Health

Research shows that twisting your lips into a real smile may help you feel happier in the moment, enjoy tasks that you’re engaged in and feel less stressed. It helps if your smile is an accurate reflection of your mood, but researchers say even a forced smile helps in some situations. What are other things you do to turn a bad day into a good one? Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Join Stephen Perrine, author of The Whole Body Reset, starting March 30th to answer your questions about diet and exercise as you age. Learn why standard diet and exercise advice stops working for us as we approach midlife—and how simple changes to the way we eat can halt, and even reverse, age-related weight gain and muscle loss. Learn more about this event here.

I'm finding that cutting my calories even a little makes it very difficult for me to sleep at night. Though I feel just a bit hungry during the day, I lay in bed feeling very hungry at night and can't get to sleep. When I eat more, I sleep really well. OTC herbal and/or sleeping meds don't work for me when I'm hungry and I wake up with a bad headache and feel terrible all day. I'm not sure what to do, losing sleep feels very unhealthy. Any suggestions? 

Red light and NIR (near infra red light) therapy for healing and anti-aging  I have just started using it and want to know if anyone else is also, and if they have had any success with it.

Everything tastes better with salt--right? Not so fast! Check out this easy recipe to replace salt with six simple spices, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more recipes with healthy ingredients.

Learn how you can manage age-related weight gain in this live conversation with the authors of AARP’s new book "The Whole Body Reset" when you register for the free AARP Celebrates You! event March 24/26. You can register for the Lose the Weight and Keep the Muscle session 3/25 at 2pm ET by logging into your AARP online account or creating a new one. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information about brain health.

To be kind to others, you need to start with yourself. Explore doing a loving-kindness meditation which can point us back to a place within, where we can cultivate love and help it flourish. Developing care toward ourselves is the first objective, the foundation for later being able to include others in the sphere of kindness. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

I was told that my Salmon & Pasta recipe is good for my health from a hospital and some of my  Neighbors & Friends. I spoke to AARP a few years ago about this. I just renewed my membership. Donald K Roche. The pasta company called me.

Relax and unwind with stress-relieving meditation techniques, or try yoga to help balance your body and mind. And remember to nourish your brain with foods rich with essential vitamins and minerals. If you don’t know where to start, Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Think about what makes you happy — those little things that matter and make you who you are. Doing something artistic or creative? Tending the garden or catching up on something important to you? Writing in a journal or going somewhere you love? Make time this week to do something special and meaningful for yourself. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Volunteering is a good way to explore and discover your sense of purpose. In helping to make a difference in others’ lives, it can make an even bigger difference in your own. From boosting self-confidence to fulfilling our primary need for purpose, volunteering is linked to many health benefits. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Poor sleep is tied to declines in memory, mood and creativity. Neuroscientists have long suspected that the poor sleep older people often experience contributes to age-related cognitive decline, and studies at the Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, point to structural changes in the middle frontal lobe of the brain that develop slowly as we age. These changes interfere with the deep, restorative sleep necessary for the formation of long-term memories.   Get inspired with sleep scientist Matt Walker as he shares the wonderfully good things that happen when you get sleep. Learn more about sleep's impact on your learning, memory, immune system and even your genetic code – as well as some helpful tips for getting some shut-eye.   For more brain health information, visit AARP Staying Sharp today.

Don’t save your gratitude just for special occasions. To reap the biggest benefits, make it a daily practice. Research has found that gratitude can help you get a better night’s sleep, strengthen your relationships, advance your physical health, and improve your life satisfaction and well-being. Read this article to learn about starting a gratitude journal, which is a great way to focus on being more grateful. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

We all know that eggs have lots of protein, but maybe you don't like them, or would prefer something else. Watch this video for 10 food substitutes for the humble egg that will still add plenty of protein to your diet. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

Recently, I saw that we could now pair up AARP Now with Google Fit to fulfill the exercise part of AARP Rewards, which should let us earn points and meet goals without buying a special activity tracker.The article gave a few steps on how to download and pair the two, but I can't seem to pair them.I have an Android cell phone. I already have AARP Now app loaded on it. I also already have Google Fit and have been using it for quite a while.I cannot seem to find a way to pair the two. Does anybody have knowledge about steps I could take to get these paired and start earning points for AARP Rewards? Do I need to remove them and reload them? Can pairing be done from a hidden link in one or the other of the apps? The instructions in the article seemed to be missing steps, at least for pairing in my situation.He'p me! He'p me! 😎

What you eat influences how you think and feel. Your brain needs a variety of healthy foods - fruits, vegetables, proteins, and carbs to function best. Get inspired and discover these surprising insights from Neuroscientist Camila Arndal Anderson about ways our brains subconsciously experience food.   What foods do you enjoy that make you feel your best? 🍎   For more brain health information, visit AARP Staying Sharp today.

