How to travel and lose weight in synergy; now that’s NEAT!

NEAT

As I passed the 45 year old mark and the kilo count started to gradually rise, I resorted to all manner of excuses such as “I have heavy bones”, “my metabolic rate is extremely low” or my recent favourite (somewhat justified until now) “I just don’t have time to workout due my business schedule”. If I travel overseas every week, how can I join a Gym for example or follow any regular fitness schedule. Now I have found the answer and it appears to be compelling.

The fact is that science is moving fast in the field of weight regulation. The latest “Buzz Word” that has gained traction and worthy attention is a phenomenon called "NEAT" (non-exercise activity thermogenesis). For purposes of simplicity, this involves the energy expended in everything we physically do that does not involve eating, sleeping or sport-related activities. Examples of such every day physical activity are merely walking to work or to a meeting, typing, fidgeting around, walking whilst on the phone, merely talking (the Ladies are good at that) or performing other necessary tasks such as active Shopping, Gardening or Cleaning.

In a fairly recent study of sedentary lean and overweight people, they were fitted with special underwear that monitored every single movement of their bodies. These subjects were specifically fed 1000 calories above their weight maintenance levels. The results were remarkable, whereby those who engaged in a NEAT program did not gain fat despite being overfed. Conversely, those who did not switch to a NEAT program gained literally 10 times more fat!

More precisely, those who were obese moved around 2½ hours less than lean people, which equates to about 350 fewer calories a day. The results show that ambulation movement seemed to make a notable difference. For clarity this did not come in the form of pre-planned power walking, but instead by constantly taking every potential opportunity to move. It is also worth noting too that most of the subjects had desk jobs.

Just think about the scenarios; there is no reason why people cannot potentially talk on the phone and walk around at the same time or hold one-on-one meetings while walking, or move around whilst cooking or even heaven forbid selecting different activities at the weekend that are perhaps not so screen-related.

The facts speak for themselves
About 30% of a person's daily expenditure comes from NEAT (the other portions are from basal metabolism and the thermic effect of eating). Those who are active have higher percentages of NEAT. Moreover, this is a factor we can assume control over. Put simple, NEAT burns more calories than exercise in most non-athletes.

It will come as no surprise to you to when thinking logically, that in the last 100 years, we have imposed an almighty environmental kibosh on our ancient biology. To illustrate 150 years ago, 90% of the world's population were agriculturists.

NEAT is certainly part of the solution to combat poor health and weight for Perpetual Travellers, however it does not mean we can eat what we like! A balanced protein rich controlled calorie diet when travelling combined with an optimised NEAT program will certainly make a difference to your health, weight and well-being.

I designed this article to motivate those of you who need it the most to shape your own movement-oriented habits when travelling or at home, that will help you reverse the tide of age and the challenges that come with frequent travel.

Here are some top suggestions to help you travel NEAT…

• Use the stairs always at Airports, Train Stations, Cruise Ships, Hotels or Shopping Malls and not the lift or Escalator.
• Refrain from using the moving walkway at Airports, go on your own steam.
• If you are just a little late, run or brisk walk to your gate.
• Every so often physically carry your bag and avoid the wheels.
• Help old Ladies or people that are struggling to take off their luggage from the Baggage reclaim. That goes for loading luggage too at check-ins and over hanging Luggage cabin spaces on planes, trains and even on a Ferry.
• When the Bell Boy offers to take your Luggage to your room, politely refuse. Do it yourself! By the way once my partner left the Bell Boy to take the luggage to the room and when we returned from lunch we found her bag and shirt on a hanger still in Reception for all to see. So with travel NEAT you can always keep an eye on your possessions too.
• Window Shop and walk the length and breadth of the Airport, as you wait for your flight.
• When embarking the train walk to the very last carriage. Take a walk on the train too. Keeping your balance, also keep you fit.
• When on the phone walk around, it’s good for you!
• When going to a Business Meeting get dropped off close to the venue or Hotel and walk the rest.
• When staying at a Hotel for Business, use the Pool and swim, even if only for fun.
• When on the plane do your leg exercises.
• When unpacking do it in a rush and move around the room.
• Take a walk around the Hotel to see all the facilities, meet the staff and check the fire route.

There are of course many other ways that you can enhance your NEAT activity and we welcome your comments.

Stay slim and travel NEAT!

