Tips for a Successful Quit Smoking Day
Tips for a Successful Quit Smoking Day You've done your homework, made your plan, tossed out all your cigarettes and now the big day is here: Day One of your plan to quit smoking. You've probably heard that nicotine withdrawal is unpleasant and that most people need to quit several times before they reach their goal. But the good news is that, if you can make it through this first day and this first week, when nicotine withdrawal symptoms are at their worst, you will be on your way to success. One of th...

Adopting a Pet--Cats and Dogs
Adopting a Pet – Cats and Dogs Nothing beats the love and companionship that a dog or cat can bring into your life. If you've been thinking about adding a cuddly new cat or dog to your household, take some time to think about what type of pet will best suit you, your family and your lifestyle. Depending on what type of pet you're searching for, there are several places you can go to adopt one. Animal shelters Animal shelters are good places to find a pet. Each shelter has its own procedures for adoption...

Alcohol and Older Adults
Alcohol and Older Adults Many older adults enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game on TV. Having a drink now and then is fine—as long as you don’t overdo it. When you’re older, your body and mind can react differently to alcohol than they used to. Alcohol and aging People become more sensitive to alcohol’s effects as they age, according to the National Institute on Aging. After age 65, your lean body mass and water content decrease. In addition, your metabolism slows down. Wh...

Alcohol and Your Heart
Alcohol and Your Heart Over the last three decades a number of studies have shown an association between moderate drinking and a lowered risk for heart attack, heart and circulatory diseases, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and gallstones. But the research results lead to a kind of two-edged sword when it comes to alcohol. Alcohol may have some health benefits, but it may also lead to abusive drinking and other diseases. Because there is no sure way to know who will develop an abuse problem, the American Heart...

Alcohol Use Among Teens Is Epidemic
Alcohol Use Among Teens Is Epidemic The leading substance-abuse threat to children may be as close as your refrigerator. Millions of adolescents drink alcohol. Many binge drink, having five or more drinks at a time. Flavored alcoholic beverages are popular among underage drinkers, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Surveys show boys usually take their first drink at age 11 and girls at age 13. Alcohol affects a teen's brain differently than it does an adult's. Teens' brains are still growing and...

All About LSD
All About LSD LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide), also called acid , is one of the most commonly used hallucinogens or psychedelic drugs. It affects a person's perceptions, sensations, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions. In its pure state, LSD is a white, odorless powder. It's usually sold in liquid form or as tablets or capsules. It's often added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and divided into small decorated squares, with each square being one dose. It's very potent, with small amounts...

Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous
Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous Although Alcoholics Anonymous and other abstinence-based 12-step programs are the primary form of treatment for alcoholism in the United States, many people are unable to stick with them and return to dependence on alcohol. Today there are alternatives to 12-step programs. Some treatment programs teach problem drinkers to reduce their drinking, an approach that appeals to people who otherwise might not seek treatment. These programs are based on the belief that peopl...

An Rx for RV Living
A Rx for RV Living Nearly 8 million people own recreational vehicles (RVs), according to surveys from the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. If you're thinking of joining them, be sure to consider your health. Experts say you should plan carefully about how you will manage your health care while on the road, from knowing where to go if you're sick, to getting a prescription filled long-distance, to paying for care out of state. Medical needs Before you go you need to secure a relationship with a p...

Anger Can Raise Cholesterol Levels
Anger Can Raise Cholesterol Levels When someone cuts you off on a busy highway, do you pound the steering wheel in fury and shout at the driver? Or do you swallow your anger and dwell on it later? Either way, you're not being kind to your heart, researchers say. If you respond to every anger-inducing situation by blowing your stack or by holding it in, you could be setting yourself up for serious heart problems. Why? It's simple. According to Ohio State University researchers, there's evidence that peop...

Answers to Your Questions About Codependency
Answers to Your Questions About Codependency People who have close relationships with substance abusers or others with mental illnesses can become codependent. Codependency can also occur in those who have been emotionally or physically abused. Codependency is an emotional and behavioral condition. It often involves the denial of a harmful behavior in a relationship, as well as the enabling and maintenance of the behavior in order to keep the status quo, or to feel indispensable. Overall, it affects a p...

Anxiety Disorder: When the Worrying Is Constant
Anxiety Disorder: When the Worrying Is Constant Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or fear. It's a normal feeling when a loved one is ill or a project you are working on is late. When that anxiety spills over to everyday problems, or when it occurs every day, you could have an anxiety disorder, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says. One of the most common anxiety disorders is called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). People with GAD tend to worry constantly. They worry about thei...

Are You a Compulsive Shopper?
Are You a Compulsive Shopper? These days, shopping is as much a form of entertainment as going to the movies or playing video games. Between mall culture and convenient credit, it's easy to spend your time spending money. Shopping shifts into high gear around the holidays. Some people view shopping as a sport, some as a chore. For others, the season is just another occasion to wrestle with compulsive buying - especially if they're stressed or depressed. For these folks, the mere thought of visiting a st...

Baby Blues: Mood Swings or More Serious?
Baby Blues: Mood Swings or More Serious? Are mood swings after giving birth merely a passing case of the blues? Or are they a sign of something more serious, such as postpartum depression? For many women, the "baby blues" pass quickly. They appear just after childbirth, and are characterized by mood swings—from feeling very happy to feeling very sad. A woman may cry for no reason, or feel impatient, irritable, restless, anxious or lonely, says the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC). Thes...

Balancing Work and Home
Balancing Work and Home Getting organized in your work, family, and personal lives can help you create balance in each of these important areas. To keep the scales of work and life balanced, you must be organized. This means you must not only organize your stuff, but also your time. “Balancing your life means weighing your priorities. Like the scales of a balance, at times you’ll be heavier on one side than the other. The idea is to change the weights on each side to try to stay even,” says Eileen Roth,...

Binge Drinking Dangers for Young People
Binge Drinking Dangers for Young People For millions of young adults in this country, the weekend will pass in an alcoholic blur. They'll toss down drink after drink as fast as they can, throw up, pass out, revive themselves, then reach for more booze. For one or two of these otherwise healthy kids, the next drinking binge could end in death. Binge drinking is drinking to get drunk—the point at which the drinker is risking health or behavioral problems as a consequence of drinking. For men, that means h...

Break the Cycle of Repeated Accidents
Break the Cycle of Repeated Accidents Sandy sprained her ankle on the job Tuesday. A week later, she threw her back out. Two months later, she was on sick leave for neck problems. Co-workers easily could label someone like Sandy a complete klutz. But generalizations about accident repeaters usually are mistaken, according to Robert Pater, managing director of Strategic Safety Associates of Portland, Ore. "No one is inherently accident-prone," Mr. Pater says, "but it's common for many people to experienc...

Break Through the Alcoholic's Psychological Defenses
Break Through the Alcoholic's Psychological Defenses For the millions of Americans who must watch their loved ones struggle with a dependence on alcohol, they wonder: How can family and friends break through the alcoholic's psychological defenses—what some experts call the "wall of denial"—so that healing can begin? An alcoholic can't be forced to get treatment or help, and challenging an alcoholic's defenses about his or her drinking is a formidable assignment, says the National Institute on Alcohol Ab...

Breaking the Habit: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Breaking the Habit: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder If you've ever caught an episode of the TV series Monk, you know about the strange behavior of Adrian Monk, the Defective Detective. The title character has obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. Without treatment, OCD is crippling and disabling. The average person with OCD suffers more than seven years before seeking help, often because he or she is embarrassed or unaware that this mental disorder can be treated. Understanding OCD People with OCD suffer...

Breaking Yourself Out of a Rut
Breaking Yourself Out of a Rut You've eaten the same things for breakfast every day for three years, then taken the same car pool to the same job. Your life is more of the same after work. It's time to break out of your rut. A routine isn't necessarily bad; it can be comforting because it adds structure to your life and it isn't stressful. But dissatisfaction may start to gnaw at you and erode your self-esteem if you believe you want something more in your life. Recognizing you're in a rut is the first ...

Bullies Go High-Tech
Bullies Go High-Tech You can now add bullying to the list of things made easier by technology. Teens today live much of their lives on the Internet. Online bullying, also called cyberbullying, can involve using the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send text or images that are intended to embarrass or hurt the other person. Cyberbullying affects almost of all American teens, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. Online bullying has been used for the following purposes: Pretending ...

