Monday, February 23, 2009

Eye Care Tips & Myths

Basic tips & common myths debunked for healthy eyes

Our lifestyle today is incredibly fast-paced that eating healthy and exercising have become a chore; not to mention that we rely heavily on computers and other electronic gadgets. What most of us don’t know is that this lifestyle also affects our eyes. So what can we do?

We all know that prevention is better than cure but with the numerous eye care tips going around, it is easy to get confused. What is it that we really should remember and follow?

To help us out, ophthalmologist Dr. Roderick A. Feliciano of The Lasik Surgery Clinic gives us some basic tips on how to take care of the eyes and clarifies some myths around it.

Tips
  1. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of nutrients such as beta carotene needed by the eyes.

  2. Take vitamins. Vitamins and supplements help ensure that our eyes get the proper dose of the nutrients it requires to function properly.

  3. Have adequate rest. Well-rested, unstrained eyes work more efficiently.

  4. Exercise regularly. Working out improves blood circulation. This is also the only time your eyes are sure to receive enough oxygen.

  5. Drink water. Drinking lots of water flushes out waste from the body that can help avoid puffiness in the eyes.

  6. Don’t rub. Do not rub and blink instead or flush with water when dust gets in your eyes. Rubbing your eyes can irritate it leaving it red and stinging.

  7. Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses aren’t only created to make you look cool. Wearing sunglasses actually protect your eyes from sunrays which can cause heavy damage to the eyes.

  8. Visit your eye doctor at least once a year. When going for a visit, you don’t only get checked if you still have a 20/20 vision. The eye doctor also examines you for other eye problems and also makes an assessment of what you need to keep your eyes in good condition.

Myths

  1. Sleeping with wet hair can cause blindness. No one knows where this originated. Perhaps this is an old wives tale to discourage children from getting the pillow wet.

  2. Washing your face after working in front of the computer will make your eyes blurry. This can actually freshen up the eyes.

  3. Reading in dim light or in a moving car can cause permanent eye damage. The worst that this can bring is to induce headache or nausea since eye muscles become strained from working harder since you're reading in an awkward position.

  4. All eye doctors are the same. There are two kinds of eye doctors: ophthalmologists and optometrists. Ophthalmologists are physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye that includes surgery while optometrists are medical professionals who examines and tests the eyes for disease and treats visual disorders by prescribing corrective lenses or vision therapy.

As a general rule, what is healthy for the body is also good for the eyes but “the bottom line is taking care of the eyes is a regular habit of having it checked” says Dr. Feliciano. Czarina Medina Año


To know more about eye care and The Lasik Surgery Clinic here.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

How to be a successful freelancer


Check your Finances
Going freelance is risky especially when it comes to financial security. You must keep in mind that with freelance status comes the elonquently worded risk, “No work, No pay.” Therefore, the flow of money is irregular. Remember to self-evaluate and review your current financial standing and support system before making any major shifts in your career. It may also be wise to discuss your career choices with family, friends, or even business experts to determine if they agree and if they’re willing to assist you until you’re at a comfortable pace. Also make sure you have “savings” to serve as a head start. You may want to consult a banking and finance professional to guide you in planning your finances.

Treat your work like a business
If you treat your work like a hobby, something just for sheer personal enjoyment, you might overlook some serious plans for the future. So if you want to make a living out of your craft or passion, treat your work like a CEO would treat his company.

Self-promotion is key
Advertise yourself like the freshest product in the market. Promote yourself online and offline in a very professional manner. You can put together a portfolio or a personal website to showcase who you are. If you have a budget, you can hire a web designer or go to a web service company to set up your own site. There are also free web hosts to accommodate such functions. 88DB.com is a service portal offering free ad posting to freelancers. Register as a member and create your own advertising profile. Email your portfolios to your prospective clients. Include the services you offer, your strengths, rates, references, and skill level. Portfolios in CD or DVD format may also be a good choice.

Build a huge network
Be a social animal. Socialize online and offline to promote yourself and to land more projects. This also includes participating in various online forums, knowledge Q & A, groups, business and social networking websites. The important thing is to be able to interact with other people working in the same industry as you are while making new associations and exchanging tips with them.

Practice good time management
As a freelancer, you have chosen to opt out of the 9-6 culture and so, time is in your hands. Not being able to manage your time wisely will be your downfall. Organize your work in an efficient manner. Make sure to systematize your time even for the simplest of work such as checking e-mails and finalizing paperwork. This will allow you to efficiently accommodate the much bigger tasks at hand.

Promise consistency and deliver consistency
Do not overcommit and underperform. Be reasonable with what you can and cannot do. Analyze the deliverables, set realistic expectations, and do your best.

Suggest other projects
A consistent amount of work load or a repeat business is your best friend. That means more work and more money. Don’t be afraid to request for more. There is no harm in asking.

Think positive and expect to succeed
Freelancing is not just about flexibility and adaptability. It is investing on your own skills to help you achieve a balance in your life, and if you let it, it will open the possibility of steering your career to a direction that truly fits your lifestyle. It’s about having self-belief and taking responsibility for your own future. Set your goals, put it in writing, work hard, and keep your eye on the prize. Romina Tobias

Are you a freelancer looking for more prospective clients? Post your free ad here and gain results.