HealthyLife Articles

Category: Well-Being

How Your Surroundings Affect Your Health

WELL-BEING

Most people spend a lot of time in their home or their workplace. And the things around you can affect how you feel. Your surroundings can affect your:

* Breathing

* Heart rate

* Blood pressure

* Stress levels

* Brain chemicals

You may not notice these changes. They often happen without you realizing it. But these changes can affect your health.

Are your surroundings healthy?

To find out whether your surroundings are good for you, trust your feelings. If you’re not sure, ask yourself:

* Does this room make me feel relaxed or tense?

* Do I feel happy or sad when I walk in?

* When I look at an item, how does it make me feel?

* Do certain sounds or smells make me cringe or feel on edge? Or do sounds and smells make me feel relaxed or peaceful?

Some people find that just thinking about certain places make them feel stressed. For instance, you may feel anxious about going to the hospital or the doctor’s office.

Why your surroundings matter

If you have past experiences with a place or thing, this will shape how you feel about them now. For instance, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), surroundings can trigger bad memories.

PTSD can be triggered by sights, sounds, smells or places. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor. You can get help working through these emotions and any bad memories that harm your mental well-being.

Make your surroundings good for you

Find ways to change your surroundings so they remind you of good things. Try these tips:

* Get plenty of daylight during the day.

* Add artwork, items or photos that make you feel happy. Nature paintings and photos are helpful for many people.

* Add a flower or plant to your space to help you think about nature.

* Listen to nature sounds on your phone or a CD.

Get help from your doctor

A mental health provider can help you break connections that are causing bad memories or negative feelings. Work with your doctor to find resources that can help you balance your health and happiness.

Source: Veterans Health Administration

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Tips To Quit Smoking

WELL-BEING

If you’re ready to quit, here are some ways to take the first steps.

Make a plan

Going cold turkey is rarely successful. Instead, put together a plan that anticipates obstacles and brainstorm solutions.

Practice quitting

Go longer between smokes and try techniques to get through cravings. Find what works and what doesn’t.

Talk to a healthcare professional

They may have resources such as helpful tips, referrals, and medications. Working with a counselor increases your chance of success.

Find a safe substitute

Keep your mouth and hands busy with something else. Toothpicks, straws, or cinnamon sticks are safe substitutes.

Be active

Quitting smoking can leave you feeling jittery and irritable. Plan activities that get your body moving to release your jitters.

Stay busy

Plan activities or gatherings with non-smoking friends to keep you distracted in the early days of quitting.

© 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
Misinformation & Social Media

WELL-BEING

While social media can be an easy way to catch up on the latest, it is not always a reliable source of factual information.

Social media sites tend to amplify sensationalized messages. Information that contains an emotional appeal, quotes a supposed expert, or points to a deeper conspiracy is more likely to catch our attention. The result is that plain facts are often ignored or disbelieved.

Six ways to prevent misinformation

Avoid the sensational

The headline or title of a social media post can be the first clue to its reliability. Avoid catchy, overly sensationalized headlines. Don’t fall for clickbait.

Check the source

Watch out for anecdotal stories or information heard from a friend of a friend of a distant family member. Look for real experts from reputable organizations.

Verify the facts

Double-check when you hear new information to see if other reputable sources support the facts. Misinformation goes viral all the time, so verify before you share.

Ask questions

Before you believe something you read on social media, ask yourself if you truly think the information is accurate. A moment to reflect may save you from falling prey to fake news.

Notice your feelings

A lot of misinformation is designed to tap into frustration and outrage. Look for information that encourages you to think objectively and acknowledge nuance.

Limit time on social media

The more time you spend on social media, the more likely you will run into misinformation. Keep your time on social media brief and focus on meaningful connection, not information surfing.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Warning Signs Of Mental Illness

WELL-BEING

Mental illness affects many people. It can include conditions like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Many times, a person will show early signs of mental illness. This means they can get medical help before the condition becomes serious.

Changes in behavior

Sometimes a person’s actions or personality seems to change when they have a mental illness. Some signs include:

* Mood swings. Mood and attitude may shift back and forth from happy to sad or angry.

* Fear or feeling uneasy. A person may feel afraid, anxious or panicked about everyday things.

* Lack of interest. They may not want to do activities or be around people.

* Trouble with work performance or schoolwork.

Changes in thoughts

* Feeling out of control. They may be unable to manage daily tasks or stress.

* Clouded thinking. It may feel like they can’t concentrate on tasks or remember things.

* Feeling numb. They may have trouble feeling emotions about anything.