Grant Holmes
Editor Perpetual Traveller

By: Progress On 05:21

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Cancer Survivors are Over-charged for Travel Insurance

A Money Mail investigation has revealed recently that many cancer survivors have to pay 25 times more for travel cover than they should pay. What is more, the specific research presents cases where travelers had to pay more than £2000 for a two-week holiday, when in reality the actual cost was about 90!

There are several insurers and companies who are accused for over-charging travellers and not taking into consideration factors such as stability of their situation and current health conditions! Sometimes, the price is so high that makes it impossible for them to travel or the insurance is more expensive than their holiday costs! Expensive prices sometimes make cancer survivors or cancer patients to hide their health condition as the cost is horrendous.

A key problem is that many insurance companies do not take into account recent researches that show that 4 out of 10 people with cancer survive and are able to live a normal and healthy life. They are over-charging people for treatments and services that there is a huge possibility that they might not need them.

Another major problem is the fact that insurance companies generalise when it comes to disease. There are more than 200 different types of cancer and, each patient responds to treatment very differently. Many patients also find problematic the fact that are treated as sick persons. Also, they believe that insurance companies do not ask the right questions and put all the cancer or ex-cancer patients at the same basket.

Only in UK there are more than 2million people living with cancer and 400.000 people that are clean for at least 20 years. However, they still have to pay a large amount to buy insurance while travelling and many of them find it difficult to buy insurance that covers them for a long period of time. Also, the research presents cases where insurance companies denied to offer cover for more than 90 days.

With no doubt, insurance companies should take into account that their high prices make lots of people unable to travel and some of them to risk their health, as they prefer not to buy travel cover.

By: Progress On 04:59

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Best Reasons to Move to a Tropical Paradise!

1. Sun and fresh air
Escape the torture of cold and dark winters, and enjoy lots of natural sunshine, get your dose of real vitamin D. Enjoy wearing minimal clothing, take walks whenever you feel like it, and never pick up a snow shovel again!

2. Good food
There’s a world of difference between a fruit that grows on a tree and is picked hours before you eat it, and a fruit that is picked too early, shipped over long distances and sold to you for more money.
In the tropical paradises you can eat delicious, cheap, quality, tree-ripened fruits and vegetables, and avoid genetically-engineered foods, irradiation, hot-water treated mangoes and tasteless, imported produce.

3. Less stress
You can reduce stress dramatically by relocating at least part of the year somewhere where the pace of living is slower, more relaxed and where people value real friendship and relaxation over the constant desire to work, work, work and consume, consume, consume.

4. Discover a new culture
You can find excitement and growth by experiencing a different culture and become enriched by it. You could learn a new language, or stay somewhere where people speak English. But in either case, I have found that in many countries people are friendly, welcoming and very helpful.

5. Save money

Don't think we are lunatics but you can really save money by relocating at least part of the year overseas in a tropical paradise. It’s true!

6. Increase in your quality of life

Every year we work, it seems we end up with less in our pockets. Inflation is eating away our buying power, and taxes take up a big chunk of the rest.
But the culture tells us to keep working, keep working, and keep consuming... but for what exactly in the end?

Find the best guidance to starting a new life in a tropical place here

By: Progress On 22:42

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How to grow old healthily

As the Baby Boomers reach the ever expanding retirement age, they will soon desire the great secret of life "How to grow old healthily".

A recent study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal actually identifies 4 healthy behaviors that are widely believed to increase the chances of staying healthy in old age.

The 4 healthily behaviors are a combination of:

1. Regular exercise (at least 2.5 hours a week of moderately intense physical activity)
2. A healthy diet (Eating fruits and vegetables on a daily basis)
3. Moderate alcohol consumption (1-14 units a week for women & 1-21 units a week for men
4. No smoking (absolutely none)

The Canadian study involved no less than 5,100 men and women, who were assessed on their lifestyle choices and health. The first assessment stage took place during the years between 1991-1994 and the follow up in occurred from 2007-2009. During the time of the study, 549 participants died during follow-up, and 953 were classified as successfully aging, while the remaining people aged normally.

The study shows the cumulative impact of healthy behaviors and in essence successful aging can be summarized as maintaining good mental and physical health with no chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes. Normal aging involves chronic disease or mental health. While individual healthy behaviors are moderately associated with successful aging, the combined impact is far more substantial.

