Instinctively we know that having fun is good for our health and well-being. But, as it turns out, many of the activities we would label “fun” are not as beneficial as we would hope. Many of the things we do with our leisure time, like bingeing on television, scrolling the news, or posting photos to social media, do not produce the positive heath effects we crave. “People often use the word “fun” to describe anything they do with leisure time,…
Of course you’ve heard of free radicals, but you need to know more. I’m sure that my skin would look at least 10 years younger if only I’d paid more attention to free radicals in the past. Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable molecules. They are made by the body naturally as a byproduct of normal metabolism. But, the body will also generate free radicals in response to environmental attacks, such as tobacco smoke, ultraviolet rays, air pollution, and…
People who pay no attention to the amount of sugar they consume are at high risk of health problems such as weight gain and obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You just might be one of those people. Sweetened beverages are a big culprit. Americans consume an average of more than 17 teaspoons of sugar (about 290 calories) a day from added sugars. This is far more than recommended by…
Summers are getting hotter. Have you noticed? The worst that the World Health Organization predicted in 2018 is happening: “Global temperatures and the frequency and intensity of heatwaves will rise in the 21st century as a result of climate change. Extended periods of high day and nighttime temperatures create cumulative physiological stress on the human body which exacerbates the top causes of death globally, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and renal disease.” When you get hot, your heart…
Our oral health (the health of teeth, gums, and the entire oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew) is more closely connected and more important to our overall health than you may think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poor oral health has been linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and dementia. Don’t think that because you don’t see or feel any problems in your mouth that you’re in the…
“People who need people Are the luckiest people in the world. We’re children, needing other children And yet letting a grown-up pride Hide all the need inside. Acting more like children than children” Writer(s): Jule Styne, Bob Merrill musical “Funny Girl” I heard this song the other day and realized I’d never really heard the lyrics before. I was struck by the power and insights of this popular song. How could they have gotten it so right, especially in 1964? Here’s more: “Lovers… Are…
Chances are you are close to a person you love deeply . . .and that person appears to be aging faster than they should. What can you do? First, you must accept that their condition is controllable . . . by them! Adults who develop positive attitudes about aging live more than seven years longer than peers who have negative attitudes. How can you help your loved one improve their attitude about their health? Point to the science. For at…
A couple of weeks ago my friend Paul let us know that he had a planned surgery scheduled and would need to postpone our regular Zoom call. Next, he described the procedure in some detail. It’s to correct a heart valve problem (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) and should be very low risk, according to 87 year old Paul. In the final line of his message Paul says: “I’ll keep you posted and prayers are appreciated.” Good move Paul! Asking for…
Think of the last time you had a side-splitting, tears-in-your-eyes, try-not-to-pee-your-pants laugh. Remember how good that felt? Actually, there’s strong clinical evidence that by “tickling your funny bone” you are not only being entertained, but enhancing your physical, psychological, and social well-being. I like that …a lot. So I set out on a quest to bring more laughter into my life. Here’s what I found: It’s better and easier in a group. Laughing is contagious, and the more you can…
A daily dose of meditation is so beneficial (Harvard Health) that you’d think everyone would be doing it. But, in 2017 only 14% of Americans said that they regularly meditated, according to a 2018 CDC report. Do you meditate regularly? If you do, I’d love to hear from you about your experience. If you don’t, given the Immense health benefits you’re missing, there has to be a good reason. Maybe (like me) you’ve tried it several times but couldn’t make…