Introduction
More and more companies are doing it. Just the other day I sat in a conference with one of South Africa’s multi-nationals and they were doing it. Chances are, if your company hasn’t started doing it, it’s going to start fairly soon.
What is the ‘it’ that they’re starting to do? They’re starting to see their employees and associates as more than simply resources to be arranged, motivated, and controlled to make more money. Someone has finally cottoned on to the fact that they’re human beings who are really valuable and part of a bigger system, that includes time and space outside of the working environment. I’ve actually observed companies actively engage their people about healthy ways to live, and helpful information on how to ensure a longer more fulfilling life.
The healthier people are, the happier they’ll be, and the more they’ll enjoy their work. Finally business is starting to understand that if you can get that right, there’s a direct link to productivity, customer satisfaction, market growth, and bottom line profit. Wonder why it’s taken so long to work that one out?
TomorrowToday.biz has started a new series that focuses on healthier living. Here’s to a longer healthier life, for you and me.…….
By the time you’ve read this article you will be a lot older � so my advice is to stop reading before it’s too late! We’re all ageing, and if you’re over 20, the effects of ageing are starting to show in your skin. Genetically programmed chronological ageing causes biochemical changes in collagen and elastin, the connective tissues that give skin its firmness and elasticity, and results in sagging skin and wrinkles. Grin and bare it � err, I mean, ‚bear‛ it � because there’s nothing that can reverse the process.
Photo-ageing, however, which is the effect of chronic sun exposure on the skin and which hastens the effect of chronological ageing, can be dealt with. You have two options; Emigrate to the northernmost tip of Finland for the European winter and enjoy 24hours of darkness a day. Or accept that as a native of sunny South Africa you will never be able to avoid the sun � and take steps to limit your exposure to the fiery centre of our solar system.
What about the natural attractiveness of a ‚Healthy tan?‛ you ask. Look up the word – ‚Oxymoron‛ â€? because that was a great example. Dermatologists are now actually referring to a tan as a scar.
The wavelengths of light that damage your skin are Ultraviolet A & B, and they have different effects. UVA’s short term effect is tanning, and its long term effect is ageing (breaks up elastin & collagen). UVB’s short term effect is sunburn, and its long term effect is skin cancer. UVB is a problem during our summer months and UVA can cause damage the whole year round. Apart from staying out of the sun from 10am to 3pm on weekdays, and between 10:30am to 3:30pm on weekends � you need to smear on lotion that will protect you from both sets of rays, but which one? There are sunscreens and sun blocks. A sunscreen contains a chemical that absorbs the energy of the ultra violet light, thereby protecting the skin. A sun block on the other hand reflects the sunlight and actually physically blocks the radiant energy and prevents it from reaching the skin. So when picking a product, read the labels carefully. You should look out for compounds like aminobenzoates, cinnamates, avobenzone, oxybenzone, and titanium dioxide. But since few of us have a degree in organic chemistry here is a basic guideline‌ look at the suffixes: the ‚�ates‛ protect against sunburn and skin cancer, the ‚�zones‛ protect against premature ageing. The ‚�oxides‛ are block outs. You need the ‚�ates‛ in summer, and the ‚�zones‛ all year round, and always opt for a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of 15 to 30.
As for that natural attractiveness of a dark skin‌ may I suggest a tan from a can.

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