ESCA https://esca.org.il English Speakers Club of Asdod Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:52:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://esca.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cropped-favicon-32x32.png ESCA https://esca.org.il 32 32 I’m tired https://esca.org.il/im-tired/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:52:02 +0000 https://esca.org.il/?p=3417 Here’s an abbreviated list of creative ways to say “I’m tired.”:

1. I’m whacked.
2. I’m dog-tired.
3. I’m spent.
4. I’m on my last legs.
5. I’m bushed.
6. I’m exhausted.
7. I’m worn out.
8. I’m knackered.
9. I’m beat.
10. I’m pooped.
11. I’m done.
12. I’m sleepy.
13. I’m flat out tired.
14. I’m dead on my feet.
15. I’m running on empty.
16. I’m running on fumes.
17. I’m fatigued.
18. I’m tired out.
19. I’m weary.
20. I’m tired to the bone.
21. I’m dragging.
22. I’m stuffed.
23. I’m drained.
24. I’m wiped out.
25. I’m drowsy.
26. I’m wiped.
27. I’m fried.
28. I can hardly keep my eyes open.
29. I’m off to bed.

Some of us, I’m sure, can think of more ways. How about Ain li coach?

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Ways to deal with stress https://esca.org.il/ways-to-deal-with-stress/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:46:55 +0000 https://esca.org.il/?p=3413 According to the American Institute of Stress (there really is such an institution) there are some quick ways to alleviate stress. Hearing an air-raid alert is a stressful event. With missiles reaching Ashdod from time to time we have to run (carefully) to our safe area. Between alerts there are things you can do to relieve that stressful feeling. Here are a few of them:

  1. Meditate

    There is a good reason why this is on the top of the list. Meditation allows us to observe our thoughts and emotions in a detached, non-judgmental way.
    Meditating for as little as 10 minutes every day can significantly reduce your stress and anxiety instantaneously. Studies have discovered that meditation can not only help in reducing stress, regular practice of meditation can also minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease.
    All you need is to sit down, close your eyes, and bring your attention to your breath.

  2. Breathe deeply

    “Breathing is the number one and most effective technique for reducing anger and anxiety quickly.” (And if you permit me to add a personal observation, it’s the most effective method for staying alive.)
    All you need is to take 5 minutes off and focus on your breath. Breathe in fresh cool air through your abdomen and breathe out warm air releasing all your tension.

  3. Practice mindfulness

    Shift your focus from negative thoughts to positive ones. Perhaps a fond memory will help you pass through the moment.

  4. Scan your body

    Scanning your own body mentally can help you understand where you are holding tension, how it affects you, and help you release stress as well.
    All you need to do is sit comfortably or lie on your back and just scan your body from your toes to your scalp. As you move through each part of your body, gently notice how it feels physically. (I suppose this means you start at the extreme bottom and say, “Hello toes,” and then work your way up.)
    Be aware of places you feel tight or loose without trying to change anything.” By simply scanning your body for 2 minutes you can help it relax. Breathe deeply into your body while scanning and imagine fresh breath flowing to the specific body part you are scanning. Be aware of the sensations and repeat the process for each Body scan meditation can help with stress relief, improve sleep, enhance self-awareness, reduce pain and boost self-compassion.

  5. Listen to music

    Plug in your earphones and listen to your favorite music. Experts have found that music can have an instant calming effect on our mind and body. (I think we all know this.) Listening to your favorite music can also reduce your anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure. Or you can listen to sounds of the ocean, a bubbling brook, birds chirping or whale calls and allow your mind to relax. You can also listen to more peppy and upbeat tunes to lift your mood and even sing along.

  6.  Try hydrotherapy

    Splashing some cold water on your face and pulse points can help you cool your body temperature and make you feel energized. Running cold water or putting ice on your wrists can help you calm down quickly as major arteries run through the wrists.

