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Healthy Living: Myths vs. Facts on ‘Boosting’ The Immune System – 9 & 10 News – 9&10 News

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

Its popular to take dietary supplements without a prescription, but does this heath trend work?

Health experts say no.

For example, Vitamin C is found in many foods and is good to have in your diet. Thats why Vitamin C supplements are touted as a great way to boost your immune system and fight off infection.

But they dont actually work, and high doses can cause a number of side effects including nausea, cramps, and an increased risk of kidney stones

Why? Our bodies can only absorb a few hundred milligrams of Vitamin C at a time.

So how can you boost your immune system?Superfoods like chia seeds and coconut oil? Nope again.

Todays Healthy Living separates fact from fiction on how some at-home habits can help you keep your health in tip-top shape. Watch the video above to learn more.

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Healthy Living: Myths vs. Facts on 'Boosting' The Immune System - 9 & 10 News - 9&10 News

How to safely avoid sunburn in the age of coronavirus – nwitimes.com

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

The only way to safely escape the familiar interiors of our homes during this pandemic is to go outside into the fresh air, bask in the beauty of nature and get some desperately needed exercise and sunshine.

Of course, you're using safety precautions to protect yourself from the virus walking 6 feet or more from others, wearing a mask, avoiding touching your face, washing your hands but have you thought of the necessity of protecting your skin?

The danger of skin cancer certainly hasn't disappeared during the age of coronavirus, and using sunscreen is more important than ever, experts say.

But before you slather on some sunscreen, you might want to check out the 2020 list of safer sunscreens put out by the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, a consumer organization that advocates for sunscreen safety.

"This year, 75% of the SPF [sun protection factor] products EWG assessed still contained worrisome ingredients and/or do not provide adequate sun protection," said Nneka Leiba, vice president of healthy living science at EWG.

And maybe you'll want to try the old-fashioned "slip, slap, slop and wrap" technique suggested to CNN by Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society: "Slip on a long-sleeve shirt, slap on a wide-brimmed hat, slop sunscreen on exposed skin and use UV-protective sunglasses that wrap around the eyes when out in the sun."

That's because choosing a safe sunscreen isn't as simple as popping into a store (mask on, of course) and grabbing the nearest option off the shelf.

Last year the US Food and Drug Administration called for additional testing of a dozen common sunscreen ingredients after finding that alarming levels of six of them can enter a person's bloodstream after just one day of use and then last in the bloodstream for seven to 21 days.

"What is most alarming about these findings is that chemicals are absorbing into the body in significant amounts and the ingredients have not been fully tested for safety," said EWG senior scientist David Andrews in a CNN interview done when the study was released last year.

At the time, the Personal Care Products Council and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association countered: "The presence of these ingredients in plasma does not suggest a safety issue, and there were no serious drug-related adverse events reported in the trial."

One popular ingredient used in US chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone, was absorbed into the body at about "50 to 100 times higher concentration" than the others tested in the 2019 study, Andrews said.

A 2008 Swiss study found oxybenzone or one of four other sunscreen chemicals in 85% of breast milk samples, sparking concern that newborns could be exposed. A 2010 study found another of the studied chemicals, octinoxate, in breast milk.

Also in 2008, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed urine collected from Americans by a government study and found oxybenzone in 97% of the samples.

Then there's the possible environmental impact: Studies find that oxybenzone and octinoxate appear to damage coral reefs. Both Florida and Hawaii have placed restrictions on the use of sunscreens with those ingredients.

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How to safely avoid sunburn in the age of coronavirus - nwitimes.com

IOC and WHO sign agreement to promote healthy lifestyle through sport – New Delhi Times

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

On May 16, 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to promote healthy society and lifestyle through sport. The agreement was signed at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. Through the signing of the agreement, the IOC and the WHO reiterated their commitment to promote a healthy society through sport in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good health and well-being), and to contribute to the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Other areas of collaboration include working with host countries to ensure the health of athletes, supporters and workers at the games as well as addressing NCD risk factors, including water quality and air pollution. The two institutions will also work to ensure that the Olympic games leave a healthy legacy in host countries through enhanced awareness of the value of sport and physical activity. The two organizations also intend to work together to promote grassroots and community sports programmes that have a further reach within the general public, particularly among girls, older people and people living with disability who may find it harder to keep active and healthy.

The agreement will also allow the two organisations to work on new projects addressing emerging issues such as mental health. In the context of the Olympic Games, the agreement will aim to strengthen the health component and legacy of the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, in particular by addressing mental health, water quality and air pollution, in addition to emergencies and health security.

IOC President Thomas Bach commented: Over the last few months in the current crisis, we have all seen how important sport and physical activity are for physical and mental health. Sport can save lives.

The IOC calls on the governments of the world to include sport in their post-crisis support programmes because of the important role of sport in the prevention of NCDs, but also of communicable diseases. He continued: As we are preparing for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in a safe environment for all participants, we are happy and grateful that we can continue to rely on the valuable advice of the WHO.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General expressed his happiness over the WHOs formalization of the longstanding partnership with the IOC. WHO works not only to respond to disease but also to help people realize their healthiest lives and this partnership will do exactly that.

Physical activity is one of the keys to good health and well-being, Dr. Tedros said.

Photo Credit : Getty Images

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IOC and WHO sign agreement to promote healthy lifestyle through sport - New Delhi Times

Healthy Living Starts With You – TAPinto.net

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

Try This ONE Simple Thing Each Morning

One of the most powerful practices to help ease fear, sadness, struggle, self-doubt or worry is to begin an explicit practice of self-kindness.

There are a few simple steps:

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You have successfully signed up for the TAPinto Madison Newsletter.

Feel what it is like to offer yourself a gesture of kindness. Welcome whatever feelings you have.

Remember, it is just a practice, its not about perfect.

It may feel awkward, raw, lonely, uncomfortable, and it may feel sweet and warm, and sometimes you may even feel profound love.

Bring your mindful awareness, your kindness and your curiosity. Every day will be different.

So, instead of the avalanche of worry, self-judgment, fear, or anxiety, take 30 seconds to wake up yourself with kindness each morning.

Keep practicing.

We know that what we practice, grows stronger. Continue to create and begin to establish this pathway of kindness to yourself. Grow it every day, no matter what - you are in charge of your well-being.

Small acts lead to big changes.

You are special. You are not like all the rest. If you would like to focus on activities that cater to your needs, please book a session with me on mywebsiteAnnpelinointegrativefitness.comTake this time to transform yourself and renew your commitments that you hold most important. I am here to help you.

Love,

Ann

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Healthy Living Starts With You - TAPinto.net

Tips to keep fit and health during lockdown | News and Star – News & Star

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

KEEPING fit and healthy during lockdown can be a challenge, but we've got you covered.

When following a weightloss plan, try to stick to one model only; i.e. 'portion control' or 'low fat' or 'high protein.

Also, familiarise yourself with food packaging and learn how to understand what is in your food as "low fat" and "fat free" often means that the food has a high amount of sugar, sweeteners or additives which can hinder your healthy lifestyle.

For a guide on how much of each food to eat, see the picture above.

This week's exercise is called the standing body stretch.

Please follow the below steps:

The above is taken from iCan's recently released Live Well guide.

It is available in book or pdf download format from our online shop at http://www.icanfitnesscumbria.co.uk/shop.

Your complete 120-page interactive guide to living a healthy life.

The guide includes meal planning, portion control, recipes, how to sleep well, hydrate well, exercise at home and help your mental wellbeing through coping strategies, CBT and more.