Bullies: Helping Your Child Cope
Bullies: Helping Your Child Cope Bullying can happen in school, on the playground—and now even on the Internet through social networking sites. Bullying is intentional tormenting that can be physical, social, or psychological. Hitting, shoving, threatening, shunning, and spreading rumors can all be forms of bullying. Kids who experience bullying can become depressed, develop low self-esteem, avoid school, feel physically ill, and even think about killing themselves. What to look for There are few things...

Can Optimism Make a Difference in Your Life?
Can Optimism Make a Difference in Your Life? If you’re a person who always has a rosy outlook and sees the glass as half-full rather than half-empty, your positive attitude may have even more benefits than you think. A growing number of scientific studies indicate that optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people. The science behind the smiles The unique phenomenon of optimism leading to better health has been scientifically studied more than 1...

Caregivers Need to Care for Themselves
Caregivers Need to Care for Themselves According to the Administration on Aging (AoA), millions of Americans are involved in some form of helping elderly family members or friends with their daily routines. Numbers of caregivers range from 33 million to over 50 million. Exact numbers are not known because caregivers often do not identify themselves with this role In addition, there is no standard definition of "caregiver," so research studies use a variety of descriptions that influence the estimates. N...

Caring for the Caregiver
Caring for the Caregiver Caregivers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be adult children, spouses, siblings, friends or neighbors, who help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding and clothing. The caregiver may be the only person who can take a loved one to doctors' appointments. The long-distance caregiver may call weekly, help with expenses or support the main caregiver. According to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), more than 65 million people provide a level of care to a...

Close the Door on Intimate Partner Violence
Close the Door on Intimate Partner Violence Many people believe that intimate partner violence—also called domestic violence—is a concern, yet they still do not understand the full scope of the problem. The CDC defines intimate partner violence (IPV) as actual or threatened physical or sexual violence, or psychological and emotional abuse, directed at a spouse, former spouse, current or former boyfriend or girlfriend, or dating partner. Here are some facts from the CDC that can help put this issue in pe...

Cool Tools to Keep Your Kids From Smoking
Cool Tools to Keep Your Kids From Smoking Many teenagers think smoking is cool. This belief is supported in recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tobacco statistics. The CDC states that while the number of teens who smoke continues to drop each year, progress is slowing. This slowing decline in cigarette use among teens suggests that smoking and the health problems related to it will be issues as today's teens become adults. This trend proves there's reason to be diligent as parents. C...

Coping with Miscarriage
Coping with Miscarriage Miscarriage is common, but that knowledge may be cold comfort if you’re coping with a recent loss. In fact, many women are surprised by the intensity of their emotions after a miscarriage. The feelings can run from shock and sadness to irrational guilt and anxiety about future pregnancies. Men, too, may struggle with feelings of loss and inadequacy. This is especially true if they’re unsure about how to help their partner through this difficult period. Such feelings are perfectly...

Could Your Child Have a Drug Problem?
Could Your Child Have a Drug Problem? Many parents blame themselves when faced with the possibility that their child may be using drugs. But most experts recommend that parents worry more about helping the child, rather than trying to figure out the reason for the behavior. Children who use drugs often exhibit certain behaviors: Isolation. They want to hide the effects, the smell and the incriminating paraphernalia. They also want to avoid direct questions about where they've been and what they've done....

Creating a Positive Body-Image
Creating a Positive Body-Image Does something about your body bug you? Maybe you believe you'd be happier if only you were thinner, taller, shorter, more muscular -- whatever. If so, you may be creating frustration and anxiety by trying to reach unattainable standards of beauty. To a healthy and productive life, experts suggest that you stop trying to change your natural body shape and start changing the way you think about it, instead. Everyone has a "body concept" – a set of ideas about himself or her...

Depression Not a Normal Part of Aging
Depression Not a Normal Part of Aging Depression is not a natural part of growing old but rather a medical condition that should be treated aggressively. Depression in older adults, or in anyone, should not be thought of as normal. Some groups are at higher risk, but the average older person is not depressed any more than a young person. Depression is an illness that affects around 14 of every 100 adults over age 65 in the U.S. Non-Hispanic white men older than 85 have the highest rates of suicide in th...

Doing Your Part to Help Prevent Drunken Driving
Doing Your Part to Help Prevent Drunken Driving Just about everybody loves a party. But if your party menu includes alcohol, be a smart host and insist that your guests play it safe at your party and on the way home. Plan a safe party Prepare plenty of food and have it available as soon as guests arrive so they don't drink on an empty stomach. Avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty. Offer a variety of nonalcoholic beverages, including simply water, for designated drivers and othe...

Don't Swallow Your Emotions
Don't Swallow Your Emotions Do you ever find yourself in the middle of a bag of chips and wonder how you got there? Does a clash with a coworker mean a knee-jerk trip to the candy dish in reception? Are you so determined to be perfect that each fall from the pedestal sends you straight to the kitchen? The details may differ, but the result is the same: Eating tied to our emotions creates a "feel-bad" pattern that's tough to break, puts on weight, and makes us feel worse. Food is easy to get, it's always...

Easy Ways to Remember to Take Your Medications
Easy Ways to Remember to Take Your Medications A significant number of the 3.9 billion prescriptions filled each year aren't taken correctly. As a result, many Americans are putting their health and lives at risk. Taking medication as prescribed is important to properly managing your health; an extra, missed or wrong dosage can be dangerous. But there are things you can do to personalize your pill-taking routine so that taking the right medication at the right time becomes automatic. Have a system If yo...

Emotional Eating: How to Cope
Emotional Eating: How to Cope If you raid the fridge when you’re stressed or upset, that’s called emotional eating. Emotional eating affects most everyone from time to time, but regularly letting your feelings guide your food intake can affect your health. Sadness, boredom, and other negative emotions can drive emotional eating—such as polishing off a container of ice cream after a romantic breakup or devouring a bag of potato chips when you’re home alone on a Saturday night. But happy events can lead t...

End-of-Life Concerns for Cancer Patients
End-of-Life Concerns for Cancer Patients In the course of cancer treatment, some cancer patients and their families will face difficult, end-of-life decisions. Many thoughts may race though your mind: What will happen to my family? How long will I live? How do I maintain control? Hearing your doctor suggest that you plan and prepare for the end of life can be overwhelmingly emotional and confusing. Talking about end-of-life care may not only be extremely difficult, it may also catch you by surprise. Acc...

End-of-Life Planning
End-of-Life Planning Planning now for the end of life—no matter what your health status may be—helps ensure that your wishes are followed. For many, this brings peace of mind and a sense of control. It also takes the burden off loved ones, because they don’t have to guess what you would want. Even though there are many benefits to planning ahead, talking about death can be difficult. It’s important to remember that thinking and talking about dying does not mean that you will face death sooner. And it ce...

Everyday Ways to Activate Your Life
Everyday Ways to Activate Your Life Moderately intense activities are good for your health. These are activities that make you feel some exertion but are mild enough that you can comfortably carry on a conversation while doing them. Examples include walking briskly from your parked car to the mall entrance and taking your dog for a quick jog after dinner. This level of exercise won't help you train for a sport, but it can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall fitness le...

Figure on These Factors When Drinking Alcohol
Figure on These Factors When Drinking Alcohol If you drink, you most likely want to drink reasonably and responsibly. But what are the factors that can help you keep a confident check on your blood-alcohol content—and your mental faculties—so you don't embarrass yourself or, worse, hurt yourself or others? According to the CDC and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a number of variables go into the answer: your body weight; amount of muscle or fat you have; your gender; your age; th...

Finding Support for Emotional Issues
Finding Support for Emotional Issues Everyone has ups and downs, or feels anger and profound sadness at times. But how do you know when your emotions are of the everyday sort that are likely to resolve with time, or when you could benefit from seeing a therapist? Probably the best clue that it’s time to see a therapist is a sense that the way you’re thinking, feeling or behaving has been interfering with your normal life over a significant period of time . You don’t need a clear definition of what’s bot...