In conclusion, by adopting all 4 simple healthy behaviors indicated above people can increase their chances of reaching old age disease-free and fully functional.

By: Progress On 02:55

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Iceland Volcano Could Continue Erupting for More Than a Month, Researcher Says

The airspace over much of northern Europe remains shut and the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, is stranded in New York City because of the threat from a volcanic ash plume being belched out of Iceland. How long will the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano continue and what other kinds of activity can we expect? A volcanologist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) who has worked extensively in Iceland says a month-long eruption would not be out of the question. But the eruption could also continue for a year or more, he says.

Professor Reidar Trønnes, who was a research scientist at the University of Iceland's Nordic Volcano logical Institute from 2000 to 2004, says as eruptions go, the Eyjafjallajokull volcano is not that large. Nevertheless, concerns about the effects of volcanic ash on jet engines led to a range of airport closures in northern Europe on Friday.

Volcanic ash, which is made up of tiny glass shards that are carried aloft in a foamy mix of steam, can damage jet engines by melting right inside them and causing them to seize up. "

Residents from a number of central Norwegian cities reported the smell of sulphur in the air, and some residents in northern Norway reported finding volcanic ash on their automobiles. Trønnes says that the ash gets shot high into the air as magma that was once deep in the Earth comes to the surface and is depressurized. Any water that has dissolved in the magma comes boiling out when the magma is no longer under pressure, much the way that CO2 bubbles out of your selzer water when the cap is removed, he says. The plume coming out of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano also contains a good deal of steam because the intensely hot magma is melting the ice cap that blankets the volcano, he adds.

While the Eyjafjallajokull volcano's eruption is highly dramatic, most volcanologists like Trønnes are watching the volcano's much larger neighbour to the east, Katla. This volcano, buried under the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Iceland's fourth largest ice sheet, usually erupts twice a century, Trønnes says, but has erupted just once in the last 100 years -- in 1918. "Katla has had two large eruptions every century since Iceland was settled 1,100 years ago," he said. "It is long overdue -- or it could mean that Katla has changed its behaviour."

Trønnes said that a number of large volcanic eruptions over the last several decades may have helped drain the vast magma reservoirs that would feed any eruption of Katla. These include eruptions as far back as one that created the island of Surtsey in 1963-1967 and one that took place on nearby Heimaey in 1973. "The fact that we have had these two large eruptions in the 1960s and 1970s may have relieved the pressure in the Katla reservoir, although this is just speculation," he said.

The Eyjafjallajokull volcano now appears to have released enough pressure that Trønnes does not expect any large-scale explosions, but the melting of the glacier caused by lava flows will continue to pose risks of potentially large and devastating floods, such as one that caused Icelandic officials to evacuate 800 people from their homes on Wednesday, April 14, he said

ScienceDaily (Apr. 18, 2010)

By: Progress On 02:51

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Improve your quality of life with "The counter flow concept"

This article could change the quality of your life, optimize your general decision making direction and enable you how you organize your activities in addition to the way you experience life... 

By good fortune I was raised during my early years in Singapore, which was my first exposure to the counter flow concept, although I was far too young to appreciate it at the time. During the sixties in Singapore my family enjoyed a life of relative luxury, with a large house and garden, a Chinese maid, an open-top Beetle car (highly sought after at the time) and the whole "La Dolce Vita" package. This seemingly paradise existence, which was normal life to me as a child, soon ended upon our family return to the UK, whereby proportional wealth evened out, we became one of the masses again and my education started, as society attempted to teach me "The Logical way" (listen to the Logical Song by Styx") of following things.

Something inside compelled me to resist and despite an unforgettably wonderful family life, my education dragged on. As I reached youthful adulthood flush with adventure, my spiritual intelligence drove me to revisit Singapore and Asia repeatedly, to recapture that childhood feeling and learn the meaning of life or at least make sense of it. Thereafter I traveled to all continents of our extraordinary planet as a young man with a Samsonite in hand (no back-pack for me) over the period of a decade, often living on a few cents per day, whilst studying the general flow of how things worked in each community and country I frequented. 
What I learned and actively practiced for the rest of my life and still today is what I lovingly call "the counter flow concept". In essence this means to analyze the given nature of a situation and broadly do the opposite to what the main flow or thrust of what other people are doing, according to a certain criteria of course and respecting some exceptions.