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Tips to keep fit and health during lockdown | News and Star - News & Star

Healthy conversations lead to better relationships and a more happier life – PhillyVoice.com

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

If you are man looking to start living healthy your thoughts have probably centered on finding the right diet or exercise regimen. Maybe you have consulted your doctor, ordered some running shoes or purchased fitness equipment.

Chances are you havent considered your conversational skills or contemplated any connection between your health and the value of a good conversation.

While largely unnoticed, there is a connection, one that can have a significant impact on sustaining your health and well-being. A deeper dive into the social dimensions of health reveals the important role of this overlooked tool.

The connection starts with the understanding that relationships play a major role in a mans ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Those familiar with my motivation-based advocacy for 50-plus mens health know that the Harvard Study for Adult Development, one of the worlds longest studies of mens health, is a frequent reference of mine. It concluded that a mans close relationships protect him from lifes discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ or even genes.

The Mayo Clinic reinforces the Harvard study, suggesting that adults with strong social support have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index. Mayo references the important role that friends have in promoting overall health, specifically advising individuals to listen-up and open-up, and noting that maintaining healthy friendships involves give-and-take.

A look into the gearbox of relationships reveals the key role of conversations: two-way exchanges that differ from talk, a one-way proposition.

According to Alison Wood Brooks of the Harvard Business School, conversations form the bedrock of our relationships, a profound part of the human experience. To share our ideas, thoughts and feelings with each other, we converse face to face and remotely via phone, email, text message, online comment boards and in contracts. Unfortunately, Brooks finds that most people make conversational mistakes.

Among other factors, the fear of making mistakes can create anxiety about engaging in conversation and a persons capability to converse. Research by Erica Boothby, ofCornell University, shows that given 20 everyday activities, people consistently rank their ability to have a conversation at the bottom of the list. The same people also rank others as being better than them at casual conversation.

Fortunately, Brooks says this anxiety can be managedby reframing itas excitement and using pre-performance rituals to improve performance. The bottom line is that conversations are at the core of relationships, and relationships have a material influence on our health and well-being. While the ability to converse comfortably remains a challenge for many, the benefits are huge.

Despite a history of dominating communication in the business world, which is thankfully changing, men are notorious for their inability to match women when it comes to personal expressions sharing feelings, discussing emotions and generally devoting time to conversation.

Notwithstanding the scientific case for the health benefits of conversation-boosted relationships, there are additional, more granular outcomes that can help convince men to take up the banner for verbal exchange. For functional-thinking, efficiency-oriented men, these observations will appeal to their practical instincts with applications for their personal lives as well as business settings.

Conversation is a chance to learn new things and gain new perspectives. A process for growth and a feeling of satisfaction from convening a benefit to the other party. Done properly, a personal conversation can advance your agenda and add to your well-being. Sound good?

Think of conversations as a source of social intelligence. A process that can provide insight to advance a relationship, or allow you assess its quality should that be in question. Whether just getting to know someone, or evaluating a long-term relationship, think of conversations as a means to confirm these foundational dimensions.

Do we share the same values and interests?

Are we motivated by the same factors?

Are our aspirations for the future aligned?

Is our approach to life and business compatible?

To reap the social and, ultimately, health returns of an investment in your conversation portfolio, here is my framework for maximizing the use of conversations:

1. Create a culture of conversation

Make conversation your go-to mechanism to advance your social relationships and deal with lifes ups and downs. You dont need to guess what someone else is thinking or theorize why they may be acting a certain way. Remember, its a two-way street and ideally a win-win proposition. Moreover, continuous improvement in your conversational skills can become a passion that enhances many aspects of your life.

2. Stay committed

Nothing is easy in life and there will be many times when your instinct will be to shut down and run from conversation. Dont do it. Hang in there and literally talk it through with your friends and loved ones. Crucial conversations are not meant to be easy, but they are critical in confronting the problems we face and the relationships we want to keep.

3. How you say it is important

Particularly in personal relationships, its not just what you say but how you say it. The best intended conversation can go astray because of language, form and the attitude you convey. This is no small thing.

4. Nothing Is Off the Table

A core value of conversations is the ability and willingness of both parties to address any and all subjects. Openness to the most sensitive topics is a must.

Sustaining a healthy lifestyle requires continuous motivation that can grow over time as our lives evolve and men need increasing amounts of inspiration. Conversations empower our relationships, keeping them current. They produce a social currency which buys meaning and purpose, and ultimately a sustaining level of motivation.

That said, in Americas current social context, where unrest has prompted a call for larger, community-based conversations, the ability to develop your conversational skills could prove to be particularly handy. Think of it as an added dividend for an investment in yourself and the many conversations that lie ahead.

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Healthy conversations lead to better relationships and a more happier life - PhillyVoice.com

Healthy living: The magic within frankincense oil – The South African

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

For us to understand the importance of frankincense, we must first understand what it is, where it comes from and how it is processed. Frankincense, also referred to as olibanum, is a resin that is taken from the Boswellia Carterii tree. The tree has an unusual tendency to grow in difficult conditions and is often found growing out of solid rock faces. The Boswellia tree is indigenous to the mountainous regions of Africa, the Middle East and India.

The bark on the tree trunk is cut and the resin is tapped out and allowed to harden. The dry hardened resin is then made into essential oil by the process of steam distillation. The tree needs to be 10 years old before it can produce resin and then is tapped two or three times per year.

Due to the strong aroma of frankincense oil and its benefits, it is often used in religious rituals, in the cosmetic industry as perfume and in aromatherapy as an essential oil. The oil is a natural anti-septic and makes an effective disinfectant and cleaner when mixed with bicarb and lemon. This mixture has been found to help remove grease and fat stains. When blended with water and thyme essential oil, this can be used to wipe down your countertops leaving the surfaces clean and aromatic.

Here are some helpful health benefits of frankincense. Always ask your doctor if you are unsure of how to use essential oils, if you are pregnant, or if you have a medical condition. Essential oils should never be ingested unless under strict medical supervision. When used topically, essential oils should always be diluted unless otherwise stated.

Due to the anti-inflammatory effect of frankincense, it can assist in reducing inflammation in the joints caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This can help to ease the pain and improve mobility. To use, dilute the frankincense oil in a carrier oil before applying topically.

Frankincense has proven to be effective in combating the symptoms of Crohns disease and other inflammatory gut issues (internal use). More research has to be done in this matter to be more conclusive. Frankincense oil can be diluted in a carrier oil and massaged over the stomach area to aid digestion. Place two drops of essential oil into two teaspoons of olive or coconut oil.

When inhaling frankincense, it has been known to help reduce stress and reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

Frankincense, due to its antibacterial properties, can help in preventing mouth sores, gum disease (gingivitis), toothache and bad breath, thereby improving oral health.

The oil can help to improve the tone of the skin and reduce the signs of ageing. The oil can also reduce the appearance of scars and help to heal wounds. Always perform a skin patch test before use if you have sensitive skin.

When sprayed in the bedroom before going to bed at night, it assists in relaxing you and prepares you for a good nights sleep. Adding a few drops into your bath water helps in relieving your stress after a busy day at work. Add 1-2 drops to your shampoo to help improve the health of your hair. Place a drop or two into your face cream or body lotion for added benefits.

In a vaporiser or diffuser 1-2 drops on a tissue for inhalation

Frankincense oil tends to be a little more expensive than other oils, but it is well worth the investment into your health and well-being.

This content has been created as part of our freelancer relief programme. We are supporting journalists and freelance writers impacted by the economic slowdown caused by #lockdownlife.

