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November 26, 2002
Contact: Angela Kelleher,
College of Nursing News Bureau, 509/324-7218,
writers@mail.wsu.edu
Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing News Bureau,
509/324-7372, susann@wsu.edu
Holiday Tips Offered by the
WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing
SPOKANE, Wash. –
The Healthy Side of Pine:
Debating whether to get a cut, live or artificial
pine tree this year for Christmas? The positive
effects of the scent of true pine oil may
influence your decision. Smell is connected to
the part of the brain that forms and retrieves
memory. The lingering smell of pine may bring
back memories of holiday gatherings with family
and friends, but in addition to happy memories
your body may be benefiting from the medicinal
effects of this useful oil. The essential oil of
pine is steam distilled from the needles and is
effective in treating bronchitis, sinusitis,
asthma, and has been found to relieve both
rheumatic pain and nervous exhaustion. A live
tree can act as an air disinfectant with the
scent of the needles able to help fight
respiratory infections and coughs explains
Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of
Nursing Preceptor, RN and Clinical
Aromatherapist, Janis Burke.
If you prefer an artificial tree, you can place a
few drops of pure pine oil (available through a
reputable dealer such as scentsibility.com) at
the base in an absorbent cloth or in a dish of
warm water to release the oil into the air. Since
pine oil can help relieve congestion, it also
helps to take in a healthy breath and, according
to some sources, improve self-image and
acceptance. When you consider the hectic
schedules we keep this time of year, along with
the cold weather and stiff joints many must
endure, it is refreshing to realize that the
smell of pine can both refresh and soothe! If you
notice that you develop cold symptoms or
bronchitis after putting up your live tree, you
may want to consider if you are allergic to pine.
Follow up with your health care provider as
needed and keep your tree in the garage or
outside for a few days to see if symptoms improve
- if so, consider use of an artificial tree
without using the pine oil. For assistance in
reaching Burke, burkej@wsu.edu,
contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing
communications director at (509) 324-7372,
susann@wsu.edu or
Angela Kelleher, communications writer at (509)
324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu.
Winter Fitness: Extra pounds
acquired over the holidays can linger year after
year contributing to health problems such as
obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart
disease. Winter also causes a decline in physical
activity, as days become shorter and severe
weather limits exercise options. If winter
weather creates activity barriers for you, take a
closer look at those barriers and strive to
combat them with creative solutions. Outdoor
activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country
skiing, down hill skiing and ice-skating are
great recreational ways to dodge the winter
pounds.
Intercollegiate College of Nursing/WSU College of
Nursing Associate Professor Margaret Bruya
recommends eating defensively. Stop when you are
full. Balance your proteins, carbohydrates and
fats, avoid second helpings, drink water before
and during meals and settle for a taste rather
than an entire dessert. If you do overindulge,
don't give up. You can return to sensibility
tomorrow. Continue with usual activities during
the holidays: walk the dog, get out of the house
and take a stroll around the park, ride your bike
or go skiing. Finally, keep active, and be aware
of calorie intake. For assistance in reaching
Bruya, bruyam@wsu.edu
contact Susan Nielsen, College of Nursing
communications director at 509/324-7372, susann@wsu.edu or
Angela Kelleher, communications writer at
509/324-7218, writers@mail.wsu.edu.
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