In 2009, the US Equal employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 93,277 workplace discrimination related charges- the second largest number of complaints they have received in their history. Employers are responsible for developing inclusive workplace policies to remove barriers and promote a positive, supportive workenvironment. There has been a shift in the way management handles employee complaints related to discrimination, as today, many employers encourage their employees to report observed misconduct, helping improve management’s ability to become better informed of conflicts at each level of the workplace.
A company’s anti-discrimination policy requires proper support from management, as well as a thorough understanding from company employees in order to successfully deter workplace discrimination.
What Makes For a Standout Anti-Discrimination Policy?
In order for an anti-discrimination policy to be effective, the policy needs to be enforced by managers at all levels. Employees need to take the policies seriously– understanding they will face consequences for policy violations and that there are mechanisms in place that will catch them. Policies and reporting tools are used to reduce risks in the workplace, while also reducing any opportunities for employees to get away with misconduct without facing the appropriate consequences.
Policy Statement
Establishing a policy statement defines the purpose of the anti-discrimination policy. At Vodafone, they have developed their “Employee Rights Policy,” as well as this equal opportunity and diversity statement:
“We believe employee diversity is an asset to our business. Men and women of various ages from different backgrounds and cultures, with a range of different experiences, help us understand and serve our customers around the world.
Vodafone aims to create a working culture that respects the value of differences among colleagues and encourages individuals to contribute their best within an environment that is inclusive, open, flexible and fair. We will not tolerate discrimination or unfair treatment on any grounds. Employees must act with integrity and respect for their colleagues and customers. We are committed to helping talented people from diverse backgrounds meet their potential at all levels of the company.”
Vodafone’s statement is easy to understand, demonstrates the company’s goals for inclusion and diversity and states the company’s position regarding the intolerance of discrimination. Communicating zero tolerance for acts prohibited by law and deemed inappropriate in the workplace demonstrates the commitment of the company to go above and beyond the law to create a safe workplace for all.
Definitions and Examples of Discrimination
Since discrimination comes in many forms, employees need to understand what the different forms of discrimination are and why they are unacceptable. Include definitions of ability, age, sexual, pregnancy, racial, gender, religious, ethnic, equal pay and other group classifications protected under the law. Sources to turn to for definitions and legal obligations include the US Equal employment Opportunity Commission, United Nations human rights and state and federal laws pertaining to workplace discrimination.
The article “Loaded questions, firing baby-Boomers, and banning hats in the office: How to protect against discrimination suits with a comprehensive EEO policy” suggests:
“Clearly define which groups are protected from discrimination, and keep in mind state and federal civil rights laws when doing so. Provide examples of the types of employment decisions that are made without regard to one’s protected characteristics. These include decisions relating to selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.”
Providing examples, as well as answers to frequently asked questions related to discrimination, should be included in the anti-discrimination policy to assist employees in developing a stronger understanding of unwelcome acts in the workplace. For example, in the Thomson Reuters “Code of business Conduct and Ethics,” they have included situational workplace examples of discrimination, as well as answers to frequently questions in their company policies to help create a better understanding of what is expected of Thomson Reuters employees.
Consequences and Anti-Retaliation
Clearly list and define the process for administering reprimands to employees found guilty of violating anti-discrimination policies. Outline the order and types of warnings given to employees and provide them with examples of actions that lead to each of the consequences. In some instances, a first time offender may commit a significant act that requires greater reprimand than the one outlined for the “first warning”, therefore, it’s also wise to mention this possibility in the policy. The consequences for discriminatory acts in each company should include a level of severity, as discrimination violates basic human rights. In the article “Loaded questions, firing baby-Boomers, and banning hats in the office: How to protect against discrimination suits with a comprehensive EEO policy,” they state the reasoning behind included an anti-retaliation statement:
“Employees should know that they are protected from retaliation. As such, it’s important to clearly state that no employee will be discriminated against, or discharged, for bringing about a complaint of discrimination or for assisting in an investigation into discriminatory practices.”
Incident Reporting
Employees need to be provided with contact information and a step-by-step process for properly reporting observed discrimination. On either the first or last page of the anti-discrimination policy, include the corporate reporting structure and contact information for the key individuals in the HR department, a Chief compliance Officer, the Ethics and Compliance Department or an Ombudsman- if present. At General Mills, they have established a third party Ethics Line that’s available 24 hours a day to take calls. The use of an independent reporting service allows callers to decide whether or not they want to remain anonymous when reporting and issue.
Another incident reporting tool that companies have been using is ethics and compliance pages on the company website or intranet. On these pages, there are intake forms where concerned individuals can fill in then submit the form online to communicate their issue. It’s best to provide employees with a variety of methods for reporting issues involving discrimination, as each of these options are built to suit the level of comfort employees have with reporting misconduct. In order for a reporting tool to be effective, employees need to be made aware of the tools, how to use them and how they will remain protected from retaliation for using them.
About the Author
i-Sight is a case management software platform designed to simplify your process and provide outstanding reports. It’s primarily configured to manage customer complaints and corrective actions, or employee relations, HR & ethics investigations. It’s also used for a variety of other customized case management solutions. We blog at i-Sight.com, providing advice and tips to HR managers and investigators in regards to managing internal investigations.
Misogynistic Mayor Bloomberg may cost Christine Quinn her Leadership
Not everyone can diagram their pregnancy well in go forward, and many women have a perfectly fit pregnancy with no special arrangements at all.