Let's start with one of the most fundamental fabrics of life, where we are from! Most people believe they are born in a country and that is home, period. Think of this scenario though, what happens if everything goes wrong in your life, finances, country or home? Where would you go for back up that has a support structure? Conversely if you are a British Citizen for example, but live in Athens and suddenly the walls come down on your life and you are under economic threat or physical danger, you can always go back to plan B and return to the UK. If you fall foul abroad, oddly you country of birth is more likely to help you when you are overseas, maybe even President Clinton will fly to your rescue! Being a minority foreigner in a country can present all kinds of advantages and benefits if one is able to see them and is tuned in. So the golden rule of being a Perpetual Traveller is not to be where you are from!

Now let's looks at some more simplistic practical examples related to travel to better explain the theory.

PEAK - OFF PEAK
Peak holiday season secures the fact that you pay considerably more and the resort you visit is likely to be highly crowded, causing queues, additional waiting time and a overall loss of service. Alternatively if you travel off peak when the sun still shines, you can enjoy better service, less crowds and a higher potential of upgrades all at a lower price.

CITY – BEACH
If you are forced to travel in August (peak season in Europe and parts of the US), then consider following the path of counter flow, by visiting a city instead of the beach. Great deals can be achieved in business Hotels in attractive cities such as New York, Miami downtown, London, Paris and Barcelona during the traditional summer high season of the Northern Hemisphere. In Barcelona and Miami a beach will be on your doorstep too. In Paris there's the 'Paris Plage' river beach and there is always the option to mix some culture with a day trip to the coast from London or New York.

WEEKDAYS - WEEKENDS
Pleasure Hotels are generally expensive and popularly packed at weekends and it’s a similar story for pleasure flights. So orchestrate your life to take breaks over weekdays and consider working over the occasional weekend. 
Conversely Business Hotels and Business flight routes are costly and busy during weekdays and cheaper in addition to being more pleasantly quiet over the weekends. So simply look at the market and select counter flow options and use your imagination.

PROPERTY
Here the trend has proved itself for generations; when everyone is selling up, think about buying and when everyone is actively buying, turn your attention to selling. 
Now is the best moment for literally decades to purchase a property in Europe and America, so if you have the cash or can access credit, go for it the opportunity, it has rarely been better in our lifetimes.

One needs to set a criteria when making big commitments like property though, which essentially translates to purchasing in the best locations of long established real estate markets, which will likely bounce back first. London, New York and Miami are ideal candidates. Perpetual Traveller will offer more detailed Property input for future editions.  

SHARES / INVESTMENTS

Warren Buffet once said that when the masses are afraid you must be courageous and when the masses are becoming courageous you should be afraid.

The current global recession is case in point. It started with overly courageous sub-prime property bank loans that enticed the masses to buy property, that otherwise would not have been legible. This over hyped the US and later the global property market causing a partly false boom. After every over-hyped boom, comes a bust and in 2008 a series of inter-connected global dominos collapsed, which brings us to the point whereby its the best buying market for as long as most of us can remember.

There are of course many other examples of the counter flow concept. The most crucial factor of learning how to practice this concept is to obtain an out of the box big picture thinking (read up on the Pareto Principle) with a longer-term perspective. The reality of today's instant world is locked in the short term whereby the majority of people have little patience for economic cycles to run their course.

By: Progress On 01:17

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When the holidaymaker is away the thieves will play!

As we enter the traditional peak holiday season throughout Europe and people leave their work en-mass for the popular beach resorts across the Mediterranean and beyond, the thieves come out in force to prey on your possessions whilst you are not there to protect them. 
This year we expect the trend of burglaries to notably rise across Europe, especially in peak season and under the climate of a deep recession. Imagine coming home to dis¬cover that your front or back door has been kicked in or side window smashed open and your first view upon return is to see what is left of your possessions scattered across the floor of your house or apartment. Counting the cost of possessions is only part of the nightmare that will follow, as dealing with the insurers if any will always be a challenge as they desperately seek loopholes not to pay you. The emotional cost and feeling of insecurity will likely set in also, causing you potentially months of torment.

