HealthyLife Articles

Tag: healing

Dating After Divorce

FAMILY LIFE

If you’re a divorced parent with kids, you may be wondering how to handle future relationships. Kids often need some time to adjust to their parents’ separation.

If you’re ready to begin a new romantic relationship after a divorce, keep these tips in mind:

* Consider waiting at least six months to help kids adjust to the divorce.

* Your child doesn’t need to meet everyone you date. Introduce them only if your relationship is becoming serious.

* Prepare for the first meeting with your significant other and child. Don’t expect the first meeting to be perfect.

* Help your child deal with negative feelings. Children often hold out hope that their parents will get back together. Seeing a new significant other in your life can be difficult for them. Be sure to tell them that you and your ex-spouse are not getting back together, but that you still love them and will be their parents no matter what.

* Understand if your child simply doesn’t like your new partner as much as their other parent. This is normal. With time, your child may develop their own special relationship with this person.

* Don’t ask them to keep secrets from their other parent. If you are dating, you may need to tell your ex-spouse about the person in case your child brings it up with them. Your child should not feel uncomfortable when they talk about it with your ex-spouse.

* Remember that your child is always watching. Be cautious about your behavior in front of your child, whether it’s public affection or things you say.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Good Grief

Mental Health

Going through stages of loss is normal.

Grief is a deep sadness that results from a major or minor loss. It can last weeks, months, or years. Understanding the normal stages of grief, the passage of time, and self-care measures treat most cases of grief. Sometimes, counseling is needed.

Stages of grief

Shock: You feel dazed and numb.

Denial and searching:

You are in a state of disbelief. You ask, “Why did this happen?” or “Why didn’t I prevent this?” You look for ways to keep your loved one or the loss with you. You think you see or hear the deceased person. You begin to feel that the loss is real.

Suffering and disorganization:

You feel guilty, anxious, depressed, lonely, and afraid. You may place blame on everything and everyone. You may have headaches, constant fatigue, and/or shortness of breath. You withdraw from routine and social contacts.

Recovery and acceptance:

You start seeing a future instead of dwelling on the past. You adjust to the reality of the loss. You develop new relationships and a positive attitude.

Self-care:

* Eat regular meals. Do regular exercise.

* Express your emotions to family and friends. Be with others, especially during the holidays.

* Try not to make major life changes, such as moving during the first year of grieving.

* Join a bereavement support group. Read self-help books about dealing with grief and death.

* Adopt a pet.

Causes of grief:

* The death of a family member or friend

* A divorce or sending a child off to college

* A new or lost job. A promotion, demotion, or retirement.

* An illness, injury, or disability

* Moving to a new location or loss of property

Action Step

If grief keeps you from coping on a daily basis, triggers thoughts of suicide, or causes you to overuse medication or alcohol, seek professional help.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Healing Touch

Alternative Medicine

Balance your energy field

Healing touch therapy is based on the belief that people have fields of energy that connect and react to the environment around them. It proposes that imbalances or blockages in those energy fields cause illness and pain. Common forms include Reiki, Qigong, and Therapeutic Touch.

How healing touch works is not known. It is theorized that it affects patients through the connection of energy fields within and outside of the body. There is some evidence that it can reduce pain and improve joint mobility, reduce stress, and trigger a sense of well-being.

Rubdown not included

Healing touch is not a massage. In fact, it may not involve practitioner to patient contact at all. During this energy therapy, the practitioner’s hands hover above the body, moving slowly from head to toe, pausing in specific energy centers to clear blocks and energize and balance the energy flow surrounding the body. A session can last from 10 to 40 minutes. Expect to fall into a relaxed state. You may even fall asleep.

Reported benefits of healing touch therapy

* Reduces stress

* Increases energy

* Calms anxiety and depression

* Enhances recovery from surgery

* Hastens wound healing

* Relieves side-effects of chemotherapy

* Strengthens the immune system

* Supports grief management

* Deepens spiritual connection

* Eases acute and chronic conditions

* Creates a sense of well-being

Action Step

If you are considering healing touch therapy, talk with your medical doctor first. It is generally considered safe, but some patients have reported side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, restlessness, and irritability.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Caring For Minor Burns

SELF-CARE CORNER

Many people have experienced the pain that even a minor burn can cause. The home can have many burn hazards, such as touching a hot stove, getting splashed with hot water, or even biting into food with hot spots. Children, especially, can be prone to burns when they accidentally touch something hot. Adults need to be careful too: burns are painful – and possibly dangerous – at any age.

What to do after a burn

If you do get a minor (first-degree) burn, know how to care for it at home so it heals as quickly as possible. If the skin isn’t broken, you should:

* Run cool water over the burn or soak it in cool water. Do not use ice: it’s too harsh. Keep the area under water for at least 5 minutes. You may also use a clean towel or cloth soaked in cold water.

* After soaking or rinsing the burn, cover it with a clean, dry bandage or gauze pad.

* Pain relievers like ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®) or acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) can help if advised by a doctor.

What not to do

Treat burns with care. Do NOT:

* Use oil, ointment, butter or other greasy substances on the burn.

* Breathe or blow on the burn.

* Touch or pop blistered or dead skin.