However, if you and your partner have the lavishness of time to get in the climax of health and fitness previous to you conceive, you will get better your chances of conception and also have a better chance of a healthy pregnancy and a well baby.
discover the many stage of your pregnancy with Your Pregnancy Week by Week – a adapted pregnancy calendar bent just for you!
For more Pregnancy Care information visit http://www.getallabout.com/pregnancy/
Our pregnancy lead will show you what’s episode with your body & your baby, as well as early signs of pregnancy, fetal increase, pregnancy symptom, and so much more, broken down by trimester or week by week.
Pregnancy questions are answered, and we’ll even show you a number of pictures & videos along the way!
We’ve made it easy for you to get all the pregnancy info you require in one place.
Our illustrated pregnancy calendar is a full guide to all the changes captivating place in your baby — and in you!
Each week of pregnancy include a account of your baby’s growth, as well as an explanation of the changes attractive place in your body.
You’ll also find significant medical info that will help stay you and your baby healthy.
Pregnancy Week by Week
You have just originate out you’re pregnant or you are development for a baby.
Pregnancy is a amazing time in the life of a woman, but it also poses a lot of questions, such as what’s event in my body through my pregnancy?
Our weekly pregnancy calendar provides useful information on what’s occurrence in your body and with your baby.
Pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks or nine months which is alienated into three trimesters. Pregnancy is count from the first day of woman’s last period.
The signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary in force, duration and frequency from woman to woman.
1. Missed period 2. Breast tenderness 3. Fatigue 4. Frequent urination 5. nausea and dizziness 6. food cravings or increased liking for certain food 7. Sensitivity to aroma 8. morning sickness and heartburn
1. It is crucial that your body has the compulsory chemical rudiments, strength and stamina to make it from beginning to end pregnancy with good quality health. Poor diet all through pregnancy can have lifetime penalty on the physical and mental health of your child.
2. Unfortunately, for most of the women in affluent Western societies who have unlimited access to all kinds of food and no mentor to guide them from end to end pregnancy, the trap of eating what they should not eat and at the same time of not knowing what they should eat is very probable.
3. The ideal diet is a balanced whole food one which gives the crucial inputs required throughout pregnancy.
4. growing a baby require a lot more energy particularly in the earlier months when cell separation is most intense.
Vegetarians can source these from pulses and legumes (peas, lentils, beans, nuts, SOY products) eaten in mixture with whole grains such as rice, wheat ,oats, barley, rye, corn, buckwheat etc.
5. Try to eat high protein foods for lunch when you will be able to procedure them more professionally than at night.
How well a tattoo ages and how long the colors remain vibrant are most affected by the first three weeks of aftercare given a new tattoo. That statement implies what often goes unstated in the world of tattooing but what is tacitly understood by all—that tattoos do change over time. Because we know that the skin is constantly changing, we know that the appearance of a tattoo must also change. As skin stretches or shrinks, becomes injured, or simply ages, tattoos also stretch, shrink, and age. In addition, certain colors (red) are more likely to fade than others (blue) and will change more quickly.
This articles describes the changes that the tattooed can expect and how they can help to mitigate unwanted changes with detailed aftercare information and also preventative measures that can be taken during the lifetime of the tattoo.
Transition
It’s natural to keep looking at your new tattoo in the mirror at this point, so don’t feel too narcissistic. People in the shop will no doubt be looking also. Now that the tattoo is complete, your artist will dispose of all the single-use items and remove the tattoo machine for later disassembly so that the tubes and needles can be cleaned and sterilized. The work area will have the Saran wrap removed, if it was used, and then he wiped down, just as when the whole process started.
The healing process begins almost immediately but your best and first layer of protection, your skin, has been penetrated. Your tattoo artist will take immediate steps to address that situation. Your tattoo will be cleaned with alcohol one last time—the cool feeling is a relief to the hot sensation caused by the swelling. A final coat of Vaseline (or other topical ointment of choice) will be applied, and then a bandage. That’s right, your brand-new tattoo is going to be hidden for its first several hours. The bandages vary from shop to shop, even from tattoo to tattoo. Sometimes a sterile pad with medical tape is used. Other tattoos, however, like a very large back piece, are impossible to bandage in that way. Instead, Saran wrap alone, held down by medical tape, might be used. The purpose of the bandage is to prevent infection and promote healing. Any sterile bandage material that accomplishes those goals is good for the task. Other options include a nonstick Telfa pad, and even a diaper for an awkward position on the body.
Your tattooist will tell you what to do to care for your new tattoo. These do’s and don’ts are the all-important aftercare instructions. The burden of infection prevention now shifts to you. Despite all efforts made on your behalf by the tattoo your artist, assuming that you’re happy with your new tattoo and you can afford it. Tip or not, though, if you’re happy with your tattoo, you might want to say so before you leave.
Also at this point, tattoo artists sometimes like to snap a quick photo of the piece before you leave. Ideally, they’d like to get a nice photograph for their portfolio or web site when the tattoo is completely healed. But that would mean that clients would have to come back for the express purpose of providing a photo op—which rarely happens. Instead, most tattoo photos are taken right after the tattoo is done. Occasionally, clients return for more tattoos, providing an opportunity to photograph the healed piece.