To ensure that this is not your reality, it is important to take the matter seriously and adopt a prevention is better than an insurance cure approach, as summer is always a prime time for thieves without morals to make their move and cash in on your absence. To illustrate the rise in crime in England and Wales Home Office figures show that one Burglary takes place every 20 seconds, so there is no time to lose to protect your security.

Here below is the Perpetual Traveller Guide to your vacation security, which will empower you to outsmart the thieves and rest at ease on vacation. 

RULES OF PREVENTION 

ANALYSE

• Think like a thief. Put yourself in their shoes and take a long hard look at your property.
• Imagine approaching your property the way a thief would. 
• Look for weaknesses in your security in an objective way. 
• Adopt method acting tactics as you walk around your property.
• Remember that thieves always follow the path of least resistance, meaning they opt for the easy target.
• Ensure that your property is not an easy target, but rectifying the weaknesses.
• Follow the helpful Top Tips below to support your increased home security plan.  

GET INSURED

• What kind of insurance do you have?
• According to research in the insurance conscious UK 1 out of every 4 households does not have home
contents in¬surance.
• This means that if your possessions are stolen or ruined because of a burglary, you have no way of recouping
the loss.
• You need to be informed about your insur¬ance policy though and read that boring hard to see fine print. 
• If know what is and is not covered it will help you act ac¬cordingly and take the right precautions. 
• Beware, as Insurance companies love loopholes that can get them out of paving up. 
• To illustrate, if a burglar slips in through an open window, or uses a ladder that you left lying around in the garden to break into your house, you are automatically not covered?

DANGER LURKS IN THE GARDEN

• With more and more hous¬es boasting security alarms these days, thieves are now ceasing the opportunity to raid garden sheds, garages and greenhouses for some quick cash. 
• The humble shed may not seem that appealing to you, but ordinarily it is complete with several expensive DIY and pow¬er tools that are easily pocket¬ed in car boot sales or on the black market to pocket quick cash. 
• Most sheds are secured by a rusty or weak padlock, which takes a couple of screws if that to open.
• Check that your garden’s outbuildings are covered by your home insurance policy.
• Think about investing in some floodlights along with a mains or battery-operated alarm.
• Remember that thieves might steal garden equipment, but they can also use it to break into your house. 
• Do not to leave anything lying around that could be used to get in, as your insurance may not cover you.

TOP TIPS TO KEEPING THIEVES AT BAY

• Keep your windows and doors locked: This sounds blatantly obvious and rather bizarre, however a recent UK poll found that as much as 29% of all Bur¬glaries in 2008 were entirely unforced, meaning that thieves entered houses and apartments through open windows or unlocked doors. 

• Hide your valuables: Of course remember where you put them. Some secret places are so good, that ones forgets where they are and then finding them can be a challenge.

• Assess your public profile: For example, do you really need to keep your Computer or Smart phone right by the window, in plain view from the street? Be warned that some in¬surance companies do not pay on claims whereby certain valuables, such as jewels, are not stored in a suitably secure loca¬tion within your home.
• Photograph your valuables: This may appear an odd thing to do, however if you get burgled, photos provide a record and evidence of what's missing when you make a claim. Police can also use the photos to identify your possessions if the thief is by some miracle caught.

• Purchase a burglar alarm: An alarm is every thief's worst enemy, so be sure to set it every time you leave the house or go to bed. Hav¬ing it tested every three months will keep it in good work¬ing order, too.
• Invest in a home security system: If this is a too bitter financial pill, augment your existing Burglar alarm with a digital security system. Cameras record any movement in your home and can send the data straight to your mobile phone.

• Install motion-detector lights: The brighter the better! Opportunist Burglars in particular loath be¬ing exposed. To increase the security level, mount them high up on the wall to illuminate a wider area.
• Apply anti-climb paint: Have You ever tried to climb a wall covered in anti-climb paint? Well its nigh impossible and this is a slick idea. If it is too much, a simple thorny trel¬lis beneath your windows provide a reasonable deterrent to the light part time thief.

• Shower securely: Steamy windows tell all would be intruders that you are upstairs bathing and subsequently too busy to stop a break-in. Always lock all windows and doors before jumping in the shower.
• Fit a timer switch: Noise, lights and drawn curtains are less attractive to a potential intruder than an obviously vacant home. In the event you are away on vacation, timers can be attached to lights, radios and televisions to give the impression that someone is actually at home. The are some switches that provide up to 6 on & off settings a day, complemented with random settings to erase all measures of pre¬dictability. At the very least it can prove to be sufficient to make any potential burglar think twice.