* Not being connected with reality. A person’s thoughts or actions may not be logical or make sense.

Physical changes

Mental illness can affect the body, too. Some changes to watch for include:

* Feeling very tired or sleeping much more than usual.

* Getting very little sleep or an inability to sleep.

* Eating much more than usual.

* Eating less than usual or not at all.

* Changes in senses like smell, touch or sight.

* Unexplained injuries, like repeated cuts or scratches. These can be signs of self-harm.

Get medical care

If you notice these signs in yourself, talk with your doctor. Mental illness is a real illness, and there are treatments available to help. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to tell someone.

If these changes happen to a loved one, talk with them about getting medical care. Tell them you are here for them and want to help.

If you or a loved one has thoughts of suicide, seek emergency care or go to an emergency room.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Be Ready To Donate Blood

WELL-BEING

When you donate blood, you are potentially saving a life. The American Red Cross estimates that someone needs blood every two seconds. Your donation makes that possible. The donation process is pretty simple, but there are a few things you should know in advance to prepare.

Donation eligibility

To donate blood, you must meet specific criteria. These include:

* Being healthy and not currently ill

* Over the age of 16 (in most states)

* Weigh at least 110 pounds

* Have not given blood in the past 56 days

When you go to donate

It can help relieve any nervousness if you know what to expect before you go. Most donation centers follow a standard process.

*Registration:verification of eligibility, checking your driver’s license, and providing your address.

*Health history:information on health conditions, medications, and recent travel.

*Health screening:checking your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and hemoglobin.

*The donation:takes about 8-10 minutes, during which time you will sit or lay comfortably.

*Recovery:takes 10-15 minutes, during which time you’ll receive a snack and drink and make sure you feel ready to go.

When You Should Not Donate

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria above, there may be other things that could temporarily disqualify you from donating.

* You are not feeling 100%. Only donate blood if you are feeling your best. If you are sick, you should wait until 24 hours after your symptoms pass.

* Certain kinds of medications and vaccinations may require a waiting period before giving blood. Check with the American Red Cross before you go.

* Low iron may cause anemia or a low blood count, making you ineligible to donate blood that day. Once your iron levels have improved, you may be able to donate.

* If you have traveled to certain countries outside the U.S., you may need to wait to donate blood.

Source: The American Red Cross

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Overcoming Hoarding Disorder

WELL-BEING

Many people have seen TV shows or articles about hoarding disorder. It’s a very real mental disorder that makes it hard for people to throw anything away.

What is hoarding?

When a person has hoarding disorder, things may pile up in their home. This can lead to fire hazards, pests and problems with a job and relationships. Symptoms of hoarding include:

* Not being able to throw anything away

* A strong emotional attachment to everyday household items

* Severe anxiety when trying to throw something away

* Feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed about all the things in their home

* Strong fears about running out of things

* Losing living space because of too many things

* Becoming isolated or losing relationships because of too many items in the house

How is hoarding treated?

The only proven treatment for hoarding disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT is a type of talk therapy. It helps a person learn how to change their thought patterns and reactions to situations.

Some people with hoarding disorder also get help in support groups. They can connect with others who understand and who are also trying to get better.

Getting help for hoarding disorder

If you think you may have a hoarding disorder, you can seek help from a mental health professional. You can start with your primary care physician.

You can also go to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) resource page at:

www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.

Sources: American Psychiatric Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Weighted Blankets – A Sleep Saver?

WELL-BEING

Weighted blankets have become popular – but do you need one?

Weighted blankets are designed to feel very heavy. They are usually filled with glass or plastic pellets that add weight. Some people believe the extra weight can feel like a hug. This may have a calming effect.

Before you invest in a weighted blanket, here’s what to know:

* No large studies say that weighted blankets have proven health benefits. But some smaller studies have found that they can help a person calm down when stressed. They may also help some people with insomnia and anxiety, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

* Weighted blankets come in different sizes and weights. You may wish to use one that weighs around 10 percent of your body weight.

* Never use a weighted blanket on a baby or toddler.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Breaking Bad Habits Now

WELL-BEING

If you’re hoping to make a change, these tips may help:

Avoid.If certain places or people make you want to engage in unhealthy habits, try your best to stay away.

Replace.Focus on what you can do instead of the bad habit. For instance, take a walk or drink a glass of water.

Plan.If you know you’ll be tempted with a bad habit, practice what you can do. Picture yourself not giving in. Have a plan for yourself.

Buddy up.Ask a friend or family member to support you. They can cheer you on and encourage you when you need it.

Source: National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026