Aftercare Calendar
The next couple of weeks are a critical time for you and your new tattoo, which is why tattoo shops will go to the trouble of providing written aftercare instructions for their clients. If you’ve looked into aftercare at all, though, you quickly realize that these instructions vary from shop to shop, and they have also changed over time. There are a few reasons for that variation. Different products for aftercare are available in different places, even on the same continent.
Tattoo artists may he apprenticed using certain products and may keep using them even when they move off and set up their own shop. Experience and a history with these aftercare products is important in the same way that experience is important for the choice of tattoo inks. Confidence in a product or technique builds over years of working with hundreds if not thousands of clients.
But with all the variation of time, place, and tattooist, there still remain some broad and common themes that run through aftercare instructions. The common denominator is twofold: preventing infection and promoting healing. Add to that a third goal of trying to retain as much ink as possible in the tattoo and you begin to understand the reasoning behind all aftercare instructions. The following is a generic aftercare calendar of what you can expect during the first few weeks with your new tattoo and what you need to do to take care of it.
DAY 1: This is the big day—the day you’re tattooed. Although most tattoo artists will instruct you to leave your bandage on for a minimum of two hours and hopefully somewhere between two and twelve hours, what they’re really shooting for is that you’ll leave it on overnight. You want the tattoo to remain moist and protected for as long as possible. Don’t go overboard with this, though. Leaving the bandage on overnight prevents the new tattoo from sticking to your pajamas or sheets on that first night, but the next morning should be considered the upper limit on how long the bandage should stay in place. Ideally then, on Day 1, you will not see, let alone touch, your new tattoo.
DAY 2: Wash your hands! Always, before touching your tattoo, including removing the bandage, wash your hands with an antibacterial soap. Let this become your new ritual, much like the tattoo artists before they put on their gloves. Remove the bandage, slowly, in case it has stuck to the tattoo. If that’s happened, then moisten the bandage with warm water (in the shower might be the easiest way) until it comes free without pulling. Gently, oh so gently, wash your new tattoo with a mild soap and warm water. Your goal is to remove any blood, lymph fluid, ink, or Vaseline that was left on the surface of the skin. You don’t want to scrub or even use a washcloth. Instead, use your clean hands and gently work off anything that is on the surface. Don’t soak your tattoo for the sake of soaking it, though. Once it’s clean, stop washing it. Pat it dry with a clean towel, taking care never to rub it. This is probably your first long look at it, all clean and new in its pristine glory. You will not be applying a new bandage.
Exception #1 in the aftercare game: The vast majority of people will not need a second bandage, but occasionally the double bandage is the best course for some people. Folks who are prone to scabbing or thick scabs or who have an impaired ability for the skin to heal itself or whose ink just doesn’t seem to stay (which you would only know from past tattoo experi- ence) might try a second bandage—but probably for not more than another twelve hours. After washing as above, apply another clean coat of Vaseline (or whatever product was used) and rebandage (with the same type of dressing as was used initially, or perhaps just Saran wrap and medical tape).
As the skin of the new tattoo heals, you want to keep it moist. How to prevent scabbing, which removes color from the tattoo and which would also create itching and the temptation to touch the tattoo, even scratch it. In order to prevent drying, you’ll use a cream to moisturize the tattoo. How often and how much? You want to use enough so that the tattoo doesn’t feel tight, dry, or itchy, and you want to achieve a thin coating, since you don’t want to clog the pores.
What type of cream or lotion should you use? There are many from which to choose, and every tattooee and artist will recommend something different. What it amounts to, though, is label reading. You want to avoid alcohol since it will dry the skin. At this point, you also want to avoid oil, grease, petrolatum (which is in Vaseline), and lanolin (animal oil extracted from wool) since these will clog pores. You want to avoid fragrance since it doesn’t do anything for you and could prove to be an irritant to freshly tattooed skin. What are your choices? They fall into two main categories: products made just for tattoo aftercare and products you can buy at any drugstore, grocery store, or pharmacy.
Specialized tattoo products (Tattoo Goo, Black cat Super Healing Salve, THC Tattoo Aftercare, etc.) may be no better or worse than regular moisturizers at the supermarket. Again, it amounts to label reading. Some of these specialized products, typically sold in tattoo parlors, contain beeswax or dyes and fragrance. Some contain mixtures of homeopathic herbs, vitamins, and oils. Regular moisturizers and lotions (Curd, Lubriderm, A and D Ointment) are much the same, without the cool packaging and the word “tattoo” in the name. Again, these may contain petrolatum or lanolin and dyes and fragrances. You ideally want something as moist and neutral in terms of its chemical composition as possible.
An antibiotic cream perhaps? Well, here’s the deal with that. Many, many, many people use antibiotic creams in the aftercare of their new tattoo (like Neosporin, Polysporin, Bacitracin, Bepanthen, etc.). An antibiotic, however, is for killing bacteria and these may not, hopefully will not, be present. Antibiotic creams do not necessarily promote healing. in addition, in a very small percentage of people who are allergic to certain antibiotics, a relatively high dose through all those punctures in the skin can lead to the ultimate in allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock—a full-body allergic reaction that is characterized by breathing difficulty and plummeting blood pressure. So, while an antibiotic isn’t really necessary unless an infection develops, it will do no harm unless you just happen to be allergic to it.
Avoid wearing tight, restrictive clothes—including shoes if your new tattoo is on your foot—right over the top of the new tattoo. Wear clothing that breathes, allowing fresh air to reach the tattoo, cotton being ideal. No nylon stockings, for example, or polyester shirts. They don’t breathe, and they can also stick to a new tattoo.