• Do not hide spare keys: It is common knowledge amongst all Burglars professional or otherwise to instinctively know where all those 'under the door¬mat' tactics are to hiding keys. Always leave your keys with a trusted friend or neighbor instead. If a Burglar can get in without force, this is his ideal case scenario and moreover your insurance policy will usually void your claim too. Don't be gone for too long
• Plan a stay: If you're planning a vacation, arrange for some¬one to stay over at least once, especially if you are gone for up to a month. Ask them first to clear out your moun¬tains of mail, which is the classic “green light” of thieves. Then to keep your plants watered and to look out for any suspicious activity in the area.

So there you have it, the Perpetual Traveller Guide to maintaining a safe home whilst you are on vacation. We trust that you find this useful.

Have a peace of mind vacation
Grant Holmes 

By: Progress On 05:00

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Airports are becoming scary places!

Airports are becoming scary places these days with travellers wearing face masks due to Swine Flu concerns, the fear of liquids remains with security personnel that are sure to make you feel away from home and it seems the most friendly face in an airport in 2009 is that of a self check-in screen! 

The realities of Swine Flu are covered in our special Perpetual Traveller feature A Peak Season Swine FLU FREE holiday. It seems to be quietly and rapidly spreading under radar of mass media.

It dawned on me that the situation must be getting serious as personnel from 3 different airports I visited this week in Europe thrust a H1N1 warning leaflet in mind hand. Our above mentioned PT article gives you the updated facts, details how to protect yourself during this peak travel summer season and answers your FAQ's. 

By: Progress On 04:31

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A Peak Season Swine FLU FREE holiday

As we enter the traditional peak summer season and following our last PT article on the Swine Flu critical alert pandemic on the 9th May 2009, from what we understand its clear that the highly reported Flu is rapidly spreading at an alarmingly fast rate and this reality is poised to clash with summer tourism in the popular holiday haunts of the masses.Yet, it seems that the mass media is bored with the topic, as Swine Flu gains pace before our eyes and much of the population across our planet remains apathetic to the risks involved. 
The greatest fear is whether Swine Flu migrates or evolves into a more resistant and potentially deadly strain. Its a perfectly plausible scenario and we maybe sleep walking into a harsh reality this summer.

This PT article is designed to give you the updated facts and advice what to do to protect yourself when travelling.  

WORST HIT DESTINATIONS
Britain has the third highest number of confirmed cases of the virus in the world, just behind Mexico (where the outbreak began) and the United States. Laboratory tests showed that yesterday there were 9,718 confirmed cases in the UK. This was just behind Mexico, with 10,262 cases. The U.S. is in pole position with 33,902 confirmed cases and the highest number of deaths recorded being in New York. 

SWINE FLU ANALYSIS
Most Swine Flu hospitalisations are in fact among people with underlying medical conditions as follows...

➢  32% asthma or chronic lung disease‬

➢  16% diabetes‬

➢  10% current smokers‬

➢    7% pregnant‬

An analysis of 99 of the 127 U.S. residents who have already died of Swine Flu shows that 87 of them suffered underlying conditions: 

➢  11% had asthma‬
➢  24% had other lung diseases‬
➢  13% had diabetes‬. 
➢  11% were morbidly obese‬
➢  34% were obese‬

TRAVELLING WITH FACE MASKS
According to the CDC, it's not clear how effective face masks actually are at preventing the transmission of the H1N1 or seasonal influenza viruses. The same is true for respirators worn snugly over the face as filters. The CDC doesn't recommend face masks or respirators in most settings except if you're at high risk of severe illness from influenza and are caring for someone who has a flu-like illness, or for high-risk people who can't avoid being in a crowded setting where the swine flu virus is likely to be present. 

