Search Results for: blog walking as therapy

Walking As Therapy

While walking can be a fun, enjoyable activity it can also be therapeutic. There are times when I walk that I really want company, whether it to be my husband or my children. Other times I just want to listen to my iPod. But then there are times where I need it for therapy. I think the best time to walk is after you have experienced a bad day. This is a great way to “walk things off” in a healthy manner. Instead of turning to that bag of salty chips or chocolaty ice cream, use that time of walking … Continue reading →

Why I’m Blogging My Health

I’ve talked about “liveblogging” your health: writing openly and publicly about your health issues as they happen (or as close to “live” as possible). A writer friend of mine blogs his experiences with cancer — the good, the bad, and the ugly, no holds barred. Former Pets Blogger Courtney Mroch wrote very openly about her experiences with her cancerous “hitchhiker”. One advantage of liveblogging a health issue — or other important goings on in your life — is that lots of people can get the news quickly and easily. They can stay up to day with your progress without you … Continue reading →

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

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Hormone replacement therapy is helpful for easing symptoms of menopause and preventing osteoporosis in some women. You may also hear hormone replacement therapy called “opposed estrogen therapy”. The name basically describes how it works. Hormone replacement therapy increases estrogen and/or progestin levels in a woman’s body. There are several different forms of hormone replacement therapy, including: Estrogen and progestin combination pills (brand name Premphase, Prempro, Activella) Estrogen and progestin patches that continuously release hormones over time (brand name CombiPatch) Oral progestin used with an estrogen-only pill or patch (brand name Provera, Prometrium, Micronor, Norlutin, Aygestin) Progestin intra-uterine device (IUD) used … Continue reading →

Ten Ways Pet Therapy Is Helpful

Pet therapy helps people in so many different ways. Exercise long-term recall skills. Asking a person about the pets they have owned can trigger all kinds of happy memories. Talking about pets you’ve known helps develop your cognitive skills. Exercise short-term memory. Asking a person to describe a pet who just visited is a good workout for the short-term memory. A well-trained dog could take a series of commands from a patient — the pup will be happy with the attention and the patient will get a chance to bond with the dog. Develop speech and communication skills. Many people … Continue reading →

My Monday Feet Were Made For Walking

Just five days left until the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I’ll be walking the 1K next Saturday morning and I need to be on site by 6:30 in the morning. Part of my preparation is walking 1K every other day this week and riding my stationary bike for 45 minutes on the alternating days. Since the walk takes place outdoors with more than 10,000 participants, I’ll be alternating the incline to imitate walking up and down hills as well as the uneven feeling of pavement under the feet. The 1K is not a huge distance to walk, … Continue reading →

Aromatherapy for Menstrual Cramps

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Did you know that physical and emotional stress can actually make menstrual cramps worse? As if they aren’t bad enough already, right? Staying stress-free is only part of the equation for easing the painful uterine muscle cramps that may accompany your monthly period. Here are some tips to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps naturally! Make a massage oil that contains natural muscle relaxers like chamomile, ginger, lavender, marjoram, or melissa (lemon balm). Mix 2-3 drops of the essential oils of your choice into an ounce of carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond. Rub the mixture gently over the … Continue reading →

Tips For Gathering And Supporting Family

The month of December includes several holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Solstice. Many people enjoy gathering together to celebrate with members of their families during these holiday celebrations. For best results, follow these tips for gathering and supporting family members. Plan Gatherings Around The Most Vulnerable Family Members CNBC News reported advice from Dr. Katrine Wallace, an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her number one piece of advice is to plan gatherings around the most vulnerable family members. Vulnerable communities include people who are immunocompromised, children, and elderly people. Dr. Wallace listed the following examples of how … Continue reading →

Parents Magazine Puts First Child with Spina Bifida on Cover

This month, when you are walking past the magazine section in the grocery store, stop and take a look at Parents Magazine. The cover features an adorable little girl named Emily. This cover photo makes history. It is the first time a magazine has put a child with spina bifida on the cover. Emily Kiecher is an adorable three year old. She has been selected as the cover model for Parent Magazine’s February 2013 edition. Emily has blond hair, a happy smile, and a pink, poofy, skirt that only a preschooler can get away with wearing in public. It matches … Continue reading →

How Pets Help Our Health

It’s something I grew up thinking, and I don’t even remember where I first heard the idea: pets improve your health. They’re especially good for the elderly or others living alone. Pets give you someone to care about and look after, bringing additional purpose and companionship to your life. Some recent medical studies, however, indicate that owning pets might have a more direct effect on our health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that pet ownership can decrease our blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Their studies also indicate that rates of stress, loneliness, and depression are lower among … Continue reading →

Exercise for the Breast Cancer Survivor

It is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” so let’s focus on the benefits of exercise. Studies have shown that there is a reduction in mortality and recurrence for those who participate in regular exercise. The problem is that despite this, too many breast cancer patients don’t keep active. Sometimes it is for physical reasons, the toll of treatment on the body and feeling tired. Other times it is emotional, just not having the motivation to get moving. This is where supervised exercise programs can help, which many hospitals and medical centers offer. The problem is that once the program has ended, … Continue reading →