You might also want to avoid hard workouts that flex the new tattoo or cause excessive sweating. Remember that your skin is healing, and these first few weeks are critical to the final look and longevity of your tattoo. A small amount of prevention now is worth untold rewards later.
So, on Day 2, remember to wear appropriate clothing and take your moisturizer with you, along with some antibacterial hand wipes or liquid to wash your hands before you moisturize your tattoo.
DAY 3: Take your shower as normal and do your best not to soak your tattoo, although you can gently wash it as on Day 2. Wash your hands and apply your moisturizer as often as necessary to keep the tattoo from getting dry.
DAYS 4 To 14: Unless you notice signs of an infection or allergic reaction, your tattoo will go through a couple of different phases in this two-week time period. Ideally, your tattoo will not actually scab in the sense that we normally think of it. Instead, the colored and damaged epidermis may simply peel, just like a sunburn, becoming flaky and falling off. Like a sunburn, you don’t want to help it. Never scratch or pick at the skin (or scab) of your new tattoo. Never, never, never. The thinner the scab, if there is one, the better, even paper thin. Thick scabs delay healing and can remove color from the new tattoo. Adhere strictly to the “NOs” in the first two weeks. If itching is driving you crazy, you might resort to an antihistamine, but check with your doctor first.
DAYS 15 TO 21: In general, tattoos will he completely healed somewhere between two and three weeks, although most will take only two weeks. Until your tattoo has completely peeled or the scab has completely fallen away, your tattoo is not complete. Even if the peeling has finished or the scab is gone, the new epidermal layer that forms over your tattoo is going to be quite sensitive. By week three, if your tattoo is completely healed, you should still avoid sun, although you can go back to all your other vices—swimming, sauna, etc.
Just as when you sat down for your tattoo and signed your contract, remember that tattoo artists are not medical doctors. The guidelines that they give you and the guidelines given above are just that: generic guidelines which work for the majority of the populace. Only a medical doctor can give you medical advice and he or she is the only person that you should be consulting for such advice. Don’t rely on what your friends say or have done. Don’t rely on word of mouth. Your primary sources of information are your tattoo artist, in the form of aftercare instructions and based on experience, and your doctor, based on training.
Public Enemy Number One
Once your tattoo has completely healed, feel free to frolic in the hot tub and splash in chlorinated beverages all you like. When it comes to the sun, though, from here on out it is your tattoo’s number one enemy–Destroyer of Pigment, Vanquisher of Color, Fader of All Things Once Bright. It’s ironic, of course. You want nothing more than for your friends to see your new tattoo. Hell, for strangers to see it too. But tattoo viewings are best left to the great indoors, no matter what the beach at spring break looks like.
You’re used to the sun having an effect on your skin. In response to the radiation of the sun, it gets darker. You get a tan. That happens to all skin types, from white to black and everything in between. The pigment is called melanin and it’s produced by melanocytes in the epidermis. In darker skin, melanin is in a constant state of production. However, melanin is not produced in response to all radiation; it is specifically counteracting ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The skin produces melanin in response to UV light as a protective mechanism so that the melanin can absorb the UV radiation and protect other cells from UV damage. That’s all well and good and right. But consider how a darker epidermis affects the look of your tattoo. In order to see your tattoo, remember, you are looking through the epidermis. The darker the window, the darker the tattoo will look.
Fade Out
Tattoos fade just like all other color that comes under the rays of the sun. The technical term is photodegradation. Like the snapshot that you left on your dashboard for months or the red heart in bumper stickers that say “I [heart symbol] pain” or whatever it is you love, all pigments fade when exposed to the sun. Both CV and visible sunlight contribute to the process of fading colors, but it’s that nasty old UV that is also the culprit in a lot of skin problems. When it comes to color, radiation from the sun attacks the chemical bonds that absorb light. All pigments absorb light as part of their normal function. When you’re looking at a red heart, the reason you see red is because the blue and the yellow are being absorbed and only the red reflected. All pigments work this way, including those used for tattoos. They absorb some colors while reflecting others. When the chemical bonds are broken down at the molecular level by the nasty UV radiation (which they also absorb, to their detriment), they lose their ability to absorb and reflect different colors. Less red is reflected and possibly also more blue anti yellow, which used to he absorbed. What we see in the end product is a less intense red. Since tattoos are generally composed of darker colors (outlines of black as just a start), they are clearly absorbing more light than not (since they are reflecting less—this is why black clothes in the summer sun make you feel much more hot than white). If you want to preserve color, then keep it in the dark, like the wall paintings in the tombs of the pharaohs.
Tattoos battle another fading mechanism as well, since they are impregnated in a living organism, also known as our skin. We already know that if the tattoo pigment has not penetrated to the dermis and has instead ended up primarily in the epidermis, then the tattoo will seem to fade as the epidermis routinely sloughs off and rejuvenates itself. The process of forming new epidermal cells that push their way up from the bottom to the top of the epidermis where they are shed, carrying tattoo pigment right along with them, is some thirty-five to forty-five days. In the truest sense, this is not a faded tattoo per se. It’s an inferior one, since it never reached the dermis. Even for pigment that reaches the dermis, however, there are still some obstacles to overcome.Until your tattoo pigment has taken up permanent residence within the dermis in a fibroblast (a stringy type of cell that makes up connective tissue), your body will treat it like the foreign body that it is, attempting to capture it for escort out. The immune system tries to engulf the pigment molecule with a type of white blood cell, the largest of which is a macrophage. Sometimes the pigment molecule is ust too big, however (size does count), so the immune system may try to break it down into smaller parts by dissolving i Tattoo pigment doesn’t generally just dissolve but nevertheless, over time, your immune system will capture what it can and then transport it away in the lymph system.