If you are a freelancer looking to contribute to The South African,read more here.

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Healthy living: The magic within frankincense oil - The South African

Ill-Effects Of Sitting All Day: Reasons Why You Should Move More Every Day – NDTV Doctor

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

Sitting all day is linked with a higher risk of several chronic conditions. To counter the side effects you must ensure optimum levels of physical activities throughout the day.

Sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of heart disease

Sitting all day can affect your health negatively. From job requirements to a sedentary lifestyle, there are several reasons behind prolonged sitting. When you sit all day, you do not burn enough calories throughout the day. It also leaves a negative effect on different body organs. It is also linked with a higher risk of chronic diseases. Studies have also highlighted that sitting for long periods is associated with a number of health concerns. In this article, you will learn about what happens to your body when you sit for long periods.

When you sit for long periods you burn very few calories. Consuming more calories than you burn leads to weight gain. Unhealthy weight is a common risk factor for several diseases. It may also increase the risk of obesity.

Lack of physical activities lead to weight gainPhoto Credit: iStock

Prolonged sitting can affect your legs too. Lack of activity is harmful for the leg muscles. In some cases, a person may experience spider veins too.

Lack of physical activity is bad for your mental health too. It can increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Regular exercise can also help control the symptoms.

Depression and stress may affect your day to day activitiesPhoto Credit: iStock

Sitting for too long majorly affects your back, neck and shoulder. You are more likely to experience pain in back, neck and shoulder due to the continuous work these perform. Poor posture can worsen the condition.

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If you have a sitting job, try taking small walking breaks that can ensure some movement throughout the day.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

Eating healthy with Yanaya – The Herald

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

The Herald

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Lifestyle Writer

Early this week, Government announced that restaurants could now safely resume with limited operations, allowing them to serve sitting customers.

This is an exciting development, especially for many outgoing young people, the single in particular who are lazy to cook after a long hard day at work.

To them, eating out is one way of escaping the cooking and dish-washing routine.

Yet, when some people choose to eat out, they go for fast foods (junk foods) which are unhealthy and may result in non-communicable lifestyle diseases such as cancer, blood pressure, strokes and diabetes among others.

Many choose to ignore the fact that eating a balanced diet is fundamental to good health and well-being.

According to a 2017 report by Malabo Montpellier Panel, a group of international agriculture experts, Africa as a continent now has the fastest growing middle class in the world with current trajectories showing they will grow to 1,1 billion by 2060.

The agriculture experts point out that over the last few years, big fast food brands like Nandos, Burger King, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Subway all set shop on the continent with the hope of taking advantage of the expanding middle class, who have disposable income and a palate for processed food.

Given that, an obesity epidemic is now unravelling in countries like Zimbabwe, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, and Nigeria.

In the report, the Malabo Montpellier Panel further says: Surprisingly malnutrition and obesity also co-exist in the same households sometimes, with stunted children living alongside overweight adults, who themselves manifest multiple micro-nutrient deficiencies.

Yet, eating healthy has many benefits especially this time when the world is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

Covid-19 has also changed the eating habits of many Zimbabweans.

In an effort to ensure those who prefer eating out maintain a balanced diet, 28 yearold Nyaradzo Dhliwayo, an acclaimed restaurateur has created a company dubbed Yanaya a healthy lifestyle food bar situated at Joina City in Harares central business district.

But how did she come up with such an idea when some women her age are busy with fast life such as chasing trendiest fashion, hairstyles even busy with TikTok (a popular social media application that has made youths go wild)?

Who is she and why did she choose that profession?

The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle, traced the bubbly young entrepreneur and caught up with her at the prestigious food bar Yanaya.

Upon entering, organic fresh designs leave customers thinking the restaurant is an exotic garden. Inside, one can easily buy everything the fresh aroma of ingredients and fruits which she uses to prepare is tempting.

Dhliwayo said her creative work and photography has caught the attention of local and international exhibitions.

Oh well, she is a professional photographer who holds an honours degree in design and photography from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

I have been a vegan for almost two years and vegetarian for three years. I struggled whenever I went out because there were no places that offered good vegetarian meals. I realised getting healthy, nutritious natural tasting food was a struggle not only for myself but many people in Zimbabwe, she says.

That alone inspired her to create space for people who are health conscious to enjoy a meal out.

I have also been to the gym of late and we are given the eating plans. Some did not know where to start from, so it was an opportunity for me to penetrate the market, she explained.

Her goal was simple to redefine what it means to eat well and promote a healthier happy lifestyle.

Ingredients she uses for her meals are 100 percent local produce.

I am passionate about feeding people with nourishing meals made from whole ingredients that have a positive impact on their overall mind, body and health. I am a firm believer in supporting local producers and improving value chains, she added.

According to Dhliwayo, the biggest hurdle for Zimbabwean farmers pertains to post harvest losses, and as such a lot of perishable agricultural produce goes to waste.

This is because our farmers do not have many ready off takers like us who are willing to apply fair conditions when transacting with farmers. We make gourmet sandwiches, burgers, salads, detox smoothies, wraps and juices among others, explained Dhliwayo.

And because of the lockdown, Dhliwayos Yanaya has been delivering orders to those who cannot access the facilities.

An application where customers can buy online and the food is delivered at their doorstep is also available with the creation of a website in progress.

With a menu that is highly nutritional as well as detox benefits, her hope is to see young people change their eating habits.

We serve a niche space for healthy food as part of our mandate to promote healthy living. Though we have tried to narrow down our primary market to healthy lifestyle enthusiasts and those with varying health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, we have discovered there is a growing population that is aware of what they eat and how they live, she said.

Surprisingly their smoothies are a hit with local celebrities who are endorsing the product line. The photographer-cum- restaurateur draws inspiration from her Christian values.

I look up to Christ first for inspiration and guidance, said Dhliwayo.

The talented businesswoman said she loves to eat bun-less burgers, a burger with no bun but a patty with spread sauce over the top added with some onions, lettuce wedge and favourite sauce. She concluded that people should eat healthy every day, especially now in the era of non-communicable diseases.

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Eating healthy with Yanaya - The Herald

Why a wellness routine is your top priority amid protests and the pandemic and how to start – CNN

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

It's all the more reason to make sure we're taking the best care of ourselves to fortify against the disease. But while living a healthy life may be a desired goal, how to achieve it is another story.

Even if you're someone whose healthful habits were perfected to a tee during pre-pandemic times, you may find yourself struggling to engage in even the most basic self-care in these increasingly unpredictable days.

That's where a wellness routine can come in handy.

I'm not talking about a spa escape every so often or even regular massages or chef-prepared meals (though all of that may sound really nice). I'm talking about creating your own personalized routine that will benefit you physically and emotionally, one that simply requires a regular commitment to yourself.

"In the beginning, we thought this was going to be a little break; a couple of short weeks, and then we'd resume life as we knew it. Now we know that probably is not going to be the case. We don't know how long this will last, but we can find ways to stay steady and structured on the inside amidst the chaos outside."

And while social obligations, travel and other commitments typically make it challenging to start new habits, being stuck at home without these distractions provides an opportune time to start creating a wellness routine that is accessible, doesn't require a lot of money and is something that you can count on during this uncertain time and in the future, too.

How to create a wellness routine

Health experts say it's important to create a manageable routine that you can stick with as part of a lifestyle not something overly ambitious that you can't sustain. One way to do that is to start small and build upon it, as you feel comfortable.

Here are some tips to get started in creating your personal wellness routine.