Finding the Right Rehab Program for Substance Abuse
Finding the Right Rehab Program for Substance Abuse The biggest myth about drug and alcohol rehabilitation is that treatment doesn’t work. And believing that myth may be one reason that finding the right rehabilitation program seems so hard. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, of the 23.2 million people who need alcohol or drug treatment, only 3.9 million make it into a rehab facility. Another myth that persists despite overwhelming evidence is that substance abuse is just a matter of cho...

Five Steps to Better Memory
Five Steps to Better Memory You've met her before. You can even remember where. But her name? It eludes you, taunting you, just out of reach. Has this happened to you? Do you accept it as part of growing older? Ironically, this attitude may make things worse. Aging can make it harder to remember some things. But by focusing on your potential and continuing to exercise your mind, you may be able to boost your memory power. Get started with these strategies: 1. Take on new challenges Studies show that whe...

Focus on Keeping Your Spirits Up
Focus on Keeping Your Spirits Up You know that you should eat healthy foods and get some exercise to feel good and live longer. Another key part to living longer is your mental health. Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. But we all face changes in life that can challenge our emotional well being. For example, even if you always looked forward to retirement, you might miss working. Or, maybe you've moved and you miss your old friends. Whatever happens in your life, make your ...

For Men: Doctors Are Good for Your Health
For Men: Doctors Are Good for Your Health When it comes to managing personal health, men are missing the mark. Consequently, men are missing opportunities to detect and address medical problems in their early stages, when many conditions are more treatable and less threatening to overall health. What are they thinking? Men’s tendency to seek health care services only in “crisis” situations—and to see themselves as strong and healthy enough to skip checkups and recommended screenings—is no surprise to ps...

For Seniors: How to Prevent Falls
For Seniors: How to Prevent Falls As you age, your risk for falling increases. According to the CDC, more than one-third of people ages 65 and older and half of those ages 75 and older fall each year. Although most falls cause only minor injuries, the CDC estimates that between 20 and 30 percent of the people who fall experience moderate to severe injuries (such as bone fractures) that severely limit independence. The risk is even greater for people who have fallen within the past year. Falls can occur ...

For Seniors: Is It More Than the Blues?
For Seniors: Is It More Than the Blues? Everyone has feelings of sadness or unhappiness now and then. When feelings of sadness or despair don't go away and interfere with daily life, depression may be the reason. Although anyone can suffer from depression, it is particularly common among older adults. Depression affects 15 out of every 100 adults older than 65, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Depression has an impact on all aspects of a person's life, taking a toll on physical and me...

For Seniors: Welcome to the World of the Web
For Seniors: Welcome to the World of the Web If you could meet people anytime you wanted, would you do it? What if you could get help solving problems by clicking a button? Well, there's a tool that's good for both those things, and a whole lot more. It's the Internet. Although older adults don't use it as much as others, a growing number are getting online every day, even if they don't own a computer. "The Internet is a great way to stay connected," says Marcie Schwarz, director of online services for ...

Getting the Most from a Mental Health Support Group
Getting the Most from a Mental Health Support Group If you’re suffering from depression, anxiety, or another mental health problem, you can find support by visiting an online support group. Mental health support groups offer support, understanding, and helpful information to people struggling with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions. Many towns have face-to-face support groups. People who don’t live near such meetings have another choice: They can visit online suppo...

Goal Setting for Everyday Success
Goal Setting for Everyday Success In a garden, you plant seeds, nurture them with water and fertilizer, work at keeping the weeds out, and trust the plants will accomplish your goal of growing strong and productive. The same processes can be used to plan for progress in your life and work. Follow these steps and you'll soon be reaping a bountiful harvest. Put it in writing Writing down your goals is like planting seeds. To do so, write a detailed description of each goal—the more detailed, the better. M...

Health Myths and Facts
Health Myths and Facts Have you heard the one about antiperspirants causing breast cancer? It's not true, but at least believing that widespread health myth can't hurt you, although it might keep you from some perfectly safe products. There are, however, a number other health myths where knowing the facts can make a world of difference to your health. Myth: Eating too much sugar can cause diabetes. Fact: By itself, eating sugary foods is unlikely to cause healthy people to develop diabetes. But eating t...

Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Many Americans abuse alcohol and illegal drugs without thinking about the possible risk to their health and well-being. Alcohol Traffic accidents are the number one cause of death among Americans ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nearly one-third of fatal traffic accidents involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Even small amounts of alcohol, such as one or two standard drinks, which is equivalent to one or two 12-ounce can...

Help for the Holiday Blues
Help for the Holiday Blues The holidays can be a stressful time. The festivities can lead to anxiety related to excessive shopping for friends and family, finding time for social obligations, worrying about holiday debt, and trying to do too much. You can detour from your everyday routine, neglecting proper nutrition and regular exercise. These pressures can lead to the phenomenon known as holiday depression or the holiday blues. Will your holiday be blue? For many suffering from depression, the depress...

Help Your Kids Quit Smoking
Help Your Kids Quit Smoking Every day, about 4,000 U.S. teenagers start smoking, then around 1000 become regular smokers. If you're a parent of a young smoker, you can take steps to help the child quit. But first, it helps to understand why teens light up. Why kids smoke Much of cigarette advertising focuses on getting teens to smoke. If asked, most teens say tobacco ads don't influence them, yet one study showed they generally smoke the three most advertised brands: Camel, Marlboro and Newport. Studies...

Helping a Friend With an Addiction
Helping a Friend with an Addiction When a friend shows signs of abusing alcohol or other drugs, it is hard to know what to do or say. What is scary is that drug abuse can lead to addiction. Drug abuse refers to a conscious decision to use alcohol, an illegal drug, or a medication in an unsafe way. Addiction means losing control over whether you are going to use the drug, or losing insight into knowing how, or when, to stop. Although addiction begins with drug abuse, it does not mean just using a lot of ...

Helping an Unwilling Alcoholic
Helping an Unwilling Alcoholic It's not unusual for an alcoholic to refuse to stop drinking or get help from a substance abuse professional or treatment center. The person can't be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as a violent incident that results in court-ordered treatment, a medical emergency or a situation in which the drinker's actions threaten the safety of others. But you don't have to wait for someone to hit rock bottom to act. Many alcoholism treatment specialists sug...

Hospices Offer Comfort at Life's End
Hospices Offer Comfort at Life's End It's a subject no one wants to think about, but for each of us, our lives must come to an end. As medical progress prolongs our lives, the end can linger, draining patients and loved ones alike. So, more and more people are turning to hospice care. Hospice is not just for the elderly or cancer patients. Children receive hospice care, as do patients with neurologically progressive degenerative diseases like Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's disease, and HIV. This holi...

How Hobbies Help Your Health
How Hobbies Help Your Health What better way to stay busy than by doing something you love? That hobby you've been toying with could be your prescription for a healthier, more satisfying life. Hobbies can engage you physically and mentally. People who have a hobby "are generally healthier," says Peter Lichtenberg, Ph.D., director of the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University. "We also know they are at a lower risk for depression and dementia. The great value of hobbies is they're a way for p...

How to Control Your Temper
How to Control Your Temper We’ve all been angry at times. Whether it’s a fight with a friend, an annoyance at work, or something else altogether, it’s never a pleasant experience. But it’s comforting to know that—however unpleasant—anger is part of being human. At least some anger is necessary for survival. When we feel threatened, we develop aggressive feelings and behaviors, allowing us to fight and defend ourselves. Frequent or intense episodes of anger, however, aren’t good for you or the people aro...

How to Cut Down on Drinking
How to Cut Down on Drinking You might want to cut down on your drinking for many reasons. Unfortunately, the best of intentions don't necessarily make the effort any easier. If you are going to drink alcohol, you should use it wisely and in moderation. And if you are one of the 10 to 15 percent of the population with alcoholism in your family, you should be careful not to drink too much or too often, or not to drink at all. You should not drink at all if you have certain health conditions or are taking ...

How to Develop a 'Can-do' Personality
How to Develop a Can-do Personality Some people handle tough jobs without breaking a sweat. Others seem to give up before they even get going. What's the difference between a can-do and a won't-try person? The most common roadblock is fear of failure, which is closely tied to three other big fears: losing respect, losing approval, and losing self-esteem. Fear of failure takes away one of your most valuable learning tools—mistakes. Recognizing what you've learned from past experiences can help build the ...

