You’ve heard it before: Laughter is the best medicine. There’s nothing quite like sharing a belly laugh with friends. Laughter can strengthen your connections with others, brighten up a dreary day, and contribute to some of your favorite memories. But did you know that laughter also comes with a variety of proven health benefits? Scroll …
How to Practice Mindfulness for Seniors
Mindfulness is defined as “maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.” Though you may be tempted to dismiss the concept as “woo-woo” or worthless, thousands of studies have demonstrated the physical and mental benefits of mindfulness (source). And although it has roots in Buddhist …
How Sleep Changes with Age
Change is inevitable as we grow older. Over the years, you may have noticed your hair growing whiter and your skin becoming dryer, but have you observed any changes in your sleeping routine? It isn’t uncommon for older adults to struggle with sleep despite sleeping well in their youth. Once you learn how sleep changes …
The Best Foods for Joint Health
Do your joints often feel stiff when you first wake up in the morning? Is winter a season of aches and pains due to your arthritis? Has your knee pain been flaring up more often than it once did? If you’ve been struggling with joint pain, talk to your doctor about methods of prevention and …
Winter Safety for Seniors
Isn’t it wonderful to live in a place that experiences four distinct seasons? People like to complain about winter, but let’s take a moment to appreciate all the lovely things about wintertime: beautiful snow that transforms the landscape, cozy fires, hot cocoa, soft sweaters and flannel pajamas, warm blankets, an excuse to eat comfort foods …
Strategies to Prevent Diabetes
According to a study by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), as many as 25 percent of the U.S. population age 65 and up has diabetes. Type 2 diabetes poses an especially high number of health risks for seniors, including higher mortality, reduced functionality, and severe microvascular and cardiovascular complications (including heart disease). Diabetes is a …
Benefits of Exercise for Seniors
When you’ve been sedentary for a long time, exercise can seem intimidating, challenging, or even optional. As people get older, they’re more likely to be less active. In fact, according to the CDC, about one in three men and one in two women engage in no physical activity by age 75. If you’ve been shrugging …
How Is Oral Health Related to Overall Health?
Many people assume that dental health and general physical health are separate concerns. There’s a reason, they might say, that your doctor doesn’t check your teeth for cavities and your dentist doesn’t measure your blood pressure. How is oral health related to overall health? Interestingly, researchers have proven that there is a synergistic relationship between …
Health Benefits of Dancing
Whether you enjoy the elegant tango, energetic polka, or grooving to the beat of your own drum, dancing is fun for people of all ages. Unfortunately, most people reserve dancing for special occasions like weddings or parties. Why not dance on a random weeknight, at a weekly class with friends, or even first thing in …
How Does Exercise Help Diabetes?
If you’re struggling to keep your blood sugar in line, you’re not alone. More than 100 million Americans deal with diabetes or prediabetes. Although this condition is serious, the good news is that there are ways you can manage it. First and foremost, it should go without saying that it’s always important to follow your …