Set regular times for sleeping, eating and exercise

Aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep is key, as it helps to "reduce the stress hormone cortisol and your adrenal load," Cardwell said.

Getting adequate sleep also bodes well for engaging in other healthful behaviors by going to bed at a reasonable hour, you'll be less likely to engage in nighttime eating or mindless eating in front of the TV, and you're more likely to wake up early and start exercise, Cardwell explained.

For eating: Setting regular meal times, and taking a break to eat your food mindfully is key, Cardwell advised, but when you actually eat is up to you. "Some do well on three meals per day with an afternoon snack; others prefer three smaller meals and three snacks."

Regardless of the pattern you choose, aim to eat at least every four hours, which prevents blood sugar from crashing and can lead to overeating. For example, if you're eating three meals and one afternoon snack, you might choose to eat breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m., a snack at 4 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

Taking a few deep breaths, enjoying the wonderful smells of the food you are about to eat and chewing food really well can all help make mealtime a healthful ritual, Foroutan explained.

For fitness: Pick a time that you're most likely to stick with. That might mean taking a morning walk before your day gets started, or scheduling your favorite fitness class on your calendar so you won't forget.

"I shut my day down with a run or yoga at around 5:30 p.m. That's my last thing for the day. The more you can make it a routine, the less you have to think about it," Scheinman said.

Plan for food, fitness and sleep

Planning what you will eat and how you will exercise means that you are more likely going to do what you intend to do, which will ultimately help you achieve your health goals. For example, planning meals in advance means you'll be less likely to reach for quick sugary snacks when you run out of energy. It also helps to limit shopping trips.

"Not only does planning your meals ahead of time help cut down on the number of times you're going to the grocery store, but it can also help reduce food waste and ensure you have meals that were intentionally picked to fit your nutritional goals," said Denver-based registered dietitian nutritionist Kelli McGrane.

Choose protein-rich breakfasts like egg whites, cottage cheese or smoked salmon on a bagel; Greek yogurt, smoothies with low-fat milk, high fiber cereals with milk or peanut butter on whole wheat toast.

Scheinman recommended preparing breakfast foods ahead of time, like making overnight oats with milk. "It makes the breakfast routine less daunting."

For lunch and dinner, Cardwell encouraged a fist-size portion of protein, such as fish, chicken or beans; a fistful of carbohydrates like whole wheat pasta or brown rice; and a half plate of veggies. This will help meet your micronutrient needs, as well as fiber. Use fats sparingly, as a condiment, to make your food taste better, but limit fried foods and saturated fat, Cardwell advised.

For snacks, choose protein and carb combos, like cheese with crackers, sliced fruit with peanut butter, nuts and seeds with dried fruit or Greek yogurt. Pairing protein with carbs "helps keep your blood sugar level stable, and helps you stay fuller longer," Cardwell said.

Scheinman recommended using the weekends for batch cooking, like making chili or soups, which you can freeze to enjoy later in the week. Washing and chopping veggies and fruit during the weekend can also save you time during the week.

For fitness: Pick a fitness activity that inspires you and is doable. There are a lot of fitness apps offering free trials and online Zoom fitness classes, so you can use this time as an opportunity to try something new. Cardwell recommended aiming for at least 30 minutes per day, if possible.

For at-home fitness essentials, Browning recommended getting a set of yellow, green and red resistance bands, which can be used for back, bicep, triceps, shoulders and leg work. She also recommended looped bands to go around the calves or thighs, which strengthen the glutes and can help prevent knee and back injuries.

If you want to weight train but don't have equipment, anything that will give you muscle tension will be beneficial, such as jugs of water, books or even your children. "I use my kids I'll do planks and have them sit on me ... or I'll do leg presses while letting them do airplane," Cardwell said.

"Dancing with your kids or partner, yard work, house projects, sex and cleaning are all trackable activities. Doing these activities with intention and extra vigor all count towards a healthy lifestyle," said Cardwell, who is also a contributing dietitian for Lose It!

For sleep: Engage in a bedtime routine where you can quiet down and prepare for sleep. "Turn off electronics, including the TV, iPad, and cell phones an hour before bedtime," Scheinman advised. This helps to reduce exposure to blue light, which "the brain perceives as daylight, so your brain is not quite getting the signal that it's nighttime and melatonin is not produced."

Unplugging also prevents you from checking one more email or scrolling through social media while in bed, which can be stimulating and interfere with sleep, Scheinman explained.

Other tips for a successful wellness routine: a morning ritual and self-care

Most experts recommended engaging in a morning ritual that brings you pleasure. "Starting your day with the same routine each morning can bring steadiness and calm to the rest of the day. You are starting from a more grounded and positive place, versus waking up; grabbing the phone and checking the news and getting stressed out," Foroutan said.

"The morning is a nice time to start integrating things you didn't have time for previously like taking the dog for a longer walk in the morning, making a nice cup of coffee you can sit and enjoy or engaging in a meditation practice," Scheinman added.

"It sets the day off with a healthy intention, with a sense of comfort. ... I know this is what I do," Scheinman said.

Foroutan enjoys waking up and writing down three things she is grateful for. "Starting the day with a thought about gratitude can be really centering. Writing it down does something extra it solidifies the thought and intention. Not every day is good but there's something good in every day. Even if it's one small thing that gives you a sense of gratitude that's really grounding and it can help shift your perspective."

Stretching your body after you wake up or doing a sun salutation can help to get your blood flowing and your body moving in the morning.

It's also important to prioritize self-care. "Make stress relievers like enjoyable activities a non-negotiable right now," Cardwell said. That may include knitting, taking an extra-long shower or bath, reading, taking a tea break, enjoying a glass of wine or calling family members. Even better, schedule these stress relievers into your day just like mealtimes and other obligations.

"We're taking stock of what's important ... and [our] health is important. Doing these things now can help you deal with the stress of right now," Cardwell said.

It can also keep you healthy and feeling good well into the future, too. That's a gift from quarantine life if there ever is one.

Lisa Drayer is a nutritionist, an author and a CNN health and nutrition contributor.

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Why a wellness routine is your top priority amid protests and the pandemic and how to start - CNN

Healthy Living: How The Arc Eastern Connecticut is coping with COVID-19 – Norwich Bulletin

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

How much ziti can 89 people eat? Two Wednesdays ago, Mike Buscetto of Philomenas Restaurant in Waterford provided vats of it, along with meat balls and salad to The Arc Eastern Connecticuts 22 residential homes at greatly reduced prices. Buscetto also donated 22 dozen eggs.

You know whats nice? says Betty-Jo Davis, The Arc ECTs deputy operations officer for residential services, were supporting local businesses, and theyre supporting us.

Note to readers: All of The Bulletins coverage of coronavirus is being provided for free to our readers. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to The Bulletin at https://www.norwichbulletin.com/subscribenow.

As The Arc enters its eighth week of physical distancing, the agency is aware that the Eastern side of the state anticipates peak infection rates to hit mid-June. Consequently, The Arcs close-knit teams have pivoted behaviorally and professionally.

Messages of encouragement are sent weekly to all employees from the chief executives. Department leaders reach out to their teams daily. Two podcasts on the status of the agency have been accessed by more than 11,000 listeners combined.

Residential team members undergo wellness checks for temperature and general health outside group home doors. Agency nurses are available in shifts to answer home leaders questions about residents health, and also team members questions regarding whether they can or should report to work. Our team has been extremely conscientious about self-reporting when not feeling well and working with the nurses to determine whether they should come in, says Laurie Herring Thomen, The Arcs Chief Operations and Quality Officer.