One of the most powerful tools you have to lower anxiety and stress levels is sleep. When you don't get enough sleep, your brain's emotional centers become overreactive, which increases anxiety. Instead of staying up late to binge-watch a tv show, prioritize sleep. You'll feel so much better after you've gotten enough undisturbed rest because while you sleep, your brain goes to work to get everything clean and ready for a new day.   Do you get enough sleep? What is your before-bed routine?    Check out the other tips and kick that holiday stress to the curb! 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #1 Plan 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #2 Set Boundaries 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #3 Moderation 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #4 Practice Gratitude 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #5 Exercise 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #7 Practice Kindness 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #8 Spend Time with People You Enjoy   For additional brain health

It’s nearly impossible these days to focus on a task when you are barraged with constant stimuli — smartphones, social media, email, texts, to name just a few. Check out this article with 10 timely tips on how to cut down on distractions at home. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

When negative self-talk gets going, it’s so loud in your mind that reason and logic are drowned out. These mental exercises explore ways to shift focus from bad thoughts and appreciate your achievements and strengths. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® and take a brain health challenge.

When I heard the word 'fiber', I used to think 'boring taste.' But that was before I learned that foods like raspberries, avocados, artichokes, and sweet potatoes were on the list. For more great tasting, high-fiber foods, check out this video and then search on AARP® Staying Sharp®  for recipes with these ingredients. Have high-fiber day!

Need more energy, but don't know where to start? Try the AARP Staying Sharp® Fit & Fun 8-week Challenge. It's designed to help you build healthy exercise habits into your daily routine, establish attainable goals and build on and maximize each exercise activity. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more information and other challenges.

Making time for yourself will help lower your stress and anxiety levels. Find an activity you enjoy. Take a break by yourself. Sometimes just 15 minutes of alone time is enough to reset and re-center yourself, so you can handle everything you need to do. Find ways to clear your mind, slow your breathing and restore your inner calm. Some options include:   Reading a book Meditating Listening to soothing music Going for a walk Share ways you like to give yourself me time by leaving a reply.   Check out the other tips and kick that holiday stress to the curb!   'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #1 Plan 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #2 Set Boundaries 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #3 Moderation 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #4 Practice Gratitude 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #5 Exercise 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #6 Get Enough Sleep 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #7 Practice Kindness ‘Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #8 Spend Time

Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and improve mood. If your holiday season feels stressful or if your anxiety levels are high, try a random act of kindness. It doesn't have to be something big and extravagant. People who give of themselves in a balanced way tend to be healthier and live longer. Kindness can also be contagious!   Do you volunteer? How do you practice kindness?   Check out the other tips and kick that holiday stress to the curb! 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #1 Plan 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #2 Set Boundaries 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #3 Moderation 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #4 Practice Gratitude 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #5 Exercise 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #6 Get Enough Sleep 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #8 Spend Time with People You Enjoy   For additional brain health tips and tools, visit Staying Sharp now.

A strong network of supportive friends is good for your emotional well-being. Carving out time to spend with people you enjoy during the holidays will help lower stress and anxiety levels. Plan a game night, spend time outside by the fire, or have a zoom dinner. There are lots of meaningful ways to spend time with people that fill your cup.   Check out the other tips and kick that holiday stress to the curb! 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #1 Plan 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #2 Set Boundaries 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #3 Moderation 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #4 Practice Gratitude 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #5 Exercise 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #6 Get Enough Sleep 'Tis the Season to Curb Stress: Tip #7 Practice Kindness   For additional brain health tips and tools, visit Staying Sharp now.

We all know that doctors are pressed for time, which sometimes can make it hard to have productive conversations. Make the most of your next medical visit with Staying Sharp's Seven Tips For Talking With Your Doctor and make sure your concerns are heard. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.