Mouse Hand Warmer

Mouse Hand Warmer in Delight Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:35:00 +0000

If it's not cold enough for you this winter, then you love to be chilled! We think this is the coldest winter ever. But, to make life a little easier to handle, IGMproducts.com offers ways to keep warm. The Mouse Hand Warmer, featured in "Stuff that Delights Us" in the January issue of Delight Magazine, helps keep your mouse hand protected from wintery drafts and chills. Plus, use coupon code DELIGHT during check out for an extra 10% off your complete purchase. There's free shipping and no sales tax at IGMproducts.com. So, if you suffer with a cold mouse hand, suffering is over at a huge discount over department store prices!

Click Here. Go to page 13 on Delight Magazine.

ICONOCAST: Health, Science, and eMarketing Info for Cold Mouse Hand

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:56:00 +0000

ICONOCAST: Health, Science, and eMarketing Info

It's that time of the year again when we sit and work at the computer with a freezing cold mouse hand. Iconocast has a couple of items for you to browse. The Mouse Hand Warmer keeps your mitts cold by Coolest Gadgets, and Mouse Hand Warmer Mouse Pad Computer Industry's Newwest Gadget by PRWeb.

Click here to view ICONOCAST.

fav.or.it - Your News, Your Views keeps your cold mitts warm

noreply@blogger.com (Give Me Something to Blog About) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:31:00 +0000

from fav.or.it

There's news and views on fav.or.it about keeping warm this winter. I guess the hand warmer designed for computer users can be used any time of the year -- especially in an air-conditioned room.

I’m pretty sure many of us do hold a cozy nine-to-five job at the office, and during the hot and sweltering summer days, we often retreat to the coolness of the office (at least for those living along the equator while others who do not get much sun all year round surely would not mind heading out to get a little extra tan) for its air conditioner. Unfortunately, sitting down at the same spot for hours on end while typing out document after document could result in extremely cold fingers. Instead of looking like a dork while wearing a pair of gloves that does not match your suit, why not settle for the Mouse Hand Warmer?

Gadgets & Richness: Daily gadgets, computers, electronic news

noreply@blogger.com (Give Me Something to Blog About) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:56:00 +0000

from Gadgets Richness

Winter is coming, but no fret! Unlike all the previous years, this year you won’t have to struggle the cold in your hand while working in front of your computer — thanks to this new handy product called Mouse Hand Warmer. Created from a warm polymer fleece blanket material with a non-slip survice, Mouse Hand Warmer will keep your hand warm and comfortable. Simply slip a standard sized mouse pad inside the Mouse Hand Warmer and use your mouse inside the warmer. Neat, huh?

Mouse Hand Warmer is retailed for $14.95 - FREE SHIPPING & NO Sales Tax!

Crawl under the covers with your favorite mouse

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:38:00 +0000

Photo Courtesy of DeviantArt.com

Computer Geeks Mousing

That cute little mouse we all love and adore is causing some painful cold fingers when the air is cool. We clutch the mouse for hours working at the computer and our fingers get numb from the cold. Our exposed mouse hand feels detatched from our body when it becomes this cold.

So, how do we keep the mouse hand covered? A mouse blanket sounds ideal! Crawl under the covers with your favorite little mouse!

Click here to enter Amazon.com.

Techie Diva podcast Mouse Hand Warmer the low tech way of keeping warm

noreply@blogger.com (Give Me Something to Blog About) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:17:00 +0000

Techie Diva is one of the coolest sites online! If you haven't surfed their site, you really need to click here. The Mouse Hand Warmer sound clip is available. It's so cool to hear the article originally posted by Coolest Gadgets.

Techie Diva is technology blog with an undeniable feminine twist. This doesn’t mean the opposite sex isn’t allowed, on the contrary, we love men who don’t mind partaking in our fun conversations which cover everything from emerging technology to the latest “it” gadget. Techie Diva got its start in January 2005, creating a tech haven for women of all ages who want to stay up to date with technology that matters to them. Sure we talk about fun gadgets, iPods, and cell phones until we’re blue in the face, but we also love writing about practical services or killer applications we spot online. Being the complex, intelligent women that we are, we’re not afraid to indulge in our guilty pleasures, and we certainly don’t mind getting our hands dirty. Having said that, Techie Diva merges the best of two worlds, technology and style. [Techiediva.com]

Gina Hughes is the Chief Editor and Founder of TechieDiva. She discovered her passion for technology Japan where she spent two years serving in the U.S. Marines. Her love for technology motivated her to explore a career in Web Design, and in the process developed a strong background in Online Marketing, Product Research and Graphic Design. Gina is also a Tech Advisor at Yahoo! Tech. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area where she is a Web Designer, and writes about digital technology.

The New Push News Wire: Mouse Hand Warmer Mouse Pad

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:51:00 +0000

Read about Science, Technology Internet News Headlines from Newswave.com on The New Push News Wire. Mouse Hand Warmer Mouse Pad Computer Industry's Newest Gadget! Click Here for more details.

About The New Push News Wire: We connect businesses to the Internet
TheNewPush does the following 3 things:

We give decision-makers the background and resources needed to be more successful.
We connect business to the Internet and help customers find you.
We combine the right technologies for you to receive the highest return on investment.

A New Super-Ergonomic Mouse!

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:30:00 +0000

By RattoNorvegese

Working with a computer mouse may result in physical discomfort. It is a form perspective that scientifica researcher, both fundamental and field research was instigated. This has resulted in the development of HandshoeMouse.

Mouse Hand Warmer on Etsy.com

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 06:30:00 +0000

If you are looking for a unique gift this season for that hard-to-buy-fo computer geek, look no further. Here's the perfect gift for any computer user. It's called the Mouse Hand Warmer and it's available on Etsy.com.