As group homes shelter in place, other services have moved online with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their and families receiving daily classes, chats and check-ins via phone, iPod and other video communication. Group homes celebrate birthdays via Facetime and drive-by van parades. Musician Janine LaMendola plays guitar and teaches people sign from group home yards so everyone in the house can sing and sign along.

The blessing, Davis says, is people are walking more and everybody, with tech, is learning more. It has allowed all of us to stand still and appreciate one another. It illustrates beautifully how interdependent we are on one another.

Note: The community is invited to enjoy The Arc ECTs virtual adventures page featuring tours of the National Parks, museums, classes and more at TheArcECT.org. Just click on Activities4You.

Kathleen Stauffer is chief executive officer of The Arc Eastern Connecticut. For information on The Arc, go to http://www.TheArcECT.org. For more articles by this author visit http://www.kathleenstauffer.com

Beach Cities Health District to cut Healthy Living Campus revamp nearly in half – Beach Reporter

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

Beach Cities Health District officials have once again scaled back plans for an ambitious redevelopment of its Healthy Living Campus this time by about $160 million.

The local health agency will publicly unveil its new, less-expansive plans for the 11-acre property at a 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, board meeting.

Changes include reducing assisted-living units for older adults to 220 from 420, cutting down construction time and scrapping residential units planned for the east side of campus, near Torrance.

The revamp will cost an estimated $370 million, down from the $530 million the project was estimated to cost last year, said Tom Bakaly, the health districts CEO.

The Beach Cities Health District is a preventative health agency for Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. The agency, founded in 1955, is a special district that relies on property tax revenue for about a quarter of its income. The rest comes from a mix of rent from leases at its main campus, 514 N. Prospect Ave., in Redondo Beach; program fees; and various partnerships.

In 2017, the district which has more than 40 preventative health programs pitched an idea for a redevelopment of its main property, dubbed the Healthy Living Campus. Initially, construction was slated to begin this year.

But some Redondo Beach and Torrance residentsopposed the original plans, because of concerns over traffic, neighborhood impact, and the length and size of construction.

Responses from the community and consultants urged a more complete financial understanding of the project. That caused district officials todelay construction to 2021. And then, last year, adownsized plan arose.

That smaller plan still didnt satisfy concerns, so the district scaled back the project again to the $370 million plan officials will unveil Wednesday.

For the past three years, Bakaly said in a news release, weve collected more than 1,300 public comments during more than 70 meetings and worked with financial, construction and environmental experts to minimize impacts on local neighborhoods.

After considering the feedback, staff drafted a plan that makes more sense financially, and would create the revenue to maintain BCHDs programs, Bakaly said.

We think its more consistent with what we were hearing, Bakaly said. We are a public agency, so we do want to be listening.

Public revenue, after all, funds BCHDs operations, he added.

Construction will take four-to-five years, broken into two, shorter phases, Bakaly said, rather than thethree phases over 15 years the district had planned in 2019. The existing 260,400 square-foot campus will expand to 484,900, down from the 592,700 square-foot master plan presented last year.

Phase 1 will tear down the more than 60-year-old hospital building, which will be replaced in phase 2, if funding for a new facility comes in via a fundraising campaign or other means. Initially, the district planned to rebuild the hospital in phase 1, Bakaly said, but that wasnt financially viable.

The district, in its2019-20 fiscal year budget, projected about $15 million in revenues but nearly $14 million in expenses.

BCHD will keep part of an existing medical office, Bakaly said, instead of converting it into more units for residential senior care, slashing originally planned living spaces nearly in half.

The second phase would rebuild the old hospital as Community Wellness Pavilion, double the size of the existing gym, with public meeting spaces, a demonstration kitchen, 2.5 acres of green space and a 24,000 square-foot pool.

Plans also include closing Tower Street at Flagler Lane, allowing only service vehicles to enter that road, as well as a proposition to build a bike path along it.

Were hopeful that will address traffic issues the neighborhood already has, Bakaly said, including people coming and going from the neighboring Redondo Union High School.

The environmental study required by state law should be drafted by this fall, said Kerianne Lawson, chief programs officer for BCHD; the district would finalize plans with Redondo Beach by 2021 and break ground in summer 2022. Phase 1 would take until summer 2024, Lawson said.

Elderly residential care facilities will also now include a Program for All Inclusive Care, known as PACE, which will provide comprehensive medical and social services to older adults, Lawson said. The senior clinic will address wraparound needs like medical care, nutrition service, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Information on participating in the virtual board meeting:bchd.org/board-directors-meetings.

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Beach Cities Health District to cut Healthy Living Campus revamp nearly in half - Beach Reporter

Why were rules on sunscreens put in the CARES Act? – Houston Chronicle

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

When the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed in March, there was a provision on sunscreens tucked away inside a section on over-the-counter drugs review. Specifically, provisions were made regarding competition between sunscreen manufacturers, consumer access, price and the development and innovation of sunscreen ingredients.

But wait, what do sunscreens have to do with a stimulus package?

According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization, the provision may have been included to keep sunscreen regulations status quo.

Why sunscreens were put into the CARES Act, that we do not know, said Nneka Leiba, vice president of EWGs healthy living science department. Its very odd that it would have happened, a few months after the monograph was supposed to be finalized last year.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration worked to pass an updated sunscreen monograph, a kind of recipe book that covers acceptable ingredients, doses, formulations and labeling on OTC products sold in the U.S. Monographs define the safety, effectiveness and labeling of all marketing OTC active ingredients, according to the FDA.

The FDA published proposed sunscreen rules that indicated that most ingredients were inadequately tested for safety and implied that these ingredients would be removed from the market unless appropriate safety testing was conducted, according to the EWG.

Its possible that Houston has seen the last of the cooler spring weather as the area transitions into another hot, humid summer.

Matt Lanza, managing editor and meteorologist for Space City Weather, said people should be wearing sunscreen if theyre outside at any point when the sun is up.

Never assume that youre invincible, Lanza said. While we can adapt and adjust to the hot climate during Houston summers, its important to realize that its still really hot which can have negative consequences on the human body.

But the year ended and the monograph never passed, Leiba said.

Not ready to go back to the gym? Here's your guide to exercising outside this summer

The FDA had a draft (monograph) published, and one of the things they wanted to do was strengthen UVA standards because there is an increase in knowledge about UVA harm, Leiba said. The first CARES Act mandated that sunscreen relations remain status quo, which is them saying that those chemical ingredients are safe and protective.

Last year, the agency said it did not have enough information about the chemical makeup of the majority of sunscreens to declare they are safe and effective, Leiba said.

The only two ingredients to be found safe for human use are zinc oxide and titanium oxide, which are typically found in mineral-based sunscreens. These are recommended for use by the EWG.

Two scientific studies published last year showed that after a single application, all non-mineral sunscreen ingredients are absorbed through the skin and could be detected in our bodies at levels that could cause harm, the EWG found.

The FDA looked like it was doing a lot of research into it and was going to ask companies to submit as much research as possible, Leiba said. We dont know what the ultimate decision was. Theres no clear direction about what would have happened (if the monograph had passed), but we know there was a lot of lobbying from the industry to not move forward with that.

Each year, the EWG releases an annual guide on the best beach and sport sunscreens, as well as the best lip balms and moisturizers with SPF. More than 1,300 SPF-products, including 700 sunsreens are reviewed by the group.

Only a quarter of products offer adequate protection and do not contain concerning ingredients, such as oxybenzone, a potentially hormone-disrupting chemical that is readily absorbed by the body.