How to Help Teenagers With Addicted Parents
How to Help Teenagers with Addicted Parents Growing up can be a tough challenge for most adolescents, but when their parents are abusing alcohol or drugs, the obstacles can seem overwhelming. Nearly 8 million children under age 18 live with a parent who is abusing or addicted to alcohol or drugs. That is over 1 out of every 10 children in the U.S.! So what's the best way to help a teen who's grappling with the problem of parental addiction? These kids need our help, and perhaps the first step in helping...

How to Juggle Home Life and Work Life
How to Juggle Home Life and Work Life For many of us, life seems to have two speeds: fast and faster. The pressures at work are followed by the needs and demands at home. If your typical day tends to be jam-packed and exhausting, you are in good company. Do you often feel guilty at work because of home pressures and guilty at home because of work pressures? A recent study from the Families and Work Institute found that more than half of American workers felt “overwhelmed” by their workload at some point...

How to Lower Your Financial Stress
How to Lower Your Financial Stress Money worries are among the most common sources of personal and family stress. Living with too much of any kind of pressure on a daily basis can take an emotional and physical toll, contributing to sleepless nights, backaches or headaches or, over time, even life-threatening diseases, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Whether your credit card balances are soaring, or you and your partner are arguing constantly over nickels and dimes, there are things you ca...

How to Make Love Last Forever
How to Make Love Last Forever Keeping your primary relationship healthy, positive, supportive and together isn’t easy. But it can be done. “We expect a lot from our relationships, and the fact is, long-term marriages or relationships are difficult to sustain, given the pressures most of us live with,” says Sue Maisch, L.S.W., a family and child counselor in Glenwood Springs, Colo. “To make it work, couples need the maturity to realize a long-lasting relationship will entail sacrifice, commitment and har...

How to Quit Smoking, Again
How to Quit Smoking, Again If you're like most smokers who have tried to quit, you may have tried unsuccessfully several times. But you can try again and succeed. The following suggestions can help you kick the habit, again, for good. Understand your relapse If you relapse, the first thing you should do is not give up. Instead, take stock of the situation. When did the relapse start and what caused it? Once you understand why it happened, you can begin to consider ways to get back on track. Here are som...

How You Can Avoid Aggressive Drivers
How You Can Avoid Aggressive Drivers Incidents of road rage—those times when drivers act out their anger behind the wheel by trying to hurt another driver or a pedestrian—are becoming more frequent. The following tips can help you avoid incidents with aggressive or violent drivers—and help you avoid such behavior yourself. Drive nice Being a courteous driver can help you avoid being a victim of road rage. To be courteous: Signal every time you merge, change lanes or turn. Use your horn only when needed ...

Hypothyroidism and Depression
Hypothyroidism and Depression Chances are you know the difference between occasional sadness and depression. But here's a fact you may not know: Hypothyroidism, a common thyroid disorder, can cause symptoms indistinguishable from depression. The signs of depression in adults include persistent sadness, reduced pleasure and motivation, low self-esteem, poor concentration and memory, altered sleep and appetite, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts. An adult experiencing depression may be screened for thyroid di...

Important Facts About Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Abuse
Important Facts About Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Abuse Amphetamine and methamphetamine abuse is a growing problem in the United States. These stimulants are often termed "amphetamines." Each year, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration closes down hundreds of illegal laboratories producing these drugs and uses surveillance and enforcement powers to stop illegal amphetamines coming to the U.S. from other countries. Amphetamines, and amphetamine-related drugs, stimulate the central nervous system. ...

In Support Groups, You Get (and Give) Help
In Support Groups, You Get (and Give) Help What if you were diagnosed with cancer? What if your spouse died and you suddenly found yourself a single parent? What if you were living with an alcoholic and didn't know how to cope? Any of these situations—and a host of others—would leave you feeling alone and in need of an ally. You could find help in a mutual support group. Sure, you've got family and friends, but do they really understand what you're up against? Your doctor, social worker, or counselor ma...

Is Your Teen Abusing Drugs or Alcohol?
Is Your Teen Abusing Drugs or Alcohol? Suddenly, your teenager is having trouble in school. Relationships with teachers, friends, siblings—and you—are falling apart. Your child has a new set of friends and no longer seems interested in favorite activities. A frightening question weighs on your mind: "Is my child experimenting with drugs?" If the answer is yes, you need to act quickly to help your child. But first you need to know for sure. Besides having trouble with school and relationships, teenagers ...

It’s Never Too Late
It's Never Too Late Your life will be happier and healthier if you take control It's never too late to take control of your choices to improve your overall health and your quality of life. Make small first steps, like adding a multivitamin and eating better, then slowly making tougher changes, like quitting smoking. The benefits of positive lifestyle changes are swift. For example, your heart rate and blood pressure drop within 20 minutes when you stop smoking. After five years, an ex-smoker's risk of c...

It's Time for Boomers to Face the Facts
It's Time for Boomers to Face the Facts Sorry to have to tell you this, baby boomers, but you're not kids anymore. And even though the 80 million boomers are rewriting the script for aging by staying more active than any earlier generation, they can't stop the clock. Age brings many changes, and boomers must change with it. They have to find a new balance, adjusting the way they live and caring for themselves to make the years ahead happy and healthy. The secret? Act your age and see your doctor. "No mo...

Journaling for Mental Health
Journaling for Mental Health When you were a teenager, you might have kept a diary hidden beneath your mattress. It became your confidant and a place to confess your struggles and fears without judgment or punishment. It probably felt good to get all of those thoughts and emotions out of your head and down on paper. The world seemed clearer. Although you may have ditched the diary once you reached adulthood, the concept and its benefits still apply. Now it’s called journaling. It's simply writing down y...

Keep Anxiety from Controlling Your Life
Keep Anxiety from Controlling Your Life Everyone worries and feels anxious at times. But if you suffer from severe anxiety, it can threaten to take over your life. The sleepless nights that precede meetings with your boss are exhausting and can interfere with your work. Fretting for days about an ambiguous comment from a friend or an unanswered email can take a toll on your relationships. And when accompanied by depression, anxiety can stop you in your tracks. If you are suffering from depression and an...

Keep Your Brain Functioning
Keep Your Brain Functioning You take good care of your body to stay in good physical shape. Likewise, for good mental health, you need to keep your brain in top condition. If your brain gets too much or too little of what it needs, vital processes are disrupted. When things are out of sync in your brain, it can play havoc with your thoughts and emotions. Depriving your brain of sleep, for example, will impair your ability to concentrate and make decisions. Maintain your brain These strategies will help ...

Keep Your Noggin Fit with Brain Exercise
Keep Your Noggin Fit with Brain Exercise The dog ran. The dog barked. The dog raced. What else did the dog do? That many seem like a silly question. But the act of thinking up verbs to go with nouns pumps extra blood into your brain, according to brain scans. Getting more blood to the brain is an important way to counteract the effects of aging. The increase in blood flow nourishes the neurons, which are the main communicators in the brain. Try a variety of mental exercises There are various mental exer...

Keeping Envy and Jealousy Under Control
Keeping Envy and Jealousy Under Control When someone gets a raise or a special perk, can you say congratulations and mean it? Or do you seethe inside and think, "That really should have been mine?" Feelings of resentment at another's good fortune have been around since recorded history. These feelings commonly take two forms, envy and jealousy. Envy rears its ugly head when someone has a thing or benefit you want for yourself - a bigger office, a bigger paycheck, a special privilege. Jealousy results wh...

Keeping Party Drinking Under Control
Keeping Party Drinking Under Control It can be a holiday get-together, an invitation party, or a formal Christmas affair. It's fun. So what harm can a little drinking do? Drinking too much alcohol impairs judgment and can lead to actions that put your health in jeopardy, including driving while drunk, going out in subfreezing temperatures improperly dressed, or falling off a curb or down stairs. Bear in mind that a standard-sized drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1 shot of hard liquor in a...

Keeping Your Anger Under Control
Keeping Your Anger Under Control Anger is a natural, and sometimes healthy, emotion. Unfortunately, if anger is handled the wrong way, it can damage relationships and affect professional and social growth. Learning where your anger comes from and how to deal with it can help lead to a happier, more productive life. Understand your anger's origins. Some people are born with a tendency to be irritable or easily angered. If you have a history of dysfunction or chaos in your family, you are more likely to h...