The Mouse Hand Warmer is soft, warm blanket fleece that works as a mousepad or uses a standard sized mouse and any computer mouse. It keeps your exposed mouse hand covered with a warm cozy blanket.

Click here for more details & FREE SHIPPING!

Dear Oprah & Doctor Oz.... help us solve the cold mouse hand problem!

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:22:00 +0000

Searching for an answer to define the "cold mouse hand" syndrome, Oprah and Doctor Oz were sent an online letter. We haven't heard back from them, and if/when we do, you'll read about it here.

Here's what we wrote:

Many people may not be aware of a condition called "Cold Mouse Hand." It affects computer users who work using a computer mouse. It's not carpal tunnel and shouldn't be confused with other mouse hand medical conditions. I believe the "cold mouse hand" problem is a fairly new discovery.

I started using a computer in the early 90's, and I owned and operated an ecommerce site for over 12 years. My work required me to sit in front of a computer using the mouse. A/C offices, fans, drafts and chilly weather would cause my mouse hand to get so cold my finger tips would become numb. The only relief to the cold mouse hand was to stop working, and that was not an option. I tried pulling a sweater over my mouse hand and wear fingerless gloves to keep it warm and that didn't work. I bought computer gadgets that promised to keep the mouse hand warm, and they were either non-ergonomic, caused pain, or were too small.

In February 2007, after suffering from a cold mouse hand for many years, I decided to obtain a provisional patent for a "Mouse House Hand Warmer" to address and fix the problem. But, I was still too busy operating my business to do anything with the patent.

In May 2008, I sold my ecommerce site and decided to research the cold mouse hand problem to focus on a solution. I was surprised to discover the problem was experienced by many people.

In June 2008, I made a Mouse Hand Warmer using blanket fabric, tested the prototype, and it worked. The Mouse Hand Warmer was born! I don't suffer anymore from a cold mouse hand.

If Doctor Oz finds the mouse hand syndrome, not carpal tunnel, but the "cold mouse hand" problem, an interesting, new topic, please ask him to shed some light on this mysterious computer geeks' situation. If you look for little inventions to address new problems, I will participate by sharing the problem and the solution with your audience. I hope you find this story and it's solution unique and worthy of a discussion topic.

Computer mouse hand pain caused by the cold

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:01:00 +0000

Hand pain associated with cold weather is a bothersome ordeal when work needs to get done. The computer mouse hand pain is associated with several different factors. Many people suffer from carpal tunnel conditions and others suffer from a cold mouse hand. The mouse hand syndrome is yet to be clearly defined by the medical experts. Some people say an exposed mouse hand causes something termed as "mouse hand." Others say it's poor circulation and the position of the arm and hand causing the limb to get cold.

Personally, my mouse hand gets cold when I work long hours sometimes into late hours of the night during the winter. At times, when the air conditioning is blowing a draft in my office, my mouse hand gets extremely cold.

There's a solution! Just like crawling inside bed and under the covers to keep warm, a mouse hand blanket covers the mouse hand keeping it warm. The mouse hand blanket relieves the cold and body heat is generated inside.

We wear gloves to keep our hands warm, and we slip our mouse hand inside a warm fleece blanket to keep it warm as we work. To read more about this amazing discover, Click Here.

A novel idea addresses cold mouse hand syndrome

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:42:00 +0000

Never have a cold mouse hand again!

News & Views - New Product Reviews:

Just released, a warm, cozy blanket for your mouse hand in a practical, modern design. There's nothing goofy looking or impractical about it. The Mouse Hand Warmer available at IGMproducts.com solves winter woes of cold mouse hand. Available online at several ecommerce sites like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and IGMproducts.com with free shipping within the USA.

If you've ever sat and worked holding your computer mouse for many hours or into the midnight hours, you'll appreciate this little geek gadget. Click here for more details.

Office temperature - Does your hand get cold?

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:35:00 +0000

A cool office temperature is good for the equipment and may not be as good for you. If your hand gets cold working at the computer, slip your cold hand inside a Mouse Hand Warmer.

By Tim Bryce

One of the touchiest subjects in any office is the room temperature. This has probably touched off more arguments in the office than just about anything else. It may seem like a small thing but people tend to be passionate about the temperature.When it comes to controlling the thermostat, women typically like to turn it up, while men turn it down.

There are pros and cons to keeping the office cool or warm. If it is cool, people tend to be more alert but it may also affect the joints (as anyone with arthritis can tell you). Interestingly, certain office equipment, such as computers, operate better under cooler temperatures. On the other hand, a warm room on a cold winter day is welcomed by just about everyone, but if it becomes too warm, especially on a summer day, it can put people to sleep particularly after lunch. It can also cause people to slowly become irritable, impatient and irrational which isn't exactly conducive for a cooperative work environment.

If you leave the temperature to the employees to control, you'll probably hear the thermostat click up and down like a pogo stick which inevitably drives heating and air conditioning bills sky high. If you're an office manager, you would be wise to put a lock on the thermostat and hide the key. Whatever you do, don't turn the temperature over to the employees by a show of hands. I've seen this done and believe it or not has led to a division in the employees and hurt morale. As manager, you are responsible for controlling the work environment which includes the temperature of the room as well as other things, such as noise and cleanliness.

As for me, I'm of the school of keeping it "cool" as I would rather keep the employees more alert during the work day. If you've got a problem with it, they've got this new thing out to keep you warm: sweaters.

Winters coming - keep your mouse hand warm

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:19:00 +0000

It's said cold hands are caused by poor circulation. Not always true. Talk to the computer geek in your family and he/she will confess, an exposed mouse hand gets cold. Working long hours sitting at a computer can cause your mouse hand to get cold and your fingers numb. This is not a joke, it's the truth!

