Respect the Fellow Commuters. Respect the Road

India is right there at the top when it comes to the number of fatalities (1.15 million fatalities in a decade) and injuries in road accidents and has maintained its position for years now despite an exponential surge in the development and enhancement of road and transport infrastructure in the country. Though there are laws in place for crimes such as drunken driving & talking on the phone while driving, a majority of these fatalities also arise from the lack of combination of civic sense, and much needed traffic sense (or road sense) among ourselves.

Today what is missing on the road is no courtesy or empathy for the fellow commuters, drivers, pedestrians or vehicles plying on the road, nor do we have any willingness to go by the rule books. A majority of the fatalities occur due to this insensitive nature for which rules only come into force after an event has occurred, but by then it’s too late as lives would have changes forever by then.

Thus, it is imperative to use the roads as a collective resource. Give other vehicles their own space and not making things difficult for fellow commuters. Encroaching into driving space is not only fatal but also a mark of disrespect for fellow drivers who might be equally in a hurry as you are but still go by the rules.
There is also another responsibility we have towards our fellow commuters. In case of any accident, we can make a big difference by placing a single call to 108 & ensure their safety.

Remember, compassion & respect is the building block of any society. Without these, co-existence is impossible be it on  the road or in our homes

What’s happening at ZHL?

We started 2014 on a promising note, bringing in new friends, facing new challenges & striving for new goals. In the past few months, we have begun another chapter in ZHL's history. Take a look at the highlights so far. Click here

When NOT to call an Ambulance

Emergency health care is no doubt critical for patients but there is another group who are equally affected by it, the emergency medical crew.

EMTs face tremendously stressful situations on a daily basis. And it is worse than any of us can imagine because EMTs are routinely exposed to five unique stressors: high levels of uncertainty, high interpersonal tension, and frequent exposure to human tragedy, extreme fear and a heightened physical response to the sound of an emergency alarm, which basically means that after working so long around emergencies, your body goes into overdrive whenever you hear an alarm.

In such a situation, it’s essential that we realize that ambulance services are to be used only when the situation warrants so as to avoid any hassle to the crew or the patients requiring actual help.

Here are some situations when NOT to use an Ambulance:

1.       Feeling lonely: There are help lines which cater to those who need someone to talk. So keep the ambulance lines free to cater those who really need emergency medical intervention.

2.       Immediate attention from doctors: Rest assured even if you arrive in an ambulance you won’t be given priority unless & until yours is a critical case, therefore do not use ambulances to avoid the long queues at the hospitals.

3.       Over-estimating the situation: Everybody loves their dear ones but that doesn’t necessarily mean slipping on a banana peel and spraining a muscle warrants an ambulance even if it requires medical attention

4.       Helpline services: Ambulance helplines are only for emergency situations. The lines should never be used for help in getting directions, residential complaints or general ranting.

Remember, it is a facility for our well-being. Let’s use it wisely.

Phailin: A cyclone that brought humanity together

Phailin not only united people of Odisha but also served as a remembrance of the kind of work done by our 108 Odisha Heroez who work very hard every day to make a difference on the field.

This video is a fitting tribute to Odisha 108 HEROEZ who made us proud by placing their mission to save lives above fear.

Check out the video here http://youtu.be/Sto7iCexnH4

Have you laughed today?

The age old idiom that laughter is the best medicine still holds true. Researchers have found that it helps you feel better and puts that spring back in your step.

They have also found that a good sense of humor, positive attitude, and the support of friends and family play a role in keeping one healthy

Laughter Therapy: What Happens When We Laugh?

We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles in our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues.

And laughter appears to burn calories, too. Maciej Buchowski, a researcher from Vanderbilt University, conducted a small study in which he measured the amount of calories expended in laughing. It turned out that 10-15 minutes of laughter burned 50 calories.

Effects of laughter on the body

Immune response: Some studies have shown that the ability to use humor may raise the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body and boost the levels of immune cells, as well.

Blood sugar levels. One study of 19 people with diabetes looked at the effects of laughter on blood sugar levels. After eating, the group attended a tedious lecture. On the next day, the group ate the same meal and then watched a comedy. After the comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after the lecture.

Relaxation and sleep:  

The focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousin's memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, helped him feel better. He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.

So no matter how much stress, remember to your laughter pills & laugh your way to good health :)