HealthyLife Articles

Category: Uncategorized

Get Up To Date On Vaccines

MEDICAL NEWS

Vaccinations aren’t just for kids. Adults need them too.

How they work

Vaccines stimulate your immune system to create antibodies against common diseases. Antibodies are specialized proteins that recognize and neutralize viruses or bacteria. If you are exposed to the disease, your body will be ready to fight it.

Why they matter

Some people are more vulnerable to diseases such as COVID-19 or the flu, even if they are vaccinated. When you get vaccinated, you protect your loved ones and vulnerable people in your community.

Vaccines you need

Your doctor is the best resource for information on the vaccines you need. Here are a few your doctor may recommend:

* Seasonal flu

* Tdap or Td (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)

* COVID-19

* Shingles

* HPV (Human papillomavirus)

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Smoking Triggers And How To Beat Them

MEDICAL NEWS

Many people have tried to quit smoking but couldn’t. There are many reasons for this, but one of them is because of triggers. A trigger is something that makes you want to smoke.

Emotional triggers

When you have certain emotions, you may get the urge to smoke. They may include feeling stressed, nervous, depressed or even bored.

You can help stop these triggers by dealing with your emotions in other healthy ways. Try meditation, deep breathing or exercise to help manage stress and anxiety. Exercise is also a great way to beat boredom and fight depression. Listen to calming music or talk to a friend who can encourage you to keep up your efforts to quit.

Pattern triggers

Sometimes you’re used to smoking when you do something else, such as drinking coffee or alcohol. This is known as a pattern trigger. You may also like to smoke after eating or during a work break.

Change your routine to help avoid these patterns. Chew your favorite gum, suck on a hard candy or mint or go for a walk. Try brushing your teeth after meals, coloring in an adult coloring book or squeezing a stress relief ball.

Social triggers

Many people want to smoke at bars, parties or when they’re with people who smoke. These can be powerful triggers for you to smoke.

It’s best to avoid these triggers if you’re trying to quit. Instead, surround yourself with people who don’t smoke or who want you to quit. Try taking a class or find a hobby, such as painting or cycling.

Withdrawal triggers

Your body will crave nicotine when you quit smoking. Nicotine is very addictive and you may go through withdrawal. Withdrawal triggers include:

* Cravings for cigarettes or e-cigarettes

* Feeling like you need to do something with your hands or mouth

* Feeling restless or uncomfortable

Withdrawal can be very difficult to manage. As with other triggers, spend time with people who don’t smoke and who want you to quit. Find things to do that have nothing to do with smoking. Avoid places or situations where you might see or smell cigarettes or vaping.

Quitting is hard. But if you have support from your doctor, family and friends, you can do it. Millions of people have quit and you can too!

Source: Smokefree.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What’s The Secret To A Long Life?

MEDICAL NEWS

Today many people are living longer than ever. Part of this is because of advances in medical care. But there are things you can do to live a long, healthy life too. Here are some tips that could help you live longer.

Exercise

Experts in aging and health say exercise may be the most important thing you can do to live longer. But why?

As we age, we lose some muscle. This can lead to less energy and achy joints, which may cause you to exercise less and sit more. This, in turn, raises the risk of disease as well as death.

People of any age can learn to get active. Not sure how to start? Talk to your doctor about options that are safe and healthy for you.

Shed extra pounds

Having a BMI higher than 30 raises the risk of all causes of mortality (death). It can lead to health problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers.

You may not need to lose a lot to improve your health. Even losing 10-15 pounds can make a difference.

Losing weight isn’t easy. But there are safe and healthy ways to do it. Eating healthier foods and getting regular exercise will help, but ask your doctor for advice.

Quit smoking (or don’t smoke)

Smoking increases the risk of lung disease, cancers, heart disease and diabetes. The good news is that when you quit smoking, your risk of smoking-related death starts to decrease. It can add years to your life if you quit today!

Many people are able to quit smoking with help from a doctor or therapist. They may also use nicotine replacement products like patches, gum or an inhaler. Ask your doctor for help with your plan to quit.