There are a variety of computer geek gadgets on the market promising to keep your mouse hand warm, and believe me, we have tried them all! There's a warm mouse that's not ergonomic. It just makes your mouse hand sore. There's a USB warming mouse pad that overheats and there's not enough room inside to move your mouse hand around freely.

Before you spend money on a Mouse Hand Warmer consider the best item we've found. It's a cozy, fleece insulating blanket for your mouse hand. No electricity. No wires or cords to get tangled on your desk. The Mouse Hand Warmer is sold on Amazon.com, Etsy.com and at IGMproducts.com.

See the photo above, and click here for more details.

Mouse Hand Warmer on Wikipedia

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:30:00 +0000

from Wikipedia

A mouse hand warmer is a computer gadget used to keep the mouse hand covered and warm. It is constructed of warm, soft, polyester, fleece blanket material and used to cover the exposed mouse hand. It is a computer accessory and can be used by computer users of all ages.

Under normal conditions, the computer user's mouse hand is exposed to air, drafts in air-conditioned rooms, or winter chilled temperatures. After hours of exposure and working at the computer a person's mouse hand can get cold and the finger tips get numb. A mouse hand warmer covers the mouse hand and keeps it warm.

A mouse hand warmer is energy-efficient and uses no electricity. The fleece blanket fabric acts as an insulator. Using heat generated by the body, the mouse hand stays warm inside a mouse hand warmer. When a person's mouse hand gets cold, the only relief is to stop working, and most of the time that's not an option. Using a mouse hand warmer allows a person to continue working by relieving the cold hand.

A mouse hand warmer is unique in that it is designed specifically for the mouse hand. It looks like a pouch or case in which a standard sized mouse pad and a person's favorite mouse fits inside. The average size of a mouse hand warmer is about 12" x 12" and has a non-slip surface to prevent movement of the mouse pad while working. The front of a mouse hand warmer is designed to accommodate an optical connected mouse or an USB connected mouse. A person using a mouse hand warmer has plenty of room inside to use the mouse keeping one's hand covered and warm.

Mouse Hand Warmer - Listmania!

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:22:00 +0000

from Amazon Listmania!

A Listmania! list by Mouse Hand Warmer "Computer Gadgets" (California). Share this with all your Computer Geek Friends!

The list author says:

"My mouse hand used to get really cold when I'd sit and work long hours at the computer. Now, I keep my mouse hand covered with a warm blanket. You can get the Mouse Hand Warmer on Amazon!"

1. Mouse Hand Warmer by Mouse Hand Warmer

The list author says:

"Uses NO ELECTRICITY. Keeps your mouse hand covered by a warm blanket. Constructed of a warm polyester fleece blanket material with a non-slip surface. Fits standard mouse pads and mouse. Hand wash and air dry."

Resolved Question - Have you ever used a MOUSE HAND WARMER?

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:14:00 +0000

from Yahoo Answers by Dorothy

My mouse hand gets really cold, and I see there are lots of questions on Answers about a cold mouse hand. Has anyone tried using a Mouse Hand Warmer? It's not a warm mouse or warm pad. It's actually like a blanket for your mouse hand. Curious? I saw it on Amazon.com and at IGMproducts.com and there's been a lot of blogging about it. I think it would be good gadget to have on hand.

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
I haven't used that one, but I tried the "warming mouse" and it is bad. The mouse is not ergonomic and makes my hand really sore within an hour. There's another USB warming mouse warmer in the shape of a blue fish. It's bad, too. Like a piece of junk made in China.

I think the one you found at http://www.igmproducts.com is more practical, and the price is right with free shipping and no sales tax. That's a deal.

Check out the blogs listed below for more information about the product. Not sure I answered your question, but you may have found the answer to all the Yahoo Answers questions about a cold mouse hand. A blanket makes sense to me! Thanks!!!!

Source(s):
http://www.igmproducts.com/
http://www.mousehandwarmer.com/
http://www.handwarmer.org/
http://www.contemporaryloft.com/
http://www.i-globalmall.com/

Mouse Hand Warmer

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:04:00 +0000

from Amazon Amapedia

The Mouse Hand Warmer is new, and there’s nothing like it on the market. It’s $19.95 price includes Free USA Domestic Ground Shipping & Sales Tax! It’s the perfect gift idea for computer users. A new Geek Gadget just in time for the holidays!

Keeps your mouse hand covered by a warm blanket. Constructed of a warm polyester fleece blanket material with a non-slip surface. Fits standard mouse pads. Hand wash and air dry.

Instructions: Slip a standard sized mouse pad inside the Mouse Hand Warmer. If using a wireless mouse, the net front provides a clear optical connection. When using an USB connected mouse, slip the cord through a small slit opening made in the center front net. Easy to keep clean by hand washing with a mild detergent and air drying.

The Mouse Hand Warmer is hand made in the USA. It’s energy-effecient and uses NO electricity. Heat is generated from your body and insulated inside a warm, cozy fleece blanket pouch.

The Mouse Hand Warmer is an inexpensive way to keep your mouse hand warm during chilly weather or whenever you feel your mouse hand getting cold. A drafty air-conditioned office makes for an uncomfortable exposed hand if you sit and work all day at the computer. During the winter, a draft or drop in temperature makes your mouse hand cold, too. Sometimes fingers get numb due to the cold air. Keep your mouse hand warm inside a cozy blanket.

The idea for a Mouse Hand Warmer came about after spending many years working long, late hours sitting at a computer. When your mouse hand gets cold there’s really nothing you can do to warm it except stop working or cover it with a warm blanket. That’s why the Mouse Hand Warmer was created.