Sixty percent of the sunscreens sold in the U.S. contain active ingredients that are banned in the European Union, said Carla Burns, research and database analyst at EWG and manager of the 2020 EWG Sunscreen Guide.

The group found that 40 percent of the products in the U.S. contain oxybenzone, which has been found to disrupt hormonal processes.

Wash your face: Tips to stay vigilant with beauty products as government mulls new safety law

This years findings were similar to previous guides in that companies are still not providing products with adequate UVA protection, Burns said. Only products labeled broad spectrum have been tested and are shown to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

The term SPF typically only applies to UVB protection, Leiba said. In the EU, theres a requirement for companies to increase their UVA protection in correlation with its UVB standards.

In the U.S., no such requirement exists.

You can have a product that says SPF 100 that offers the same amount of UVA protection as a product with low SPF, Leiba said. We know SPF-high products are misleading and make consumers feel its more protective because the number is so high.

More recent research has found that UVA rays are linked to skin damage and skin cancer, but do not cause the tanning effect to the dermis of the skin - thats caused by UVB rays.

Last year, a rule was proposed that would limit labeling to SPF 60 or below, Leiba said. But since the monograph wasnt passed, companies are still able to label products as high-SPF.

New findings indicate that more personal care products, like moisturizers, makeup foundation and lip balms, include built-in SPF.

More than 500 moisturizers with SPF were assessed in the 2020 guide, Burns said, and that number continues to increase every year.

It could indicate that people are using daily-use sunscreen or are buying products that incorporate SPF into their makeup routine, Leiba said. It could be a great trend, but it has to meet safety and efficacy standards and must be reapplied every two hours.

Prevention, not repair: Millennials arent waiting to age. Theyre getting preventive cosmetic procedures now

Since there are no federal standards on the use of labels like nontoxic or safe for personal care products, consumers have to be vigilant in reading the active ingredients list, Burns said.

The EWG does not claim that products are safe, she added, only that they have been researched and the findings indicate that some are safer than others.

Reef safe is another label that has increased in use in recent years, especially with laws passed in Hawaii and Florida to protect its coral reefs.

Sunscreens and products with SPF are only tools in a persons overall sun safety toolbox, which also includes sun hats, adequate clothing coverage and sunglasses.

julie.garcia@chron.com

Twitter.com/reporterjulie

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Why were rules on sunscreens put in the CARES Act? - Houston Chronicle

Let’s Retain Pandemic-induced Healthy Lifestyle Changes, For They Will Help Build A Better World – Outlook India

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

On May 9 this year, Kerala government released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), declaring a total shutdown to be observed on Sundays until further orders. The first paragraph of the SOP read: With a view to prevent the spread of COVID-19, improve the quality of life, reduce the carbon emissions, protect the environment and greenery of the State, the protocol would be observed on Sundays across the State

It wont be wrong to say the SOP underlines state governments forward-thinking. The efficiency of the Kerala government in containing the spread of the coronavirus has been widely lauded. The May notification is yet another example of the states strong social fabric and robust response to the pandemic. While preventing the rise of COVID-19 cases is their primary goal, they have not lost sight of new learnings this unprecedented time has led to.

Nature is healing. This is no secret or a lie. Various incidents from across the country have revealed the adverse impact human activity has had on the environment. During this period of minimised movement of people, nature has got a well-deserved breathing space. A NASA study said that air pollution levels in India were at its lowest in over 20 years. The record number of flamingoes painting the city of Mumbai pink, the view of the Himalaya ranges from Jalandhar in Punjab, the crisp blue skies of Delhi, cleaner rivers and the drastically improved air quality are all examples of a much-needed wakeup call pointing towards the disastrous present state of the environment. It is also saddening that this respite afforded to nature is temporary and once the world returns to normalcy, we will revert to polluted waters and unclean breathing air.

This is already the case in China. Air pollution in China is estimated to cost around $38 billion and around 1.1 million deaths per year. The pandemic had brought the country to a grinding halt and strict lockdowns ensued dramatic fall in air pollution. In March, the European Space Agency released a video showing the air pollution over China disappearing during the lockdown period and returning as China began to resume businesses. Reportedly, in April, as China returned to normalcy, smog did too, erasing any positive changes seen during the lockdown.

Dealing with COVID-19 pandemic is a three-step process: respond to the health crisis and the threats thereof, recover from the impact of the same and finally,thrive from the lessons garnered. While countries have pulled all stops to respond effectively to the pandemic and to recover from the economic slowdown it is projected to create, the last step is perhaps more crucial and easier to overlook.

In a video talk recently, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said we needed to learn the art of living with Corona. The way forward must also be to learn the art of living after Corona. And this cannot be without some changes to our lifestyle.

The lockdown has taken us back to rudimentary ways of living to ensure safety: staying home, venturing out for only essentials and resorting to non-motorized means of movement for small travel. Keralas SOP restricts movement of motorized traffic on Sundays (barring for the needs of essential services and health emergencies), permitting only non-motorized traffic such as walking and cycling. The SOPs intention can be viewed to be two pronged: (a) continue efforts to curb COVID-19, (b)ensure the positive effects of the pandemic are not lost.

With other states taking steps such as suspending labour laws to ensure more production, this move by the Kerala government is novel and unique. And most definitely a necessity.

A 2018 Special Report on Global Warming called for rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in every facet of the society in order to avert the dangers of climate change. Such warnings are not few, yet we are to see these recommendations being effectively implemented. And then came COVID. The pandemic transformed our perception of nature. Stay at home orders, closure of nature parks and forest areas has made us more respectful of these nature oases, particularly for those living in cities. There is an increased need for more greenery and our connection to mother earth has gotten more profound.

And the time to harness the power behind these feelings is now. Now is the time to keep the momentum on and take prudent actions.

There is an urgent need to bring modifications to our lifestyle and our priorities - both at the government level and people level. Asking industries to shut down or cut down on their functioning is unreasonable, however it is not so to expect ourselves to adopt cleaner ways of living, moderate our carbon footprint or as in the case of the Kerala Sunday lockdown, possibly reduce our activities once a week to give nature the time to rejuvenate. Governments are in a prime position to ensure such compliance - it would improve both government image and public reception.

A study by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department noted that people in areas with higher forest covers seemed to have better immunity. The nexus between cleaner environment and improved life quality is undeniable. Our urban environment is fragile and the way to protect its ecosystem is to nurture healthy habits. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown to us humans the immense scope for improvement and how even small lifestyle changes can bring about dramatic transformation in our environment. It has also shown that when the situation mandated, we were able to collectively harness resources and capabilities to fight the crisis. It is hence not unreasonable to ask for change in how we function. If we continue to refuse to accept the lessons the lockdown has taught us, nature will strike again and strike worse.

(The author is a risk analysis intern at India Bound. She is currently pursuing a Masters in International Studies and has a degree in Law. Views expressed are personal.)

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Let's Retain Pandemic-induced Healthy Lifestyle Changes, For They Will Help Build A Better World - Outlook India

Healthy Living: Help stop the stigma about mental health conditions – Norwich Bulletin

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

By Katie Ramos, For The Bulletin

MondayMay18,2020at6:19PM

The month of May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month, with the goal to raise awareness, to stop the stigma, to advocate, educate and support individuals and their families living with mental illness.

There are many individuals living with mental health conditions worldwide, yet a large number of individuals with a known diagnosis never seek treatment. For some of these individuals, the barrier to seeking treatment is the stigma associated with mental illness and the fear of how theyll be perceived by friends, family, co-workers or those living in their communities.