TOP PT TRAVEL TIPS
1. Cover nose & mouth if you cough or sneeze.
2. Use tissues and throw away after use.‬ 3. Wash your hands often.
4. Use soap and water when washing.
5. Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
6. Avoid touching eyes / nose / mouth.
7. Avoid close contact with sick people.‬ 

Note that when someone sick with Flu talks, sneezes, spits or coughs, infected flu droplets can travel at least 1 meter (about 3.3. feet), so keep out of theor personal zone.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TO AN AFFECTED AREA
1.  Educate yourself and others travelling with you.
2.  Consult your usual healthcare provider for travel medical advice.
3.  Check the Foreign Office travel advice for your destination country before travelling or PT travel advice.
4. Assemble your health insurance plan.‬ 

DURING TRAVEL TO AN AFFECTED AREA
1. Avoid all direct contact with pigs and visiting the farms 2. Practice careful and frequent hand washing.
3. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur.‬  

HOTELS & CRUISE SHIPS
1. Sanitise anything you may touch in your room ie door handles, remote control and light switches.
2. Make a habit of washing your hands.
3. Never take ice from the ice bucket.
4. Remove the top bed cover.
5. Don't drink from in-room glasses
6. Don't touch bannisters.
7. Use disposable tissues to touch things.
8. Go for a non smoking room.

AFTER YOU RETURN
1. Monitor your health for 10 days.‬
2. If you become ill with high fever consult a doctor immediately.‬   

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BE PROTECTED FROM GETTING SICK? There is no vaccine available just yet (in progress) to protect against Swine Flu. You can take these everyday steps to protect your health.

Prevention is better than cure so follow the above-mentioned advice.

IT IS SAFE TO EAT PORK?
One cannot get influenza from properly handled and cooked pork products, so its considered safe to eat.

There is no 100% way to avoid catching Swine Flu unless you live in a bubble, but with common sanitation sense and a few precautions the odds are by far in your favour to avoid this latest virus menace.

Have a healthy summer!

Sharon Mckinley

By: Progress On 07:06

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Why the WHO declared a Swine FLU Global pandemic

Swine Flu is back in the media at least, but in physical reality it never went away! To cut a long story short, the reason why the WHO declared Swine FLU as a global pandemic is due to the spreading of the virus in at least 2 regions of the world, with an elevated number of cases occuring in the UK, Australia, Japan and Chile particularly. In Hong Kong they were forced to close all nurseries and primary schools for 2 weeks following 12 school cases. 

The WHO chief Dr. Margaret Chan commented however, that the move does not mean the virus is necessarily causing more severe illness or more deaths. 

Cast your minds back a moment to when the Swine FLU (H1N1) virus first emerged in Mexico in April 09; since then it has spread to 74 countries. There is evidence to suggest we are witnessing before our very eyes the first pandemic of the 21st century. These were the words of the WHO.

To give you perspective, official reports indicate nearly 30,000 cases globally with 141 deaths and figures are rising daily. It is the first FLU pandemic in 40 years; the last in 1968 killed around 1 million people. In balance, the current pandemic seems to be moderate at present, causing only mild illness symptoms in most people. The majority of cases are occurring in young working age adults and a third to a half of complications are presenting in otherwise healthy people. 

Our message is simple, as travellers you need perspective on this illness, which we trust our report provides you with. It is also important at this juncture to, in the words of the WHO strike a balance between complacency and vigilance.

We remind you to heed the advice given in our original article on Swine FLU called "The facts about pandemic flu and how travellers can avoid it" under the Health label.

Grant Holmes

By: Progress On 13:10

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The facts about Pandemic Flu and how travellers can avoid it

Dear Readers

I was prompted to write this article as I was soaking up the atmosphere and excellent service during a civilized Darjeeling tea afternoon at the Taj Krishna Hotel in Hyderabad India. Just as I was enjoying the moment of life, my partner suddenly sneezed for no apparent reason? The shock reaction of the people around us and their responses towards us suddenly changed, as clearly they were questioning whether we had caught the first case of Swine Flu in India. Only the previous night on CNN we saw 16 Mexican travellers in quarantine in China, just because of their nationality and even though they had no trace of the dreaded Swine Flu. The buzz on the streets of India was to avoid contact with Europeans that have just arrived to the country, which probably explains the reaction during tea-time. My partner by the way is perfectly well and she just sneezed as one occasionally does, but at this moment all those what if questions started to come to the fore…

   • What would happen if we did catch Swine Flu?
   • What would happen if we just caught a cold or seasonal Flu?
   • How can we protect ourselves to avoid catching any Flu?
   • What in fact is the difference between Seasonal and Swine Flu?
   • Are we at greater risk when travelling? 