No wires or cords to get tangled on your desk top. The Mouse Hand Warmer is a contemporary, modern, techie-looking desk accessory in neutral colors of gray fleece with black and white trim. The pouch measures about 12" x 12" with a wide front opening to get your hand into and out of the Mouse Hand Warmer with ease. Fits most mouse sizes, from a standard small mouse to a large ergonomically shaped mouse.

Mouse Hand Warmer is a registered trademark and patented product made in the USA by i-GlobalMall.com, Inc.

For more information, please contact the seller directly through Amazon.com by searching Mouse Hand Warmer. Thank you.

Let your heart warm your hands

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:24:00 +0000

from ThinkGeek

Being cold isn't fun. Vampires know this. That's one of the reasons they drink blood - to keep warm. Well, to celebrate the joys of being a vampire and to help keep your hands warm this winter, we bring you the perfectly named Heart Hand Warmer. But unlike most hand warmers, this one you can use over and over again. And, you don't have to pop it in the microwave to heat up.

The magic with the heart hand warmer is in the metal disc you see inside it. All you do is click the disc back and forth a few times and you'll see the clearish gel inside become opaque. As the opaqueness spreads, so does the heat! It's a crazy chemical reaction which we like to call AWESOME! Seriously, the pretty red gel is a supersaturated solution. Bending the disc starts an exothermic crystallization of the gel (i.e. it goes opaque and gets hot). And when it loses its warmth, all you have to do is wrap it in a towel and throw it into boiling water for about 15-20 minutes and the Heart Hand Warmer resets itself. Once it cools off from its boiling bath, it is ready to be used again. A great, fun way to keep your fingers warm this winter. Got a chilly butt? Then slip it in your back pocket. Just be careful when you sit down.

Dimensions: approx 3.75" wide

Added Bonus: You can pop the heart hand warmer in the fridge for a few hours and use it as a cooling pack too!

Cold mouse hand rantings every perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:54:00 +0000

COLD HANDS
By LISA BEYER/JERUSALEM

For one man it was a giant leap. For the peace process, not quite a small step. Before his election as Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu had sworn he would never deign to meet Yasser Arafat, a man he considered little more than a terrorist. Last week, however, Netanyahu was finally nudged into a handshake with the Palestinian leader. It was an enormous psychological hurdle for the Israeli leader. His Palestinian partners, though, felt as if they were beginning a relationship from scratch.

Denials notwithstanding, Netanyahu had plainly been pressured into the summit. In his first three months in office he had assiduously shunned Arafat and frozen plans to expand Palestinian self-rule, as promised in previously signed accords. Then Israeli intelligence agencies began warning that as a result, Arafat was fast losing standing among his people and that instability, perhaps violence, might follow. Finally, Israel's dovish President, Ezer Weizman, threatened publicly that if Netanyahu would not meet Arafat, he would. Netanyahu agreed to a summit.

The summit produced no breakthroughs on the next steps of interim Palestinian self-rule: an Israeli redeployment in Hebron, the last major Palestinian city still under full occupation, plus further withdrawals in the West Bank. To Palestinian dismay, Netanyahu insisted on reopening the Hebron agreement already completed by the previous Labor government. And while Netanyahu said last week that he may eventually be prepared to start discussions on the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, those negotiations had already begun under Labor. Publicly, Arafat's aides praised last week's summit, but privately they expressed reservations. Said one: "We are not satisfied, and we are not hopeful."

________________

Cold hands, bright snow, dead batteries: challenges of cold-weather photography
by Find Articles

Snow may work white magic on the landscape, but it works black magic on photographs-and photographers. Few situations are as hard on you and your camera, or as tricky for your light meter.

The following tips can help you make photographing in snow easier and more effective, especially if you use a 35mm camera with adjustable settings.

Your equipment: avoid the big chill

If your camera depends on batteries for power, watch out. Cells are usually the first things to fail in the cold. Read your manual to learn what happens when your camera's batteries die. Some models quit altogether; other types with variable shutter speeds default to a single, fixed speed (usually 1/60 or 1/125 second).

If your camera switches to an unchangeable speed, you can still shoot if you can manually set the F-stop. To determine the correct exposure, use a handheld light meter or consult the printed guidelines that come with your film.

The best defense: keep batteries warm. Zip your camera inside your jacket between pictures. Or stow it in a camera bag. Tuck a hand warmer in the bag, too, being sure it doesn't touch the camera or acccssories. Check it often to make sure it isn't scorching your bag. Warmers, about $3 at sporting goods stores, can last several hours at a time.

And always carry spare batteries, stored in a warm, dry, inside pocket. Cut down condensation

Moisture can harm electronic and metal parts, especially if droplets freeze. Outdoors, try not to breathe on your camera; it causes condensation. Keep your camera in its case or bag when not in use; breathe away from it when shooting.

When you come in from the cold, you may see droplets forming on your gear. Beforeheading in, put all gear in your camera bag and close it up. The air inside will warm slowly, reducing or eliminating condensation. If you use your camera before it warms up, wipe off drops as they form. If getting into a car, stow gear in the unheated trunk.

Fend off frozen fingers

To set exposures and focus in cold weather, your fingers need to be both warm and nimble. Thin polypropylene gloves (about $8) or convertible wool mittens ($15, shown at middle right) afford a measure of both. Look for them in sporting goods stores and mountaineering .shops. You can try fingerless wool gloves ($9), though they don't offer as much protection. Don't let your camera go snow-blind Most light meters are averaging meters: they collect all the light in a scene, then give the proper exposure for the middle shades. In most situations, this means white comes out white, black looks black. But in a snow scene, the overabundance of white skews the averaee. Your camera doesn't let in enough light, and you end up with pictures of gray snow and dark faces. How you compensate for all that white depends on what kind of gear you use:

Automatic cameras. Some automatic cameras let you lock in an exposure. Move in close for a reading that measures your subject no snow lock that exposure in, then back up and shoot. For landscapes, lock in a reading on a relatively snowless part of the scene, then shoot.

