Clean Your Belly Button!

Researchers, in trying to find the source of staph infections in hospitals, think they might have the answer; your belly button. Most people, when taking a shower or bath, kind of gloss over the naval area. Few people, if anybody, scrubs the navel really good. As it turns out, the belly button plays host to a lot of germs and bacteria, including staph. WHO KNEW? While most of us may never go under the knife, it’s good to know these things if you do. No need complicating any surgical procedure with a staph infection, as many of these bugs are now resistant to our best drugs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid one more kind of stress you never knew was out there…Clean your belly button!

Stress Tip for The Day:
While it might seem obvious to practice good hygiene with your belly button, the real stress tip for the day is this: Be sure to have a good patient advocate if you ever end up in the hospital. Hospital staff (particularly nurses, bless their hearts) are under a LOT of stress these days. Although it would be nice to think they can attend to every patient’s need, this isn’t always the case due to mounds of paperwork. A patient advocate (e.g. a close friend or relative) is someone who stays on top of things, like surgical procedures, (make sure they operate on the right body part), medications, and all the rest. Its disturbing to know that the 4th or 5th leading cause of death in the US is due to medical mistakes. So… start with cleaning your belly button, but don’t stop there.

Links/Books/Movies Worth Noting:
For those of you interested, here are a few links with more information on today’s topic:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110803174757.htm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/75042.php

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/41088.php

Quote for the Day:
“Hygiene is two thirds of health.” – Lebanese Proverb

“The only equipment lack in the modern hospital? Somebody to meet you at the entrance with a handshake!” ~Martin H. Fischer

Photo of the Day:
Cusco, Peru is referred to by natives as the “navel of the world.” It was only fitting, therefore to have today’s photo be an image of the heart of Cusco (mixed metaphors not withstanding). Enjoy!

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Brian Luke Seaward

Author Brian Luke Seaward

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