By stopping the stigma and raising awareness about mental health, we support those individuals that may be experiencing self-doubt and shame. What can you do to help stop the stigma? Talk about it, having open conversation surrounding mental illness normalizes the topic. Choose your words carefully; an individual is not defined by their diagnosis. Offer encouragement, praise someone for reaching out and communicating. Educate, by offering education its an opportunity to raise awareness and support to those that may be apprehensive about seeking treatment.

By getting treatment one can identify ways to cope, manage and reduce symptoms that may be interfering with their everyday activities, ultimately improving their quality of life.

We as a community can offer support by being encouraging, understanding, empathic and mindful that our mental health can be affected regardless of a diagnosis. Its important to recognize that everyone encounters challenges or situations during their lifetime that can impact their mental health, such as environmental factors, chronic illness, physical health and situations that cannot be anticipated, such as the current pandemic. In these times of uncertainty its important to remember that there is help available and if you or someone you know is struggling reach out to a healthcare professional to explore your options.

Katie Ramos is behavioral Health Services Practice manager at UCFS Healthcare.

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Healthy Living: Help stop the stigma about mental health conditions - Norwich Bulletin

The Refinery Medspa and Wellness – SpaceCoast Living

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

We believe everyone who wants to make themselves look better, and feel better, should have the opportunity for it, said Karin Stoldt, a registered nurse, former Air Force medic, and treatment coordinator at the spa. Jarrod divides his time between medical device sales and administrative, marketing and finance duties.

The Refinery MedSpa is a licensed health care clinic through AHCA, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and has Michael L. Grainger MD as medical director for oversight. Jarrod Stoldt said the couple decided to seek this accreditation so the MedSpa could offer an extremely wide range of medical aesthetic and wellness treatments using FDA-approved equipment and consumables.

The Refinery Medspa is now offering an individualized 15-week weight loss program with maintenance options that will provide a mentor to help clients reach their goals. The Refinery Medspa will also be partnering with local gyms to enroll these clients into exercise programs that encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyle changes.

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The Refinery Medspa and Wellness - SpaceCoast Living

Secret of healthy living unveiled to women – Daily Sun

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki

Over hundred and twenty women of child-bearing age drawn from various communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state have recently received free nutrition and dietetics counselling from the Dietitians Association of Nigeria (DAN) of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), Ebonyi state.

The free nutrition counselling took place as part of activities marking the 2020 World Dietitians Day in the state.

Addressing stakeholders and women who came out for the exercise, leader of the team of dietician-nutritionists to the outreach, Mrs. Lynda Okpara, noted that good nutrition is an important part of a healthy life.

She explained that the outreach was to help women especially those who were still bearing children to know the kinds of food they should be eating to help them conceive easily and for the healthy growth of the pregnancy through delivery time.

She urged them to imbibe the habit of good dieting; stressing that good food at the right time and the right quantity help to reduce risk of obesity and some chronic diseases such as cancer.

Okpara also enjoined them to always consult professional dietician-nutritionists to advise them on the kinds, times and quantity of foods to eat, maintaining that most of the health challenges women have often come from eating wrong foods at the wrong time.

According to her, Healthy diet promotes healthy pregnancy outcomes, supports normal growth, development and ageing. It also helps to maintain a healthy body weight and reduces the risks of chronic diseases leading to overall health and well-being.

Okpara further explained that the association chose Ohaukwu for the outreach because of the prevalence of malnutrition in infants and children in the council area.

Wife of the council boss, Mrs. Chinenye Odah, in her remarks, thanked the association for choosing her council and expressed the optimism that the lessons of the outreach will go a long way in helping women in the area especially those within child bearing age to eat well and live well.

Earlier in her welcome address, Chairman of Dietitians Association of Nigeria in the state, Ihuoma Utom, lamented that the profession has been infiltrated by quacks, causing more harm than good to the profession and the society in general.

She warned Nigerians against patronizing unprofessional dietitians saying that they offer more deaths and health problems than life.

She explained that the upsurge in the incidence and prevalence of diet related non-communicable chronic diseases in the World (NCDs) has increased public awareness and interest in human nutrition.

Utom listed some of the diet-relatednon-communicable diseases to include obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis and dental disease.

She commended the management of the hospital for its support to the department but called on it to provide the department with a vehicle to enable them take the message of nutrition to the grassroots.

Established in 2001 in the then Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abakaliki, the department of nutrition and dietetics in AE-FUTHA todayhas 22 dietitians consisting of 21 females and one male; in addition to 83 interns.

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Six Ways to Support a Friend with Cancer | SBM – Society of Behavioral Medicine

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

Claire Conley, PhD;Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer CenterAmy Otto, PhD;Moffitt Cancer Center

Hearing the news that a friend has been diagnosed with cancer can come as a shock. You might want to help in some way or you might feel confused about what to do. If youre at a loss, here are some tips on how you can support someone with cancer.

It can be difficult to know how to talk with someone who is going through a serious medical problem. But do not be afraid to talk with your friend. It is better to say, I dont know what to say, than to stop calling or visiting out of fear. Allow for sadness, worry, anger, or guilt; it is normal to feel these emotions. While they might be uncomfortable, just letting yourself feel them is helpful. Do not ignore uncomfortable topics or feelings.

Remeber that everyone experiences illness differently and your friend may or may not want to discuss their diagnosis. Follow your friends cues. Its okay to just ask, Do you want to talk about it?" If so, be supportive and validating; if they have worries or concerns, try not to dismiss them by forcing optimism or cheerfulness. If not, talking about topics other than cancer like your friends interests and hobbies can be a nice break. Be present and listen attentively.

You can communicate with someone in many ways. A phone call, text message, or video call can show that you care. Let your friend know its okay if they do not reply.

Your help with daily tasks and chores is often valuable. Have a conversation, assess their needs, and offer to play a specific role. Be creative with the help you offer. Remember that your friends needs may change, so be flexible in shifting your plans as needed. Let them know that you are available if an unexpected need comes up.

Many people find it hard to ask for help. If your friend declines an offer, do not take it personally. If receiving practical help is difficult for your friend, you can gently remind them that you do not expect them to return the favor and you do it because you care. While not being pushy, try to suggest specific tasks. Instead of asking, How can I help?, ask specifically to avoid overwhelming your friend.

Here are some suggestions:

Instead of trying to do it all, try rallying a support team to help a friend living with cancer. With their permission, you can use online tools (from websites like CaringBridge) to coordinate tasks among friends and caregivers. You can also make a paper calendar to hand write various activities and commitments. Make sure your friend has access to the calendar, so they know what to expect and when.

Often, people are so focused on the patients and how theyre doing that they forget to ask caregivers how theyre doing. However, research tells us that cancer caregivers are vulnerable to stress and burnout. Theyre trying to juggle their existing roles and take over new responsibilities that the patient used to do. Try to give the caregiver a breakfor example, offer to help with specific tasksor some quality time with their loved one. And above all, be a friend to the caregiver.

Patients need support throughout the entire cancer experience, not just at the beginning. Offers of help often flood in when patients are diagnosed, but then reduce to a trickle. Its important to remember that help is not just needed when theyre first diagnosed or in the hospital. Remember that friends also need encouragement and support after cancer treatment has finished. After treatment, your friend may be trying to find his or her "new normal." Friendships are an important part of that. With these practical suggestions in mind, your friendship can make a lasting difference to a person living with cancer.

Its important to remember that there are no set rules and every friendship is different. Think about your unique dynamic and let that guide you as you try to support your friend. Keep it simple and remember that the little things can often mean the most.