If you can't manually override your camera's automatic settings, divide your film's ASA (ISO) number by four. Set your camera's ASA to that number. For ASA 400 film, for example, set your camera's meter to ASA 100. Note: If you decide to photograph a snowless situation on the same roll, remember to set the ASA back to 400.

Manual cameras. Take a close-up reading of your subject; that's your exposure.

If you can't lock in exposure or override the ASA (some cameras fix the ASA per a code on the film), include as little sunlit snow in your pictures as possible.

________________

Cold Hands?
by Nick Quarrier MHS PT OCS

Do you have cold hands much of the time? Especially before a performance? And even if the room is hot? If yes, you may be interested in this information.

Cold hands are a sign of an overactive autonomic nervous system. More specifically, the signs of an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Our emotional and physiological self are controlled by the autonomic nervous system - a system that increases and decreases our heart rate, breathing rate, etc. One group of nerves "speeds" us up and one group of nerves "slows" us down. These groups are known as the sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves. When the sympathetic nerves are fired (stimulated) the heart rate increases and blood is shunted from our hands, feet, and abdomen to our large muscle groups such as thighs and hips. Many muscles tense during this stimulation. This is a primitive reflex response which prepares us to flee from a threatening situation. (remember in high school biology the fight or flight response?) The parasympathetics, when stimulated, slows the heart rate down, causing rest, relaxation, and eventually sleep. During parasympathetic stimulation blood flows throughout the body and into the abdomenal organs (to help digestion, etc).

We live in a world that causes a domination of sympathetic nervous system stimulation. Every time we drive in an automobile, more than likely our sympathetics are fired and our muscles tense as we maneuver through a threatening environment. On the job stress stimulates the sympathetics, athletic performance stimulates the sympathetics, and musical performance stimulates the sympathetics. If you feel stressed out much of the time, more than likely your sympathetics are firing. This constant firing of sympathetics can bias the body's muscles into a continuous state of contraction or increased tension. This tension is easily noticed in a piano player practicing a difficult and demanding score and is evident by the shoulders elevating and being held rigidly. As the blood is shunted from the hands there is a reduced amount of nutrients and oxygen available to feed those muscles that are wroking so hard to play the notes! And thus there is no wonder why soreness in the hands and forearms may develop!

One important factor in preventing a music related injury or in recovering from an injury is to make sure the muscles doing all the work are well fed with nutrients and oxygen. The sympathetic nervous system must be controled. Yes, we need the sympathetics to excite us and assist in us in many of our activities. But we must not let them rule and dominate our bodies. How can we control them?

One of the most effective ways to reduce the sympathetic nervous system firing and to increase the parasympathetic nervous system (to relax us and circulate more blood to distal muscles) is to deep breath. We have always heard, "relax, calm down, take a few deep breaths!" This is sort of true but not totally. By deep breathing (diaphragmatic breathing) a greater quantity of oxygen enters our lungs. And as a greater quantity of oxygen is inhaled, the breathing rate naturally slows down. As the rate slows down carbon dioxide released in exhalation slows down and accumulates in the lungs and in our blood stream. (remember, oxygen is inhaled, carbon dioxide and oxygen is exhaled). Well, as carbon dioxide builds up in our blood a pH change occurs in the blood. As the pH changes the chemical nature of the blood stimulates the parasympathetics to fire! And the heart rate slows, blood flows back to the hands and feet, and relaxation occurs. It is that simple!!! But! It takes a minimum of 10 minutes of deep breathing to get the pH in the blood to change! That is why, "take a few deep breaths" doesn't work to relax us.

So to help warm the hands, reduce tension in the shoulders, help prevent injury, practice deep breathing throughout the day. Deep breath in the car on the way to work, while at the desk, preparing to perform, while watching TV, etc., etc......... It takes some practice, but is extremely rewarding!!!! and Warming!!

________________

Warmer Hands Naturally! Ten Easy Free Tips
from Sound Feelings

Ten easy free tips on how to increase hand warmth naturally, from Sound Feelings. We offer this free cold hands information as self-improvement remedies and secrets to help bad circulation, shallow breathing and stress. These symptoms are known factors of freezing cold hands. Instead of the typical coping techniques of mittens and gloves, unique solutions are suggested. These include physical therapy, nutritional supplements, relaxation and affirmations. Say goodbye to freezing hands! See also: poor circulation, cold hands therapies, cold hands treatments, cold fingers.

The following tips are intended for pianists but are applicable to anyone who has the problem of cold hands.

1 Keep Your Neck and Wrists Covered.

Primary blood vessels come close to the surface of the skin in the neck and wrists. If you keep these areas protected from the air, less heat will escape.

2 Avoid:

tight clothing, smoking, drafts, the wrong calcium supplements and margarine. Tight clothing restricts the blood flow into the extremities. Smoking, of course is known to clog arteries. Drafts affect people sensitive to cold much worse than others. Dolomite or “elemental calcium” can clog blood vessels. “Organic” calcium like bone meal or oyster shell does not do this. Margarine, contrary to popular belief, cannot be absorbed or digested easily into the body. As a result it tends to leave a residue in the arteries which can cause arteriosclerosis, resulting in poor circulation. Also, never eat “hydrogenated vegetable oil” which is the same thing as margarine!

