Nine months ago, when my husband and I were moving into the three-story condominium we’re currently renting, I was more than a wee bit concerned with how I’d navigate all those levels. My office would on the top floor, with our bedroom, main bathroom, and laundry beneath me. Two flights of stairs stood between my desk and the kitchen sink, and the ground floor led down another flight of stairs to … [Read more...]
Trauma is never simply a single, isolated event. Its impact occurs in cascading waves that ripple out in multiple directions at disparate periods in time. Present trauma builds upon trauma from our past–the experiences are distinct, yet not separate. While an initial traumatic event might have already happened once, its impact and repercussions will be felt anew again and again, until we can learn … [Read more...]
One of the greatest gifts we can give to both our fellow human beings–and to ourselves–is to volunteer our time in service to others. Greek philosopher Aristotle is quoted as stating that the essence of life is “to serve others and do good.” Not only does serving others through volunteer work seem to imbue our lives with extra meaning, purpose and direction; it also fosters optimism and greater … [Read more...]
You might be surprised to learn that lung cancer takes the lives of more men and women than any other cancer in this country each year. In fact, it’s been the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States since 1987, but you would hardly know it if you merely looked at the media attention, research and fundraising efforts earmarked for cancer awareness in women. However, the … [Read more...]
Twenty-one million adults have diabetes in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.Tragically, another 8.1 million adults have the disease but are yet to be diagnosed and thus are not treating a condition that can have devastating effects on the body. To improve detection of the disease in the United States, Sam’s Club stores across the country are hosting … [Read more...]
Most of us at or above a certain age can count at least one “silver” filling in our mouth from getting cavities when were kids. And really, when one grows up with the option of sugar-laden cereals for breakfast, like Froot Loops, Cap’n Crunch and Apple Jacks, it’s more surprising not to have a mouth full of cavities. But today we’re not talking about the blight of sugar, unhealthy bacteria and … [Read more...]
Sunshine is pouring through the windows of my office. That, coupled with temperatures above freezing, call me to head outdoors. I’ll be slipping on my sneakers to get away from the computer screen soon and taking full benefit of that extra hour of daylight. Here are 10 reasons why you should lace up your shoes to walk today too. 1. It’s National Walking Day. For the ninth year, the American Heart … [Read more...]
Through generations of Southern cooking and tobacco use, my extended family has a strong history of high blood pressure (or hypertension), stroke and heart attack. When I was a young child, I remember both the familiar and pungent scent of pipe smoke from my maternal grandfather and the heartbreaking toll that multiple strokes had on his body. Sadly, I was just a first grader when he passed away … [Read more...]
Each third Thursday of November, the American Cancer Society (ACS) presents the Great American Smokeout to encourage the 42 million Americans who still smoke cigarettes to kick their habits in the butts. Besides clearing the air with non-smokers, the biggest benefits for users to stop smoking are health-related. Kicking cigarettes to the curb reduces their risk of many types of cancers, as well as … [Read more...]
With increasingly sedentary lifestyles, Americans have seen a rise in obesity and diabetes, as well as increased risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer and early deaths. Australian researchers found in 2012 that extended sitting constricts blood vessels and blood flow in the legs and negatively affects metabolism, regardless of one’s weight or overall time spent exercising. This month, however, … [Read more...]