Life After Loss: Walking the Path to Wholeness
Life After Loss: Walking the Path to Wholeness You expect to grieve when a loved one dies, but grief also can occur following a divorce, a move from a beloved family home, being downsized from your job or any other loss that makes a major impact on the quality of your life and happiness. Whatever the nature of your loss, active grieving can help you get through the following months and years. “Healthy grief isn’t a passive experience; in fact, there’s a lot you can do in response to a serious loss other...

Maintaining Weight Once You've Quit Smoking
Maintaining Weight Once You've Quit Smoking Although people generally gain weight when they stop smoking, you can reduce your chances of adding extra pounds by taking steps to prevent it. Being aware of situations in which you could be tempted to overeat and devising strategies to cope with those instances is your best bet. The following suggestions can help you maintain your weight after you stop smoking. Exercise regularly Taking a walk, riding a bicycle, dancing or doing any other aerobic activity yo...

Make a Scrapbook for Your Grandkids
Make a Scrapbook for Your Grandkids Gifts from the heart matter the most, especially when they come from Grandma or Grandpa. If a grandchild is special to you, put your heart into showing it by creating a scrapbook. With just a small blank book, photos and other mementos, you can make a mini-album that records and celebrates your love for your grandchild. Ties that bind Creating this one-of-a-kind keepsake is sure to make your grandchild feel special. But beyond this, "you are making a family treasure t...

Many Seniors Go Back to the Books
Many Seniors Go Back to the Books Imagine immersing yourself in the poetry of Robert Frost, the works of Michelangelo or the wonders of astronomy. Or perhaps learning how to use a computer or play the piano is more your style. No matter what you like to do, now is a great time to sign up for a class so that you can explore your interests. Many colleges and other educational organizations offer special discounts to older adults. Here are some ideas about how to get started: Colleges and universities Many...

Medications to Treat ADHD in Children
Medications to Treat ADHD in Children Children who have ADHD are often given medication as part of their treatment plan. The type of medication most often chosen is a psychostimulant, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate and Concerta). Psychostimulant drugs help balance chemicals in the child's brain that help to control behavior and focus attention. Other psychostimulants prescribed for ADHD in children include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), a mixture of amphetamine salts (Adderall), and atomoxet...

Men and Mental Illness
Men and Mental Illness Mental illness is a difficult challenge for anyone to face, and it can affect men and women of any age. But because mental illness can cause different symptoms in men than in women, some disorders in men may be harder to recognize. Men who are depressed, for example, may appear angry and irritable rather than sad and withdrawn. It also may be more difficult for men suffering from depression to seek help because some may see it as a sign of weakness rather than a treatable illness....

Moving Beyond All-or-Nothing Thinking
Moving Beyond All-or-Nothing Thinking One of the first mistakes people make when they fall short of a goal to start exercising, lose weight, or stop smoking is to think, "That's it; I've blown it. I'll never make this work." But a slip doesn't mean you're a failure. It's important to understand a slip for what it is: a lapse. You may have fallen a step behind, but your hard work isn't lost. Remind yourself that with a little extra effort, or perhaps a change in your approach, you will be right back on t...

Nicotine Substitutes Can Help You Quit
Nicotine Substitutes Can Help You Quit If you're ready to stop smoking, then you must be ready for the challenge when your quit date arrives. Clean out your ashtrays, and throw away any lighters and old packs lying around. Doing so can help you get smoke-free for good. Of course, you probably will have to face the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Quitting may frustrate you, even make you irritable or anxious. Headaches, restlessness, and problems concentrating are also common. At times, the urge to smok...

Now Is the Time to Get Moving
Now Is the Time to Get Moving As cold weather settles in and the days grow shorter, it's tempting to put off any thoughts of becoming active. The bustle of the holidays also makes it harder to follow through on a plan to start exercising, because you just don't think you have the time. But don't let the season or the weather get in your way. You owe it to yourself to get moving. The consequences of a sedentary lifestyle can be costly. Inactivity is a risk factor for heart disease and can contribute to o...

Older Adults and the Importance of Social Interaction
Older Adults and the Importance of Social Interaction As you get older and retire or move to a new community, you may not have quite as many opportunities to socialize as you did when you were younger. If you're not heading to an office or getting out and about each day, you may be missing out on important social interaction that you need to stay sharp, healthy, and maybe even ward off dementia. Research has shown that social interaction offers older adults many benefits. Staying socially active and mai...

On the Road in Retirement
On the Road in Retirement Now that you're retired, you have time to travel. So you choose a destination, develop an itinerary, order the passport, and pack the bags. But wait, you forgot one important detail: your health. You've got company. Millions of travelers may ponder every aspect of their itinerary, but forget to take health care precautions. Yet this can be a costly and even life-threatening mistake. Whether you plan to see the pyramids in Egypt or visit your cousin Vinny in the Bronx, you need ...

Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder As most parents know, children can be emotional or strong-willed. But a child who has frequent temper tantrums and consistently refuses to follow requests may have a deeper problem. Defiance and aggressiveness that continue could be a sign of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Range of poor behavior Children with ODD may refuse to follow commands or requests made by parents, teachers, or other adults. They may also overreact to life events. They may fail to take responsib...

Overcoming Anti-Gay Harassment
Overcoming Anti-Gay Harassment For far too many people, being gay or lesbian means having to deal with prejudice and harassment from childhood onward. Gay and lesbian teens are often targets of bullying, harassment, and aggression. Anti-gay bullying can range from verbal abuse, such as name-calling, to life-threatening physical assault. Even if young people escape physical violence, the effects of such bullying can be psychologically devastating. Young victims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgen...

Performance Anxiety Can Choke Up Athletes
Performance Anxiety Can Choke Up Athletes An athlete often faces competition in the same way that another kind of performer does: He or she gets butterflies before going on the field or on the court. Anxiety can help focus and sharpen performance. For some athletes, however, the pressure of performing well takes its toll in the form of performance anxiety, which causes them to do less than their best. It's like stage fright that can overcome a musician or actor. Or the weak knees you feel when you are s...

Phobias Are Common, But Treatable
Phobias Are Common, But Treatable Maybe you’ve had sweaty palms before a first date. Or, you’ve stayed awake worrying all night before a big meeting. Most of us worry or get nervous every now and then. For people with anxiety disorders, these feelings occur all too often, and they may be overwhelming. Anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable. Anxiety disorders also are quite common. About 40 million American adults have an anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, many people suffer in silence. Anxiety ...

Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription Drug Addiction Most people take their prescription medications properly—to relieve pain, anxiety, or attention deficit. Increasingly, however, that’s not always the case. Some people choose to abuse medications that are not prescribed to them. They are often obtained from friends or family members who may have prescription medications on hand, or bought from drug dealers on the street. Some people will also abuse medications that are prescribed to them. The number of teens and young adults ...

Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of child abuse and is the most common cause for inflicted brain injury in the first two years of life. But many of these injuries can be avoided when parents and caregivers understand how to respond appropriately to a crying baby. Shaking infants and toddlers can have dangerous consequences because of their large heads and immature brains. A baby's neck muscles can't support the stress of vigorous shaking; when the baby is shaken, its head move...

Primer: Smokeless Tobacco
Primer: Smokeless Tobacco Many people think using smokeless tobacco is safer than smoking. Just because there's no smoke, doesn't mean it's safe, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says. A person who uses eight to 10 dips or chews a day receives the same amount of nicotine as a heavy smoker who smokes 30 to 40 cigarettes a day. Spit tobacco is placed inside the mouth, which gives the user a continuous high from the nicotine. It's made with a mixture of tobacco, nicotine, sweeteners, abrasives, salts and ...

Primer: What You Need to Know About Ecstasy
Primer: What You Need to Know About Ecstasy Many young people abuse a so-called club drug known as Ecstasy. Learning about the drug can help you explain its dangers to your children and help them avoid the sometimes fatal consequences of taking it. What is Ecstasy? Ecstasy, or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)—called "Adam," "E," "Ecstasy," "X," or "XTC" on the street—is a synthetic, psychoactive (mind-altering) drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. It is chemically similar to...