3 Use Exercise or Physical Therapy.

Three exercise movements are helpful for cold hands. (A) While you are standing, rotate the shoulders forward, up and back in a circular motion for about 30 seconds. (B) Rotate the wrists in both directions for a total of 30 seconds. (C) Make a fist without digging the nails into your palm. (The final joint of your fingers is not bent.) Alternatively tense and relax the hands in this position for about 30 seconds.

4 Supplement Your Diet.

All of the following supplements are known to be helpful to improve circulation. Many of them complement one another because they work in different ways. You can find many of the items in health food stores: ginger, fennel, cayenne, potassium, niacin, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, lecithin, Ginkgo Biloba, apple cider vinegar, distilled water, lemon juice in hot distilled water. (Lemon juice in hot distilled water will have an amazing effect on cleansing your liver which is the “heat producer” for your body.) Also if you’re trying to avoid meat for whatever reason, this could be contributing to the problem! Some people just need to eat meat once in a while. Don’t be fanatical. Please allow about 30 days to see if any dietary changes have helped the situation. Also, most people develop a lining of old “mucoid plaque” in their intestines. People who have cold hands tend to have more of this layer than others. The supplements that you want to absorb through your small intestine cannot be absorbed very well if you have this layer of old material. You will see a direct connection in your hand warmth and the removal of old mucoid plaque in your intestines. Here’s what you can do about it.

5 Remove Fear.

The most extreme fear response is called the “fight or flight syndrome.” This is when our adrenal glands produce adrenaline and our physical reactions change. These physical symptoms include cold, sweaty or shaky hands, rapid heart beat, shallow breathing, disorientation, misperception of time, upset stomach, dry mouth, memory lapse and others. This response is named for our reaction to a predator at our cave door during our supposed prehistoric days, to fight or to flee the danger. The adrenaline is nature’s way of giving us the extra quickness of mind and body to make a life or death decision very fast. The down side is that this leaves the body somewhat worn out and tense. Some sensitive people have a tendency to live their whole life in a quasi-fear state so that they are always walking around feeling anxious. As a result, they are constantly experiencing subtle aspects of the fight or flight symptoms, even though they are not conscious of any impending danger. It almost becomes a habit or an addiction. This person’s personality is what one might call a “fear personality.” The solution is to gradually lessen or remove the fear. There are many methods of reducing fear, including psychotherapy, hypnosis, affirmations or plain old willpower.

6 Breathe Deeper.

People with cold hands tend to breathe shallow. Be aware of your breath and occasionally practice deep breathing. Eventually this will become automatic so that you won’t have to think about it. Consider this: the more deeply you breathe, the more oxygen you bring into your system. This oxygen is transferred from the lungs into the bloodstream and it is responsible for the transfer of heat throughout the body. The more oxygen you receive, the warmer you will be.

7 Practice Affirmations.

Affirmations are a way to actually reprogram your subconscious mind. Believe it or not, saying “I have warm hands” to yourself can have a profound effect, if you do it right. First of all, create the statement so that it makes sense to you. (“My hands are warm, Heat comes from my hands, I embrace life with abandon, etc.”) Affirmations only work when you engage your emotions. You must be in a joyful state and you must believe it. If you have doubt or you are negative, it won’t work. Some people repeatedly say or write affirmations in the morning, evening, or at various times throughout the day. Because affirmations are a tool to create a new reality, do not get discouraged while you are currently playing out your previously-created reality. Allow for an overlap of realities with patience.

8 Reduce Stress.

Many people have a healthy stress response. After the stressful event, they move on. But most of us tend to develop cumulative stress that builds and builds. This cumulative stress affects each person differently. Every illness in the world can be attributed to stress. Sometimes the tension is felt literally in the muscles of the body which has a sympathetic influence on the blood vessels. In other words, they constrict over time. With stress reduction techniques, the blood vessels can dilate back to their correct size. There are many different methods of stress reduction. Do some research and find one that seems suitable to your lifestyle.

9 See A Chiropractor.

Although it may sound wierd to most people, consider going to a chiropractor. Even if you don’t have back pain, your spine may be out of alignment, which can affect the proper functioning of your liver and other internal organs, because the spinal cord provides the neural nourishment to each organ. Your liver, among other things, is kind of like the”heat producer” for the body. Think of watering your plants with a hose and the hose becomes kinked and the water won’t come out. That is what could be happening with your liver and it is not working right, as if someone turned off the switch. A chiropractor can detect this and set it right in one visit.

10 In the Meantime, Do Whatever is Necessary.

Until the above suggestions provide a more permanent solution to cold hands, you still should do what it takes to keep your hands warm. This could include the obvious gloves and mittens to the less obvious warming creams, glove warmers and other devices. Also, before you need to play the piano try immersing your hands and forearms into the sink filled with warm water for one minute.

________________

Simple Method Found To Warm Cold Hands
from NY Times

A simple and inexpensive method of training the body to change the way it reacts to cold has proven highly successful in curing victims of a little-known disease that cuts circulation to the hands in cold weather, according to a researcher for the Army.

Using hot water and an ice chest, victims of ailment, Raynaud's disease, can train their body to prevent a routine reaction that leads to restricted circulation to hands and feet as the body saves energy to cope with cold, Dr. Murray Hamlet of the Army's Research Institute of Environmental Medicine said last week.

The curtailment of blood flow is harmless to most people because the circulation will resume after about 10 minutes, Dr. Hamlet said. But Raynaud's victims do not regain circulation to their fingers, causing a painful condition that increases the risk of frostbite and in severe cases can force amputation, he said.