If you’ve been tattooed, the lymph nodes closest to your tattoo likely carry tattoo pigment. After all is said and done, however, the immune system carries away only a small percentage and the remainder is captured in fibroblasts.
Which colors fade the fastest? It depends on the particular molecular composition of the pigment used. Some of the chemical bonds are less stable than others. We’ve already seen that the ingredients in tattoo pigment are largely unknown and, if known, their composition is sometimes held like a secret. The overwhelming anecdotal evidence for tattoos, however, is that red seems to fade the fastest. In tattoos that are twenty to fifty years old, sometimes the red is completely gone.
The best defense in the skin game is not necessarily a good offense. The best defense in the battle of fading tattoos is to combat tattoo enemy number one, the sun, by running away. The easiest and the most effective thing to do is cover the tattoo with clothing. A tattoo that is done well in the first place, healed properly, and protected from light can remain vibrant for many decades. Ironically, of course, this isn’t why many people get a tattoo. They get it to show it. So if you gotta show it, then show it indoors. If you gotta show it outdoors, do it in the winter on a cloudy day. If you gotta show it outdoors in the summer, do it in the early morning or late afternoon. And if you show it outdoors at all, use sunblock, always, always, always, even in winter on a cloudy day.
Sunblock and sunscreen are not created equal. A sunscreen chemically absorbs the UV radiation, not unlike the melanin naturally present in your skin, attempting to prevent as many of the rays from reaching your skin as possible. Sunscreens are generally transparent after they’ve been rubbed in. A sunhlock actually physically blocks the sun from hitting your skin. You’re probably familiar with the white nose treatment that lifeguards and sailing competitors wear. Those are examples of sunblocks, probably white zinc oxide. However, sunblocks don’t necessarily need to look like geisha makeup. ‘today they are available in a microbead form that is also transparent. The American cancer Society recommends a sunscreen or sunblock rated at least SPF 15 in order to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Applying it correctly is also a must as long as you’re going to use it: apply twenty minutes before being in the sun, twenty minutes after (think of it as the second coat of paint that gets the thin spots), and every two hours after that. As you may recall, your tattoo resides in your dennis while the cells that create a suntan and natural skin color reside in your epidermis. That means that your tattoo will not protect you from a sunburn in that spot. What’s good for your skin is good for your tattoo. Neither is maintenance free when treated right.
Stretch and Shrink
Tattoos will stretch and shrink, but only within limits. Moderate and gradual weight gain or loss will have little effect on a tattoo except to stretch and shrink it accordingly. Think of birthday balloons that are slightly overinflated and underinflated. You can still read “Happy Birthday” pretty easily and the letters maintain their relative spacing and composition. However, other types of rapid weight gain or loss could be another matter. For example, women who are considering having children might want to think twice about an abdominal tattoo placement. Similarly, men who are planning on getting seriously into bodybuilding might want to reconsider their upper armband. Stretch marks (often associated with pregnancy but which can also afflict all women as well as men) can also appear on the arms, thighs, and buttocks and even the hips and lower back.
Blur(b)
Tattoos will blur for some of the same reasons that they fade. As the chemical bonds are broken and the molecules begin to break down as a result of exposure to the sun, the body’s immune system, always on the prowl, will attempt to take the smaller molecules away. In addition, tattoos on areas of the body that stretch constantly (the elbows, knees, ankles, feet, and even hands) will also blur more easily over time, for all the masons that we’ve discussed above. Tattoos done in skin that has already been damaged by overexposure to the sun also seem to he more susceptible to blurring, with the skin less able to hold the ink securely in position.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Tattoos change over time but there are simple and commonsense steps that can mitigate unwanted changes, perhaps even preventing them completely. Tattoo artists are loath to give a number on how many years a tattoo will last (which is essentially forever) or how long it will look good (which is so variable that there’s no good answer). The way a tattoo holds up over time is so dependent on its initial quality, the healing period, its maintenance, and the variations of people’s skins that it is impossible to predict. Even a well-executed, simple, lettered word, for example, placed on the knuckles and never covered in the sun, might begin to blur and fade in its first summer, especially given the stretching of the skin over the joints. The same exact lettering, however, on the back of the shoulder, which healed properly, never saw the light of day, and never suffered excessive stretching or shrinking, might remain nearly as crisp and legible in its second decade as it did in its second week.
Finally, though, let us acknowledge that as the skin naturally ages, the look of our tattoos changes as well. Age spots and wrinkles take their toll on the clarity and pristine color of our tattoos. Given enough time, even the boldest and darkest outline softens, inevitably blurring to a minute extent. The lines appear to grow ever so slightly thicker and the gaps between them seem to narrow, sometimes even disappearing. Shading that was once bright and solid becomes a touch less immediate and vibrant. Pigment is moving imperceptibly over time on a cellular level as the elasticity and resilience of our skin naturally declines. For these changes that come simply as a result of time, there is no escape—for our skins, our tattoos, or ourselves. Instead, only our attitudes toward that process count and dictate whether we see an aging tattoo as attractive or not.
