Healthy Living

A recent research study suggests that people who eat a healthy diet can fall asleep more quickly and get more restorative sleep than when eating a diet lower in fiber and higher in sugar and saturated fat. Learn more about how you eat can affect your sleep. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp (stayingsharp.aarp.org) for more brain health information.

Kindness releases endorphins in the brain, which help to improve mood, ease anxiety and feel happier. There are many ways to be more generous, whether through small acts of giving, community volunteering or lending a helping hand. Learn more about brain health with AARP Staying Sharp®, a benefit for AARP Members.

Start by clearing the clutter from inside out.​Identify obstacles, energy zappers, and mental clutter that is blocking you from​moving forward in your personal journey.Prioritize items that matter and focus your attention accordingly.Remove yourself from chaos, so you can regain control and find peace in all areas of their life.Live an authentic life with purpose and confidence.What do you think? Easier said than done! 

Research shows that the sweet treat you love so much contains an ingredient that may: • Curb Anxiety • Improve your Mood • Help to boost your blood flow. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health tips.

Taking care of a loved one during times of illness or a crisis can take its toll on your health. Read about how using Staying Sharp's six pillars of brain health may help while caring for others. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health information.

Laughter is good for the brain and even better when shared with a buddy. Friendship can reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being. Do yourself a favor and spend some time with a friend today! Learn more about brain health with AARP® Staying Sharp, a benefit for AARP Members.

S, your shortness of breath may be due to the weakness of your muscles or the resulting weakness in your heart, along with digestive, sleep and outlook deterioration, all of which can be improved with a slow, progressive plan of activity.  I just published my book, Triumph Over Lung Disease -How to Regain Breath and Vitality. It has valuable tools for regaining your health and your confidence after being diagnosed with lung disease. After many years working in pulmonary rehab, I have compiled the strategies and  stories of those who have grown from victims to victors. 

Bananas are not only tasty; they possess nutrients that may help support memory and mood. Go ahead and eat a banana or two today! What's your favorite 'go to' food? Visit this article on AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health content.    

  Thinking about going vegan? No diet overhaul is ever easy, and adopting a vegan diet — one that eliminates meat as well as staples like dairy and eggs — can be challenging. Small steps over a period of time could make it more manageable and easier than you might think. Find out how!

Older adults in particular are at higher risk of severe illness from both COVID-19 and influenza, which experts say makes getting a flu shot this year — including timing your shot and choosing the right type of vaccine — more important than ever.   Check out the tips below to find out when and where you should get vaccinated.   When should I get vaccinated? Flu shot availability began popping up at pharmacy chains and doctors’ offices this summer, but when it comes to getting the shot, earlier isn't better. “The best time to get vaccinated is from mid-September through the month of October,” says William Schaffner, M.D., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.   Experts aren't able to predict how long a given flu season will last, but activity typically peaks between December and February and can last as late as May.   Which flu shot is right for me? Adults 65 and older should ask their health care provider for either the high-dose or ad

We all are guilty of procrastination to some degree, but why do we put things off, and how we can we get back on track? This article helps you understand the underlying reasons we procrastinate. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health information.

Learning a new language, visiting a new country or discovering a different culture can be stimulating to the brain. Let's Travel!  Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health content. 

These ideas from the experts may help keep your anxiety under control. 1. Limit news consumption It's important to know the facts and what you can do to protect yourself and to take all precautions — but it's not going to help stress levels to obsessively watch the news, says Stewart Shankman, chief psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University."The biggest source of anxiety is uncertainty,” he says, “not knowing what's going to happen, when it's going to happen, how long this is going to last. And we don't know. So, trying to know, trying to resolve that uncertainty, is counterproductive. It's going to make you more anxious.”Shankman says that he's not suggesting denial.Rather, it's “sort of accepting this is the current situation and not letting it interfere with your life."2. Practice calming techniques Different people relax in different ways, but if you feel particularly anxious you might try deep breathing, taking a warm bath, or

Healthy foods you can eat to fight inflammation include celery, cucumbers, pineapple and pumpkin seeds. Want to learn more about how food affects your brain? Visit AARP® Staying Sharp (stayingsharp.aarp.org) for more brain health content.

Have you been wondering how to safely use a public restroom during the Coronovirus pandemic? You aren't alone! Check out these helpful tips to stay safe:   Go before you go. Most older adults can't go hours and hours without going to the bathroom, as bladder muscles tend to weaken with age. What's more, the older you are, the more likely you are to have issues such as urinary incontinence or prostate problems, says Rosanne Leipzig, M.D., professor and vice-chair of education for the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. If you think the answer is to hold back on fluids, don't: Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the effects of dehydration, Leipzig notes. Take all your necessary medications, too, including ones that can have diuretic effects, like blood pressure meds. What you can do? Avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks, which can make you urinate more because they are

Music and singing has been with us for thousands of years, and the study in this article explores their restorative powers. What's your favorite 'go to' song? One of my favorites is 'Boogie Wonderland' by Earth, Wind and Fire. Learn more about brain health with AARP Staying Sharp®, a benefit for AARP Members.

I would like to rent equipment. I am not interested in a lease to buy program. Just a rental. I would like to go back to my gym when the pandemic is over. I miss my treadmill. 

Ever wonder why you feel better after a day at the beach? Read the research results in this article to understand why being near the coast may be good for your mental and physical health. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health information.

We've all read the books about how men and women are different, but what about our brains? Find out what is myth and what is fact in this article. Learn more about brain health with AARP® Staying Sharp®, a benefit for AARP Members.

Get the facts and you might be surprised to learn that focusing on exercise, healthy foods, getting more sleep, and learning new things might be better for you. Learn more about brain health with AARP® Staying Sharp, a benefit for AARP Members.

Check out the latest on special open enrollment periods, life-changing events and more ⬇️   I need health insurance now. Can I sign up for a plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?     Maybe. For some people, it's possible to enroll in an ACA plan right now. Typically, enrollment is open only during a set time each year, called open enrollment. However, a life-changing event — such as loss of previous health coverage due to job loss— may qualify you for a special enrollment period. What if I don't qualify based on a life-changing event and still need insurance? You may still be able to enroll in an ACA plan, depending on where you live. Though the federal government runs the ACA marketplaces for the majority of states on HealthCare.gov 12 states and the District of Columbia run their own exchanges. And many of them are offering special open enrollment periods due to the coronavirus outbreak. Which states have reopened enrollment because of the pa

It's hard to forgive someone, but when you hold on to a 'wrong', it can impact your health. Forgiving someone can be a slow process, and this article gives you some insights on how to get started. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp® for more brain health information.

With all of life's distractions these days, I'm finding it hard to get in the same amount of time to exercise as I used to.  How much time is good enough if I only have time for a short workout?    

Sometimes, the best way to tackle a problem is to step away and clear your mind. Meditation has long been known to support the body and mind, but researchers now believe that your brain may benefit as well. Visit AARP® Staying Sharp for more brain health information.

Hi everyone,Flu shots for the upcoming season are now available - I have seen signs already at the grocery store.Check out this article fromhttps://www.askapatient.com/news/flu-vaccines-for-2020-2021.aspfor a description of the what's new this season, especially in light of coronavirus.  Let me know if this is useful to you or what other info regarding the flu season would be helpful.flu shots for 2020-2021