HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Family Life

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
How To Teach Children Gratitude

FAMILY LIFE

Children may often want every new toy and thing they see. But you can help teach them gratitude with these tips:

1.Make getting things a surprise.This helps kids see something as a gift, not an entitlement. For instance, “surprise” them with a trip to the park or their favorite dessert on special occasions.

2.Be careful with choices.Allowing children to choose something big, such as a vacation destination, will make them think they can get whatever they want. Instead, the adults can choose the vacation plans and present it as a surprise.

3.Talk about what made them happy each day.This teaches kids to be thankful for good things. It can be as simple as playing at recess, seeing a friend or enjoying what they ate for lunch.

4.Serve others as a family.Community charity programs such as working at a food bank are a great way for kids to see how much they have. Also, do smaller things like bring meals to neighbors who are going through a hard time.

5.Show them how to be positive.Being demanding, whiny or jealous quickly turns into being ungrateful for what they have. You can point out positives in nearly any situation to teach them how to find it themselves. “It’s really hot today, but I’m so glad we have cold water to drink” is a great example.

6.Insist on saying “please” and “thank you.”Give them positive reinforcement every time they use these words. This helps to teach them the importance of showing gratitude and respect for other people.

7.Give them chores to do.Yes, kids are busy, but simple things like putting away their clothes, helping with dishes and picking up their toys are valuable lessons. Chores teach kids that it takes work to keep up a household and that they should contribute. Even five to 10 minutes of chores a day is helpful.

8.Consider gifts of “experiences” instead of “things.”Not sure what to get them because they already have so much? How about tickets to a movie or show? Or a trip to a water park for a day? Chances are, they will remember those fun experiences far longer than any toy or gadget.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Vaccines & Autism: The Facts

MEDICAL NEWS

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a brain disorder that happens while the brain is developing. It can cause challenges with social, communication and behavioral skills.

Although experts don’t know all the causes of autism, they do know one thing: vaccines and autism are not linked. Vaccines are safe.

Still, some people believe that vaccines cause autism. This may be due to a report from 1998 that said there was a link between them. However, the doctor who was responsible for the report used a study that was small and flawed. The study had errors and problems. The doctor’s license was later revoked.

The causes of autism

Sometimes, a child gets diagnosed with autism around the time of getting vaccines. This can make it seem like the vaccines caused autism.

Medical experts say there is no link to vaccines and autism. Numerous studies found that children who get vaccines are not more likely to get autism than children who don’t get vaccines. Although experts have spent years looking for a link between the two, they have not found one.

There is no single cause of autism. Experts think that genetics and things in the environment might combine to increase a child’s risk.

Thimerosal and safety

Some vaccines contain a preservative called thimerosal. Thimerosal contains small amounts of mercury. Some people thought thimerosal could be causing autism.

Experts removed thimerosal from most childhood vaccines just to be safe. However, even after thimerosal was removed from vaccines, cases of autism did not go down. Experts found that kids who had vaccines which contained thimerosal did not have a higher risk of autism.

Ask your doctor

If you ever have questions about your child’s vaccines, ask your doctor. They can give you the facts and evidence about vaccines so you can make an informed choice. Don’t rely on information on the Internet, which may not be true. It could even put your child’s health at risk.

Source: Autism Speaks, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Make A Fire Escape Plan

Home Safety

Having an escape plan will help you act, not just react if a house fire occurs. Every second counts! According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), families have, on average, less than three minutes from the time the first smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire. Get out first. Then call 911!

The escape plan should include:

1. A map of the floors and rooms in your house and the yard outside of the house. Include where the doors and windows are. Note: You can get a blank grid fromwww.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/escape_grid.pdf. Or you can use a piece of graph paper or blank paper.

2. Two ways that each family member can get out of each room in the house. If you have a two story house, get UL-certified rescue ladders that collapse and keep them near windows on the second floor.

3. Names of household members who will get each young child out of the house. This lessens confusion and makes every second count.

4. A meeting spot outside of your house that is safe and easy to remember. Examples are on the sidewalk of a certain neighbor’s house or near your curb-side mailbox. Include your outside meeting place on your written plan.

5. Post the plan on the refrigerator or place it where all people living in the house can see it.

Practice Your Escape Plan

1. Do this twice a year with everyone who lives in the house, including children and adults who will need help to get out.

2. Gather everyone and discuss the escape plan. Tell school-age children that this is like a fire drill at school, but for your house.

3. Have a smoke alarm go off so everyone knows what it sounds like.

4. Have each person practice getting out of the house according to the plan. Practice both exit plans.

5. Have children practice how to get out on their own in case you cannot help them. Show them how to get low to the floor and crawl along the perimeter of the room to the exit and how to keep their mouths covered.

