your changing body temperature. If you choose a cold beverage or use ice, notice if the taste and temperature made you shiver or react.

•          Sense of hearing: Wherever you may be, listen to your surroundings. When outdoors, do you hear birds chirping, dogs barking, cars wheeling by, lawnmowers or people walking? When indoors, do you hear the kettle whistling, a clock ticking, a faucet running? Identify each sound to yourself.

•          Sense of hearing: Listen to a piece of music you like. Focus and separate out the different instruments you hear. If there is singing, listen for the variations in pitch, tone and range.

Mental grounding works by distracting yourself from the tension you might be feeling. In other words, when you successfully redirect your thoughts, you create a grounded feeling.

•          Use numbers to help get centered. For example, do the times table in your head. Or, count backwards, starting with 100.

•          Remember playing the game of concentration as a child? You can do the same with a deck of cards or a photo with details. Flip over the cards and memorize as many as you can. Then flip them over so you cannot see the faces. Try to remember which each card is. Or, look at a photo and record each detail. Flip it over and try to recreate the photo in your mind.

•          Recite out loud or silently to yourself, a poem you like or the lyrics of a favorite song.

•          Think of something funny, something that makes you laugh. You can also watch a funny video clip, sing a silly song, doodle, or make up a joke.

•          Visualize something you enjoy, whether it’s eating an ice cream cone, walking your dog or cuddling a baby. Visualize each step of the process, whether it’s how it feels to lick the ice cream, how your dog sniffs every bush, or how the baby feels to your touch. Speak the steps out loud or to yourself. The trick is to break down the big picture into details as you visualize the activity.

In summary, you can ground yourself physically and mentally. You can also use grounding products such as the KenkoGround and the Kenko Precision Set. They’re simple to use and work quickly and efficiently to help you feel grounded.

Source:

https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding-techniques#mental-techniques