  7. Get some sun

    Step out of your home or office for a while and feel the warm sun on your skin. Vitamin D from the sunshine can lift your mood instantly.

  8. Take a quick walk

    Getting some fresh air and moving your body for just 10 minutes can clear your head and make you feel ready for the tasks ahead.

  9. Laugh!

    Laugh out loud with your friends and family. Watch your favorite sitcoms or funny videos on YouTube to enjoy a full-on laugh-out session. (This is my personal favorite.)

  10. Chew gum

    Chewing gum can help you keep stress away and enhance your productivity and mood. (Don’t forget to brush your teeth.)

  11. Practice creative visualization

    Mentally imagine what you want — your goals, objectives, dreams, and think about how you want to feel about it.

  12. Massage your hands

    If you want to know how to relax then simply give yourself a hand massage for 5 minutes.

  13. Eat the right food

    Food and drinks like dark chocolate, honey, and green tea are known to relieve stress and anxiety. (another one of my favorites)(especially the chocolate)

  14. Stretch

    Instead of going for an hour-long yoga session you can stretch certain body parts while on the go to relieve body tension and relax your muscles.

  15. Take some alone time

    Spend time alone and gather your thoughts and emotions. Spending 5 minutes with yourself can help you calm down a lot.

  16. Look outside

    Simply stare outside from the window and look at the sky, clouds, trees, park, or even people walking outside. Take a break from the tv screen and look at life.

  17. Sniff oranges

    The citrusy scent of oranges can help to reduce stress and anxiety and boost your mood.

  18. Pet a furry friend

    Spending some time with your pet can help to greatly reduce your stress and anxiety levels instantly.

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Fun Facts https://esca.org.il/give-a-kid-a-break-fund-2/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:11:07 +0000 https://esca.org.il/?p=3384 And on a lighter note, we once again present fun facts that you will probably never have reason to use. From our prospective, we might have already used these facts in our last newsletter and you’ve already forgotten them. They have a high recycling value. Let us know if you catch us out. Anyway, it’s fun to read about them, so go ahead – but only when you are really, really desperate for something to read.

  1. Flamingos can only eat with their heads upside down.
  2. The opposite sides of a die will always add up to seven.
  3. No number from 1 to 999 includes the letter “a” in its word form.
  4.  Playing dance music can help ward off mosquitoes. (Try it, but tell the mosquitos first.)
  5. If you open your eyes in a pitch-black room, the color you’ll see is called “eigengrau.”
  6. A group of hippos is called a “bloat.”
  7. Pogonophobia is the fear of beards.
  8. Alaska is the only state whose name is on one row on a keyboard.
  9. A “jiffy” is about one trillionth of a second.
  10. The little dot above a lowercase “i” and “j” has a name. It’s called a “tittle.” It’s likely a combination of the words “tiny” and “little” since it is an itty-bitty dot.

Goofy MEDICAL ALERT!

Apple seeds contain cyanide. The deadly compound is released when you chew the seeds so you should definitely not chew them – and be sure to spit those seeds out. Do the same for apricot, peach, and cherry seeds, which also contain the compound that is released when the seed is chewed. (Have you ever had an inclination to chew a peach seed?)

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Important Information https://esca.org.il/the-power-of-honey-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:04:23 +0000 https://esca.org.il/?p=3380 ❖ For information about ALL medical problems (real and not goofy) – whether short-term or long-term check out http://shirapranskyproject.org/directory. This directory contains names, descriptions, contact information and more (in English!) for healthcare assistance and support organizations in Israel. You’ll find the help you need at their site.

❖ Information about Bituach Leumi for the elderly can be obtained in English at: 02-6463404 or in Hebrew at: 02-6463400. There will be someone to listen to you and advise.

❖ In times of stress: Call the Moked Ironi 106 from a landline or *10681 from a cellphone to report a problem or to get help with one. Someone will take your information and help you.