Fuelled by the mass media, the term Swine Flu has gripped public attention in the past few weeks. Statements and speeches from the World Health Organization (WHO) and world leaders alike tell us that this health scare is certainly at least something we should be aware of in the capacity of frequent travellers. There is however much confusion in the air about the reality of the real danger that Swine Flu presents and other similar outbreaks, in addition to what the best precautions are to avoid catching what could otherwise be dangerous. Here below we have attempted to answer these questions and give the best possible Perpetual Traveller advice…

The difference between Swine Flu and seasonal Flu
Though symptoms for swine flu are similar to seasonal influenza, it's important to note, they are not the same. Here’s a statistic; every year more than 30,000 Americans die from seasonal Flu. However, those who die are generally the most vulnerable in life, such the elderly, the very young and those with weak immune systems for one reason or another.

On the other hand Pandemic Influenza, as this Swine Flu threatens to be, attacks those with the most resilient immune systems, generally being people between the ages of 20 and 40. It causes an inflammatory response (particularly in the lungs), which leads to death. If we look at Mexico where it all started, deaths have occurred in 20-40 year olds. Although this was not unanticipated; in fact it is exactly what experts expect a pandemic flu to do.  

Swine Flu is actually a respiratory disease and has some elements of a virus found in pigs. There is no evidence of this disease circulating in pigs to date though. Swine Flu has been confirmed in a number of countries and it is spreading from human to human, which could lead to what we mean by a Pandemic Flu outbreak. Pandemic Flu differs from ordinary Flu, because it’s a new Flu virus that occurs in humans and tends to spread very quickly from person to person, potentially worldwide. The WHO is still closely monitoring cases of Swine Flu globally to see whether this virus develops into a Pandemic. The worry here is that, as it is a completely new virus, no one human will have immunity to it and everyone is potentially at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well the elderly, frail, young children and those with existing medical conditions or weak immune systems. 

How does a Pandemic Flu spread? 
All Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that alarmingly can be spread through the droplets that come out of ones nose and mouth when a person coughs or sneezes. When someone coughs or sneezes without covering their nose and mouth with a tissue, those droplets go airborne and can spread, meaning others are at risk of breathing or taking them in. 

Moreover, if you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are easily spread from your hand to any hard surface that is touched and they can survive on such a surface for some time. Everyday items could be hold the particles such as door handles, computer keyboards and your mouse, mobiles, remote controls in your hotel room, ordinary phones and all common surfaces whereby someone with a Flu virus can touch. 

Once someone touches these surfaces and then touches their eyes, nose or ears, the germs can enter their system and that person will become infected. This is how all cold and Flu viruses, including Swine and Seasonal Flu, are passed on from person to person.

Is there a vaccination? 
Not at this stage for Swine Flu, but for Seasonal Flu there is. Swine Flu involves a completely new type of virus. A vaccine can only be developed when the specific strain has been identified and once this occurs, it would then take several months to produce. 

How can you protect yourself against Flu? 
The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to follow quality personal hygiene practices. These will help to slow the spread of the virus and will be the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and others from infection. 

When you cough or sneeze it is especially important to follow the common rules of clean hygiene to prevent the spread of germs. Here are some tips…
   • Always carry tissues. 
   • Use only clean tissues and bin them after one use. 
   • Do not use old Hankies.
   • Wash your hands with soap and hot water frequently.
   • Travel with a sanitizer gel and use it often.
   • If you touch any foreign surface that could be infected, wash you hands or use the gel.
   • Be careful of who you kiss or shake hands with.
   • Use a face mask if you are on a plane, train or enclosed area and suspect someone has Flu.  

NOTE: Keep in mind that recent evidence suggests masks may not work that well.

Is it more dangerous to travel?
If you travel frequently and visit enclosed places that are highly populated, you are at greater risk. Therefore, you should practice the above sanitation rules as a matter of perpetual habit. 

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms tend to come in the form of a sudden onset of…
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness
• Breath
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Tiredness
• Aching muscles
• Chills, sneezing
• Runny nose
• Loss of appetite

I trust that this gives you a clear view of what Flu is all about and how you can protect yourself when travelling. Remember that you do not need a Flu epidemic scare to practice our suggested common hygiene tips. If you follow this advice you will catch less colds and maintain better health as you travel.

Healthy travels!

Grant Holmes
Editor
Perpetual Traveller

By: Progress On 06:59

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