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More merry, less stress

With all the preparations, socializing and activities, seasonal stress can produce strong emotions. This holiday season, give yourself the gift of being merrier by reducing your stress. Are you quick to anger, feel agitated, have tight muscles or rapid breathing, or do you get overly emotional? Choose calming activities like focused breathing, listening to calming music, getting outside, or doing stretches or yoga. Do you withdraw or feel depressed? Try stimulating physical activities like brisk...

Shield yourself from sun and heat

Sunny days can make outdoor activities fun for you and your family. But they can also come with hazards. The sun's ultraviolet UV rays can damage skin and lead to skin cancer. Prolonged heat exposure makes your body work harder and can put your health at risk. To play it safe, keep these five tips in mind: 1. Choose the right time. Morning and evening tend to be coolest. The sun's UV rays are the strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Limit your outdoor activity during these hours. If this is not poss...

Hello, feet! It's time for your daily diabetes wellness check

Standing for long periods, breaking in new shoes, going for a jog—life is filled with things that can be hard on your feet. Count diabetes among them. That's right: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your feet over time. You may experience tingling, numbness, pain or the loss of feeling in your feet, which are symptoms of diabetic nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy. You can also have nerve damage in your feet and not know it, due to a loss of sensation. Fortun...

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease

If you know someone with Alzheimer's, you understand how difficult it is for everyone involved. Alzheimer's doesn't just affect the person with the disease; it touches everyone close to them. Knowing the facts can help you cope. Alzheimer's is a form of dementia, which interferes with your ability to remember things, perform daily tasks and take care of yourself. Eventually, you become completely dependent on others. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia—in fact, 60% to 80% of p...

Incontinence: Replacing Shame with Hope

Over 50% of women will experience urinary incontinence by the time they’re 60 years of age. One of the more common types of urinary incontinence - overactive bladder - is characterized by an overwhelming urgency which results in uncontrolled leakage. This common condition can hold a woman prisoner in her own life. They might feel uneasy going out, have to carry a change of clothes wherever they go, and rely on pads or adult diapers just to get through their day and sleep throughout the nig...