HealthyLife Articles

Author: AIPM

You See A Shrink?

WELL-BEING

It is often the assumption that if you go to therapy that you have serious problems you cannot manage on your own and there is something fundamentally wrong with you. In reality, if someone is attending therapy, they tend to be on the healthier side of self-love and self-awareness.

Because seeing a therapist is stigmatized, many people who want to seek help, either often don’t, or they keep their therapy private so they do not invoke judgment.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Sherrie Campbell, author of Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person, offers this advice:

*Everyone can benefit from therapy.We are not here to do life on our own nor are we equipped to be 100% objective in our own lives. Therapy is the perfect way to get that objective view, get to know yourself more deeply, analyze your habits of behavior and find solutions and resolutions to life’s everyday issues. Even healthy people seek therapy.

*Deniers don’t attend therapy.The unhealthiest people, the people who need treatment the most, are the ones who never consider therapy. In their mind they are never wrong, it is always someone else’s problem, and they should not have to change. The people who end up in therapy are those trying to deal with the relationships they have with these people who deny there is a problem.

*Own your personal journey.If you have chosen to attend therapy, be proud of it. Most people who are seeing the benefits of therapy tend to brag about how much the therapy is changing their lives. We all want to be happy, and when you communicate about your therapy as a major benefit to your life, you will be surprised how many people either ask for your therapist’s information or confess back to you they have also sought therapy. When you own and take pride in your growth, much to your surprise many others will take your lead.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Zika Virus: What To Know

MEDICAL NEWS

According to the CDC, Zika has not yet been spread by mosquitoes in the U.S., but cases have been reported here. These occurred in people who recently traveled to one of the known Zika areas.

Treatment

At this time, there is no vaccine for Zika.

* Rest

* Drink water

* Take medications for pain and fever

* Call your doctor

Prevention

* Use an insect repellent regularly on yourself and your children. Use one registered with the EPA.

* Wear light-colored clothes that cover as much of your body as possible.

* Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are sleeping outside or not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

* Get rid of standing water. This is where mosquitoes breed. Cover rain barrels and other containers that store water.

* Protect windows and doors with screens or mosquito nets. Use air conditioning, if possible.

* If you’ve recently been to a known Zika area, are pregnant or are having symptoms of Zika, call your doctor.

Sources: World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Zucchini Casserole

HEALTHY EATING

Ingredients

1 pound sausage (ground)

1 cup onion (small, diced)

3 cups zucchini (small, diced)

3 cups squash (small, yellow, diced)

3 cups potatoes (medium, peeled and diced)

1 can tomatoes (Italian stewed, cut up)

Directions

Brown sausage and onion together in a skillet; drain. Mix all ingredients together and place in a casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Instead of using the Italian stewed tomatoes, you could use fresh diced tomatoes with some Italian spices added.

Makes 6 servings: Per serving: 220 calories, 9 g total fat, 11g protein, 25 g carbs, 3 g fiber,

460 mg sodium.

From the USDA What’s Cooking? Find more recipes at www.usda.gov/whatscooking.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
3 “C”S To Be Your Best At Work

WORK LIFE

Every job can be done half-heartedly – or done really well. Doing your best will help you feel satisfied with your job, which is great for your mental health.

1.Confidence:Be confident in your abilities, especially your ability to go above and beyond at work. Not only is this good for your clients, coworkers and/or customers, but it has an added bonus: you’ll feel great too!

2.Connect:Build positive relationships with people at work to help you succeed. If you’re experienced, help others learn from you. If you need guidance, don’t be afraid to ask others for their advice and input.

3.Communicate:If you see a problem, speak up. Constructive feedback can be done in a way that’s respectful and kind. If you see good things happening, point those out, too. It’s a great way to build morale.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
3 Keys To A Virtual Family Gathering

FAMILY LIFE

While there is no true replacement for being with family & friends, the option to connect virtually is sometimes the best available. To get the most out of your virtual time, consider these tips.

Have the right technology and try it out in advance

You need a quality device setup for video chats, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. You also need a good internet connection.

Choose an app that works for everyone

There are so many video chat apps out there. The right one for you depends on the size of the group and the devices people are using. Shop around.