Putting Disease Risk into Perspective
Putting Disease Risk into Perspective Are you terrified you might get mad cow disease? Does news of E. coli outbreaks make you swear off spinach salads for life? True, a few people will get those illnesses. But most of us never will. The things most likely to make us sick seem less dramatic: heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, to name just some of them. Even when we think about these real threats, we may conclude our risk is far higher or lower than it is. Risk perception The way we gauge the p...

Q and A: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Q and A: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer from recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or repetitive behaviors (compulsions), which they feel they cannot control. Rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking or cleaning are often performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsessions...

Quit One Step at a Time
Quit One Step at a Time Saying goodbye to cigarettes for good can be difficult. To succeed, you need to make changes to your daily life. But, like the many others who have quit, you too can triumph. Brighter days are ahead. People smoke for different reasons, and they quit in different ways. Some people quit cold turkey. Others cut down slowly before they stop altogether. Some people stop smoking with the help of the nicotine patch or nicotine gum. Your health care provider can help you decide what will...

Quit-Smoking Tools: Help for Kicking Your Habit
Quit-Smoking Tools: Help for Kicking Your Habit If you're a smoker and you need some more reasons to quit, take a look at what the U.S. Surgeon General has to say: If you stop now, you'll have a better quality of life and more years to live it. As you probably already know, quitting smoking isn't easy. But, millions of other people have done it, and you can, too. Smoking-cessation aids, such as those listed here, can increase your chance of success: Quit lines. When you call a quit line, you can talk wi...

Recognizing Domestic Violence
Recognizing Domestic Violence Domestic violence is behavior someone uses to control a spouse, partner, date, or elderly relative through fear and intimidation. It can involve emotional, sexual, and physical abuse, as well as threats and isolation. In most cases, men are the abusers. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. It can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. ...

Remember This: Many Have Memory Lapses
Remember This: Many Have Memory Lapses Unpredictable, frustrating and, at times, embarrassing memory lapses are moments many of us would rather forget. Yet if frequent bouts of forgetfulness are causing you stress and worry, take note-there is most likely a simple explanation. Random memory problems There is a big difference between losing cognitive function in the brain--or losing the ability to remember--and simply having difficulty recalling information. Most commonly, random memory problems are asso...

Retired? It's Time to Join the Club
Retired? It's Time to Join the Club Congratulations! You're retired, the kids are grown and at last you can do what you want. So what are you going to do with all that spare time? "We encourage people to plan financially for later life, but do very little to help them plan their 'life portfolio,' which includes their time, energy, interests and ambitions," says Jim Hinterlong, Ph.D., associate professor of social work at Florida State University. "Ironically, there is plenty of current research showing ...

Seniors Can Maximize Happiness by Minimizing Clutter
Seniors Can Maximize Happiness by Minimizing Clutter A place for everything ... and everything all over the place. If this statement could replace the "Home Sweet Home" sign over your door--that is, if you can find the door--then you may have a problem with clutter. It's tough to enjoy the golden years among bundles of old newspapers, stacks of store receipts, and collections of used margarine tubs. You're also at higher risk for falls and fires. Take heart, pack rats. There is a way out from under the ...

Sexual Harassment's Emotional Toll
Sexual Harassment's Emotional Toll According to researchers at the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly 50 percent of American working women will experience on-the-job sexual harassment at some point in their careers. While mechanisms are in place for reporting this harassment, high levels of anxiety and related depression are reported among those who have been harassed. It is important for anyone who thinks they are being harassed to go through the proper channels of reporting their concern...

Should Tattoos Be Taboo?
Should Tattoos Be Taboo? Approximately 40 million Americans have some type of tattoo, and the popularity is increasing. But people who are thinking about getting a tattoo should slow down and think twice. In most states and cities, you need to be 18 or have a parent's permission to get a tattoo. And, there are multiple risks that should be considered before making this very permanent decision. Risks of getting a tattoo Tattoo inks are not FDA-approved for injection into the skin. The FDA says that many ...

Smart Shopping for Women
Smart Shopping for Women Imagine that the next time you go to the grocery store, you get a magical cart. The cart leads you up and down the aisles, selecting foods that are good for you. The cart rejects the double fudge cookies and replaces them with oranges. But supermarkets don't have magical carts, so to come away with healthy foods, you should keep in mind the ones that women need most. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, many women don't get enough calcium, fiber, or iron. This lack o...

Smoking Adds Another Wrinkle to Aging
Smoking Adds Another Wrinkle to Aging Everybody knows smoking is bad for your health. Now here's something you may not know: Smoking is bad for your looks. It's true. From your rosy cheeks to your pearly whites, smoking doesn't just push you toward an early date with the grim reaper. It also makes you look that way. Researchers from the University of California at San Francisco have found that female smokers are three times as likely to have moderate to severe wrinkling as female nonsmokers. Male smoker...

Smoking: Truth and Consequences
Smoking: Truth and Consequences Thinking about giving up cigarettes? If you’ve tried before without success, you may feel unsure about whether you can quit for good. You may also wonder how to prepare for such a big change. Start by learning everything you can about the health risks of smoking. Then consider how kicking the habit will affect your health and life. Finally, arm yourself with the latest techniques that can help smokers quit. There are now more aids to help smokers become ex-smokers than ev...

Social Drinking vs. Problem Drinking
Social Drinking vs. Problem Drinking Some people can drink liquor for hours on end and appear to stay sober, while others become tipsy after just one drink. So how can you tell if you or someone else is a problem drinker? People who have alcohol dependence can't always predict how much they will drink, when they will stop, or what they will do while drinking. And it is common for alcoholics to deny the negative effects of drinking or that they even have a problem. Alcohol is considered a drug because it...

Some New Information on Alcoholism (Alcohol Dependence)
Some New Information on Alcoholism (Alcohol Dependence) Like cancer or heart disease, alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a chronic disease with its own symptoms and causes. The disease is progressive and often fatal if not treated. Abusing alcohol can harm many of the body's major organs and systems. It increases risks for various cancers, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, peptic ulcers, stroke, infertility, brain damage, and memory loss. Recognize the symptoms People with alcohol dependence have a rea...

Sports and Music: Both Good for Kids
Sports and Music: Both Good for Kids Organized sports for children offer obvious benefits such as physical fitness and sportsmanship, but did you know that a musical education program has many of the same benefits? Music education and participation in sports are both great ways to prepare your child for future success. The benefits of sports Participating in some type of sports program gets your child off the couch and out of the house. The physical demands of a sports program can help reduce your child...

Stages of Substance Abuse
Stages of Substance Abuse People who become addicted to drugs or alcohol typically go through predictable stages of abuse. Understanding these stages can help you recognize a problem and seek help before substance use becomes a dependence. Experimentation Alcohol or drug use starts with experimentation or voluntary use. In this stage, the use is infrequent and, in the case of teenagers, the substance is usually obtained from and used with friends in response to peer pressure to drink or use drugs. Older...

Start Some Healthful Holiday Traditions
Start Some Healthful Holiday Traditions The month of December can produce extra stress, a breakdown in healthy eating habits, even depression. But you and your family can adopt some new traditions that may help relieve the season's stress and make your holidays healthy and happy. Your physical health When the holidays become more than you bargained for, your physical health can be compromised because you may put aside healthy habits. And stress can put additional demands on your body. Here are some tips...

Stress and Older Adults
Stress and Older Adults Stress is an unavoidable part of life. The quickening of your heartbeat and the heightening of your senses that you experience with normal stress is just your body preparing for a fight-or-flight response. But when stress goes on for too long it can be dangerous. For older adults, prolonged stress can come from chronic illness, disability, or the loss of a spouse. These types of stressors are long term and can be more difficult to deal with. Stress causes your body to release str...

Sunny Self-Talk: Seeing Through the Storm
Sunny Self-Talk: Seeing Through the Storm How much control do you have over your negative feelings? According to research, a lot more than you might think. In fact, there is always more than one way to view an event, and how you view any situation has a lot to do with how you then feel. Your views also influence your actions. Let's say on the day of one woman's wedding, it rains. She might think, "Oh, this is awful. My wedding is ruined." She might even think, "Bad things always happen to me!" But, what...

