Managing Your Parents' Health & Happiness Long Distance
If you’re a caregiver for both kids at home and aging parents, you’re a member of the sandwich generation.
Teens and Prescription Drug Abuse: A Growing Problem
You might worry about your teenager drinking or smoking pot, but statistics show, you also need to worry about them misusing prescription drugs. The University of Michigan longitudinal study, “Monitoring the Future” surveys U.S. teens annually. In their 2011 report, they found that 15 percent of teens misused prescription drugs, with Vicodin and Adderall the […]
Brain Health at Every Age
No matter how old or young you are, you can take steps to protect and improve your brain’s cognitive function. According to Dr. Sherrie All, a licensed clinical psychologist for the Chicago Center for Cognitive Wellness and a consultant with Mather LifeWay’s Brain Fitness Program, “You want to think about your brain like a bank […]
Empowerment Through Health: Carole Brite
For nearly a century, Planned Parenthood has played a powerful role in women’s reproductive health. Close to 5 million people annually get sexual and reproductive health care, as well as education, through the organization. And while the organization has always had detractors, it wasn’t until recently that the organization faced larger partisan attacks, including threats […]
Sitting is the New Smoking
Has sitting replaced smoking as the new health risk, causing sickness and early death? Smoking was popular until the Surgeon General announced, “Smoking can Kill!” in the mid 60s. In the last 50 years, the compelling scientific evidence has changed the behavior of Americans, reducing the number of smokers. However, as our population becomes more […]
Good Sex is Important in More Ways than One
Why is good sex important (especially compared to a good night’s sleep)? In September we kicked off a series of shows based on this column at the Wilmette Theatre, and our first panel discussion focused on that question. The answer may seem obvious—duh, of course sex is important—but the truth is, many of us aren’t feeling […]
Two Controversial Tests: Should You Get Them?
In the battle against cancer, most women know about mammograms and Pap tests. Now two newer cancer-detection tests that you may not have heard of are gaining attention. Ultrasounds for women with dense breasts One of the first questions you’ll probably ask is “Do I have dense breasts?” It’s not easy to know, and you […]
Get Out and Get Active, Olympic-Style
Feeling inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games? Release your inner champion with some fun, easy ways to get out and get active! Go ahead and try a new sport (I highly suggest the trampoline) or bring back those soccer skills you lost after elementary school. Most importantly, have fun with it—the gold medal isn’t everything. […]
Buddy System Friends are Crucial to Happiness, so Hold onto those Gal Pals!
When it comes to women’s happiness, there’s nothing more likely to put a spring in your step than friendship. The research is overwhelming. Friends directly influence your stress levels, sleep habits, weight, health and even your long-term survival. Scientists and philosophers agree: social connections are the single greatest contributor to reaching that state of bliss. […]
