Previously Published
-
How Our Health Falls Back When We Spring Forward
As we approach Daylight Saving Time (DST) on March 12, 2023 many of us easily recognize the annoyance of not only resetting all our clocks, but also of losing an hour of sleep as we spring ahead. We trade this lost hour of sleep for an extra hour of daylight in the evening, but at what cost? The National Sleep Foundation’s 2021 Sleep in America Poll revealed that 70% of Americans don’t think their sleep, routines or mood are disrupted by changing the clocks. In the same poll, while only 1 in 4 Americans want to keep the biannual clock change, greater than 50% felt the US should stay in…
-
Heart Disease in Women – Part 2
This is the second of a 2 part series Lowering our risk While a family history is one of the classic non-modifiable risk factors, there is growing evidence that we have the power to alter our genetic potential, and not only reduce our risk by preventing plaque build up, but actually reverse some of the damage that has already been done. While much of the basic advice (don’t smoke and exercise) has stood the test of time, it can be difficult to sort through the endless trends on social media regarding nutrition and wellness and figure out what advice to follow. Additionally, while our food choices factor in heavily, there…
-
Heart Disease in Women – Part 1
This is the first of a 2 part series With red hearts everywhere, we are flooded this month with reminders to think of those we love. Whether you are romantically involved or not, this Hallmark holiday does provide a nice backdrop for American Heart Month, a time for us all to think about our own hearts, and the heart health of those we love. Historically, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has largely been considered a disease of men. And while it is still their # 1 killer, most people don’t realize that it is the leading cause of death in women as well, and that a woman’s chances of dying from heart…
-
Deeper Impact of Abstaining from Alcohol
As the social phenomenon of Dry January hits its tenth anniversary this year, many of us may know someone who has participated in this annual abstention from alcohol. While in years past I never criticized anyone’s attempts, I will admit that I never really gave it any serious thought. But as we continue to forge ahead with life in the time of Covid, thinking about our relationship with alcohol may be more important than ever. Statistics indicate that Alcohol consumption in the United States has been steadily growing for years. Per capita, Americans now consume 2.45 gallons of alcohol a year, a growth of almost 12 percent compared with 20…
-
Rethinking the Whole Resolutions Thing
At this point in the month, many of us have filled our heads and our calendars with goals and intentions, full of the promise of new habits. The great majority of these will be fueled by a desire to be more healthy – a new diet or exercise regime, a desire to cut back or give up an unhealthy behavior or toxic substance, or a wish to connect more with others either personally, professionally or charitably. In my case, a perpetual resolution I keep coming back to is “to declutter my life.” While I am not a hoarder, I have a hard time just throwing things away, preferring instead to…
