HealthyLife Articles

Tag: support

Can We Talk?

Stress Management

Counseling can help relieve life’s stresses.

You don’t have to have a mental illness or lie on a couch and confess your dark secrets to benefit from counseling. Sitting upright and talking about everyday stresses, phobias, or life changes with a professional therapist can help you learn how to take control of situations that bother you.

Talk therapy can help you:

* Resolve conflicts

* Relieve anxiety and stress

* Deal with phobias

* Cope with major life changes or physical health problems

* Deal with a substance abuse problem, past trauma, sexual issues, grief or loss

Types of talk therapy:

There are different types of psychotherapy, also called counseling, psychosocial therapy, or simply − therapy.

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy. This type focuses on teaching problem-solving skills to deal with negative thoughts and behavior.

2. Psychotherapy. This uses face-to-face discussions to talk about, define, and resolve problems. It can help you understand the issues that may be behind your thoughts and feelings.

3. Support groups. A therapist conducts treatment in a group setting in which people in similar situations listen to and support one another and share coping techniques.

What you can expect?

During your first appointment, or intake interview, you will describe your reason for being there. The counselor may ask questions for more detail to outline a treatment plan that may include number of visits, how many times a week or month to meet, and type of therapy that will be most helpful to you. Your sessions will last about an hour at a time. Family members or friends may be asked to participate in certain sessions. Don’t feel obligated to stick with the plan if you feel confident enough to deal with situations on your own. On the other hand, speak with your therapist if you feel you need more visits than what was initially advised.

Action Step

Therapists are not all alike. Some may specialize in addictions or phobias while others work best with children and families. Ask questions to make sure the fit is right.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Find Happiness Through Love

Mental Health Care

Physical closeness through holding hands, hugging, caressing, and intimacy raises your level of oxytocin – the love hormone.

* Make concrete plans to spend time with people you love, such as your partner, family, or friends.

* Look on the bright side and be with cheery people. Positive energy spreads from one person to another like an electrical charge.

* Give your partner a massage.

* Enjoy some cuddle time with your pet.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Encourage Exercise In Others

BE FIT

Sticking to an exercise routine can be hard. But sometimes getting support from another person can help you get started. If you’ve been able to work out regularly, you can help a loved one do the same. Be a positive force in their life by supporting them, not forcing them. Try these strategies that can encourage them without pressure.

* Make it doable. Don’t suggest signing up for difficult classes or workouts right away. A walk in the evening or doing push-ups while watching TV can be less overwhelming.

* Try something new. A new walking route, different stretches or a fun strength program may help them get motivated. Get away from the same old routine that may not have worked in the past.

* Let them pick. See if they are interested in any local exercise classes or programs – and go with them.

* Plan a meetup time. Many people find exercising right after work is helpful. This may be easier than trying to go back out after you’ve come home to relax. Some people are able to stick to a lunchtime walk if they work in the same place.

* Be consistent. Try to make your exercise routine a regular part of your week. For instance, two times each week is a doable but consistent way to start.

* Be an early riser. If the person lives with you, see if you both can get up 30 minutes earlier for a walk first thing in the morning.

* Ditch the car when you can. If the store or coffee shop is close by, you can walk or bike there together.

* See things from their point of view. It’s hard to get started with exercise. Try to understand how challenging it can be. Ask them how you can best support them.

A positive mindset

When it comes to exercise, the mind is as important as the body. When starting a new healthy habit or helping someone else, remember to:

* Celebrate small efforts. Be happy about seeing an improvement – no matter how small – in strength or fitness level.

* Don’t let setbacks take over. If you miss a week or even two, get back to it. Tell the person you’re not giving up, and help them try again.

Remember that every little bit of exercise is a step in the right direction!

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Footwear And Foot Care For Travelers

Healthy Travel

Hours of shopping and sightseeing can leave your feet tired, aching, and sore. Here’s what to do to save yourself the agony of sore feet, blisters, and other foot problems.

To prepare your feet for the rigors of travel, do each of these exercises several times a day.

* Take off your shoes and socks, and pick up a pencil with your toes as you sit.

* Rotate your feet in a circular motion in one direction, then in the other.

* Point your toes to the ceiling, then to the floor.

* Stand, and roll up on your toes and hold for a count of 25.

* If you have foot problems and plan to travel, see your podiatrist. He or she may be able to remove corns, for example, or take care of other problems that might cause discomfort if you’re going to be on your feet a lot.

* Pack comfortable shoes that you’ve already worn several times. Walking or jogging shoes are best. Avoid high heels, dress oxfords, or other fashion footwear that don’t adequately support your feet.

* Take along two pairs of walking shoes, and alternate footwear every other day.

* Wear cotton socks, not nylon. (And don’t go sockless.)

* If your ankles and feet tend to swell, wear support stockings. Support hose are available for both men and women.

If these suggestions fail to prevent achy feet or blisters, try these remedies.

* Soak your feet in a tub of cool water to which you’ve added one cup of Epsom salts for every gallon of water.