Do I need good genes?

We may think a long life is all in our family history. But genes are only a piece of the health puzzle.

Experts in aging say that your own healthy behaviors mean much more than genes. In fact, many people could live to 90 with a healthy lifestyle, regardless of genes, according to experts at the National Institutes of Health.

Harness the power to live longer by starting healthy habits!

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Keeping Your Brain Healthy

WELL-BEING

Brain health is your ability to learn, remember, plan and concentrate on things. Exercise is good for your brain – but it’s a different type of workout. Here are some things to know about boosting your own brain health.

Puzzles are great – but they don’t fight dementia.

There is no evidence that crosswords and sudoku puzzles can prevent Alzheimer’s disease. But they’re still great brain exercise, so keep doing them!

Bring out your creative side.

Recent studies show that doing a creative art can help improve memory, comprehension and problem-solving abilities as you age. So pick up that musical instrument, paintbrush or whatever is fun and creative for you to do.

Talk to your doctor.

If you’re worried about memory loss or brain changes, talk to your doctor. They can help you find out the cause of any brain changes and work toward a solution. For instance, lack of sleep and certain medications can cause changes in mood or memory.

Source: National Institute on Aging

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Tooth-Brushing Truth

WELL-BEING

Clean teeth are healthy teeth.

Change your toothbrush with the seasons.

Don’t wait until your 6-month dentist visit to get a new toothbrush. You should change your brush every 3 months, or sooner if it starts to fray.

You’re probably using too much toothpaste.

Adults and children over 3 years of age only need a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. For children younger than 3, the toothpaste should be the size of a grain of rice.

Don’t scrub so hard.

Choose a soft-bristled brush and don’t overdo it. Brush hard enough to clean the film off your teeth, but be gentle.

Power brushes can give you a hand.

Manual brushes clean well, but power brushes have their place, too. If you have trouble brushing on your own or tend to have a lot of plaque, try a power brush.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Budget Your Time

Stress Management

Time:

We can’t make it, borrow it, sell it, or stop it. All we can do is spend it. Time is egalitarian, too. We each receive exactly the same amount: 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Yet some people use their time far more effectively than others. How do they accomplish this miracle?

Make a “to do” list.

Write down what you have to do, what you ought to do, and what you’d like to do. Then systematically check off items that you get done. This is gratifying, and gives you some idea of your progress.

Prioritize.

Categorize every activity as either A (top priority; must be done soon), B (less priority; should be done fairly soon), and C (least priority; can wait indefinitely). Forced to decide among various tasks, you’ll know what to spend your time on.

Avoid overcommitment.

Know your personal limitations, how much time you have available, and what you can realistically expect to accomplish.

Know the difference between activity and productivity.

Activity-making a lot of phone calls, reorganizing your paperwork may or may not lead to accomplishment. Productivity-taking steps toward a solution or goal-leads to results. Whenever possible, choose to be productive rather than active.

Analyze the time wasters in your day.

Make a list of activities that steal time away from productive work: people who drop in to chat and hang around too long, unsolicited phone calls or meetings you don’t really need to attend. Then devise ways to eliminate intrusions.

Create quiet time.

Let people know when you’re available and when you can’t be interrupted. Close your door and turn on your answering machine (or have someone take your calls), if necessary.

Plan for your personal prime time.

If you’re like most people, you probably feel more energetic and productive at some times than at others. Take advantage of your peak performance time, and plan to tackle your most demanding tasks then. Leave routine tasks for off-peak times.

Don’t be a perfectionist.

Do your best, but realize that not everything has to be perfect. Too much attention to detail may be a waste of time. Again, prioritize.

Avoid indecision.

When you’re unsure of what to do, ask yourself, “What is the best use of my time right now?”

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Keep Your Cool With This Tool

Stress Management

Communicating well is the key to keeping calm.

Trying to express your thoughts and needs to somebody who just doesn’t get it can be very frustrating. You may supress your feelings or blow a gasket, neither of which is good for your mental state or physical health. With some effective skills to handle your emotions, you can resolve differences, build trust and respect, and create a positive environment that breeds creativity, productivity and success.

