1 minute: Activates blood circulation 5 minutes: Improves mood 10 minutes: Reduces cortisol (stress hormone) 15 minutes: Decreases blood sugar 30 minutes: Begins burning body fat 45 minutes: Reduces overthinking and anxiety 60 minutes: Increases dopamine, improving motivation and well-being. Have a happy day! DeDe Merritt, RN AL Clinical Nurse Manager

Most individuals hope to live to an old age. Healthy aging largely depends on having good self-care habits. They try to eat nutritious foods and they try to get enough active exercise. No matter what age you are right now, it’s not too late or too early to improve your vitality and lower your chances of developing health problems. MOTIVATION is the key to staying healthy as you grow older. That means overcoming short-term pleasures like over indulging on sweets or napping, in

Choking occurs when an object blocks an individual’s airway, where it prevents air from reaching the lungs and causing a life-threatening emergency if the oxygen supply is cut off. A person is choking if they can’t speak, cough, or breathe. Or if they show signs of panic, such as grabbing at their throat, wheezing, or turning blue. Key prevention strategies include cutting food into smaller pieces, chewing thoroughly, and keeping small objects away from children, with appropr

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Often, stones form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together. Some causes of stones can be from certain medical conditions, diet, excess body weight, and certain medications and supplements. Passing of kidney stones can be painful, but the stones usually cause no permanent damage if they are caught in a timely manner. Sometimes, pain medi

An essential tremor is a disorder that causes uncontrollable shaking of your hands, arms and other body parts. It can disrupt everyday activities. Some individuals can have anxiety or feel embarrassed about the symptoms they are experiencing. The difference between essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease is that with essential tremors, it often runs in families (familial tremor), and solely involves the tremor, usually occurs on both sides of the body, but one side may be

IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) is a common condition characterized by abdominal discomfort associated with altered bowel movements. Many of the symptoms of IBS are related to hypersensitivity of the nerves found in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. These nerves are distinct from those in your spinal cord and brain. There are four subcategories of IBS: (1) Mostly diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. (2) Mostly constipation and abdominal discomfort. (3) Alternating loose

Nothing is worse than having dry, itchy eyes! It could be seasonal allergies, or if you find that your eyes are consistently dry, then you may have dry eye syndrome. Some of the symptoms of dry eye syndrome are: eye fatigue, irritation, grittiness, burning, intermittent blurred vision, and the sensation of dryness. Dry eye syndrome is caused by poor tear production, poor tear quality, or both. It is more common in women and seen mostly in individuals middle age and older.

Have you ever had any problems falling asleep? Insomnia can make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. An individual typically needs 7 to 9 hours a night to wake up and feel good. Insomnia can drain your energy levels. Some symptoms of insomnia not mentioned above are: feeling tired throughout the day, being a little moody, anxious or depressed. Also, your ability to focus could be decreased. There is short term in

Some days you may have trouble concentrating or feel a bit unfocused. It possibly could mean you have “brain fog.” It may be difficult to get through your daily routine and your thoughts may seem sluggish. Brain fog impacts everyone differently. But this is NOT dementia. A number of things can lead to symptoms of brain fog. Such as: poor sleep, hormonal changes, increased stressors, chronic health conditions, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications such as chemotherap

We may be inhaling hundreds of different chemicals when we breathe in the fragrances that surround us in our everyday lives. Fragrances are not just perfumes and colognes. It also could be the air fresheners, soaps, shampoos, deodorants, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, bug sprays, cigarette smoke, and many more! When we breathe in such fragrances, we are breathing in particles small enough to cross the lining of our blood vessels and make their way into our bloodstreams.

COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19 All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been...

Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines

Longtime Spokane physician Bob Hustrulid to be based inside a retirement community Evergreen Fountains

We are thrilled to report that the first round of vaccinations have been completed at Evergreen Fountains, and the rest of the first...

Music is a true lifesaver!! For most people, music is an important part of daily life. Whether you turn on the radio or sing in the...

Do you crave coffee first thing in the morning? Need a pop in the afternoon? Caffeine has had a bad reputation, but is it a myth? Read on...

There are new findings about sleep and healthy aging: 1. Good health and good sleep: the connection works in both directions. It’s common...

Can’t remember where you parked the car at the mall? Feel like slipping into a depression is easier than it used to be? No, you’re not...

A balanced diet and participation in regular exercise are paramount in maintaining a healthy life for people of all ages. Routine...