The COVID-19 pandemic has shined much-needed light on “whole person health” by highlighting the correlation between behavioral health and overall wellness. Many people with behavioral health challenges experienced worsening symptoms throughout the pandemic, while others struggled with conditions for the first time and didn’t know where to turn. Understanding whole person health – and where…
High-quality sleep is fundamental to your health and happiness. However, for the 10-30% of U.S. adults living with sleep apnea, a good night’s rest is not guaranteed. Obstructive sleep apnea is a respiratory condition where airways narrow during sleep, causing short periods when you’re not breathing. Incredibly common, it’s estimated that there are millions of…
It’s all-too-common for those embarking on a regular exercise routine to skip a planned workout for one reason or another. Here are some of the most common excuses that people make not to exercise, along with some solutions to overcome these challenges: “I need low-impact exercises.” Many traditional workouts are tough on joints, which over…
By Contributing Writer Frenetta Tate Do you find yourself struggling to get motivated? Are there things you want to do but just can’t seem to make yourself do them? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people struggle with this issue. In fact, it’s one of the biggest challenges many people face when trying…
Menstruation (your period) is a normal and necessary process for the human body – yet the stigma around menstruation remains common. While it’s a completely natural and well-known process, menstruators often feel embarrassed or uncomfortable openly discussing their period and its symptoms or purchasing menstrual products.[1] A nationwide survey of over 13,000 Americans between the…
There is no more familiar item in your medicine cabinet than a bottle of aspirin. Aspirin has been sold for over a century as an over-the-counter medication and millions of people take it. Aspirin is used to help treat pain associated with headaches and arthritis, and for fever reduction. People also take low-dose aspirin daily…
The pandemic caused massive disruptions in health care, from cancellation of elective surgeries to patients putting off critical screenings and procedures, including colonoscopies, mammograms, knee or hip replacement surgeries, and even in some cases more urgent heart procedures. As a consequence, many preventable health problems may show an alarming increase in the near future. Anesthesiologists…
Older adults experiencing behavioral health issues such as anxiety or depression may be embarrassed and think they simply need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” but helping them seek help can empower them to live their best lives, according to experts. “Everyone is different, but there are tools for better health, including therapy, medication,…
When patients hear that they’ll need anesthesia to undergo surgery or a procedure, they’ll likely start to worry. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, 88% percent of patients experience preanesthetic fear, and in some cases that fear even causes anxious patients to cancel surgeries. A recent American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology…
Physical activity and time outside are two wonderful gifts for your body and mind; they’re proven to reduce stress and anxiety and offer a greater sense of well-being. L.L.Bean recently partnered with Mental Health America to share 10 ways getting outside can boost your energy, mood, and state of mind. Set aside just 10 minutes….
In the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there continues to be a surge of cases in parts of the United States. Many of these cases may occur when people catch the virus in their communities and bring it home, where it can spread to other members of their household. Some doctors are currently enrolling…
The stress of a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for patients, families, and caregivers. And while each person’s response to hearing the words “you have cancer” may differ, feelings of stress, fear, and unease are common. According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, one in three people with cancer experience mental or…
“I’m fine,” is a phrase Kelsey Voskamp, a Colorado resident, used many times in her life while pushing through what she thought were just headaches. Like many others who are misdiagnosed or undertreated, Voskamp didn’t realize she experienced a neurological disease called migraine and didn’t know how to explain to her family, and even her…
When you think about exercise, you likely think about the physical health benefits of working out. Many people exercise regularly to lose or maintain weight, improve muscle tone and strength or increase flexibility. For seniors, physical activity can help them stay mobile and, as a result, stay independent for longer. However, the benefits of exercise…
By Contributing Writer Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC Religion and spirituality are both rooted in understanding how a relationship with one’s higher power influences the meaning of life. Though both religion and spirituality are closely related, they play differing roles. Religion is a structured, collective belief system, and spirituality is within an individual based on…
By Contributing Writer Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC Having a baby is one of the most precious gifts of life but it’s very natural to feel overwhelmed after the birth, having to adjust to a new way of life. But what if you are, eventually, not able to move beyond the feelings of being overwhelmed,…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan remains on a journey to justice. He said President Joe Biden’s historic bipartisan infrastructure bill provides an opportunity to finally rid America of poisonous lead pipes and free communities of color of the toxins that have polluted their…
Over the last two years, the mental health crisis in the United States has gotten worse. A major reason for that is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has contributed to a rise in anxiety and depression among young people. But even before the pandemic, as many as one in six children in the United States between…
A new survey reveals that the mental health of American moms is going largely unattended, with many living under a near-constant state of stress and few seeking support to ease the burden. The research, commissioned by MDLIVE, an Evernorth company and leading provider of virtual care services in the United States, finds that 33% of…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates among teenagers rose almost 60 percent from 2007 to 2018. The CDC and other federal agencies describe a crisis that includes surging mental health disorders among the country’s young. For example, major depressive episodes in…