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According to new research, bariatric surgery may result in long-lasting improvements in pain and physical abilities.

The proven benefits of weight loss surgery include lowering blood pressure, improving blood sugar levels, and reducing cardiovascular risk. Now, data from a large multicenter study of bariatric surgery in the United States indicates that permanent improvements in pain and physical function may be added to this list.

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What was the focus of the study?
This study followed approximately 1,500 individuals for up to seven years after they underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the two most common bariatric surgery procedures. The majority of participants were white (82%) and female (80%), while Hispanic (4%) and black (11% of participants) were underrepresented. They ranged in age from 38 to 55, and all were diagnosed with severe obesity (a body mass index of 35 or greater).

Participants completed questionnaires regarding their physical abilities, pain, health, and quality of life prior to surgery. Many were also evaluated for physical function and mobility, such as their ability to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes. Some reported severe or even incapacitating knee or hip pain, an osteoarthritis symptom. Annual assessments were conducted for up to seven years.



What were the results?
41% to 64% of participants reported improvements in body pain, physical function, and objectively measured walking ability at the conclusion of the study. In addition, between 65 and 72 percent of those with osteoarthritis reported less knee and hip pain. In addition, 41% of those who were unable to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes prior to surgery could now do so.

Not every measure got better. For example, the number of back pain pills taken before and after weight loss surgery stayed the same. Not everyone experienced improvements in pain and physical function, which is also noteworthy. It's also difficult to say whether the positive changes were brought on by surgery and whether one type of surgery was superior to the other because there was no control group that did not undergo weight loss surgery.
The most crucial component in determining the success of therapy is having a solid rapport with the therapist. The therapist should have official education, qualifications, and state licensing. In general, the therapist should be able to articulate the advantages and disadvantages of various types of treatment, even those that he or she does not provide. Additionally, the therapist should explain how he or she will track your development. Explore the following questions as you consider choosing a therapist: 




A business strategy is a framework that assists in defining the vision, objectives, and tactical decision-making procedures of an organization. However, finding these crucial components might be difficult. For the success of an organization's strategy, its leaders must comprehend its position in the market. Business strategy requires a deeper understanding of your organization and a profound sense of optimism over its potential for outstanding performance. Here is an introduction to value-based business strategy, regularly applied ways that can produce long-term success, and how to choose the proper strategy if you want to learn more about strategies that can benefit your organization.

What exactly is a business strategy based on value?
Typically, the most effective business strategies are value-based, meaning that prices are determined based on the perceived worth of products and services by consumers rather than their cost of production. Value-based business strategies are appropriate for companies like Apple and Amazon that offer products and services with several features.

The "value stick" best exemplifies the various components of value-based pricing. The value stick consists of four essential components for adopting value-based pricing: willingness to pay (WTP), price, cost, and selling propensity (WTS). The value of a company's product or service is determined by the position of each component.

Customer Pleasure
The top of the value stick reflects customer satisfaction or value, depending on how customers perceive your product or service. Due to the customer-centric nature of a value-based strategy, you may increase brand awareness, loyalty, and goodwill by conducting extensive research on your target market, establishing open lines of communication, and establishing strong relationships with consumers.

This allows your firm to get input regarding the value of your services and the WTP of your clients. It can also help you add important features to business-beneficial items.

Are there holiday arguments brewing? Here’s how to defuse them.

Are there holiday arguments brewing? Here’s how to defuse them.

The holidays, as described by idealists, are hardly the time for conflicts. They are meant to be filled with love, laughter, goodwill, and those small sparkling lights that create a joyful atmosphere. Unfortunately, cheerful celebration sometimes devolves into an epic disagreement when family and friends assemble during the season. However, you can avoid conflicts if you plan ahead and remain vigilant for potential triggers. 

Why do we quarrel around the holidays?

In many ways, we are primed for holiday conflict. "It is a moment of stress." Buying gifts might lead to financial difficulties. The temperature is falling. The days are darker. "We're trying to manage work and obtain time off," says Justin Gillis, a clinical therapist at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital. 

The holidays may sometimes evoke traumatic memories or force us to confront unfavorable aspects of our lives, such as a lack of family or close support. Consequently, we are frequently emotionally susceptible over the holidays, according to Gillis. It is difficult to handle overwhelming emotions, appropriately explain ourselves, and be honest and nonjudgmental. 

"Increased emotional arousal has an effect on our reasoning and subsequent actions." "Consequently, we may become more protective or express ourselves in conflict-provoking ways," Gillis explains. 