Plan virtual activities that everyone can enjoy

* Pictionary

* Charades

* Scattergories

* Talent show

* Trivia

* Get-to-know-you-better questions

* Jokes or riddles

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
3″M”S For Giving Kids An Allowance

FAMILY LIFE

An allowance can help children learn about responsibility. It also helps children learn about the value of money. The 3 M’s of allowance will help you guide kids of all ages in the right direction.

1. Make yourself clear. Tell them that chores should contribute to the family, not just themselves. For instance, they should do more than keep their room clean and pick up their own things. They may also do things like help with yard work, clean the bathroom sink or empty the dishwasher. Make sure they do these things well before you pay them. If they don’t know how to do it, show them.

2. Modest amounts. Kids should use allowance for fun things, not clothes or necessities. There’s no need to give them big amounts of money. Remember this is not a salary, but a way to teach kids about work. Older children should have more difficult jobs and therefore, their allowance should be larger.

3. Monitor their spending. Once they earn their money, talk with kids about spending and saving. While they should have some freedom to spend their money on something they want, help them make wise choices. They may regret their purchase later if they don’t give it a lot of thought.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
3 “S”S For Being Active At Work

FAMILY LIFE

Many people have jobs that require sitting at a desk or being inactive for long periods of time. This can make it hard to reap the benefits of exercise, like having more energy and weight loss. But you can fit in fitness at work with just a few tricks.

1. Shoes. If you wear a dress or work shoes, bring your sneakers to work. Keep them under your desk and slip them on during your lunch break so you can take a brisk walk in comfort.

2. Stairs & standing. Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator. A few extra calories burned is better than none. Try to stand or walk when you don’t need to be sitting. This could be during a phone conversation, or going down the hall to speak to someone instead of calling or emailing them.

3. Schedule. Put time in your schedule to exercise. It’s one of the most important things you can do for YOU! If you don’t have enough time at lunch, find a way to exercise either before or after work. Write it down in your work calendar as a reminder that it’s an important commitment.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
3 “S”S For Taking Supplements

WELL-BEING

Many people use vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. But sometimes, supplements aren’t safe or helpful. Follow these 3 S’s before you take vitamins, herbs, or natural remedies.

1.Say something to your doctor.Supplements can interact with medications. Some are not safe if you have health conditions. Your doctor can tell you whether certain supplements are safe for you.

2.Skip them if pregnant or breastfeeding.Some supplements are not safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always ask your obstetrician or gynecologist before taking supplements.

3.Stop taking them before surgery.Some supplements can cause problems if you take them before surgery. They may make bleeding worse or change how you respond to medicines. You may need to stop them two weeks or more before your surgery.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
3 “S”S To Close The Deal On A Car

FINANCIAL HEALTH

1.See.See what you agreed to. Look at all the paperwork for the loan documents. Check the annual percentage rate (APR), which is the cost of your loan interest measured by a yearly rate. Look at the finance charges, which includes the total amount of interest and certain fees you’ll pay.

2.Say no.Say no if you’re not comfortable. If you are unhappy with the loan conditions or the vehicle, don’t feel forced into it. You can always leave without finishing the deal if you change your mind. If you’re not sure, tell them you need more time to think about it. Dealers cannot force you to sign the loan.

3.Sign.Sign all the blanks. Before you drive away with your new vehicle, make sure both you and the dealer have signed everything in the loan papers. All blanks should be filled in. You should also get a copy of all the paperwork on the spot.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
3 “S”S To Get Fit During The Holidays

BE FIT

Do you assume the holidays are too busy for exercise? Think the holidays are just about treats? Keep these three tips in mind and you could have a fit, healthy and happy holiday season!

1. Short bursts: Make your exercise bite-sized! Ten minutes of exercise here and there can be just as effective as 30 minutes at once. Try a quick walk first thing in the morning, at lunch and after work.

2. Stress relief: Is the holiday season too stressful? Exercise is one of the most effective ways to lower stress hormones in the body. Make time to move and you’ll feel great mentally and physically.

3. Savor it: Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. Pick something you like, or play your favorite music while doing it. Make exercise your “me time.”

Sources: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. National Library of Medicine

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026