Health & Wellness

May has been set aside since 1949 to raise awareness about mental illness and fight the stigma surrounding it. Among older adults, chronic health conditions, disability, uncontrolled pain and other physiological issues can challenge their mental well-being. Talk to a medical professional if you are worried about your mental health or that of a loved one. ...

Life does not always go as planned, to say the least. There are always bumps in the road, and you can weather the storm, as they say. But situations, especially emergency situations when your life and that of your loved ones are on the line, tend to produce existential stress and panic that may cause you to forget what you need to do to keep everyone safe. Instead of losing sight of what is important in that moment, take time now to plan for an emergency situation. A little planning and time will go a long way to help you feel more confident should something happen. It could also save you or someone else, in addition to making the process of rebuilding your life later on much easier. Here are some tips you can use.

Create a Survival Pack

When you go camping, you need gear. When you have to shelter in place at home without power or modern conveniences, you need things. The same goes in the event that you have to bug out. To ensure the experience is a positive one and that you have everything you need to survive well, putting together a survival kit should be your first order of business.

Here are some must-have items:

• Army sleep system sleeping bag set
• Medication
• Power supply
• Power cords
• Non-perishable food supply
• Water supply
• Water bottles
• First Aid Kit
• Water filter
• Tent
• Toiletries
• Walking or hiking shoes or boots
• Clothing
• Find more supply recommendations here

Make Copies of Your Essential Documents

When disaster strikes, you do not always think about what you will do when it is all over. If your home is lost to a fire or water inundates the structure, the things you need most to rebuild your life might be gone. The process of contacting banks, city records offices, and other entities to obtain new and official copies might be laborious and slow-going, not to mention expensive.

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I don't remember drinking water when I was a kid, and that habit has continued deep into adulthood. But did you know that when you drink water can be a game-changer for your health? ...

For people with limited mobility, exploring the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is constricted to short, paved walkways. But a new lending program expands trail access to visitors with disabilities, injuries and other physical challenges. ...

You have always known that your health should be a priority. However, sometimes living your life has gotten in the way of doing what you were supposed to do. From pursuing your career goals to caring for your children and parents, there was very little time left for your own needs, and now you are beginning to feel and see the effects of those choices. When you add the noise from social media telling you all the things, processes, and steps you must do to be healthier, it can all become too much very quickly. Luckily, there are some practical tips below that will help reset your approach to staying healthy. When you are ready, start here.

Focus on Proper Hydration

Staying hydrated is essential for your entire body, inside and out. Your cells and joints rely on fluids to move well and do their jobs. Water helps move things through your body and staves off cognitive fog. Drink high-quality, eco-friendly spring water that you can easily stock in your fridge at home, at work, or carry on the go. 

Aim for 11.5 cups to 15.5 cups of water each day. Spread your water intake out throughout the day instead of trying to consume it all at once. Too much water is not good for you and can be detrimental. If you have difficulty remembering to take a sip, set an alarm on your phone for reasonable intervals throughout the day. Once you begin focusing on your water intake, you can easily make it a positive habit and ritual in your life.

Schedule Healthcare Appointments

Your health requires outside assessments and interventions from time to time. You know this, of course. And yet, those essential activities can easily be pushed aside in favor of everything else that seems to take priority in your life. 

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Did you know that once you get into your mid-thirties, it becomes significantly harder to build muscle? It’s not impossible, by any means, but in your younger years, you could do hardly anything and still see an increase in muscle mass. The thing is, it’s arguably more important to build muscle as you get older than it is when you’re young. 

Why? Because building muscle mass helps with a host of age-related concerns: 

• It can stabilize and protect your joints
• It can improve your balance and prevent falls
• It makes you stronger, so you can do simple things like carry the shopping bags to the car
• It can also strengthen your bones to prevent osteoporosis 
• It may even reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases
• It’ll help you lower your blood pressure and decrease body fat

Too many people think that building muscle is simply an aesthetic thing that young people do to look good. Sure, that’s part of it for a lot of people, but once you reach a certain age, you must understand that muscle growth is a key part of maintaining a healthy life. As mentioned, the problem is that it’s harder for you to build muscle as you age, so what can you do about the situation? 

The guide below brings you plenty of research-backed tips and tricks that will assist you on your journey to build more muscle and see the benefits above. 

Start Strength Training In The Gym

It’s fair to say that most people of a certain age don’t know where to start when it comes to building muscle. You might not have been to a gym for well over a decade or more – and when you did go, you spent most of the time on cardio machines. If you want to build muscle, then you need to start strength training with purpose. 

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Your health starts to feel different when you pass 55. It might be the new notice of small things like your energy changing, your sleep patterns altering, or it might be how your body responds to stress. Things that once felt easy can take a little bit more effort now. 

This stage of life also gives you an opportunity to take a more thoughtful approach. You have a better sense of what your body needs. You also have more reason to protect your long-term well-being.

The key is for you to not ignore any small changes; it’s to understand them and respond early.

Paying Attention to Subtle Changes

After 55, your body often sends smaller signals. You might feel a little bit more tired than normal, or your joints may feel a bit stiff in the morning. It could be that your mood or focus changes without having any clear reasons.

These are very easy for you to push to one side, but they often point to something that is worth checking out.

Keeping track of how you feel day-to-day can help. You do not need anything complicated; you just need to be able to spot the patterns. If something feels off for a while, it’s worth speaking to a healthcare professional. Acting early can prevent bigger issues later on.

The Importance of Regular Check-Ins

Routine check-ups matter more now than they did in early years; they give you a clear picture of your health and help catch issues before they develop further.

Simple tests can tell you a lot. Things like having blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, and blood sugar level checks provide you with good insights into your health. They’re not just about finding problems; they are actually there to help you understand what is working well, too.

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There's nothing trivial about the benefits of trivia. Even if you're not great at it, spending time with others and challenging your brain can be a terrific mood booster and a good mental workout. ...