Due to the fact that alcohol reduces inhibitions and makes it more difficult to maintain composure and calmness, drinking alcohol at holiday parties can also fuel disputes. In a poll conducted by the American Addiction Centers in 2021, 57% of 3,400 respondents reported having at least one family member who becomes confrontational during holiday celebrations after consuming too much alcohol.

Lady in pain

Your stomach doesn't feel good. It's not heartburn, but it is food-related. Occasionally, the discomfort begins during a meal, and occasionally about a half-hour later. You experience bloating, fullness, or a burning pain. You feel nauseated and may even vomit. You might refer to it as "stomach upset" or "indigestion." Doctors call it
dyspepsia. Functional dyspepsia is diagnosed when standard diagnostic tests fail to identify a cause. When there is no clear medical solution, a healthy diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress reduction can be beneficial.

Eat the right foods.

Avoid eating foods that cause symptoms. Caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and spicy, acidic, or fatty foods are typical offenders.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals to prevent stomach distention and facilitate rapid emptying.
Chew your food thoroughly and slowly.

If you want to avoid swallowing too much air, don't eat quickly, chew gum, drink carbonated drinks, or smoke.

Two hours after eating, avoid lying down.

Maintain proper weight control.

Reduce stress.

Satisfying ways to deal with all the food that comes with the holidays.

Many people don't begin eating healthier until January 1. In any case, the holidays are filled with stress and extra portions of rich foods, so why bother?

How to start plan a healthier new year
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This, however, is an ideal time to adopt new habits, so dismiss that negative thought. According to Teresa Fung, a registered dietitian at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the dietary changes you make now will help you manage stress and avoid overindulging in holiday foods. You can also start the new year with momentum and determination if you switch to a healthier diet.

Four keys to healthy holiday eating
Fung recommends four excellent strategies for a healthier diet that will give you a head start towards a healthier 2023.

Concentrate on portion control and conscious eating. During the holidays, tempting food options and larger portions—think family dinners and party spreads—often lead to overeating. Fung states that this is a wonderful opportunity to practise portion control. For instance, if three different cakes are available at the party and you enjoy all of them, take a small portion of each. Fung says, "This way, you can enjoy a variety of treats without overindulging."

Eating at large gatherings provides an opportunity to practise mindful eating, which can help prevent overeating. Fung advises, "Concentrate on eating slowly and savouring the flavours, and take breaks to converse and socialise." "The slower pace allows your body to register what you've consumed and send a signal to your brain that you're full, so you're less likely to go back for seconds or thirds."

Push the plants. Make plant-based foods a top priority when planning your holiday meals. The Mediterranean and MIND diets, for instance, emphasise the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as the use of healthy oils. These diets contain a lot of fibre, vitamins, and minerals, which lower blood pressure and help you stay at a healthy weight (both welcomed gifts during the holidays).

"The holidays are an ideal time to transition to a plant-based diet, as you will be cooking more than usual and will frequently need new meal ideas," says Fung. Here are some ways to initiate a plant-based lifestyle.

Eat more salads. These are great for holiday parties and family dinners because they can be made in large quantities. Fung suggests incorporating a side salad into at least one daily meal.

Adopt a vegetarian day. Once per week, devote an entire day to eating only fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. "This can help you recognise the types and quantities of foods you need to consume without feeling constantly compelled to do so," says Fung. As you become more comfortable, try exercising twice a week. One fun idea is to have different meals or foods on different days of the week, such as whole-grain Wednesdays and stir-fry Fridays.

Man sitting inside his house

If you intend to remain in your home for as long as possible, you should take the following precautions: Consider your health, the security of your home, and the available community resources. The following questions will aid you in your deliberation. If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you should consult a physician. Share your answers with your family and consider contacting an "aging-in-place" specialist who may be able to assist you in determining if remaining in your home is a safe option.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

  • Do you have any physical health conditions, such as arthritis, that could limit your mobility?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia?
  • Your home may be difficult to navigate safely if it has stairs, doorways that are too narrow, or dimly lit areas.
  • Would the cost of home modifications exceed your budget?
  • Do you live alone?
  • Do your children or other members of your family reside more than 30 miles away?
  • Do you live more than a safe distance away from parks and other places to have fun?
  • Are you responsible for all aspects of home maintenance, including gardening and snow removal?
  • Have you stopped driving?
Check out Aging in Place, a Harvard Medical School Special Health Report, for more information on how to maintain your health, independence, and safety as you age.