About the Author
Tattoo guide, Symbol, Meaning, photos Images Gallery and Tattoo Culture history around the world www.tattoobody.org
Scrapbook ideas & tips : How to Create a Special Pregnancy Scrapbook
Teen Stress Can Be Reduced with Solid Stress Management Strategies
Teen Stress Can Be Reduced with Solid Stress Management Strategies
Teen stress is a common problem with this generation becoming known as the MPOD Generation. MPOD=MySpace and IPod. If you are part of this generation, then you have never known life without cell-phones, or personal computers. You have grown up with online-socializing, chatting with a community of friends that probably has a larger population than the town in which you reside. You live on instant messages and wireless technology. And yet, as a member of this techno-savvy generation you may be experiencing stress levels higher than previous generations. You are one of over 30 million teenagers, ages 12-20 years. You see your future to include serious issues such as war, terrorism and a faltering economy. The US has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the western industrialized world. Obesity is quickly becoming an epidemic among our youth, increasing the problems of self-esteem and anger management, not to mention the increases in health issues including type 2 diabetes, depression, and increases chances of heartdisease.
And here you are as a teenager, juggling many roles on a daily basis. Do you have the scheduling demands of fitting in a part time job? Are you a member of a varsity sport–with practices and more practices? Maybe you are studying for the SAT’s. Have you thought about what college is right for you? How will you pay for college? What about that term paper due next week? Do you have a date for the prom? Is your best friend mad at you? What did you say? No wonder you are feeling overwhelmed.
Teenage Stress Overload
Although some stress can be a good thing, too much stress can be destructive. During adolescence, there are significant changes that occur physically, emotionally, socially, and even academically. Some stressful situations can be extreme and may require special attention and care. Pressures that last too long, and are too intense and that you try to handle alone, can cause you to feel stress overload. Some teens have anxiety problems that can cause them to overreact to stress. Even small difficulties seem like a crisis. Many teens feel that they are under more stress than at any other time of life. Which of the following sources of day-to-day teenage stress apply to you?
• academic pressure and career decisions
• problems with peers–including bullying, relationship breakups
First of all, you are not alone with the stress overload you are feeling. If you are feeling tense, upset, worried, or stressed, it may be a sign of anxiety. Everyone experiences stress a little differently. Some people become angry and act out their stress or take it out on others. Some people internalize it and develop eating disorders or substance abuse problems. And some people who have a chronic illness may find that the symptoms of their illness flare up under an overload of stress. if you are experiencing any of the following warning signs, then you are under stress. If you find that you can not handle your situation, things may be difficult enough for you to seek outside counseling. Let’s consider the warning signs of teenage stress overload.
• a feeling of being constantly pressured, hassled, and hurried
• increased anger or irritable lashing out at others
• problems sleeping
• difficulty concentrating
• chronic feelings of worry and nervousness
• increased tearfulness and feelings of hopelessness
If you are experiencing stress overload, take the time to learn how to manage this stress so that you to navigate through your teenage years without too much trouble. The following strategies are meant as suggestions for teens to juggle the many roles they handle on a daily basis. It is stressful, no doubt but there are ways to make the time more fulfilling and enjoyable as you master the many assignments you have to accomplish.
Top Ten Stress Management Strategies for Teenagers
Stay aware of your stress signals. If you feel stressed, try some of these strategies. Since stress will be with you the rest of your life, sorry there is no way to completely eliminate stress from your lives–it is important to be comfortable with using some of these strategies. The most useful method of dealing with stress is learning how to use stress management strategies on a regular basis, so that you can avoid having a stress overload. Don’t just try to manage stress when the pressure is already on. Knowing how to de-stress and doing it when things are relatively calm can help you get through challenging situations as they develop. Consider these ten tips:
1. Guard against over scheduling. If you are feeling your time is stretched too thin, consider cutting out an activity for a while and prioritize which activities are really important for you.
2. Take care of your physical health. Get regular exercise to release the build-up of stress. eat nutritious meals so that you maintain the proper energy you need. Avoid caffeine. It is easy when you are stressed to eat junk food and skip meals. But your body needs vitamins and minerals more when it is under stress. Don’t substitute alcohol or drugs as a quick fix; your body will actually just break down sooner without its ability to cope well.
3. Get a good night’s rest. You may have a term paper due and you haven’t finished your math homework. But you will not be able to concentrate well with little sleep. Yes, the biological clock shifts during adolescence, and many teens prefer to stay up later at night and sleep later into the morning. That is not working with the current school schedule, so you need to get to bed earlier than you may want so that you can be alert when you have to get up early in the morning. Looks like you are going to have to re-arrange the homework schedule and get it done earlier in the evening or tuck in some time right after school. If you need to spend some late nights for a dead line—build in time to catch up on rest soon after the assignments are due. Oh, and you might want to consider preparing for tests early—a little each day before the scheduled exam so that you don’t feel stressed cramming the night before.
4. Learn to relax. The body needs to recover from stressful situations through relaxation so that you can have a sense of calm. Learn simple breathing exercises and then use them when you are caught up in stressful situations. Take deep breaths, accompanied by thought of being in control (I can handle this). Learn progressive muscle relaxation (repeatedly tensing and relaxing large muscles of your body). Start relaxing the feet muscles, then legs, then arms, then shoulders. Also build in some other calming activities (reading a book or watching a movie, [spending time with a pet]) that allow you to relax and divert your attention from thinking about the situations that are causing you stress.
