Since moving to Lk Macquarie I've started driving again, after 15 years without a car. I'm grateful to my Mum, whose car I 'share', so I haven't had to buy/insure/maintain my own vehicle. However I have noticed that the hip pocket is getting a whacking, even on the low kilometres that I drive.
Of course, bigger picture, we should also consider the incredible environmental impacts worldwide that transport emissions cause. The following 'Fuel Efficient Driving' tips, could help you achieve reductions:
1. Avoid hard acceleration and braking, rather 'flow' with the traffic. An aggressive driving style can increase fuel consumption by 35%, compared to a smooth style.
2. When the weather is fine, switch off the air-con and open the windows. Not using air-con will reduce fuel consumption by up to 10%.
3. For short trips, to the local shops etc, walk or ride your bicyle - this will improve your cardiovascular health too!
4. Don't keep heavy gear like golf clubs, tool bags, SCUBA equipment etc in the vehicle if not in daily use. The extra weight can increase fuel consumption by up to 24%.
5. Remove roof-racks or bull bars if not required. They increase the aerodynamic drag and weight, which will increase fuel consumption by up to 5%.
6. Check the tyre pressure regularly and keep toward the maximum specified by the manufacturer. This will reduce rolling resistance, maximise tyre life and reduce fuel consumption by up to 2%.
7. Regularly service vehicles including wheel balancing and tyre rotation. Well maintained engines are more efficient and the life of your car will be increased.
8. When refuelling, fill only to the first 'click off' and ensure the cap is replaced securely, to avoid fuel spillages.
9. Switch off your engine when stuck in traffic for any length of time eg the Swansea Bridge opening, traffic jams/accidents.
10. When driving manual vehicles, learn to synchronise down-changes by lightly revving the engine with the clutch disengaged before the lower gear is engaged: Again smooth driving pays off.
11. When driving automatics, don't rest your left foot on the brake pedal. The extra drag, besides wearing out the brakes, can increase fuel consumption by up to 5%.
Happy driving!
Resource: http://www.eartheasy.com/live_fuel_efficient_driving.htm
Monday, November 10, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Pets for health
You've probably heard something about 'a pet being good for you' over the years, but not known why: many recent studies are proving it's not just from exercise.
Research has long shown that pet owners have better mental health, but what wasn’t clear was whether people of more robust health are more likely to get pets in the first place, or whether it was owning a pet that made them healthier. A German study using a sample group of 10,000 people studied over a five-year period, found that those who have a pet continuously for five years make the fewest visits to the doctor, with people who had got a pet within the study period being the next healthiest.
Physiologically, it seems the main effects of having a pet are on cardiovascular health. One study from New York State University found that hypertensive stockbrokers lowered their blood pressure readings after adopting a dog for six months – while other research found that just ten minutes in the company of a pet can significantly reduce blood pressure, as well as raise levels of the ‘bonding’ hormone, oxytocin.
Pet owners also have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners, which probably contributes to their 3% reduction in heart attack mortality rate. A New York study also found that pet ownership is predictive of survival one year on from a heart attack.
Additionally research has found that children who have a pet in their first year of life are less likely to suffer from allergies or asthma.
There is undoubtedly a strong psychological component in the pet-health connection as well. American research found that pet owners cope better with adverse life events such as bereavement, while other research found that children in war-torn countries coped with their harrowing circumstances better if they owned a cat or dog. Having someone else to worry about other than yourself is probably a big part of it, as well as being able to derive comfort from the love of a pet.
British researchers also found that children frequently preferred pets to humans as providers of comfort and as confidants, and noted that owning a pet can aid development of self-esteem. Even 50% of adults confide their worries to their pets – with 48% describing them as their ‘best friend.’
There are so many benefits of owning a pet that organisations around the world are beginning to take action to convey the advantages of having a four-legged friend to a wider audience. For example, the Pets As Therapy program organises doggy visits to hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions to benefit patients and residents every week.
In Australia, animal assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of patients, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants - either individuals or groups. The Children's Hospital, Westmead, is the first NSW hospital to run an AAT program where children who otherwise prove challenging in physiotherapy, and therefore have difficulty reaching their rehabilitation goals, work with a pet.
An increasing number of US companies are allowing dogs to be taken to the workplace by now participating in the annual ‘Take Your Dog to Work Day’. According to the American Humane Association, firms that allow dogs to be brought to work regularly benefit from happier employees, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.
So if you don't have a pet, looking after one could subtlely improve your health. It doesn't have to cost you a fortune either: your local animal shelter will be happy to help you find a pet to suit your lifestyle.
Resources:
http://www.realbuzz.com/en-us/Healthy_living/index?pageID=1278
http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/animal_assisted_therapy.htm
http://www.adoptapet.com.au/
Research has long shown that pet owners have better mental health, but what wasn’t clear was whether people of more robust health are more likely to get pets in the first place, or whether it was owning a pet that made them healthier. A German study using a sample group of 10,000 people studied over a five-year period, found that those who have a pet continuously for five years make the fewest visits to the doctor, with people who had got a pet within the study period being the next healthiest.
Physiologically, it seems the main effects of having a pet are on cardiovascular health. One study from New York State University found that hypertensive stockbrokers lowered their blood pressure readings after adopting a dog for six months – while other research found that just ten minutes in the company of a pet can significantly reduce blood pressure, as well as raise levels of the ‘bonding’ hormone, oxytocin.
Pet owners also have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners, which probably contributes to their 3% reduction in heart attack mortality rate. A New York study also found that pet ownership is predictive of survival one year on from a heart attack.
Additionally research has found that children who have a pet in their first year of life are less likely to suffer from allergies or asthma.
There is undoubtedly a strong psychological component in the pet-health connection as well. American research found that pet owners cope better with adverse life events such as bereavement, while other research found that children in war-torn countries coped with their harrowing circumstances better if they owned a cat or dog. Having someone else to worry about other than yourself is probably a big part of it, as well as being able to derive comfort from the love of a pet.
British researchers also found that children frequently preferred pets to humans as providers of comfort and as confidants, and noted that owning a pet can aid development of self-esteem. Even 50% of adults confide their worries to their pets – with 48% describing them as their ‘best friend.’
There are so many benefits of owning a pet that organisations around the world are beginning to take action to convey the advantages of having a four-legged friend to a wider audience. For example, the Pets As Therapy program organises doggy visits to hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions to benefit patients and residents every week.
In Australia, animal assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of patients, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants - either individuals or groups. The Children's Hospital, Westmead, is the first NSW hospital to run an AAT program where children who otherwise prove challenging in physiotherapy, and therefore have difficulty reaching their rehabilitation goals, work with a pet.
An increasing number of US companies are allowing dogs to be taken to the workplace by now participating in the annual ‘Take Your Dog to Work Day’. According to the American Humane Association, firms that allow dogs to be brought to work regularly benefit from happier employees, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.
So if you don't have a pet, looking after one could subtlely improve your health. It doesn't have to cost you a fortune either: your local animal shelter will be happy to help you find a pet to suit your lifestyle.
Resources:
http://www.realbuzz.com/en-us/Healthy_living/index?pageID=1278
http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/animal_assisted_therapy.htm
http://www.adoptapet.com.au/
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