Over the last couple of years we’ve put various words under the spotlight. Want. Hope. Need. 

 

And shown that they don’t quite have the meaning – or effect – most people assume they do. 

 

As an side, “assume” is a great example of another much misunderstood word. Perhaps you’ve heard the saying “assume makes an ASS out of U and ME.” Need we say any more?!? 

 

Without taking the time to notice the words we use automatically, it’s all too easy to undermine our best efforts by simply choosing the wrong words. And this applies whether we’re saying them out loud or thinking them. 

 

So, this week, we’d like to highlight two very small words we all use many times each day. Would you like to guess what they are before reading any further? 

A couple of weeks ago we looked at Vitamin C and promised to write about free radicals. The part they play in many chronic degenerative diseases and how the antioxidants found in Vitamin C (as well as in many other nutrients) can help to stop – and even reverse – this process. 

 

While you may not know exactly what free radicals are, you’ve probably heard about them before. Often in connection with the latest “miracle” skin cream which promises to restore youthful looks in a flash. However they are much more than this. 

This week we thought we’d give you a little conundrum, as well as a new perspective on your comfort zone. And, why it isn’t quite as comfortable as you thought it was. 

 

Confused? We thought you may be (!) but, trust us, it’ll all make sense in a minute. 

 

So, without further ado, let’s start by digging out our trusty – online (!) – dictionary which describes a comfort zone as: 

 

“A situation where one feels safe or at ease OR a settled method of working that requires little effort and yields only barely acceptable results.” 

It’s interesting the associations we all seem to have. The winter with Coughs and Colds (!), Vitamin C and a glass of orange juice. But would you associate Vitamin C with a reduced risk of heart disease, ageing or cancer? Probably not. 

 

Of all the vitamins, Vitamin C is the one most people have heard of. And yet seem to know so little about. So, this week, let’s dig a little deeper and find out why it’s important for good health. Not just Coughs and Colds. 

Have you noticed how creative people can be with their excuses, not to mention their little white lies?  

 

And how early this skill starts to be developed, as anyone spending time with children are all too familiar with. “The dog ate my homework.” “My Mum forgot to pack my lunch / sports kit / fill in the blank.”  

 

Not forgetting that old, catch all standby. “I don’t know what happened; it wasn’t anything to do with me (and can’t you see my halo shining brightly, as in our picture below?!?).” 

 

Not surprisingly, by the time adulthood is reached, many people have reached world class status; with a wide range of excuses ready for every eventuality. Little wonder we recently heard it suggested that this skill should really be recognised as an olympic sport (!).