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The everyday work that we do, whether in an office, working around the house, or in any setting, is like a dance: both working and dancing have rhythm, movement and flow. Working in an office, like physical exercise, can tire us. However, we can use a few simple movement ideas from the art of dancing to stay fresh and energized.

Fatigue at a desk

Have you ever thought, Ive been sitting at a desk all day. I havent been exercising hard. Why am I so tired?

Part of the reason is that sitting at a desk or working on a computer often results in a posture that impedes proper breathing. People can unconsciously develop poor posture habits that contribute to fatigue. Sitting in a concentrated posture with the head craned forward, slumped shoulders, and rounded back results in less oxygen intake than healthy posture with the head and shoulders in alignment.

Another cause of fatigue is focusing our thoughts too long on one task. This is similar to the effect of repeating a physical exercise all day. Thoughts have speed, strength, direction and flow, just as exercise does. Although physical activity may be minimal, focusing too long on one mental task is tiring. Shifting positions and varying activities can help.

Balanced movements

Breaks and short naps are helpful, but resting alone doesnt always remedy fatigue during the workday. Pioneer movement analyst and researcher Rudolph Laban discovered that balance in body movements is important. He believed that if work required movements twisting to the right, then twisting to the left should be included to create balance. Dancers and athletes do this in their training routines, in order to develop muscle symmetry in the body; likewise, workers are also influencing the development of their muscles with their daily routines.

Rhythmic variety and dynamic contrast

Walking, typing, speaking and meetings all have rhythms and are part of a typical office workday. For example, some meetings run with the steady rhythm of a fixed agenda, and others flow like a meandering stream with a flexible agenda. Varying rhythms during the day enhances productivity at work and helps us stay energized.

Just as it is fatiguing to listen to words spoken in a monotone, work done in a monotone mannerfor example, at a fast tempo all day longis fatiguing. Variety, balance and contrast make work more interesting, and help us stay productive. Just as dancing involves rhythm and movement, along with a variety of fast, medium and slow tempos, job satisfaction is related to rhythm and work flow.

Repeating the same physical movements too many times creates mental and physical fatigue; this can happen at work or in an exercise class. A dance instructor who spent three hours rehearsing a single step created mental and physical exhaustion for the students in that class. An office worker who spent three hours at a desk working on one paragraph in a business letter felt similar mental and physical fatigue. Creating variety during work and exercise helps avoid this.

Individual rhythms

Every individual has a natural rhythm, which is expressed when walking, talking and working. For example, some people prefer to walk briskly, while others prefer to be leisurely. A person whose natural rhythm tends to be slow and thoughtful is likely to feel uncomfortable in a setting demanding fast and habitual movementsfor example, in a job working under demanding deadlines and rushing to meet tight schedules for a repetitive task. A person in a job which matches their natural rhythm is more likely to be satisfied with their work.

Group rhythms

Many retail businesses, doctors offices, and restaurants play music in the background as part of the setting for their work. While this is often intended to make the setting more comfortable and friendly for customers, it also creates a background rhythm for the employees. Fast paced music is used in some retail settings to encourage customers to be quick about their selections and purchases; the employees also respond to the music and to the customers rhythm. Other settings, such as dental offices, play slow, relaxing music to encourage customers to relax.

Dancing through a workday

Dance is a beautiful example of how rhythmic variety, dynamic contrast, and balanced movements help us recuperate. Dance and exercise classes involve balanced movements: exercises for the right leg must be repeated for the left leg; steps done traveling across the floor to the right must be repeated traveling left. Using variety also keeps movements interesting and energizing.

Dance and exercise classes add variety to our movement repertoire and challenge us with physically demanding movements. While this is arduous at first, stamina increases with regular sessions. A dance or exercise class also helps with developing balance, rhythm and variety, which help us stay fresh and energized.

Ideas for creating variety and minimizing fatigue during the workday:

* Be aware of your posture at work; sit upright, not slumped. If you need help developing good posture, consider attending an Alexander Technique class or yoga class.

* Hand massage and hand exercises help maintain flexibility, and are especially important for people who use a computer keyboard for long periods of time.

* Shutting and relaxing the eyes periodically helps prevent eyestrain.

* Tempo and movement changes create rhythmic variety, balance and contrast.

* Taking the stairs, instead of an elevator, burns more calories and is a form of exercise for some office workers.

* If your employer offers exercise facilities, take advantage of these to get physical variety into your workday.

Ramona is the author of Dynamic Belly Dance, the Joyful Journey of Dancemaking and Performing. See free belly dance videos, read book excerpts and order an autographed copy at http://www.DynamicBellyDance.com

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article, give author name credit and follow the EzineArticles terms of service for publishers. Thank you!

posted by 46124  # 1:23 PM 0 comments

When it comes to finding your dream golf property Spain might not be the first location that pops into your mind. Perhaps the ideal location in your mind is in florida or California. If that is the case, picture florida minus the hurricanes or California minus the earthquakes, and the result that you get is the beautiful spanish countryside. The Mediterranean can offer the same in terms weather as florida or California - without some of the drawbacks.

The mild weather is only one reason why Rest Assured properties is so enthusiastic about golf property in Spain the other is the location of new golf, sports and leisure resorts that are currently under construction in a quiet, lesser-known region of southern Europe -the Murcia region of Spain.

this region is known for the golfing options that abound in the area. These new golf resorts have homes built right on the grounds and are some of the most popular and most expensive luxury homes in the area.

Whether or not you are looking for a golf property Spain is a prime candidate for a beautiful second home, retirement home, or simply investing in a home to rent out in order to have the mortgage pay for itself. luxury homes in this region that are located on golf resorts are selling at higher prices than those located outside of the resorts. You could consider purchasing a golf property in Murcia Spain on privately owned land that is just as luxurious, but the value of homes located on golf resorts themselves are increasing at a faster yearly rate than private homes in the countryside.

Even if you do not play the sport yourself, there is no denying the beauty of the setting of these homes. Between the mild climate and the spanish countryside, there is simply no beating the beauty and the tranquility found in this region.

Rest Assured properties specialize in the sale of off-plan properties in the Murcia region of Spain. Visit us online today at http://www.simplymurcia.com to find out more about Golf Property Spain

posted by 46124  # 10:01 AM 0 comments

The video game industry is soon to undergo a serious change. A change that many feel is for for the better.

Currently video game manufacturers and publishers usually sign what is called an exclusive agreement. What this means is the video game hardware manufacturer, such as xbox, ps3, WII, etc. has the sole rights for that publisher`s particular game.

However this trend of exclusive deals may be coming to an end. In the November issue if Electronic gaming Monthly, Evan Van Zelfden says, "that the agreements between game publishers and hardware makers called as third-party exclusives may be ceased in the future." Van Zelfden explains further, "that more publishers and developers were willing to create computer games that can be used for different gaming platforms such as nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation, and xbox 360 than giving an exclusive license to only one platform."

Not having an exclusive license allows publishers to develop a video game for multiple platforms. Van Zelfden agrees, "their games would have a wider market if it will be available in multiplatform versions."

It may be a while before the entire industry jumps on this "bandwagon" however there are a couple of games on the way. The games that would soon launch in multiplatform versions include "Devil May cry 4" and "Grand Theft Auto IV".

Keep an eye out on this trend and the games that will be hitting the market soon. Soon you will no longer have to buy just the XBox to get a certain game and so on.

posted by 46124  # 3:55 AM 0 comments