Tai Chi: Exercise for Mind and Body
Tai Chi: Exercise for Mind and Body Stroll through a Chinese city early in the morning, and you’re likely to see groups of people exercising in the park. You’ll see them moving through a series of slow, graceful movements. As their bodies flow from one exercise to the next, their minds are focused only on their deep, relaxed breathing. This ancient mind-body exercise is known as tai chi (pronounced: ty CHEE ), and you don't have to live in China to benefit from it. According to a recent National Heath S...

Teaching Children Good Sportsmanship
Teaching Children Good Sportsmanship Parents and kids alike love sports, and it's easy to get caught up in a game and become focused on winning. Yet there is much more to be gained from the sports experience than a winning record. When children and teens are involved in sports, they are able to learn and put into practice values that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Good sportsmanship is one of the life lessons that children can learn from sports. You can help your children understand an...

Techniques for Taming Tantrums
Techniques for Taming Tantrums Your little one is having a kicking, screaming mega-meltdown in the frozen-food aisle. And you're sure everyone in the market is thinking, "Why is that child carrying on, and how come the parent isn't doing something to stop it?" Toddlers that age are learning to verbalize their feelings. Young children whose "wants" are being blocked are apt to lose control, especially when hungry, tired or over-stimulated. Parents in a chaotic public setting, focusing on the task at hand...

Teen Suicide: Learning to Recognize the Warning Signs
Teen Suicide: Learning to Recognize the Warning Signs Many teen suicides can be prevented if warning signs are detected and appropriate intervention is conducted. The reasons No two teenagers are alike, but there are some common reasons they consider suicide. Many teens who attempt suicide do so during an acute crisis in reaction to some conflict with peers or parents. Such conflicts are common among teens, but those who attempt suicide are particularly reactive to them because they: Have a long-standin...

Teenagers and After-School Jobs
Teenagers and After-School Jobs The teen years are a constant quest for freedom and independence from the watchful eyes of parents. It’s also a time to learn responsibility and how to manage money. An after-school job can provide all these experiences for a teenager. Finding work Savvy teens who want to earn money with a part-time job after school hours may have a variety of options, even within their own neighborhoods. Neighbors with younger children are often happy to hire a responsible, experienced t...

Teens and the Self-Esteem Shield
Teens and the Self-Esteem Shield It's a powerful weapon in the war against teenage drug and alcohol abuse and it doesn't cost parents a penny. It's called the "self-esteem shield." It's simple. Research shows that adolescents who grow up with high self-esteem are far less likely to abuse drugs or drink, compared with children who grow up without much sense of self-worth, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Here are several steps parents can take to help their chil...

The Benefits of Laughter
The Benefits of Laughter Laugher really is the best medicine, or at least a good one. Laughter is so much a part of us that even babies can laugh well before they can walk or speak. And mirthful laughter–the kind associated with humor–can help keep you healthy and happier. Although no one really knows exactly how laughter so positively affects health, researchers do know that when you are laughing, you're providing healthy stimulation for your heart and blood vessels. Laughter can actually reduce the am...

The Dangers of Binge Drinking
The Dangers of Binge Drinking Too many young people are participating in a dangerous practice called binge drinking. It means drinking alcohol to the point of intoxication. It's defined as having five or more drinks in a row for men. For women, it's four or more drinks in a row. This amount of drinking will produce blood alcohol levels far above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. According to The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, 40 percent of U.S. college students engaged in binge drink...

The Facts About Marijuana
The Facts About Marijuana Knowing about marijuana can help you recognize its use in children and others and help a user seek treatment. Marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It comes from the hemp plant (cannabis sativa). The chemicals in marijuana that causes its effects are cannabinoids, which are found in the leaves and flowering shoots. Of the cannabinoids, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most well...

The High Cost of Smoking
The High Cost of Smoking Most people quit smoking because of the damage it does to their health. But if you need an extra reason to kick the habit, consider that smoking could be costing you as much as $10,000 a year. When people consider the cost of smoking, they usually focus on the cost of the cigarettes alone. Someone who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day, for instance, can spend up to $1,965 a year. But this is only the beginning. Add to that figure the cost of extra over-the-counter and prescripti...

The Menace of Methamphetamine
The Menace of Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that remains a major burden on users, their families, communities, and law enforcement agencies in the United States. According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 4 percent of the U.S. population, or 10.5 million Americans ages 12 or older, have used methamphetamine at least once in their life for nonmedical purposes. Fortunately, less than one percent of adolescents and young adults between the ages o...

The Power of Resilience
The Power of Resilience When tragedy strikes with the death of a loved one, a serious illness or a job loss, some people fall apart, while others adapt to such life-changing events more easily. Being resilient is what makes the difference. Resilience is used to describe people who lead normal, fulfilling lives despite having experienced trauma or tragedy. They are resilient because they have the ability to recover from adversity and retain a positive self-image and view of the world. Facing challenges o...

The Truth About Lying
The Truth about Lying For your birthday, your aunt knits you a sweater that is, well, downright hideous. You tell her: 1) I'd go out in an army blanket before wearing that; 2) It would look better on a peacock in heat; or 3) It's beautiful, Aunt Sylvia! I really need a sweater. If you chose the third response, well, you're a liar. Don't feel bad, however. If the truth be told, most of us lie to some degree, especially when faced with an alternative like hurting the feelings of poor, good-hearted Aunt Sy...

The Word on Talk Therapy
The Word on Talk Therapy We all need someone to talk with now and then. At times, friends and family will do. But, if you’re struggling with strong emotions, a troubled relationship, depression, or other mental health issues, a sympathetic ear may not be enough. You may need to try psychotherapy, or “talk therapy” with a mental health professional. Talk therapy is a way to treat people with a mental disorder by helping them understand their illness. It teaches them strategies and gives them tools to dea...

Thriving After a Heart Attack
Thriving After a Heart Attack If you've had a heart attack, you're probably wondering how your life is going to change. Over the long term, your quality of life is tied to how severe your heart attack was and how it was treated. Beyond that, any change will depend largely on you. If you make it happen, your life can be healthier and more active than before. Work with your doctor on a plan. Recovery and prevention The first step is to work with your doctor to find the cause of your heart attack and to di...

Understanding Alcohol's Effects
Understanding Alcohol's Effects What happens when you drink an alcoholic beverage? Although alcohol affects different people in different ways, in general, it is quickly absorbed from your digestive system into your blood. The amount of alcohol in your blood reaches its maximum within 30 to 45 minutes, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol is metabolized—that is, broken down chemically so it can be eliminated from your body—more slowly than it is absorbed. ...

Understanding Compulsive Overeating
Understanding Compulsive Overeating People who chronically overeat may be suffering from a common eating disorder known as compulsive overeating, also known as binge eating. This eating disorder is characterized by eating large amounts of food, by eating quickly (often to the point of discomfort), and eating when no longer hungry. While many people experience a food binge periodically, the compulsive overeater averages binging two times a week for at least six months. Gradual start Compulsive overeating...

Understanding Domestic Abuse
Understanding Domestic Abuse Through domestic violence, an abuser establishes power and control over another person. Such behavior occurs when the abuser feels entitled to control his or her victim. Although the most common form of abuse is males abusing female partners, females can abuse male partners, and abuse also takes place in same-sex relationships. Acts of such violence generally fall into one or more of the following categories: Physical battering. Hitting, slapping, shoving, kicking, pushing, ...

Understanding Prescription Drug Abuse
Understanding Prescription Drug Abuse Although it’s dangerous to take a prescription medication without a prescription, abusing such medications is the fastest growing type of drug abuse in the United States, outpacing marijuana abuse two to one, according to some studies. A study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found the number of teenagers who admit to abusing prescription medications tripled from 1992 to 2003, while in the general population such abuse had doubled. What’s goin...

Understanding Teenage Depression
Understanding Teenage Depression The medical community once thought depression affected only adults. The risk for the condition can begin in childhood or the early teens, however, and increases steadily through the mid-20s. As many as one in 10 young people will have experienced an episode of depression by the end of his or her teenage years. Depression in children, teens, and young adults is much more than a phase. It's a real condition that can interfere with daily life, lead to suicidal thoughts and ...

