Health Northernclinic

This article examines the discipline of ergonomics and how this relates to modern office furniture. With millions of pounds each year paid out in compensation claims, ergonomic office furniture is essential in making sure that workers are not exposed to the risk of strain injuries and are able to perform their work tasks as productively as possible.

What is ergonomics?

We can define ergonomics as the process of designing products to meet the needs of the user. This is important when looking at furniture, for the office in order to maintain a happy, healthy and productive workforce.

Ergonomic office furniture can include office chairs that are adjustable so that all staff can be comfortable and at the right height, monitors at the right height off the desk to encourage good posture and reduce eye strain, and suitable keyboards and mice to reduce the risk of RSI and other strains and aches. Appropriate lighting is also important, to ensure that there is enough light in the room, and to reduce the risk of people straining to see whilst they work, and to minimise headaches caused at work.

Why is ergonomic office furniture important?

The reasons why ergonomic office furniture is increasingly becoming more important:

Health and safety of workers - By equipping their workers with ergonomic furniture, companies can reduce the risk of liability and legal action resulting from employees suffering with repetitive strain injuries. It is estimated that there are currently around 5 million cases each year of such injury and these result in payouts amounting to billions of pounds.

With so many days lost to injury and ill health, ergonomic office furniture is just one of the ways in which you can make sure that your workforce is at maximum possible capacity at all times.

Productivity and efficiency - Ergonomic furniture helps organisations to make sure that their workers are as productive as possible. After all, if you are comfortable in your working environment, it stands to reason that you will work more efficiently. For a small outlay, employers can benefit from big increases in production and efficiency, saving more time and money in the long run.

Why it is important to take a proactive approach to ergonomic office furniture

There are two different types of businesses, those who take a proactive and those who take a reactive approach to ergonomic office furniture. Proactive organisations make provisions for workers in the form of furniture for the office which is responsive to their needs, before this results in problems such as strain injuries.

Reactive organisations only respond when the need dictates that action is taken due to worker. By taking a proactive approach, you can protect yourself from potentially costly legal action and make sure that your staff work as well as they possibly can do.

Now you know more about ergonomic office furniture, isn't it time that you made sure that everyone in your office is comfortable, and has all they need to be more productive and efficient?

Skin is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. Unfortunately, your skin is also the access point for viruses and bacteria. The most common skin related problem is acne.

If you have never suffered with acne before and it suddenly begins appearing, do not take it lightly, rather seek out medical advice immediately. There are many possible reasons that may have caused it and you should have it seen to.

With a quick search, you could find hundreds of cures for acne online, though you can never be sure if they actually work or not. Many of these do have a money back guarantee in place, so it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

If you are not a big fan of over the counter products, there are many natural alternatives that may work just as well. These range from mixing certain products at home to going on a short all natural diet. You can usually find many of these treatments being discussed openly on the internet and you can try these out without having to spend a fortune. Always do your research before trying out something that is homemade, there are usually many other options to try.

If you have acne on your back or arms, it help to avoid wearing rough clothes that may break or damage the skin. It may cause irritation to your current acne and cause a further breakout. Try sticking to softer fabrics until you have found a good treatment.

Get ready to experiment with color this Fall! This season, the palette is bold and dramatic-focusing on rich earth tones, smoldering grays and blacks, and even some bright purples and teals. While there's plenty of '70s and '80s nostalgia behind these hot Fall styles, modern touches make them entirely now. From the latest eyeshadow hues to the "in" lip colors, Beauty Collection has everything you need to stand out this season.

1 Eye candy

For a playful, dramatic evening look, deliciously bright purples and turquoises are the hot colors this season. Runway models are sporting thick, bold candy colors under the rims of their eyes as well as on the lids. Not feeling the raccoon look? Stick to eyelids only, but go with a bold swath of color. Don't forget a matching eyeliner, like Stila Kajal, which is available in amethyst, emerald, and sapphire.

2 Cat's Eyes

For perfect cat's eye makeup, the secret is in the eyeliner. Practice with an eyeliner pencil first, then try a liquid eyeliner like Blinc Kiss Me Eyeliner. The trick is to extend the line slightly beyond the lid with a small upward turn.

