HealthyLife Articles

Tag: activities

Feel Happy Every Day

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Gratitude is a great stress-buster. When you focus on what you are thankful for, it becomes difficult to stay anxious or worried.

Even if what is happening at the moment is stressful, choosing to emphasize the positive can keep life in perspective.

A gratitude journal is one effective way to make thankfulness a daily habit. Intentionally making a note of what went well each day or reflecting on your many blessings is a powerful antidote to stress.

Tips for starting a gratitude journal

1. Decide the best medium for you. A dedicated journal to jot down a gratitude list might work well. For others, a digital list will be a better fit. It’s ok to try a few methods to find what works for you.

2. Pick a time of day to briefly reflect and add 3-5 items to your gratitude list. Try to stick to it. You want to make gratitude a daily habit, so consistency is important.

3. Keep it simple. You are more likely to be successful with this new habit if you keep your goal achievable. You don’t need to spend 20 minutes coming up with fifteen things you are thankful for each day. Less is often more.

4. Pause to enjoy how you feel when you cultivate gratitude. The more you practice, the easier it can become to hold onto that feeling and infuse your days with positivity and joy.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Involved With Wellness

WELL-BEING

Staying motivated to make healthy choices can be challenging. That’s why connecting with others who share your goals can be so effective. Getting involved in a wellness program helps you stay on track and successfully make positive changes.

* Take advantage of your workplace wellness activities and programs.

* Take an exercise class at a local fitness center or park district.

* Look for wellness offerings through local churches, libraries, and community centers.

* Start your own group by gathering like-minded friends, family, and coworkers.

* Remember, wellness isn’t just exercise! Look for programs on cooking, gardening, mindfulness, spirituality, emotional health, book clubs, and self-care, and more!

* Ask your doctor to recommend wellness programs.

* Set yourself up for success by choosing programs that fit comfortably into your schedule.

* Connect with an online wellness community or program.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Abcs Of Traveling With Children

Healthy Travel

Traveling with children can be very trying-you try to keep them from getting tired, bored, hungry, sick, or lost. Here are a few strategies to help you succeed.

* Make sure your child has had all immunizations required or recommended for travel.

* Have each child wear an identification tag that includes his or her name, plus your name and home address, phone number where you can be reached, and where you’ll be staying. In airports, add the name of your airline, flights, and departure times. The identification tag should be placed inside (not on the outside) of the child’s garments. Tell your child what to do if he or she gets lost.

* Take along a child-strength painkiller, motion sickness medication, cold preparations, an antibiotic, and Pedalyte (a medicine that replaces essential body minerals lost due to vomiting and diarrhea).

* Dress your child in loose, comfortable travel clothing and shoes.

* According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, all children need their own seats on airplanes and children younger than age 2 or weighing less than 40 pounds should be fastened in child restraint seats on an airplane. Parents should choose safety seats that are labeled for use on aircraft.

* On long automobile trips, stop every 2 hours and walk around with your child. When flying or traveling by train, take your child for a walk around the coach or cabin.

* Help prevent your child from getting motion sickness. Children between the ages of 2 and 12 are more prone to motion sickness than toddlers or teens.

* If your child will be flying unaccompanied by an adult, make arrangements with the airline for an adult to escort the child off the plane.

* Avoid introducing a young child to a lot of unfamiliar foods away from home.

* When traveling in developing countries, repeatedly remind your child about food and beverage safety.

* For more information on safe air travel for children, contact the FAA at 1.866.TELL.FAA (835.5322) orwww.faa.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Choose The Right Summer Camp For Your Child

FAMILY LIFE

When school’s out for the summer, what will the kids do? Many families choose summer camp options for school-age children to help make summer an educational and fun experience. But choosing the right camp for your child can seem daunting with so many choices.

To simplify your decision, consider these factors:

*What type of camp works with your child’s personality?Some children only want to be gone for a day camp and come home in the evening. Others want to do overnight camps. This may depend on the child’s age and whether they are accustomed to being away from home.