Understanding the Power of Addiction
Understanding the Power of Addiction If a loved one suffers from alcoholism or addiction, you may wonder why the person can't or won't stop using a substance that has such negative and dangerous consequences. Chances are the ability to stop abusing the substance is no longer within his or her control. People who develop drug addictions or alcoholism almost always begin with occasional use or experimentation. With continued use, brain structure and function are altered, and they depend on the drug not si...

Understanding the Teen Brain
Understanding the Teen Brain It doesn’t matter how smart your teen is or how well he or she scored on the SAT or ACT. Good judgment isn’t something he or she can excel in, at least not yet. The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until he or she is 25 years old or so. In fact, recent research has found adult and teen brains work differently. Adults think with the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s rational part, but teens process information with the amygdala, the emotional pa...

Up in Smoke: Cigars and Your Health
Up in Smoke: Cigars and Your Health Most people realize that cigarettes can cause lung cancer and heart disease. But many people erroneously believe that cigars aren't harmful. If you think cigars are a safe form of smoking, consider some of the consequences associated with their use: According to the National Cancer Institute, cigar and cigarette smokers have similar levels of risk for oral, throat, and esophageal cancers. The risk for lung cancer increases with more frequent cigar smoking and depth of...

We Can Head Off Teen Tragedies
We Can Head Off Teen Tragedies When our schools erupt in violence, we're shocked. Preventing teen turmoil starts at birth. Parents set examples in the way they interact, express anger, and treat substance abuse, experts say. As children grow, communication is critical. When your kids are young, talk about peaceful problem solving, the importance of not hurting others, and avoiding drugs and cigarettes. And as your children get older, define clear limits for acceptable behavior. Other suggestions Here ar...

Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Alcohol
Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Alcohol Drinking alcohol in moderation may reduce your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular system illnesses, according to recent studies. On the other hand, alcohol dependence devastates many individuals and families and there is evidence linking alcohol and breast cancer. For many people, the decision whether to drink alcohol has never been more complicated. The following facts can help you decide whether to drink or not. While reviewing this article, reme...

Wellness Made Easy: The Real Basics of Better Health
Wellness Made Easy: The Real Basics of Better Health Wellness has three basic components: a balanced diet, regular exercise, and wise lifestyle choices. Incorporating all three into your daily routine can help you live a longer, healthier life. Adopting even one of them can improve your well-being. Eating healthy A healthful diet can reduce your risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other nutrition experts, a healthy diet is: Hi...

What You Can Do to Prevent Child Abuse
What You Can Do to Prevent Child Abuse The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) estimates that more than 1,700 child fatalities occur each year. NCANDS defines child fatality as the death of a child caused by an injury resulting from abuse or neglect, or where abuse or neglect was a contributing factor. Child abuse can happen in any family and in any neighborhood. Studies have shown that child abuse crosses all boundaries of income, race, ethnic heritage, and religious faith. The incide...

What You Need to Know About Heroin
What You Need to Know About Heroin Heroin, horse, smack. By any name, it's a killer drug and, until recently, was not considered a problem among children of middle-class parents. But lately, heroin has been showing up in new places. Today, the typical user could be the child next door. That's especially true if you live in a suburban community that may once have seemed immune to drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded 2010 "Monitoring the Future" study showed that 0.8 percent of eighth-grader...

What's the Meaning of Money?
What's the Meaning of Money? You earn it, save it, spend it, and give it. Money changes hands every day of your life. But what exactly does money mean to you? And why is it such a loaded issue for many people? "Because money plays such a key role in day-to-day living, it is often closely entangled with our core psychological issues, challenges, and wounds," says financial therapist Bari Tessler, founder of Conscious Bookkeeping in San Francisco. How you deal with money depends a lot on your upbringing a...

When a Family Grieves
When a Family Grieves After a loss, family members often deal with their grief in different ways. Grief can draw families closer together. Sometimes, it can pull them apart. No one can adequately prepare you to handle your grief, let alone a spouse's or a child's grief. Learning about grief and how it affects your family can help you get through the difficult times together. It may even help your family grow stronger. A world upside down When you're grieving, you tend to be in a state of chaos. Grief th...

When a Spouse Has Cancer: What to Do and How to Cope
When a Spouse Has Cancer: What to Do and How to Cope Being a caregiver for a spouse who has cancer may be the toughest job you’ll ever have. It may also be the most vital and the most rewarding. As the spouse, you become part of the cancer treatment team. At times, your loved one may be so busy fighting cancer that you need to be his or her eyes and ears. Your role may involve bathing, dressing, feeding, keeping track of medications, and getting your loved one back and forth for doctor visits and treatm...

When Kids Want to Buy, Buy, Buy
When Kids Want to Buy, Buy, Buy If you're the parent of a preteen, you've likely heard this line many times: "I have to have it because everyone else does." The "it" can be anything from designer jeans to a video game. Why do children want to be like everyone else? They're going through a transition from child to adult, says Vivian Seltzer, Ph.D., a University of Pennsylvania psychology professor. "They need external verification that they're part of a group. Material items are visible and help them fee...

When Sadness Is Seasonal
When Sadness Is Seasonal If you feel depressed during fall and winter months, you may have a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms of SAD may develop slowly or begin suddenly. The problem usually fades away during the spring and stays away during the summer. Facts about seasonal affective disorder Children and teens can have SAD, but it usually starts during young adulthood. SAD that begins in the winter is more common in northern areas of the country that get less natura...

When Your Child Has a Chronic Health Condition
When Your Child Has a Chronic Health Condition A chronic, or long-lasting, illness can be difficult for anyone to deal with. But for a young child diagnosed with a chronic health condition, there are challenges for both child and parent. Although you’ll need some time and help coping with the diagnosis, it’s also very important that you be there for your child. A child with a chronic illness will have questions, fears, and frustrations. And he or she will need strength and support from you to help in de...

Where to Turn for Mental Health
Where to Turn for Mental Health It's normal to feel stressed or anxious now and then. But it's time to call for help if emotional issues persist for a significant period of time and interfere with your life, your job, or your personal relationships. With all the mental health resources and effective treatments available these days, you don't need to suffer and wonder what's wrong. Education and awareness have done much to erase the stigma once attached to mental illness. Still, many people don't seek he...

With Help, You Can Break a Bad Habit
With Help, You Can Break a Bad Habit Whether it's a minor habit like biting your nails or a more serious one, like habitual drinking, stopping a damaging or bothersome behavior is difficult. With a little hard work and strategy, however, it's possible to break a bad habit. One approach is called the transtheoretical model, and it can help you break habits by following specific strategies at certain points in your transition. Developed by psychologist James Prochaska in the late 1970s and early 1980s, th...

Women, Alcohol, and Drugs: The Risks Are Higher
Women, Alcohol, and Drugs: The Risks Are Higher As a woman, your body is much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and more easily damaged than a man’s body. Because women have less water in their body than men, alcohol doesn't dilute as much and more of it gets absorbed into the blood. Women also tend to be smaller. That’s why women suffer greater physical damage and often become more intoxicated than men when they drink identical amounts of alcohol. In addition, women's bodies break down alcohol d...

Working Mom? Aim for Less Stress
Working Mom? Aim for Less Stress When Marie gets home from her full-time job as a Seattle nurse administrator, her workday is only half over. Next up is driving her two boys to band practice, soccer, and art lessons, supervising homework, taking them to the mall for supplies—and sitting up with them all night when they're sick. "I didn't want to miss out on any bonding time," she says, "so despite my husband's availability, I took on the heavy lifting of child care." It's a choice that has a price, Mari...

You Can Choose to Have a Healthy Life
You Can Choose a Healthy Life Each year, two out of every three deaths in the United States are caused by cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. That figure could be significantly reduced if Americans made healthier food choices, got more exercise, and stopped smoking, according to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Heart Association. In fact, these organizations feel so strongly about the importance of everyday choices that they have sponsored a joint initiati...

You Can Stay Smoke-Free
You Can Stay Smoke-Free It’s hard to stop smoking. And for many people, it’s even harder to keep from starting again. For smokers, however, staying away from cigarettes and tobacco in any form is the final and most important stage of the process. So what’s the secret to success? “Most people who quit smoking for good are able to do so by reviewing the reasons that inspired or drove them to quit in the first place,” says Dawn Wiatrek, Ph.D., director of the American Cancer Society’s Quitline program. “If...

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