Raynaud's is primarily caused by cold but also can be brought on by emotional stress and by frequent use of vibrating machinery, such as jackhammers and chain saws. For victims whose conditions are prompted by cold, the treatment has proven virtually foolproof in eliminating the problem, Dr. Hamlet said. Condition's Cause Unknown

When the body is exposed to cold, the nervous system constricts blood flow to hands and feet to retain heat. When the temperature of the extremities reaches dangerously low levels, the nervous system in effect throws a switch that dilates blood vessels and restores full circulation, Dr. Hamlet said.

But Raynaud's sufferers do not regain circulation because blood vessels leading to their hands do not dilate as they should. Researchers have been unable to determine what causes the condition, Dr. Hamlet said.

It is unclear how many people have Raynaud's, which occurs predominantly among women, affecting perhaps as many as 10 percent of them, Dr. Hamlet said. Many victims are not aware they have the disease because they think their body's response to the cold is normal, he said.

A procedure originally devised a decade ago by an Army doctor at an laboratory in Alaska to treat the disease has been refined by reasearchers at the Army laboratories here and now is being used more and more by civilian physicians, Dr. Hamlet said. Warm and Cold Water

Three to six times a day, every other day, Raynaud's sufferers undergo a treatment in which they first sit indoors with their hands submerged in warm water and then are put in a cold environment, exposed to the cold except for their hands, which are submerged in an ice chest filled with warm water.

After 50 rounds of treatment, all of the 150 test subjects at the laboratories here were able to venture into the cold without losing circulation to their hands, he said.

''We just retrain those blood vessels to dilate rather than restrict in response to cold,'' Dr. Hamlet said. ''It works extremely well.'' He said the treatment may not work, however, for victims of Raynaud's who developed the disease as a result of other illnesses, such as high blood pressure, arterial disease, drug abuse and trauma.

Dr. David Trentham, medical director of rheumatology at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital, said the success rate of the treatment had not been shown independently of the Army data but that it appeared to work well.

''It's a very innovative and interesting approach and there is an abundance of evidence to indicate why it should work,'' he said. ''It hasn't been confirmed but I think that is largely because it is so new.''

________________

Cold Hands and Feet
from Care First Library

Chronic cold hands and feet most often are caused by circulatory problems associated with medical conditions. Cold hands and feet can affect men and women of any age, but they are somewhat more common among older adults.

In an older person, cold hands and feet can indicate hardening of the arteries. In a younger person, the condition might mean vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels. When hardening of the arteries is the cause, physical exertion may bring on cold hands and feet, and rest may relieve the problem.

The most frequent but often misunderstood condition associated with cold hands and feet is a syndrome called Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's is more common in women and may first appear between the ages of 20 and 50. Raynaud's may appear alone or be part of a more serious disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma or other types of vasculitis. About half of all people with Raynaud's have it alone, while others have Raynaud's as part of a more serious illness.

Raynaud's doesn't cause cold hands and feet, however; it is triggered by exposure to cold or stress. Exposure to cold causes blanching and pain in the extremities of individuals with with Raynaud’s.

People who suffer Raynaud's phenomenon are fine until they are exposed to very cold weather or place their hands or feet in cold water. Normally, your hands and feet will return to normal temperature within minutes after you leave the cold behind. But people with Raynaud's sometimes have cold hands and feet up to an hour after their exposure ends. They may experience cold, pain or a stinging sensation in their hands and feet. Their hands and feet may even appear abnormal after exposure to cold -- they look white, then blue, then red. This occurs in reaction to the blood vessels in the extremities becoming constricted (narrowed) and then taking awhile to dilate (widen).

What to Do
See your physician to rule out a serious condition, such as a major circulatory problem or a connective tissue disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or scleroderma. People prone to cold hands and feet should be sure to wear warm gloves, socks and shoes in cold weather. They should also exercise care when exposing their hands to cold water by wearing special waterproof gloves. If you know you'll be going somewhere you'll be exposed to cold, wet weather, take an extra pair of gloves and warm shoes or boots in case the first pair gets wet.

Use Medicine Effectively
Medications can be used to treat cold hands and feet. Perhaps the most widely used medications are the class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Aspirin also improves blood circulation. Beta blockers, on the other hand, could worsen this problem.

Self-care Steps for Cold Hands and Feet
If you smoke, quit. Smoking can cause hardening of the arteries.

Use warm gloves, shoes and socks.

Limit your exposure to cold weather and cold water.

Eat a low-cholesterol diet.

Begin a graduated exercise regime with your physician's advice.

Voter Poll: Do you suffer from a cold mouse hand?

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:29:00 +0000

We stumbled upon this data and thought it was appropriate for a blog post:

View Poll Results: Do you Suffer from Cold Mouse Hand Syndrome?

Yes. 35 or 63.64%

No. 12 or 21.82%

Undecided. 8 or 14.55%

Voters: 55. Poll is closed to voting.

Mouse Pads - Choosing the Best Pad for Your Computing Needs

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:59:00 +0000

Mouse Pads - Choosing the Best Pad for Your Computing Needs

By Ilse Hagen

A mouse pad is made out of foam rubber with a fabric or plastic top cover, which may be plain or decorated. Other pads feature more unconventional materials such as silicone rubber, glass, wood, stone, recycled rubber tires, leather, cork, aluminum and stainless steel. Other pads are made especially for gaming and are usually made with high-quality materials. Most pads feature a textured or adhesive bottom to keep it from slipping while in use.

The main purpose of a mouse pad is to provide an even, almost flat surface to make mouse movement more accurate. You can place it on a separate mouse tray, but any flat surface (such as the computer table) will do. There are different kinds of mouse pads, each with different purposes.

Kinds of mouse pads:

1. Textured type - This kind comes with a rough surface and is made of thick and long-lasting materials. This is most suitable for roller-type mice.