5. Be realistic. It might be wise to lower your expectations for yourself. Don’t try to be perfect since no one is. And don’t expect others to be perfect either since that will put stress on them as well as you. If you need help on something like a school project, ask for it. If and when you make a mistake, learn from it—don’t dwell on your weaknesses or faults. Forgive yourself and others when things happen and may go wrong.
6. Focus on things that you can control. Let go of the things you can not control. It does you no good to worry about things that might happen, so try and concentrate on those things that you have direct influence over. Stop worrying about things that may never happen; a lot of useless energy is spent that way and when you are feeling stressed you need your energy for more productive uses.
7. Set small goals that are manageable. Learn to solve everyday problems to give you a sense of control and accomplishment. If you break tasks into smaller manageable chunks then you can see the progress you are making as these tasks get completed. Develop skills to calmly look at a problem and figure out how to create a solution so that you have a sense of control, not stress, in your life. Feeling confident in solving small problems first, builds inner confidence to tackle life’s more difficult problems and this will serve you well under times of stress.
8. Watch what you are thinking. Your attitude is very important to the way in which you approach life. Your outlook and thought influence the way in which you see things. Be positive. See the cup as half full rather than half empty. Optimism can help you make the best of a stressful situation. Try to learn to think more optimistically and you will find that things may not be a dire as you thought they were.
9. Get involved with things that you enjoy doing. Schedule breaks and activities with friends or take some breaks for “alone and recharging” times. Enjoy music, arts, sports and socializing to balance the stress you find in other aspects of your life.
10.Talk about problems with others, including parents, older adults and friends. It is always great to get another point of view and talking with others, even a counselor, can provide a great sense of renewed perspective and stress relief. Pray or read something inspirational. Don’t go it alone. Humans are built to share and you will find a great deal of comfort in having support from others. Initially, the problem may seem difficult to discuss with others, but if you can overcome this feeling and talk about it, you will find that you will feel better.
Indeed, stress is a part of life. But have you noticed that some people just seem to handle it better than others? Some of your friends may be able to take things in stride while you just can’t seem to forget about issues that have occurred in the past. It’s their attitudes. Yes, they may have a more optimistic outlook on life which serves them well. You need to think of stressful challenges as temporary. It’s not the end of the world–although you may think it is. Make goals for yourself and keep track of the accomplishments. You will be amazed at your progress. And don’t forget to relax. Be sure to take deep breaths when things seem out of control. Most importantly, believe in yourself.
About the Author
Ann Gatty is an educator, author, organizational strategist and personal consultant. She has taught in classrooms, museums, boardrooms and employee seminars. She has mentored and coached. She is a mother of two young adult boys. Dr. Gatty has developed curriculum for college courses in organizational leadership, museum studies, and teacher development. She has enjoyed supervising student teachers and mentoring young professionals entering the workforce. From her work and personal experiences, she finds a continuous need among women, of all walks of life, to find answers to questions about their life balance, goals, and health. Because of these needs, Ann Gatty hosts a website, www.stress-management-4-women.com. The purpose is to answer the questions women share as they negotiate life’s many challenges.
Early pregnancy, the normal menstrual cycle in healthy women of reproductive age, once the period expired more than 10 days, pregnancy should be suspected. Early pregnancy to the development of a fertilized egg from implantation, placenta formation of estrogen, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotrophin from the smooth progress of the maintenance of pregnancy, the mother of these endocrine changes that produce a series of reactions.
Early pregnancy symptoms – early pregnancy and menopause are the main symptoms. normal menstruation is normal, once the menopause, more than 10 days and has transcended trend should not think of pregnancy.
Early pregnancy symptoms – early pregnancy in response to stop after 6 weeks, there are dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, loss of appetite, a partial eclipse, as favored by eating acid foods, greasy and so tired, and have exceptionally degree of nausea, vomiting, vomiting and more in the morning.
Early pregnancy symptoms – frequent urination, enlarged uterus during early pregnancy in the pelvic trample bladder, frequent urination symptoms are obvious. When the uterus continuously increases, beyond the pelvic cavity, urinary symptoms but disappeared. Therefore, frequent urination is a symptom of early pregnancy diagnosis.
Early pregnancy symptoms – breast tenderness pregnancy as estrogen and progesterone stimulation, breast enlargement, pain, there is a small nodules protruding areola.
Common early pregnancy detection methods Pregnancy test This test can diagnose early pregnancy. When the fertilized egg implanted in the uterus, the pregnant women to produce a new hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin, its role is to help maintain the pregnancy. This hormone, in about 10 days after conception can come from a urine test. Check out all the urine human chorionic gonadotrophin, a pregnancy under normal circumstances. Therefore, the urine test called chorionic gonadotrophin pregnancy test. Urine pregnancy test, be sure to use the morning urine, because morning urine concentration, the higher hormone levels. In order to improve the positive test rate, the first night should be to minimize the amount of drinking water. Best to take container from the hospital laboratory, due to which preservatives, non-perishable urine, unconditional who used any jars, but need to wash and rinse with boiling water, boiled or sterilized. About 10 ml of urine collected after the morning, quickly sent to the hospital laboratory, such as time delays too long, can affect the test’s accuracy, especially in summer, should pay attention to this.