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Home Front Command Information Center https://esca.org.il/the-power-of-honey-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:57:23 +0000 https://esca.org.il/?p=3376 A very important source of information is the Homefront Command (Pikud HaOref). They are the arm of the armed forces that is responsible for keeping things running back home if, God forbid, there is any kind of trouble from our neighbors over the border. Their English website (thank goodness for that) can be reached at www.oref.org.il/en and you’ll find out what to do. In a national emergency when it is vital to get information immediately the Home Front Command Information Center is available to answer your questions 24/7. Call 104 from any phone.

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Government English Website https://esca.org.il/the-power-of-honey-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:54:37 +0000 https://esca.org.il/?p=3374 One really important piece if information we would like you to have is something passed on to us by the H.O.B. (Hitachdut Olei Britannia) and the AACI (Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel) and I checked this out myself. The Israeli government is providing a convenient English website helping you to navigate (easily) the many Israeli ministries that provide around 734 services. It’s all in English and it’s about the only website you’ll ever need to find the help you need. Go to www.gov.il/en/services to go into a portal that will show you the way to obtain an Israeli passport, driver’s license, how to pay a traffic violation after you have that license, help if you have a family or personal situation, how to make out your Israeli taxes, Tabu (land registry), culture and much more. I said 734 srvices and by the time this newsletter goes out there may be more (or less – it’s the Middle East). But it is really worth a try if you are befuddled and are trying to get help from any Ministry. Once you go into the website you’ll feel better just by knowing there is help available. I’ll say it again, that’s
www.gov.il/en/services . One click and you will probably find the help you’ve been looking for from one of the 62 web pages available.

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Israeli Ministry of Immigrant Absorption https://esca.org.il/the-power-of-honey-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/ Tue, 01 Mar 2022 13:17:37 +0000 https://esca.org.il/?p=3340 Check out the website of The  Israeli Ministry of Immigrant Absorption
.They may have an assistance program to fit you needs. To log onto this site, CLICK HERE.

There’s information about housing, employment, education and many other things.
Contact them for information 24 hours a day at : 03-973-3333

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PURIM – Some Fun Facts https://esca.org.il/the-power-of-honey-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/ Wed, 12 Feb 2020 13:05:17 +0000 http://esca.org.il/?p=3325 According to chabad.org here’s a few more facts about Purim:

  • Purim is an ancient Persian word meaning ‘lots’ and recalls the lots that Haman (may his name ever be erased) cast to decide on which day to murder all the Jews.
  • Joseph Stalin – the bane of intellectuals, many of whom were Jewish, fell ill in 1953 and died soon after. His illness began…..on Purim!
  • In the 1990 Gulf War Iraq sent deadly SCUD missiles to Israel, causing much damage and havoc. After U.S. – led forces attacked Iraq they were quickly victorious. The hostilities ended…..on Purim!
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JERUSALEM – some things you may not know https://esca.org.il/the-power-of-honey-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/ Sun, 23 Jun 2019 12:23:50 +0000 http://esca.org.il/?p=3284
  • Yearly, more than a million notes are placed in the Western Wall, the last remaining piece of the Temple. They’re collected and buried.
  • Jerusalem is named more than 900 times in the Hebrew Bible.
  • More than 3.5 million tourists visit every year.
  • There are more than 1,500 public parks and gardens in Jerusalem – that’s a lot of green space in the desert!
  • Some of the olive trees in Jerusalem are more than 800 years old.
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    Public Service Announcement! https://esca.org.il/the-power-of-honey-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/ Thu, 07 Mar 2019 10:58:52 +0000 http://esca.org.il/?p=3273 It’s strawberry season. Now is the time to buy them cheap. You can eat them fresh or freeze them for later and make some nifty desserts. (Check Google for how best to freeze them.) Did you know that strawberries are packed with vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants and more? They are a good source of manganese and potassium. Just one serving – about eight strawberries – provides more vitamin C than an orange!

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