HealthyLife Articles

Tag: connection

  • Prevent Child Abuse With Strong Families

    FAMILY LIFE

    Young child cuddled up with teddy bear.

    Child abuse affects hundreds of thousands of children each year. Even if you don’t know someone affected by child abuse, you can help prevent it. It starts with knowing its causes and risk factors.

    Why does abuse happen?

    If a parent or caregiver has these risk factors, child abuse is more likely to happen:

    *  Low self-esteem

    *  Poor impulse or temper control

    *  Untreated mental health conditions like depression or anxiety

    *  Substance abuse

    *  Lack of education or knowledge about child development

    *  Unemployment or poverty

    In addition, if a child has special needs or a challenging temperament, they are more likely to be abused. Babies and young children, because they require constant care, are also more likely to be abused than older children. Teens are at a higher risk of sexual abuse than younger children.

    Protective factors

    Protective factors are things that lower the risk of child abuse or neglect. Protective factors include:

    *  Having resources for things everyone needs, like food, transportation and housing

    *  Access to safe schools and health care

    *  Parents who have ways to cope with stress

    *  A strong family support system of family and friends

    *  Children who have self-esteem, confidence and independence

    *  Parents and children who communicate well with each other

    What to do if you suspect abuse

    If you suspect that someone is abusing or neglecting a child, there are resources to help.

    *State child abuse and neglect agencies:Contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency.

    *Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline:1.800-4-A-CHILD  (1-800-422-4453). Professional crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service and support resources.

    Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Child Welfare Information Gateway

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Love Is Healthy For Your Heart

    Heart & Circulation Problems

    Couple on beach making heart shape with their arms.

    Heart health isn’t just about not smoking and controlling cholesterol and blood pressure.

    *  Loving and feeling loved is vital to a healthy heart, as well as your overall well-being.

    *  Studies have consistently shown that:

    – Negative relationships raise the risk of heart problems.

    – Marriage lowers the risk of heart attack in both men and women of all ages.

    – People who hugged often showed lowered blood pressure and levels of stress hormones.

    Plan to spend time with loved ones. Go on a date with your partner once a week. Have a weekly family outing or game night.

    Say, “I love you,” “I care about you,” and “You mean a lot to me.” Give hugs. Cuddle a pet.

    Don’t spend too much time on your smart phone and other devices if it leads to neglecting loved ones.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Family Meals: Healthy & Simple

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of mother with 2 young kids wearing chef hats.

    Try these time-saving tips to make eating healthier simpler for you and your family, says Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, professor of nutrition at Penn State University.

    Plan out 2 to 4 weeks of healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Sit down and map out meals that include your family’s heart-healthy favorites. Update your list as you come across new recipe ideas.

    Use the weekend to make menus.Start by using the list from the first tip and make sure you grab the ingredients you need when you go grocery shopping. Keep an eye out for fresh, seasonal items that are on sale.

    If you work during the week, cook over the weekend and store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.Meals can be hassle-free when you’re just thawing and reheating for quick lunches and dinners.

    Cut up vegetables and keep them handy in the fridge.You’ll have ready-made nutritious snacks and ingredients.

    Shop sales, clip coupons, and buy fruits and vegetables in season.Look for less-expensive items. For example, blueberries cost less in spring and summer, when they’re in season. You’ll pay more in the fall and winter when they’re shipped from warmer continents.

    Skip the ready-made foods.They can be higher in sodium and often cost more than homemade foods.

    Replace high-calorie or high-fat favorites with nutrition-rich foods one at a time.Your family won’t feel shocked or deprived of their favorites if the changes to their diets are gradual. Try one change per week as a starting point.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • No Family Dinner? Other Options To Try

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of laughing family as dad feeds daughter a piece of fruit.

    Today’s families are busier than ever. Parents’ jobs, kids’ activities, social events, and homework seem to leave little time for anything else.

    Research shows that sitting down as a family for dinner is good for everyone at the table. The Family Dinner Project says sharing a family meal is good for the brains and health of all family members. But some families simply can’t make this happen every night. So what should you do? Don’t give up on finding time for each other. There are other options for family bonding that don’t need to happen at the dinner hour.

    *Consider breakfast.If everyone is home in the morning, why not take a few extra minutes to enjoy a family breakfast? It can get everyone off on the right foot.

    *Try weekend lunches.If dinner only happens once or twice a week, weekend lunches can be a great choice too. A picnic outside in the warmer months makes for a fun change of pace.

    *Think about your schedule.If you can’t get everyone together for a meal at least twice a week, consider rearranging activities or saying “no” to some commitments. The benefits of family meals together are worth the effort.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Tips For New Empty-Nesters

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of couple sitting in front of their house.

    Busy parents may dream of the day when they can have time to themselves again. But sometimes when the last child leaves home, parents are left with feelings of sadness and loss. This is known as “empty nest syndrome.”

    Empty nest syndrome happens to many parents. But, there are some ways to help prepare for it and cope with it once it happens.

    Pick a hobby with your spouse.Having an empty nest means you and your partner have more time to do fun things together. This can help you improve your relationship too.

    Get support from friends and family.Talk to those who have been through the empty nest experience.

    See a doctorif you think you may have depression.

    Stay in contact.Talk to your child over the phone, in texts, or online whenever you can.

    Look for new opportunities.Have you been putting off taking a class, working toward a promotion, or other interests? Now may be the time to try it.

    Experts point out that an empty nest isn’t always a time of sadness. Many parents find they enjoy their newfound freedom, according to the American Psychological Association. With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch. And many parents are excited to get more time for their own goals once their children are grown.

    Source: Vanderbilt University Child and Family Center

    Not-so-empty nest

    The number of adult children living with their parents is higher today than ever. Between 2005 and 2011, the percentage of young adults living in their parents’ home went up, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The percentage of men age 25 to 34 living in their parents’ home rose from 14 percent in 2005 to 19 percent in 2011. For women of the same age, it rose from 8 percent in 2005 to 10 percent in 2011.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Unexpected Ways To Be Happy (And Healthy)

    WELL-BEING

    Image of a couple jumping in a puddle while it's raining.

    *It’s easy being green.Make vegetables a central part of your diet. Dark green foods provide essential vitamins and nutrients to your body that protect you from many of life’s worst diseases. The FDA recommends 3 to 5 servings a day for pristine health. This is not as hard to accomplish as it sounds. Examples of one serving include 2 broccoli spears, 3 tablespoons of green beans, or 3 sticks of celery.

    *Brush your teeth.Brushing and flossing your teeth not only prevents tooth decay but gum disease, which has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. Healthy gums are one more way to keep that heart pumping strong.

    *Hear ye, hear ye!Pick up your local newspaper once in a while. There is more information out there than you can imagine. Sift through the bounty of news because when it comes to your health and health care, no one is more responsible than you are. Take time to understand what’s going on in the world.

    *Be a small fry.Order smaller portions. Even the small fries at fast food drive-throughs.

    *Give yourself a break.Not only are vacations an important part of maintaining your sanity, but there are many other positives about getting away. Studies  have shown that employees come back  to work post-vacation more creative and more productive.

    *Scrub a dub dub.The easiest way to avoid infectious diseases-a common cold, the flu-is by washing your hands often.

    *Then lend a hand.A study at Vanderbilt University found that volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and had better physical health and less depression. Think about something you like to do in your spare time and find a match atwww.volunteermatch.org.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 Keys To A Virtual Family Gathering

    FAMILY LIFE

    Couple waving in front of a computer screen while have dinner.

    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