* Wash and thoroughly dry your feet every day. Then apply a powder to help absorb perspiration.

* Gently massage your feet with a moisturizing lotion. Begin at your toes and work up to your ankles. Massaging the feet can also help to relieve foot cramps.

* Don’t pop blisters. Instead, cushion them with a corn pad or bunion pad.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Flourish With Friends 2

Social Health

Good friends are good for your health and well-being.

Do you want to live longer? Spend time with friends! Researchers looked at 148 studies that focused on social relationships and longevity. They concluded that people with stronger social relationships had a 50 percent increased chance of survival. This finding held across age, gender, initial health status, cause of death, and length of follow-up period. Specific studies have shown that:

* Women with breast cancer who took part in a support group lived twice as long and had less pain as women who did not.

* People with successful friendships are less likely to have depression and immune problems.

* People with the least variety of social relationships were 4.2 times more likely to catch a cold. This was true even though being around others exposes people to more viruses.

* Having social support increases self-esteem and helps people cope with stress, grief, trauma, and relationship problems.

Benefit from friendships.

* Give and get emotional support.

* Relax and have fun doing things you enjoy together.

* Encourage each other to follow healthy lifestyle habits, such as being physically active and quitting tobacco use.

* Look forward to celebrating good times.

* Be comfortable to express wants, needs, and opinions without being judged.

* Feel a sense of purpose.

* Give and receive unconditional acceptance.

Being a good friend takes work.

* Communication is a two-way street. Discuss what’s going on in your life. Listen to what’s going on with your friend.

* Expect and give respect. Keep your friend’s private issues private. Ask that he or she does the same.

* Focus on solving problems, not just complaining about them.

* Make time for each other no matter how busy you are.

* Offer help whether or not your friend asks you for it.

Action Step

Call, text, email, or write a note to a friend today. Let your friend know how much he or she means to you.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Social To Beat Stress

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Spending time with other people is good for your health. Quality relationships make you more resilient to the effects of stress and help you cope with life’s challenges. Connecting with others can also bring more joy to your life.

Humans are not meant to go it alone. Be proactive in connecting with family and friends to protect your mental health and the health of your loved ones.

Phone a friend

Sometimes, the easiest place to start is to pick up the phone and call someone you care about. Whether you talk about what’s bothering you or simply chat about current events, connecting with another person is an easy way to lift your mood and help you feel better.

Use technology

Text, email, and video chats are all low-pressure ways to connect with your support system. Stress can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming, so use technology to your advantage. Get a conversation going via text or email to share how you are feeling.

Volunteer

Donating your time to help a good cause is a great way to give back. This also helps build a new support network. Working alongside others who share your passions provides an outlet for your skills and a chance to connect with new friends.

Take a class

Expand your social network by enrolling in a class that interests you. Engaging in an enjoyable hobby while meeting others with the same interests is a powerful way to reduce stress. Try something new like dance, painting, sports, or a book club.

Sharpen your social skills

Not everyone feels at ease in social situations. Connecting with others may take practice and repetition. While it can feel awkward at first, your social skills will grow with every effort to spend time with others. Practice asking good questions and expressing interest in those around you.

Seek help

Loneliness is bad for your mental health. If you find yourself unable to form quality relationships, seek the help of a mental health professional. No one should struggle alone, and a qualified healthcare professional is a safe, first step in building the support system you need.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Friends Help Friends Through Addiction

Substance Use & Abuse

Support and gentle guidance may be key to recovery.

It’s hard to be supportive and caring when you’re watching a person you love destroy him or herself with drugs and/or alcohol. People who abuse alcohol or other drugs may not be able to admit they have a problem. If family members or friends have a drug problem, help them to help themselves.

Be supportive and caring.

For most addicts, bullying them into treatment doesn’t work.

Offer help on your terms.

You want to help the person get clean and sober, not support the habit. Tolerate the struggle, not the abuse.

Encourage the person to seek professional help.

* Offer to go with him or her to a health care provider visit.

* Provide phone numbers and websites for places that can help, such as: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – 800.662.HELP (662.4357)www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

* Find out if his or her workplace has an Employee Assistance Program for drug abuse. If it does, remind the person that what is said to a counselor is kept confidential.

If your friend chooses rehab, let him or her know you will continue to be supportive. If the person refuses to seek help, contact a health care professional for advice on ways best suited to help him or her get the care that is needed.

Offer to go with him or her to a local support group.

Alcoholics Anonymous

212.870.3400

www.aa.org

Cocaine Anonymous

310.559.5833

www.ca.org

Narcotics Anonymous

818.773.9999

www.na.org

Action Step

Be patient. Addiction does a lot of damage. During the rehab process, that damage is unraveling. It takes time.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Gambling Problems

Mental Health

For most people, gambling is a social event done responsibly. For as much as 4% of all adults, though, gambling can disrupt their lives. About 2 million (1%) of adults in the U.S. meet the criteria for pathological gambling.