Back to Healthy Living

Nutrition in Action serves kids and adults an extra helping of health – Flintside

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

This article is part of Stories of Change, a series of inspirational articles of the people who deliver evidence-based programs and strategies that empower communities to eat healthy and move more. It is made possible with funding from Michigan Fitness Foundation.

Editor's note: Due to closures because of COVID-19, educators are moving SNAP-Ed programming to alternative learning platforms.

When YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Nutrition in Action Director Jennifer Lambert shared a red pepper and hummus tasting with a group of school kids, the children turned their noses up. They all thought red peppers were extremely spicy and theyd never seen hummus before. But after Lambert encouraged them to try just one bite, the kids couldnt wait for red peppers to be on the school lunch menu again.

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids' Nutrition in Action program.

Were getting them to understand the importance of choosing fruits and vegetables offered at lunch, says Lambert. We encourage them to choose snack recipes that reflect whats offered in their lunchroom, to make the connection. Hey, you tried a red pepper with me. Now you know what it is. Please take one at lunch.

For the past 15 years, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids has brought its Nutrition in Action program to West Michigan schools and other organizations serving families and individuals with income challenges. This school year, from October 2019 through March 2020, programming in a dozen school districts in Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties shared healthy living strategies with 4,558 youth. While COVID-19 has put face-to-face programming on hold, some schools are electing to share video lessons prepared by some of the programs 13 nutrition educators as part of their online curriculum.

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids' Nutrition in Action program.

We started small with a few schools and districts and have grown ever since, says Nancy Maiquez, associate executive director of community engagement, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. We have an excellent team of educators who are all experts in the field and have been educators most of their careers and two food service staff, who purchase the ingredients and prepared all of our healthy tastings for the face-to-face programming.

The program is funded by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) grants from Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF). SNAP-Ed is an education program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that teaches people eligible for SNAP how to live healthier lives. As a State Implementing Agency for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, MFF offers competitive grant funding for local and regional organizations to conduct SNAP-Ed programming throughout Michigan.

Healthy kids through healthy snacks

Nutrition in Action is comprised of two separate programs: Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities, which takes place in schools during the school day; and Cooking Matters, which involves school youth as well as families through partnerships with various agencies and nonprofits.

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids' Nutrition in Action program.

Nutrition in Action educator Megan Hainer has been teaching the six-week Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities series to kindergarteners through fifth graders in nine Wyoming, Kelloggsville, and Grand Rapids public schools for the past six years.

I go into classrooms and do a little bit of physical activity and teach nutrition education based on MyPlate about snacks and healthy eating, she says. We also talk about things like handwashing and why thats important.

The physical activity is guided by MFFs FitBits books, which come with music CDs to accompany jumping jacks, yoga, and other forms of fun movement. The FitBits are designed to simultaneously teach nutrition concepts while giving kids a wiggle break to help them pay better attention. In addition to a nutrition lesson, each session includes a healthy tasting that the kids help prepare and then eat. When kids balk at trying something new, they are encouraged to take one no thank you bite.

We try to make the healthy snack fun and get the kids to understand that it can be a choice when they go other places, Hainer says. If they have a hard time trying it, we make it a challenge between classrooms.

We frequently work with students that are food insecure because some families have a hard time getting enough food, Hainer says. Often kids will say that the only meals they get are McDonalds because thats all they have time for. There may not be a next meal on the table at home.

Making cooking matter to families

Of course, parents are the integral link to kids eating healthy at home. Thats where Nutrition in Actions Cooking Matters program comes in.

If were offering Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities in schools, we try to do some parent education with the same group of parents whose kids we are teaching, to create that excitement with parents, Lambert says.

Offered to SNAP-eligible adults and families as well as youth in after-school programs, Cooking Matters classes teach nutrition basics through engaging activities, grocery store tours, and cooking demos where, after doing their own meal prep and cooking, participants enjoy a meal together.

For me personally, Cooking Matters classes can be pure magic, says Tessa Kwant, YMCA Greater Grand Rapids lead nutrition educator. I watch as community unfolds and everybody gets fed. This is dinner tonight. I get to be a part of that relationship-building and watch the kind of wave that occurs. We are open and welcoming and hold the space. The participants really show up.

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids' Nutrition in Action program.

Cooking and eating healthy can be challenging in many ways for Cooking Matters participants. Kwant notes that many lack access to transportation to get to class, or to access a grocery store that offers healthy foods. Others face housing issues or lack a space where they can cook meals from scratch.

So YMCA staff make an effort to reach people where they are. In addition to offering classes in Grand Rapids Public Schools facilities, staff have also taught at Dwelling Place Herkimer Apartments, which serves people experiencing homelessness or with special needs in Grand Rapids Heartside District. Kwant says only five of the required 10 minimum participants signed up for the first Cooking Matters class at Herkimer Apartments, but she decided to go ahead and teach the first class anyway. By the second class, word of mouth spread and 15 people had joined.

For a group of adults whose lives are chaotic, attending a six-week class can be a challenge, Kwant says. The class is its own best advertisement. When people are in it, they have a good time, learn new things, and are doing something healthy for themselves.

SNAP-Ed has long been recognized as a catalyst for community change. In too many communities where grocery stores and farm stands have been replaced by corner stores and fast food, those changes have been accompanied by increases in chronic disease, exacerbated mental health issues, and behavioral problems in schools. The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is using food as a vehicle for positive change, reintroducing neighbors to the foods that build health, wellness, family, and community.

Our programs are opening my eyes to the culture around food. When I first started doing this program six years ago, I thought it was our job to say, Dont you dare go to a fast food restaurant, Hainer says. I am learning how to speak differently to families about food, working with them in creating a heathier lifestyle.

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Nutrition in Action serves kids and adults an extra helping of health - Flintside

The importance of a safe and healthy reopening | Healthy Living – Colorado Springs Gazette

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Prof Baldwin

The future of health is transforming before our eyes. With the infiltration of COVID-19 into our world, we are seeing the combination of chronic disease, social determinants of health and communicable disease become the central focus of humanity.

Getting food, medication and social interaction is a challenge for the masses. And in the midst of all this chaos is the need to return to work. The need to get people moving, boost their immunity and reunite those relationships that bring mental health and well-being. But it must be safe and healthy for both employees and our customers. It must be a place they can trust.

The Harvard Business Review defines trust as, our willingness to be vulnerable to the actions of others because we believe they have good intentions and will behave well toward us.

Trust is the link that binds everything together: our relationships, our actions, our expectations of others. We expect businesses to deliver on their promises and behave responsibly. We expect that we can live in our communities safely, depend upon our relationships and rely on certain truths.

As we plan to reopen our businesses, trust will be more critical than ever. The foundation of trust is built upon the basis that ones needs are being met. In order to reinstate this among employees and customers and best position our companies to succeed in the long term, we must access the heart of trust as we disseminate critical information, maintain confidence and contain illness.

Performing a risk assessment and implementing a plan that ensures the health and safety of your organization, will set you apart as a trusted and resilient leader. Doing so with vision and purpose and delivering it competently, openly, honestly and with clear intent, will assist in accelerating your organizations recovery and enable it to prosper and shape the future.

This is the intent and hope of the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region. To learn and emerge stronger than ever.

Gloria Winters is a doctor of physical therapy who specializes in orthopedics and exercise physiology. She is chief medical officer for the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region with a focus on health care integration in the community. Contact her with questions or topic ideas at gwinters@ppymca.org.

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The importance of a safe and healthy reopening | Healthy Living - Colorado Springs Gazette

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