6. Tell your child to feel a closed door with the back of his or her hand before opening it. If the door is hot, tell your child to use the second way out if there is one.

7. If you have a rescue ladder, learn how to use it and practice once to make sure it works well. Hold the child in front of you as you back out of the window onto the ladder. Hold the child one rung above you. Keep the child between the ladder and your body as you climb down together.

8. Go to your meeting place and call 911!

9. Never go back into a house that is on fire. Tell firefighters if anyone or any pets have not yet gotten out.

10. Remember to practice your fire escape plan every 6 months. Practice once during the day and another time at night.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Lawn Mower Safety

Personal Safety

Getting sliced by a lawn mower blade and being hit by rocks or other propelled objects are the two most common lawn mower-related injuries. (Mower blades rotate at nearly 200 miles per hour, and seemingly harmless sticks and stones often become dangerous missiles when picked up and hurled at that speed.) To mow grass safely:

* Before you start to mow, clear the lawn of sticks, stones, toys, garden hoses, and so forth.

* Don’t use electric mowers on wet grass.

* Wear heavy-duty shoes and long pants to protect your legs.

* Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes. Wear ear protectors (like those worn on shooting ranges) to protect your hearing.

* Push the mower, never pull it (if you have a push mower).

* Mow across a slope, not up or down, so the mower doesn’t slide or fall on top of you. Look several feet ahead when mowing.

* Turn off the engine if you have to check the blade, or clean or adjust the mower. Never fuel a lawn mower when the engine is hot. Spilled fuel or fumes can result in an explosion or fire. Instead, allow the engine to cool before refueling.

* Never allow children to operate a power mower, and keep small children far away from a mower that’s in use.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Traffic Tips For Tots

Child Safety

Young children often don’t realize busy streets or highways are dangerous. You have to either look out for them yourself or, if your children are old enough, teach them to get around safely. Here are some pointers.

* Never leave children unguarded or out of your sight near parked or moving cars.

* Never summon children from across the street; go over and get them. Always hold a child’s hand when you cross the street together.

* When exiting a parked car, have your child exit on the curb side.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Build A Strong Family Foundation

FAMILY LIFE

Happy families have a strong foundation. This helps parents and children deal with changes and hard times. Every family faces challenges and stress. Here’s how to protect your family from whatever life throws at you.

Show love through attention

Connect with your kids or spouse each day. Take time to ask about their day or do an activity together. Have family meals when you can, play games or take walks together. Avoid being on screens too much, when no one is talking or noticing one another.

Be open to learning

Having a strong family takes knowledge and care. No one knows everything about families and relationships. Parents can take classes about child development. See a marriage counselor if your marriage is having trouble. You can also look into support groups. Ask your family’s doctor if you need help dealing with specific challenges.

Care for yourself

If you get burned out, you can’t help others in your family. Take quiet time to listen to music, take a bath or do whatever relaxes and calms you. Get regular exercise, such as walking, and include family members if you can. Talk to a trusted friend when you’re stressed or overwhelmed.

Build your community

Connect with others who understand and support you. Join a sports team, a group or a religious organization that supports family life. Community can make life fun and help you learn from others, too.

Be open about problems

If you’re stressed and need some time alone, tell your spouse or your kids. Explain that you need some time to calm down, rather than blowing up or feeling resentment toward them.

Don’t overschedule

Try to keep your activities and family calendar reasonable. When everyone is too busy, there’s not much time to connect.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
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
Weekly Family Meetings

FAMILY LIFE

A weekly family meeting is a time to be together, check in, and address any issues that arise.

* Make the meeting fun: Plan a special dessert to enjoy. Create a relaxed mood with special lighting or comfy pillows.

* Have an agenda: While you don’t want the meeting to be too formal, you should have a schedule to keep you on task.

* Get everyone involved: Let people take turns leading discussions. Encourage input and prioritize creative problem-solving.

* Set a respectful tone: This is a good time to practice resolving conflict with respect and consideration.

* End on a good note: If a tough topic needed to be addressed, be sure to end with something positive. Talk about fun upcoming events or brainstorm vacation ideas.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Home Security

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

According to the FBI:

* 13% of homes are burglarized a year.

* A home is invaded every 12 seconds.

* Most home burglaries occur between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

* 85% of all break-ins occur through the door.

* 67% of all burglaries involved forcible entry. Door frame failure is usually the cause.

Most home burglaries are the work of amateurs who are looking for a quick way in and out. Follow tips in this section to keep your home as secure as possible. Also, keep others from finding out when you will be on vacation. For example, do not post your whereabouts on social networks. It is best to not leave a spare key under the doormat, in a fake rock, or in a flower pot next to the door. Instead, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or nearby friend.

General Guidelines

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026