Another 4 to 8 million persons (2-3%) are problem gamblers. They are not pathological gamblers, but have problems due to gambling.

Signs & Symptoms

For Pathological Gambling

Pathological gamblers are addicted to gambling. They do 5 or more of these things:

* They are pre-occupied with gambling. They dwell on past gambling events, plan future gambling bouts, and/or think about ways to get money to gamble with.

* They need to increase the amount of money to gamble with to get a desired level of excitement.

* They have tried to control, limit, or stop gambling without success.

* They are restless or very cranky when they try to limit or stop gambling.

* They gamble to escape problems or to relieve negative feelings.

* They gamble to get even for past gambling losses.

* They lie to others to hide how much they are involved with gambling.

* They have stolen or done another illegal act to get money for gambling.

* They have lost a job, a relationship, etc., due to gambling.

* They rely on others to bail them out from money problems due to gambling.

Other Problems Pathological Gamblers Have

* They abuse alcohol or drugs.

* They sleep poorly.

* They are prone to stress-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, headaches, and mood disorders, such as depression.

* They have thoughts of suicide.

* They gamble constantly.

* They want to have wealth and material goods without working hard to get them.

* They think that money is both the cause of and solution to all of their problems.

* They feel important or “in control” and over-confident while betting.

Causes

Problem gambling occurs when gambling can’t be controlled. It may follow years of social gambling, but then may be set into motion by a stressful event or greater exposure to gambling.

Problem gamblers report that one or both parents had a drinking and/or gambling problem.

Treatment

Problem gambling is an illness. It needs professional treatment.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

Along with professional treatment:

* Learn all you can about gambling and its effects.

* Contact Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

* Ask your family and friends to help you take part in non-gambling activities.

* When you feel compelled to gamble, do something else. Exercise. Take a warm bath or shower. Spend time on a hobby.

* Get involved in school, church, and community activities. These can help distract you from gambling.

Resources

Gamblers Anonymous International Service Office

213.386.8789

gamblersanonymous.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get The Facts About Stuttering

MEDICAL NEWS

Speech is an important part of communicating. Yet millions of people cope with a speech disability every day.

What is stuttering?

Stuttering is a problem that affects how your speech flows. People who stutter may:

* Stretch words out for too long when speaking

* Have pauses where they can’t get a word out

* Repeat whole words or parts of words

* Have uncontrolled movements when speaking, such as trembling in the jaw or excessive blinking

Scientists don’t fully understand why stuttering happens. But we do have plenty of facts about this speech disorder. Learn more about what it is and how you can help someone who has it.

FACT #1: Stuttering isn’t related to intelligence.

Stuttering isn’t a problem with being confused or less intelligent. In fact, many intelligent and successful people have dealt with this speech disorder.

FACT #2: Finishing a word or sentence for someone is not helpful.

People who don’t understand stuttering may get frustrated or impatient when someone stutters. They may just want to say the word for them so they can keep talking. This is not helpful and could make stuttering worse.

FACT #3: Stuttering is not caused by stress or being tense.

Experts believe that people who stutter may have some brain differences. These differences affect how a person’s brain works when they speak. But it’s not caused by anxiety, stress or a mental health condition. However, being stressed could make stuttering worse for a person who already has the disorder.

FACT #4: Stuttering is more common in children.

Many children stutter while they are learning how to speak and understand others. Most of the time, children stop stuttering before they become adults. They may need help from their doctor and a speech-language pathologist. If you’re concerned about your child’s stuttering, talk to their pediatrician.

If you have concerns about stuttering, finding words or other speech issues, talk to your doctor about seeing a licensed speech-language pathologist.

Sources: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, National Institutes of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Get Help For Addictive Behaviors

Substance Use & Abuse

Don’t let drug or alcohol dependence rob you of a quality life.

You know you can’t go on this way much longer. Your drug or alcohol addiction is destroying your relationships, your career, and your health.

Reasons to get help:

* Calling in sick at work, showing up late, or making errors could cause you to lose your job.

* You can destroy relationships with your family and friends.

* You risk injuring yourself or others.

* You are destroying vital organs in your body that cannot be fixed.

* You are putting yourself at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

* Using non-sterile needles increases your risk of hepatitis or blood poisoning.

* You could die due to an overdose.

You’re not alone

* If you are working, find out if your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). With this, you can get help at work with a counselor. You do not need to give your employer a reason for your request. The information you share with your counselor remains private.

* Ask your doctor or health care provider for referrals.

* Find out about substance abuse services in your area from 1.800.662.HELP (662-4357) orwww.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.

* Admit yourself into a drug treatment clinic.

* Look for area support groups, such as:

– Alcoholics Anonymous atwww.aa.org

– Cocaine Anonymous atwww.ca.org

– Narcotics Anonymous atwww.na.org

Action Step

Don’t wait. Seek help. Take it one step at a time and be prepared to fight for your life. Believe that you and the people who love you are worth it.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026