Photo by Vodafone x Rankin everyone.connected: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-sitting-in-armchair-in-home-library-14599192/
Here are five times you should never speak up.
Woman with her finger on her lips smiling

1. When you are aware that your words have the potential to cause great harm to another person. Even if you don't mean any harm with your words, they can still cut deep if they are insulting, sarcastic, or condescending. Words spoken years after the fact can still have the same crippling effect as those spoken moments later. One's choice of words has the power to either comfort or traumatise.

2. If you're extremely angry, keep quiet. Take a deep breath and don't say anything when you're feeling angry. Don't explode until you've calmed down. Those who go into a deep silence when they're angry are likely too afraid to express their feelings for fear of upsetting the people who mean the most to them. They hide their anger because they think that letting it out would make things worse between them and the person they are mad at.

3. When you feel strong feelings coming on inside, be quiet so we can figure out what's going on.


Your bedroom is perhaps the most personal space in your home. As the place where you go to relax and re-energize, it is worthy of your whole focus. But before you head out to the stores to spruce up your bedroom, have a look at these suggestions for how to make the space as lavish as possible.

Use a rug. One of the simplest ways to make your bedroom look better is to add texture and warmth. Whether you're into florals or more muted tones, like jute, a gorgeous rug will pull your bedroom design together in an instant.



Use a hanging lamp or a pendant light. Eliminating the breast lights is a requirement. Get a dazzling chandelier or other dramatic hanging light to take their place. These Wayfair Chandelier adds drama and romance, so there's no reason to go overboard on your spending.

Focus on the statement pieces. A bed frame made of dark wood, a beautiful gilded dresser, or a velvet armchair may serve as the room's center point. The room should not be crammed with furniture; instead, each piece should be given space to shine.

Maintain a clear floor. Although this is primarily a housekeeping recommendation, it should not be disregarded. Keep the floor of your bedroom neat and uncluttered; no piles of books or tangles of cords.

Upgrading your hardware. The original hardware on your dresser and nightstands should not be kept (unless it is really beautiful). Hardware replacement is a quick and easy way to update the aesthetic of a space without breaking the bank. Materials as varied as crystal, diamonds, copper, and more.

Renovate your vanity. If your vanity is untidy, as is your nightstand, your bedroom may look crowded. Makeup storage containers, such as the cheap stackable acrylic chests sold by The Container Store, are a must-have right now.

Put in some plants. The easiest and quickest way to make a place look more expensive is to decorate it with plants. It's totally up to you how this shows up: Do we have a fern of some size? What kind of plants do you have in your little pots above your dresser? Regardless, a few well-placed plants may push a space over the edge into the realm of luxury.

Here are a list of indoors plants for bedroom

Red and white Christmas cactus.

Hippeastrum 'Royal Red'.

Phalaenopsis 'White Willd Orchid'.

Cyclamen 'Halios Red'.

Cactus plants.

Display your artwork. Exhibit your unique style with a show-stopping work of art like a sculpture, photograph, or colorful painting. It can certainly be hung, but if you like, you can even lean your prized possession against the wall.

 

Watches make great gifts for any occasion, particularly when you’re looking for a last-minute present. Not only are watches practical, but they’re also stylish and timeless. Whether you’re looking for a gift for a family member, a friend, or a colleague, watches offer the perfect solution.

Gifts wrapped up
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Benefits of Watches as Gifts

Watches make great gifts for many reasons. For one, they’re both functional and stylish. They’re perfect for making a statement, and they’ll never go out of style. They can be dressy or casual, depending on the occasion.

Another great benefit of watches is that they’re versatile and can be worn with many different types of outfits. You can find a watch to fit any personality or style, from classic and traditional to modern and edgy.

Additionally, watches can be a great investment. Many high-end watches are made from precious metals and stones, and some even come with warranties.

Finally, watches are a timeless gift. They’re often seen as a symbol of status and prestige, and they make a great impression. Plus, they’re practical and can be used for years to come.

Different Types of Watches

When it comes to watches, there are many different types to choose from. Classic watches are timeless and elegant, and they’re perfect for formal occasions. Casual watches are great for everyday wear and often feature a more playful design.

Sports watches are designed for active lifestyles and typically feature a stopwatch, a countdown timer, and other features. Luxury watches are made with high-end materials, such as gold and diamonds, and are often seen as a symbol of wealth and success.

Smart watches are becoming increasingly popular and are perfect for those who want to stay connected. They typically feature a touchscreen display and allow you to access your email, texts, and other notifications.

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