3 Smoldering Looks

Black-rimmed eyes, like those sported by Heidi Klum, are a must this season. Start with a black matte eyeshadow like Stila Smudge Pot in Black. The key is to blend it well and create soft edges. Add a touch of shimmery silver to give it a softer, less Goth look with Stript Crushed Mineral Eye Shadow in Katrina.

4 Shades of Gray

For a softer look on the smoky side, gray eyeshadow-whether silver, gunmetal, or charcoal-is a must. Try Stila Smokey Eye Palette in Sapphire for a more subdued version.

5 Bold Brows

Go easy on the tweezers this fall! The natural look sported by Jennifer Connolly and Megan Fox is a great way to bring out your eyes. For fuller, thicker brows, try Anastasia Nu Brows, a formula designed to help promote growth while conditioning and restoring existing brows.

6 Dark Lips

Sugar plums and burgundies are the lip colors this season. Be sure to choose a color that works with your complexion-deep berry hues complement darker skin tones, while lighter shades work better for fair skin. For long-lasting color that won't feather, use LipFusion Micro Injected Collagen Clear Lip Pump, designed to plump up lips and bring out lipstick's true shade.

7 Big, Retro Hair

Hairstyles this season are a blast from the past with a modern twist. Whether you go with '70s-inspired long, wavy locks like Gisele or opt for a more extreme '80s homage like the Mohawksporting Rihanna, make sure to pump up the volume with the Fekkai Full Blown Volume Collection. Be sure to try the Full Volume Conditioner, Full Volume Mousse, and Full Volume Instant Root Lifting Spray.

8 Warmer Hair Hues

Say goodbye to the bright, sun-soaked colors of summer and hello to the richer tints of autumn. Take a cue from Katherine Heigl, who recently traded her trademark blonde for auburn, featuring rich cinnamon and chocolate hues. Go with warm, natural lowlights-honeyhued for blondes; burgundy for brunettes. Use Fekkai Salon Color which comes with a brush and a bowl for an easy at-home salon quality experience. Then lock in your color with Fekkai's Technician Color Care 3-minute Mask.

9 Contoured Cheeks

For sculpted cheekbones like Keira Knightley, the secret is in the shading. Try using three colors, such as Senna Radiance Face Trio, to highlight the cheekbones. Apply a darker color along the cheekbones, use a lighter shade for the apple of your cheeks, then finish off with a light powder.

10 Matte Makeup

So long, shimmer! In cooler seasons, it's all about matte for a flawless look. Available in ten different shades, Stript Crushed Mineral Foundation offers perfect coverage without clogging pores. The mineral based foundation absorbs excess oils while protecting the skin from harmful UV rays-who could ask for anything more?

Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate has been a home remedy for years. Many of us have heard of it but don't really know how to use it or why it works. There are many benefits to using these natural minerals. Here are a few ways it can help with your wellness program.

How to use
The most common use for muscular wellness is an Epsom salt bath. This is adding at least two cups of salts to a warm bath and soaking for at least ten minutes. This is recommended for people who are involved in a strenuous or new exercise routine or after they've received a deep tissue massage.

Besides a bath, you can also try a foot soak. Adding about a ¼ cup of salts to a shallow pan of water is enough. This is wonderful to soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin. Adding aromatherapy to either of these adds a whole new dimension to your experience. One to defiantly try is adding peppermint essential oil to your foot soak. This makes your feet feel like they're floating on air.

Benefits of
An Epsom salts bath has the following benefits:
• Relaxes muscles
• Draws toxins from the body
• Sedates the nervous system
• Reduces swelling
• Natural exfoliate

Why it works
The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt penetrates the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect. The body's magnesium level increases when soaking with salts, which promotes the body's production of serotonin; a mood-regulating neurotransmitter that may increase feelings of relaxation and well-being. Magnesium has also been proven to support heartbeat regularity and the immune system.

When not to use
It is best to not use hot bath salt soaks if you have heart problems, varicose veins, and high blood pressure, are diabetic or are pregnant. Please consult your physician prior to soaking in an Epsom salt bath if you have any of these conditions.