Pregnancy test strip instructions Earlier pregnancy testing: high sensitivity, usually after conception period expires the day the first 3-4 days before menstruation can be detected. More responsive: simple, fast, 1 minute displays the results. Results more clear: run fast board, floor board after running a clean, clear lines of interpretation.
B-type ultrasonic inspection B ultrasound diagnosis of early pregnancy with the most accurate and reliable way. The first 5 weeks of pregnancy, as it is overdue menstrual week, the B-type ultrasound screen can show a circular ring inside the uterus, also known as pregnancy, ring, ring of dark areas of the amniotic fluid, which also shows rhythmic fetal heart beat.
Basal body temperature measurement This is the most simple way. bed every morning after waking body temperature, when the body temperature is called basal body temperature. Normal body temperature at 36.5 degrees before ovulation, less progesterone rise after ovulation, acting on the body temperature, so that the temperature rise 0.3-0.5 degrees. If not fertilized egg, then about a week after the progesterone drop, the body temperature returned to normal; if pregnancy is to maintain high levels of progesterone the same, so that the temperature remained high. Basal body temperature curve in the high-temperature phenomenon lasted 18 days or more, generally can be sure of early pregnancy. Also need to be reminded that, X-ray can not be used to diagnose pregnancy. Because only 18-20 weeks after pregnancy, X-ray can see the shadow of fetal skeleton, and when the X-ray early pregnancy can damage the fetus.
Early pregnancy detection Early pregnancy strip test results in two ways: drops of urine on the detection of holes in the strip, such as in the control zone in a test paper with ribbon (some test strips were red, and some test strips were blue), that is not pregnant On the contrary, as apparent in the detection area Ribbon, then positive, indicating the occurrence of pregnancy.
Self-test early pregnancy women must keep in mind: early pregnancy test paper only as a screening examination. : Women of childbearing age appear to menopause, early pregnancy do not rely solely on a paper self-test to determine if they are pregnant. To be safe, you can then test again in three days. Of course, the most reliable or timely to the hospital to conduct a comprehensive examination, especially for weak-positive, in order to take measures. Here in particular, to point out that in recent years, frequent ectopic pregnancy, early pregnancy if for self-test false negative, while ignoring the timely diagnosis and treatment, a part of the amount of ectopic pregnancy implantation bleeding, rescue is not timely life-threatening.
Early pregnancy test, if you purchase the test strips stored for too long (more than 1 year), or strip damp, and did not pay attention to keep the normal room temperature (not cold Zang), may be invalid, false negative results occur. Early pregnancy test, if the beginning of pregnancy, or ectopic pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy) may, in vivo detection of HCG level is generally low the sample to be standing more than 3 minutes (usually 1 minute), and must be careful to identify whether there is weak positive – only looming detection area Ribbon.
Early pregnancy detection, and in extreme cases, such as mole, choriocarcinoma, the body will be too high HCG levels, but not the urine test showed positive.
Early pregnancy test, after 3 months of pregnancy, HCG levels drop, urine testing can sometimes be negative, or weakly positive. Early pregnancy test, positive result does not mean one hundred percent pregnancy. Because some tumor cells such as mole, choriocarcinoma, bronchial cancer and kidney cancer, also can secrete HCG. We also encountered patients with endometrial hyperplasia HCG test positive.
Notes on early pregnancy Early pregnancy is a pregnancy in the first three months of this period is the formation of an embryo stage, any damage could affect the normal development of the embryo, or even cause early miscarriage or congenital malformations, pregnancy precautions so very important. Any exposure to harmful substances such as mercury, benzene, Xie radiation, noise and other workingenvironment, they should apply for these jobs temporarily removed to avoid these influences embryonic development, causing birth defects.
Early pregnancy shall avoid infection, especially viral infections. Pregnancy if pregnant women suffering from rubella, can lead to congenital heartdisease, microcephaly, deafness, mental retardation and so on. If the early pregnancy pregnant women suffering from severe cold, can cause fetal cleft lip, cytomegalovirus inclusion virus, hepatitis B virus and so can make the fetal loss, malformations, early pregnancy, so pregnant women should pay attention to health, little streets, or stopping to avoid contact with sick people, to prevent the spread of various diseases. Once sick, you should go to doctors at the treatment, indicating that you are pregnant, not self-Lan Fu, drugs, certain treatment by your doctor.
Second, we should feel happy, thinking relax. Trimester of pregnancy reaction (ie, “morning sickness” phenomenon), as long as the proper treatment of treatment, usually after 3 months will gradually return to normal. In order to avoid or reduce nausea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal discomfort, frequent meals can be way, light diet, do not eat greasy and spicy food, but we must insist on eating, otherwise it will affect the health of pregnant women, is not conducive to embryonic development . Pregnant women can eat sour foods, such as bayberry, citrus, vinegar, to increase appetite and help digestion. Sometimes may take some Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C or calcium, to supplement their nutrition. Vitamin B6 may reduce the pregnancy reaction. Not to collect clothes “antiemetic”, “secret” or “recipe” and prevent the occurrence of adverse consequences.
In addition, family members should be concerned about women in early pregnancy, especially considerate husband to wife, not the line early pregnancy intercourse in order to avoid abortion, help women get rid of the troubled pregnancy reaction smoothly through the early pregnancy stage.
