US News Gives Mazatlán a Thumbs Up

by Maureen Dietrich
14 Feb 15
mazmessenger.com

American publication U.S. News & World has given Mazatlán a “thumbs up” after placing it fifth in ranking the main destinations to visit and vacation in México and seventh among the best beaches in the country.

Rankings were based on information from experts and opinions from North Americans who were looking to improve their quality of life in terms of health, personal finances, education, travel, transportation, news and opinion.

Ahead of Mazatlán in the rankings were Cozumel, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen. Factors considered in the decision included beaches, night life and cultural attractions.

(from Noroeste)

Carlos Slim Says You Should Only Work 3 Days a Week

Kirk Maltais - DailyMail.co.uk
go to original
July 22, 2014 

'With 3 work days a week, we would have more time to relax; for quality of life,' said Slim, Mexico's richest man. 'Four days off would be very important to generate new activities and other ways of being occupied.'

Do you wish that your weekend was longer than just Saturday and Sunday? According to the world's richest man, it should be.

Carlos Slim Helú, the Mexican telecommunications mogul worth approximately $79.6 billion, told attendees at a business conference in Paraguay last week that it was time for 'a radical overhaul' in people's working lives.

As of July 15, 2014, Forbes announced that Slim was the richest man in the world, edging out Bill Gates' $79.1 billion fortune.

According to Slim, people should take more time off in the course of their professional lives, working only three days a week instead of the standard full-time five days per week.

"People are going to have to work for more years, until they are 70 or 75, and just work three days a week – perhaps 11 hours a day," Slim told the conference, including the catch that not only would workers have to work longer days - 11 hours instead of the usual eight - but would have to continue to work well into their 70s, an age many opt to retire before reaching.

However, according to Slim, the benefits for such a short work week are plentiful.

"With three work days a week, we would have more time to relax; for quality of life. Having four days off would be very important to generate new entertainment activities and other ways of being occupied," he told the conference.

To a certain degree, Slim has been applying this train of thought to his own businesses.

According to the Financial Times, Slim's phone company Telmex has implemented a system where workers on a collective labor contract who joined the company in their late teens can retire before they reach 50, and can continue to work for full pay four days per week.

Slim also applies this philosophy to his own work life. He is still active as a businessman at his age, 74.

He also maintains a life full of hobbies, such as art collecting. He opened the Museo Soumaya, an art museum dedicated to both his love for art and religious relics as well as the memory of his late wife, Soumaya Domit.

At the same meeting, Slim also commented on the state of education, saying that education should "not be boring, but should be fun" and that students should learn "not to memorize but to reason; not to domesticate but to train."

Original Story

Health benefits of oceanfront living

mexicorealestatecondos.com 

 July 4, 2014

There are many hidden health benefits to owning real estate in Mexico that you may not even realize.

Living by the ocean has been scientifically shown to reduce stress, battle certain skin conditions, and give your immune system a boost. That’s part of the reason that exposure to “seaside air” has been prescribed as a medical treatment for centuries….its health benefits were apparent even before modern medicine evolved.

With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the many ways your health can benefit from oceanside living.

Reduce Stress by Living at the Beach

Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that the sound of waves lapping at the beach helps reduce stress, induce relaxation and boost creativity. But in an age where knowledge reigns supreme, there’s no need to rely on old wives’ tales; there is actually a growing body of scientific proof in support of these claims.

Researchers have found that listening to waves roll up against the shore triggers quantifiable changes in brain chemistry. When exposed to these gentle, natural sounds, the brain produces waves of its own that create a soothing mental state. These unique brain wave patterns have been shown to reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

Another reason sea air helps you sleep more soundly is that it is rich in negatively charged ions. These ions help you absorb oxygen more efficiently while regulating serotonin levels. Both of these effects help you fall asleep faster, achieve deeper levels of sleep, and awake feeling more refreshed, invigorated and happier.

Treat Skin Conditions with Sunshine and Ocean Water

While sunshine has been on the receiving end of a bad rap in recent years due to concerns about UV levels and melanoma, sun exposure can actually help treat certain skin conditions. Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the unexplained appearance of itchy pink or reddish splotches of skin, responds very well to sunlight. Researchers believe that ultraviolet rays dry out the skin more quickly, leading to faster healing and fewer psoriasis outbreaks.

Swimming in the ocean’s natural salt water has also been scientifically proven to treat dermatitis, an uncomfortable skin condition which causes rashes and localized hives. Controlled studies found that immersion in salt water sped up healing significantly, and reduced the frequency and severity of subsequent outbreaks.

Ocean water has also been found to improve the appearance of your skin, helping you look younger and healthier. Immersing yourself in salt water helps your skin retain its moisture while reducing redness and inflammation. Ocean water is also high in magnesium, which has long been linked to beautiful, young-looking skin.

Immune System and Circulatory System Benefits

When you take a swim in the ocean, you’re immersing yourself in a living ecosystem rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals and important elements. The physical composition of seawater is also very similar to that of human blood plasma, ensuring these nutrients are easily absorbed. Both mainstream doctors and naturopathic health professionals believe that this environment can give your immune system a significant boost. 

Researchers have also found links between immersion in sea water and improved circulatory system function. Again, the mineral-rich ocean environment is believed to play a role. Over time, stress can deplete your body of essential nutrients, forcing your circulatory system into overdrive. Swimming in ocean water helps speed up the replacement of these minerals, easing pressure on your heart, veins and arteries and improving overall blood flow.

Number of “Very Satisfied” Mexicans Increases

by Murry Page

6 May 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the number of Mexicans satisfied with their lives has increased over the past six years.

The 2013 report “How’s life in Mexico?” revealed that 73 percent of Mexicans are “very satisfied” with their lives, up from 55 percent in 2007.

In seems that the global financial crisis affected Mexicans less than more prosperous nations. According to the report, “in contrast to the general trend, both the employment rate and the long-term unemployment in Mexico remained stable between 2007 and 2012.” Although disposable income of Mexican households fell by 2.0 percent, the total income before taxes remained fairly constant, the OECD study said.

On the negative side, the report revealed that 47 percent of the female respondents said they had been the victims of physical, sexual, emotional or psychological violence from their partners.

(from Milenio)