*How many children attend the camp?Some kids do better in small groups, while others enjoy the excitement of being around many people.

*What are your child’s interests?Some camps focus on particular activities, such as sports, cooking, music or art. Some offer programs for special needs children. Look for one that offers activities they like to do.

*How will your child get there?Is there a bus or other transportation offered?

*What is your budget?Be sure you understand the total cost of the camp. Some may have extra charges for food, special outings, or transportation.

*How are the staff trained on safety, supervision, and other issues?If your child will be near water, discuss life guards and safety precautions for swimming.

Once you’ve decided upon a camp, ask about a packing list, particularly for overnight camps. Even day camps often ask the children to bring a bathing suit, water bottle, snack, sunscreen, or other supplies.

Source: American Camp Association

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Social For Stress Relief

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Talking to others is a great way to cope with stress. On the flip side, feeling isolated or alone can increase stress levels. Seek out social support to help you deal with life’s challenges. If you’re not sure where to start, try these tips:

*Reach out to others.Make an effort to connect with people. Say “yes” when you get invited to a social gathering. Offer to help someone when they need it. Over time, you may find that your social connections have greatly increased because of your efforts.

*Find value in lots of people.You may find that neighbors, co-workers and family members all have positive roles to play in your life. You can have multiple friends who all have different things to offer.

*Get face to face when you can.It’s good to find time to sit down with friends and family. Talking to someone in person may help you feel more calm and connected.

*Get involved.Find a class or group that offers things you enjoy. This is a great way to connect with people who share the same interests.

Aiming for a stress-free life?

Trying to achieve a life without any stress isn’t realistic. It may even make you more stressed when you don’t succeed! Instead, look for healthy ways to cope with challenges.

Meditation, prayer, deep breathing and exercise can help you change how you react to stress. This can have a positive effect on your physical and mental health. Not all stress is bad for you if you know how to deal with it. In fact, learning to cope with stress can make you a healthier person.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Tips To Save On Your Summer Vacation

FINANCIAL HEALTH

You want your vacation to be memorable, but you probably don’t want to remember spending a lot of money. With some advanced planning, you can save a good amount of your travel and vacation expenses. Here’s what travel experts recommend:

*Don’t pick prime times for flights.If you’re flying, you’ll usually pay less for airline tickets during off-peak times. This means flying during the middle of the week, early in the morning or late at night.

*Be flexible.When booking airline tickets, choose the flexible dates option to find the lowest price for airfare. Sometimes, the savings can be substantial.

*Visit during the off-season.Many people travel to warm, tropical destinations during the winter months. Try going during the late fall or early spring instead.

*Check out renting a house.Many destinations offer houses for rent at about the same price per night as hotels but with much more space. When you share with another family, you split the cost for even more savings.

*Look for online deals & coupons.Look online for local activities you want to do, such as visiting museums or scuba diving excursions. Many places offer deals or coupons if you book in advance. You may also be able to avoid lines for buying tickets.

*Don’t forget your discounts.Companies like AARP and AAA often have discount rates for members. Some employers have discounts available to employees for car rentals and other vacation items.

*Pack snacks.Pack healthy snacks in a cooler for a car trip like fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. For flights, bring your own food to the airport and eat before getting on the plane. Keep in mind liquids more than 3.4 ounces can’t be taken through the security checkpoints.

*Get a kitchen.Look for hotel rooms that have a full kitchen so you can store food and beverages, cook your own meals and avoid the higher costs of eating out.

*Try camping.Instead of traditional hotels, look for campsites. Camping often costs a fraction of what a hotel costs, as long as you have a tent, mats to sleep on and a few more basic camping supplies.

*Look nearby.If the prices of airline tickets and hotels aren’t in your budget, look for daytrip options. Destinations within 2 hours of home are often doable for families and can be just as fun as a longer trip.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026