2. Shiny type - This pad comes with a smooth, glossy surface and is made for optical mice, which use LED light instead of roller balls for tracking. The shiny surface enhances the mouse’s optical light tracking.

3. Ergonomic type – This type comes with a wrist rest that relieves the user from strain from extensive mouse usage. It is designed to prevent hand strain and repetitive stress injury among heavy users.

Tips when buying mouse pads

1. Choose a pad that uses a non-slip material (such as rubber) for backing.

2. Regarding size, it is better to select a thicker pad so that it would be at equal level to your keyboard.

Learn About The Three Basic Types Of Computer Mouse

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:54:00 +0000

The Hamburger USB Mouse for the meat lovers in your life!

Learn About The Three Basic Types Of Computer Mouse

By Bonnie Archer

1) Mechanical: This is a type of computer mouse that has a rubber or metal ball on its underside and it can roll in every direction. Sensors within the mouse, which are mechanical, detect the direction in which the ball is moving and moves the pointer on the screen in the same direction. A mouse pad should be used under the mouse to run on.

2) Optomechanical: This type is the same as the mechanical mouse except that it uses optical sensors to the motion of the ball. A mouse pad should be used under the mouse to run on.

3) Optical: This type uses a laser for detecting the mouse's movement. You don't need a
mouse pad but you can use one made for optical mice. Optical mice do not have any
mechanical moving parts. This type responds more quickly and precisely than the mechanical and optomechanical mice and now that they have been around awhile the price is pretty comparable.

How does a computer mouse hook up to the computer?

Serial mouse: these ones connect directly to an RS-232C serial port or a PS/2port. This is the simplest type of connection.

PS/2 mouse: connects to a PS/2 port.
USB mice

Cordless mouse: These are not physically connected to the computer. They rely on infrared or radio waves to communicate with the computer. Cordless are more expensive than both the serial and bus mouse. The nice thing is that there is no cord to constrain or get in your way.

Computer Mouse - Which One Is Right For You?

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:49:00 +0000

By Jesse Miller

The computer mouse is an accessory to the personal computer that has become an essential part of it's operation. Computer mouses is an instruments used to control your courser and function selection. There are many devices available in a variety of forms such as foot mouse, standard computer mouse, mouse keypad, light pen, joystick, touchpad, and trackball. The mouse cames in many designs, the device can be left hand only, right hand only or both left and right hand.

Mouse
The ball-mouse replaced the external wheels with a single ball that could rotate in any direction. The ball mouse utilizes two rollers rolling against two sides of the ball. The mouse sends these signals to the computer system. Some by means of connecting wires and some are wireless. Mouse movements should be made using the elbow as the pivot point, not the wrist.

Click
To select items or choose commands on the screen, the user presses one of the mouse's buttons, making the mouse click. The mouse gives directions to the computer where to move to the cursor on the monitor or screen, with one to three buttons (depending on design) allow the user to say yes by clicking the buttons. The press of a button closes the switch with a click and the computer has received a command. The driver tells the computer how to interpret the mouse's data stream including speed, direction, and clicked commands.

It's been almost half a century since the first computer mouse was put out of a Stanford lab in the '60s. Choices for a computer mouse has increased since then. The computer mouse has come a long way since then. The designs are many, Examples: wireless, small fats ones to fit kid hands,ones with three buttons, ones with a scroll in the center. Light pen design, short,long,thin, I could go on with all that they have in todays market. So when deciding which one to buy,take your time and get the one that is right for you.

Why does my mouse hand get cold?

noreply@blogger.com (Blog with Me!) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:34:00 +0000

" I wear a long sleeved sweater and use a Mouse Hand Warmer
to keep my mouse hand covered and warm."

There are many reasons why a mouse hand gets cold. The most obvious reason is it's exposed to the air holding the mouse in the same position for long periods of time. I don't think a person's mouse hand gets cold because there's something physically or medically wrong with the person. I truly believe because we sit for long periods of time in cold air-conditioned rooms or in winter temperatures.

The only solution to a cold mouse hand is to stop working. Well, that's not always an option. Sometimes I sit for several hours working and using my mouse. My hand gets cold and my fingertips get numb. I tried pulling a sweater sleeve ove the mouse hand to keep it warm, and that does not work.

A mouse hand warmer is designed to cover the hand and keep it warm. A mouse hand warmer is a computer gadget used to keep the mouse hand covered and warm. It is constructed of warm, soft, polyester, fleece blanket material and used to cover the exposed mouse hand. It is a computer accessory and can be used by computer users of all ages.

Under normal conditions, the computer user's mouse hand is exposed to air, drafts in air-conditioned rooms, or winter chilled temperatures. After hours of exposure and working at the computer a person's mouse hand can get cold and the finger tips get numb. A mouse hand warmer covers the mouse hand and keeps it warm.

A mouse hand warmer is energy-efficient and uses no electricity. The fleece blanket fabric acts as an insulator. Using heat generated by the body, the mouse hand stays warm inside a mouse hand warmer. When a person's mouse hand gets cold, the only relief is to stop working, and most of the time that's not an option. Using a mouse hand warmer allows a person to continue working by relieving the cold hand.

A mouse hand warmer is unique in that it is designed specifically for the mouse hand. It looks like a pouch or case in which a standard sized mouse pad and a person's favorite mouse fits inside. The average size of a mouse hand warmer is about 12" x 12" and has a non-slip surface to prevent movement of the mouse pad while working. The front of a mouse hand warmer is designed to accomodate an optical connected mouse or an USB connected mouse. A person using a mouse hand warmer has plenty of room inside to use the mouse keeping one's hand covered and warm.