Healthy Living

  2020 was a tough year. And as much as we wish it were true, the clock turning to 12:01 on New Year's Day doesn’t make all of that hardship disappear. Sure, we’re going into the New Year with a sense of optimism and hope, but that still doesn’t mean we all can’t get bogged down with a case of the winter blues. That term in itself has a deeper meaning this year. Luckily, there’s plenty of easy things we can do to make things a bit simpler.  Clean House Did you know that  studies have shown  that keeping your house tidy and eliminating clutter can actually decrease anxiety and lessen depression? Executing a little action on the things we can actually control in our life keeps us from dreading the things we can’t. So winter is the perfect time to do those chores you’ve been putting off all year. Clean out that crawl space, organize that closet, rearrange that pantry. All these things can create a little order in a chaotic time.  Take those blankets and comforters ...

Many people think of Spring and Summer as big allergy triggers. But actually, Fall can be quite the culprit as well. Ragweed is rampant in autumn and can cause all sorts of problems for allergy sufferers like coughing, red and itchy eyes, and sneezing. Mold and dust mites can be another Fall allergy trigger, especially since you tend to spend much more time indoors. Here are some ways to prepare for and deal with fall allergies. Stock up on Allergy Meds Having everything you need for an allergy attack ready and waiting is a good idea. Since we’re going into flu season, and still have the effects of the pandemic to contend with, stocking up on supplies is key. The local  pharmacy near me  has everything I need to get a Fall allergy kit ready. Over the counter medications like  antihistamines, pain killers, nasal sprays and decongestants  are all essential to have on hand. Your pharmacy probably carries some alternative health options that could be helpful as well. Loo...

COVID-19 has changed the world, and changed the way we do just about everything. Local businesses are being hit hard, and now more than ever, we need to come together and support them. Here’s how. Support Your Local Dry Cleaners The  dry cleaners near me  are taking quite a beating right now, since the majority of the office work force is now operating remotely. You may not have suits or fancy work clothes to clean, but what else do you have lying around the house that could use refreshing? Comforters, linens and specialty fabrics maintain their shape and longevity the best when cleaned once a year. Call your local dry cleaners ahead of time to check on their current hours and policies. Support Your Local Pharmacy You may think that pharmacies are doing fine during the pandemic, but that may not be the case. Smaller, independent pharmacies are being hit just as hard as everyone else. Your local pharmacy isn’t just for  prescriptions , they also carry most of the supplies...

Spring is here! It’s finally warm up. Now is the traditional season for fresh starts. For many, that means putting away winter clothes and giving your house a good spring cleaning.  Here are a few tips for making the annual ritual less stressful. Start with a plan.  Make a list of the tasks that you want to accomplish. Assess which parts of the house you need to cover and figure out where you want to start.  Review the plan with family members and get their input on the cleaning goals too. Do a little bit at a time.  You don’t have to do it all at once. Tackle one task from your list each day. Seeing results helps motivate you and makes spring cleaning feel less overwhelming. Tackle the clutter first.  Getting rid of items you no longer need or want will help to free up space. Freeing up space also makes it easier to clean so the rest of the job goes smoothly. Tackling the clutter can also help reduce feelings of stress or anxiety. Spring cleaning is ...

Newton has the fifth largest senior population in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and older people are known to be at higher risk from COVID-19. Although the city is working to make sure seniors are safe, you may be wondering if your parent or senior loved one who lives alone needs extra support during this pandemic. The best thing you can do is encourage them to stay home and practice social distancing to avoid exposure. Here are a few things to make staying home easier. Before you talk with your loved one about the need for COVID-19 precautions, get up to speed on facts and information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or from the state or local health department. This will help you be better able to correct any misinformation they may have. If there is home health aide , some precautions are needed. Discuss with the home care agency  what protocols they have in place to reduce risk. In addition to helping with activities of daily living, the  home caregiv...

We heard from Governor Charlie Baker yesterday that the number of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts will begin to surge sometime between April 7 and 17. With the stay-at-home advisory and social distancing guidance still in place until April 30, we’ll need to find new ways to manage our daily lives.   Fortunately, we have the Internet, various online tools to help us work remotely and entertain ourselves. And for the physical stuff, we can take advantage of delivery service. Laundry Delivery Cleanliness is key during this time. Other than washing our hands and disinfecting frequently used surfaces, we need to keep our clothing and bed linens clean. Using a germ-free laundry service can be extra beneficial. If you usually take your laundry to a dry cleaner or a laundromat, this would be a good time to switch to a free laundry delivery service . Even though dry cleaners are considered an essential service by the state, they usually reduce hours and avoid having you in the store...

Acne is a troublesome skin issue that can affect people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Pimples certainly don’t discriminate. And when it comes to treating acne, some look to prescription drugs when over the counter creams and washes fail to work. Some even go further and get  compounded medications for skin conditions  from  certified compounding pharmacies . Let’s take a closer look at the prescription medications commonly prescribed by dermatologists. Antibiotics Before a doctor prescribes a strong medication, they usually like to start with antibiotics. When someone suffers from chronic acne, there’s a lot of inflammation under the skin. Unfortunately, antibiotics tend to only treat this symptom and not the underlying cause. Also, being on antibiotics long term can mess with your immune system, so keep that in mind before getting that prescription refill. Retin-A This medicine, only available at a  prescription pharmacy , has been shown ...

There is no need to spend tons of money on expensive skin products and lotions. But by stocking up on a few different natural ingredients that are inexpensive and easy to find at a local grocery store or  community pharmacy near me , I can always be prepared for a variety of skin-related situations. Read on to learn more. Witch Hazel No, it’s not something to use to put a curse on someone. Witch hazel is actually a common astringent that used for many different topical needs. Besides being very inexpensive, you can usually find it in a few various forms at your  local independent pharmacy . Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, you can use witch hazel for a variety of skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes from allergic reactions and even hemorrhoids. Aloe Aloe vera is a handy thing to have in your cabinet, especially in the summertime. When rubbed gently on the skin, aloe vera is incredibly soothing to sunburns and can even help it heal faste...