Healthy Living

Gardening is a great way to make your yard look nice, but it’s also much more than that. Gardening is good for the mind and for the body. It’s also a lovely activity to do with your older loved one. The two of you can bond, and you’ll both reap the physical and mental benefits. Gardening is good, safe exercise. Many older adults do not get enough exercise. They may not be capable of going for a jog or even a long walk, but gardening is an approachable activity, even for adults with limited mobility. If yo u  garden alongside your older loved one, you can let them handle what they can, and then pick up the slack. For example, you can let them put plants in the dirt while you do the more demanding activities — like raking and mulching. If your loved one has an i n-home caregiver , you can also suggest gardening as an activity for the two of them to do together. Drop off any supplies they may need, like pots and potting soil. Gardening has other health benefits. In addition to being g...

  Spring is in the air! It’s time to be excited about warmer temperatures, fresh air, and beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, though, spring is also the season when allergies tend to flare up. Pollen counts are soaring, and noses everywhere are starting to run. If you or a family member suffer from springtime allergies, here are a few ways you can reduce symptoms and better enjoy the season. 1. Fill your prescriptions for allergy medications. If you already have a prescription   for an allergy medication, make sure you head to your local pharmacy and  fill the prescription  before symptoms flare up. If you use an over-the-counter medication, stock up on that, too. Don’t hesitate to  ask a pharmacist for advice  if you are not sure which medications will work best for you. 2. Wash clothing after spending time outdoors. When you spend time outside in the spring, pollen gets on your clothing. Then, you bring the clothing inside, and the pollen gets spread throug...

Spring will be here before we know it! This season represents a fresh new start. The warm air, budding trees, and birds chirping are all so enjoyable after a chilly winter. So, how can you prepare for the arrival of this rejuvenating season? Start with these suggestions. 1. Clean Your House Spring cleaning is an age-old tradition. And indeed, this is the perfect time of year for a thorough, deep clean. Most people like to go room by room, as this makes it easy to divide the whole-house cleaning across a few days. Some important cleaning tasks to include are: Pulling furniture away from the walls to clean behind it. Wiping down ceiling fan blades and vent covers. Washing your curtains  or window treatments. Cleaning light fixtures. Wiping down window sills. Changing your furnace and air conditioner filters. Wiping down baseboards and doorframes. 2. Re-Organize Your Closets How  m uch stuff has accumulated in your closet that you no longer use? Spend a day sorting through your c...

  St. Patrick’s Day is typically an occasion that calls for big parades and parties in the streets. But since most of us have still not received   vaccinations   against COVID-19, social distancing is still vital — which means this St. Paddy’s Day will feel a little different. There can still be plenty of fun, safe ways to celebrate the luck o’ the Irish! Here are a few ideas. 1. Plan a Camping Trip With the weather growing warmer,  t his is the perfect time to plan a camping trip. Buy some  sunscreen  at the pharmacy, as you can sunburn even when it’s cloudy. Bring along a  propane tank  and a small grill, and enjoy a weekend in the woods. Here are a few fun ways to work a St. Patrick’s Day theme into your camping trip: Have a contest to see who finds a 4-leaf clover first. Prepare a traditional Irish dish, like boiled cabbage and bacon, over the fire. Drink an Irish drink, like Guinness or Bailey’s, by the fire. 2. Have a Costume Party on Zoom H...