When it’s an emergency

Always call 911 or seek emergency medical care if:

* You’re not sure how bad the burn is.

* A child gets burned.

* Burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.

* You think it might be a second or third-degree burn.

* It covers a large area of skin, bigger than 2 to 3 inches wide.

* The burn is on a hand, foot, face or genitals.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Coping With Loss Of A Loved One

FAMILY LIFE

The loss of a close family member or friend will happen to nearly everyone at least once. And though it’s part of life, it can be one of the most difficult things a person ever faces.

When we lose a spouse, sibling or parent our grief can be strong and overwhelming. This may include feelings of shock, confusion, sadness and depression.

Fortunately, most people can recover from loss with time, social support and healthy habits. The amount of time needed to cope with loss is different for everyone. Human beings are naturally resilient. Most of us can deal with loss and then continue on with life after a period of time.

Ways to Cope

Mourning the loss of a close friend or relative takes time. But research tells us that it can also help a person find a renewed sense of meaning in life. The following tips may help you move through the process of grief and loss:

*Talk about your feelings and about the person who died.This can help you to process what happened and to cherish good memories. Denying your feelings or the death itself may work against you, because people won’t know how to support you.

*Accept how you feel.Even if you don’t feel like you think you “should,” it’s okay. Everyone deals with death in their own way.

*Try to focus on your health.Eating well, exercising and getting plenty of rest help us get through each day and move forward with our life.

*Help others who are dealing with loss.This can help you feel better and more positive while doing something good for another person.

*Remember and celebrate your loved one’s life.Possibilities include donating to a favorite charity of the deceased, framing photos of fun times, passing on a family name to a baby or planting a garden in their memory. What you choose is up to you, as long as it allows you to honor that unique relationship in a way that feels right to you.

If you feel stuck or overwhelmed by your emotions, it may be helpful to talk with a professional. A licensed psychologist or other mental health professional who specializes in grief can help you work through your loss. Support groups are also very helpful for children, teens and adults. Though you may never be the same after losing a loved one, you can find ways to get back to living a healthy, happy and productive life.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Coping With The Loss Of A Spouse

FAMILY LIFE

Losing a husband or wife is devastating. A whirlwind of intense emotions-overwhelming sadness as well as shock, fear, guilt, anger, and numbness-make the days and weeks after a spouse’s death agonizing and confusing.

It may be small comfort to know that these feelings are normal and will be temporary.

“Sadness may never go away entirely,” said clinical psychologist Dr. Hayley Hirschmann of Morris Psychological Group, “but the pain of acute grief becomes less intense over time as the good days start to outnumber the bad.”

Dr. Hirschmann offers this advice:

*Accentuate the positive:Studies have shown that those who are able to draw on humor and pleasurable memories are happier and healthier than those whose thoughts of the deceased are mostly sad and focused on their loss.

*Let others help:Don’t shy away from expressing your feelings to those close to you; you will feel less alone if you can share your grief with a sympathetic listener. Accept help with chores and legal and financial responsibilities. Consider joining a bereavement support group.

*Take care of yourself:Eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep. Be alert to falling into bad habits.

*Don’t make big changes right away:Wait a while before moving or changing jobs.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Soothe Sore Muscles After Exercise

BE FIT

Exercise can make you feel great. But after a hard workout, sore muscles can be uncomfortable. A little soreness is normal and healthy, especially after trying a new activity or pushing yourself a little harder.

Don’t let post-exercise pain get you down! You can get through it and reach a new level of fitness with a few tips:

*Warm up.Don’t jump right into exercise with cold muscles. Doing a lighter or slower version of your workout first will get muscles warm and increase blood flow. This can help avoid injury too.

*Cool down and stretch.Don’t stop exercise abruptly. Instead, slow down your activity until your heart rate feels normal and you can talk easily. After you’ve exercised, stretch! This is the perfect time to increase flexibility and help lower the chance of soreness.

*Drink water.It helps keep your joints and muscles hydrated and prevents cramps. Drink before, during and after your workout.

*Give muscles a break.Give muscles about two days to rest and heal before you exercise them again. For instance, work leg muscles one day and arms the next. Don’t do the same exercise day after day. Muscles need about 48 hours to repair and heal.

*Be sure you’re doing it right.If you’re new to certain exercises, don’t be afraid to ask someone who can help! Ask a fitness expert or personal trainer or watch videos. Exercise machines and routines can cause injuries if they’re not done properly.

*Don’t push too hard.It’s easy to get caught up in a new exercise routine. You may want to get into shape as quickly as possible. But doing too much too quickly can mean lots of soreness and even an injury. If you think your exercise routine is too easy, increase the time or intensity slowly. Always ask your doctor about safe exercises you can do if you have any health conditions.

Listen to your body!

A lot of soreness or pain isn’t necessary or normal. If you think you have a strained or sprained muscle, tryRICE:

Rest:Don’t use the sore muscles, if possible.

Ice:Apply ice packs to the problem area for a few minutes at a time.

Compression:Use sports bandages or wraps.

Elevation:Raise the affected body part, such as a foot, up above your heart for two to three hours each day.

See a doctor if the pain is extreme, gets worse or doesn’t go away after a week.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026