Effective communication is a combination of skills that includes listening, recognizing nonverbal signals, managing stress in the moment, and staying connected to your emotions.

Are you listening?

Listening is vital to effective communication. It’s not just hearing the words, but understanding what the other person means and how he or she feels.

Listen carefully.

* Put away your cellphone, close your folders, and don’t doodle. Focus on hearing what is being said.

* Don’t interrupt or redirect the conversation to your concerns.

* Don’t appear judgmental, critical, or accusatory.

* Show your interest in what is being said. Nod, smile, and make sure your posture is inviting.

Watch your body language.

* Don’t roll your eyes, squirm in your seat, or contort your face to show that you are annoyed.

* Don’t say yes while shaking your head no.

* Keep your arms uncrossed and maintain eye contact.

Keep stress in check.

Stress in small doses may help you under pressure. But too much can cloud your ability to speak clearly, listen effectively, or read non-verbal skills properly. Reacting can cause you to say or do things you’ll regret.

Action Step

The next time you are in a stressful situation, take control. Think before you speak. Take a few deep breaths. Look for humor to break up the tension. Be willing to compromise or at least agree to disagree.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Stress Less For Success 2

Stress Management

Learn how to cope at work.

No matter where you work, stress happens. It can be good in small spurts because it triggers hormones that give you a boost of energy to help you meet a deadline. Too much stress, though, can cause headaches, upset stomach, back pain, and lots of excuses to call in sick. You can take control by becoming aware of your personal triggers and learning how to keep them from turning you into the moody, unproductive employee that coworkers avoid.

Common sources of workplace stressors:

* Little or no control over your work

* Conflict with fellow employees

* Repetition of duties

* Too much or too little work

* Time pressures or quotas

* Lack of job security

* Decrease in pay or benefits

* No opportunity for promotion

* Lack of recognition for a job well-done

Common signs of work stress:

* You question the quality of your work.

* You are easily agitated or angered.

* You feel anxious.

* You forget tasks.

* You keep making mistakes.

* You’re using drugs or alcohol to cope or escape.

* You don’t communicate well with other employees.

Coping mechanisms:

* Keep a running “to-do” list.

* Organize clutter.

* Manage your time.

* When you feel overwhelmed with your workload, discuss this with your boss.

* Focus on what you can control and let the rest go.

* Take breaks and don’t skip lunch.

* Walk around the building.

* Reward yourself for jobs well-done.

* Don’t turn a simple snafu into a major drama.

* Leave your work at the office.

* Recognize when it’s time to look for a new job.

Action Step

Poor communication is a major cause of stress at work. When something is bothering you, speak up, but do so tactfully, clearly, and respectfully.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Health Screenings Can Save Lives

Medical Exams

You take your children for regular health checkups to protect their health. You, too, need preventive health screenings to increase your chances of living a longer and healthier life. For example:

* A colonoscopy can find and remove polyps. These overgrowths of tissue on the lining of your colon may turn into cancer.

* Cervical cancer can be prevented nearly 100 percent of the time with regular screenings and early treatment, if needed.

* Schedule health screenings you need this year. Write when you will have these.

* Don’t use excuses, such as “I don’t have time” or “That illness doesn’t run in my family” to keep you from getting health screenings you need.

Approximately one half of all cancer deaths may be prevented by not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, eating nutritious foods, and being physically active.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How To Steer Clear Of Drunken Drivers

Personal Safety

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a common cause of auto accidents. If you can spot a drunken driver and stay out of his or her way, you may be able to avoid an accident. Watch out for drivers who:

* Drive too fast or too slow.

* Make jerky starts or stop abruptly.

* Overshoot stop signs.

* Ignore traffic signals.

* Follow cars too closely.

* Pass other cars too quickly or too slowly.

* Change lanes frequently.

* Drive without their lights on after sundown.

* Drive with their windows rolled down in cold or wet weather.

* Are obviously partying and having a good time with their passengers when they should be paying attention to the road.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026