Climate Change and Your Health

Posted by & filed under Education, Food, Nutrition, and Health, Wellness.

Grassland turning in to barrens, illustrating climate change

All human societies have had to adapt to challenges created by climate change. No matter where people live, how they earn a living, what they eat, or how they access food and water, human health and well-being has been intricately connected to climate. The connection between protecting the natural environment and safeguarding human health has been recognized for a long time.

While shifts in climate have occurred throughout history, these changes have occurred very slowly and gradually, allowing humans and other life on earth to adapt.… Read more » “Climate Change and Your Health”

Anxiety Disorders

Posted by & filed under Behavioral Health, Complementary and Integrative Health, Holistic and Integrative Health, Integrative Mental Health, Stress Management, Wellness.

We all experience anxiety at some time or another in our lives. It can keep us alert and cautious when we need to be and it’s normal to have occasional bouts of anxiety as a response to stress, life challenges, or major decisions. Most anxiety tends to resolve as you work through the issues you are struggling with. However, if you have anxiety disorders, the worries don’t go away so easily and you may experience frequent, intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.… Read more » “Anxiety Disorders”

Sexual Assault

Posted by & filed under Integrative Mental Health, Men's Health, Stress Management, Violence Prevention and Awareness, Wellness, Women's Health.

Sexual assault can happen to any one of us, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. These forms of sexual violence are among the most underreported and/or unreported crimes in both the United States and the world due to the intensely difficult nature of the crimes.

Sexual violence is defined as any sexual act committed against someone without that person’s freely given consent. The act can be completed or attempted and can involve actions such as grabbing, fondling, verbal threats, and rape.… Read more » “Sexual Assault”

Bullying

Posted by & filed under Community Health, Education, Mental Health, Violence Prevention and Awareness, Wellness.

Two bully boys bullying a smaller boy

Have you ever been bullied? Have you ever stood by and watched someone else get bullied? What did you do? How did it make you feel?

If you have ever been bullied or witnessed bullying, you are not alone. In the United States, more than 25% of students say they have been bullied at school while 30% of students admit to bullying others. More than 70% of students and staff have witnessed bullying at schools.

Human relationships are at the core of the human experience.… Read more » “Bullying”

World Hepatitis Day – July 28

Posted by & filed under Community Health, Education, Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Wellness.

hands forming heart around liver-shaped earth to signify World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is July 28th. It provides an opportunity to learn the global burden of this disease, understand the different types of hepatitis, and the actions individuals can take to prevent the spread of it.

Hepatitis is a general term meaning inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis is a group of infectious diseases that include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and it affects millions of people worldwide, causing both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) liver disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 325 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C.… Read more » “World Hepatitis Day – July 28”

June Is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month

Posted by & filed under Behavioral Health, Brain Health, Complementary and Integrative Health, Holistic and Integrative Health, Integrative Mental Health, Meditation, Mental Health, Stress Management, Wellness.

In 2010, Congress named June 27th PTSD Awareness Day and in 2014, the Senate designated the full month of June for National PTSD Awareness. The purpose of this designation is to encourage everyone to raise public awareness of PTSD and effective treatments. We can all help those affected by PTSD.

When someone is in danger, it is natural and normal to feel afraid. This fear triggers the fight-or-flight response, causing split-second changes in the body to help it prepare against danger or to avoid it.… Read more » “June Is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month”

Pesticides, the Dirty Dozen, and the Clean 15

Posted by & filed under Community Health, Education, Healthy Aging, Men's Health, Nutrition, Wellness, Women's Health.

fruits and vegetables

Does it really matter if we buy organic versus non-organic foods? What is the real difference between the two? Well, you might be surprised. There are over 400 pesticides currently licensed to be used on U.S. foods, but our exposure to thousands of others is “tolerated.”

“Pesticides” is a general term that the government and other agencies use to include insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, insect repellants, weed killers, antimicrobials, and swimming pool chemicals designed to prevent, destroy, repel, or reduce pests of any sort.… Read more » “Pesticides, the Dirty Dozen, and the Clean 15”

Earth Day 2018 – Help End Plastic Pollution

Posted by & filed under Community Health, Healing Environments for the Body, Mind, and Spirit, Wellness.

This year, Earth Day is focused on eliminating the use of plastic pollution. From disrupting human hormones, poisoning, and injuring marine life, to clogging our beaches, streams, and landfills, the explosive growth and use of plastics is threatening our health and the survival of our planet.

Most of the perishable foods and beverages in the United States are stored in packaged plastic or cans lined with a plastic resin. These plastics can leach substances that may be very harmful to health, especially to the health of a developing fetus and young children.… Read more » “Earth Day 2018 – Help End Plastic Pollution”

Mindful Morning Practice

Posted by & filed under Brain Health, Holistic and Integrative Health, Meditation, Mindfulness, Stress Management, Wellness.

Blissful Woman

Starting the day out right with your mindful morning practice may help you feel less stressed and more focused, so you will be able to accomplish what you want to do throughout the day. Being busy isn’t an excuse. In fact, the busier you are the more you need a mindful morning practice.

You can create an effective routine that helps you start your day! Think of your morning ritual as tuning your mind, body, and spirit. Create a practice that supports your lifestyle and personality.… Read more » “Mindful Morning Practice”

Heart Disease in Women

Posted by & filed under Cardiology, Healthy Aging, Nutrition, Stress Management, Wellness, Women's Health.

Heart in hands

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. The more you know about heart disease and the symptoms, the better chance you have of surviving. Heart attacks in women can have different symptoms than in men.
 
Symptoms of heart disease can include discomfort in your chest, nausea, heartburn, throat or jaw pain, feeling dizzy, swelling in your legs, feet and ankles, and pain that spreads to the arm. It is important to be aware of a few facts about gender differences as well as risk factors relating to women.… Read more » “Heart Disease in Women”