Healthy Living

If you feel like you haven’t spent enough time enjoying this fantastic season yet this year, don’t worry. We have just four simple and enjoyable ways to help you get outside and in that amazing New England fall foliage! 1. Take Your Exercise Outdoors We all know how important it is to exercise our bodies — especially those of us who have jobs requiring us to sit down and stare at a computer all day. But, more often than not, motivating ourselves to get out, go to the gym, and do a workout is not nearly as enjoyable as we’d like it to be.   Luckily, there is an easy solution that allows you to both exercise and enjoy the fall weather simultaneously! You can try walking or biking on one of Massachusetts’ rail trails if you tend to enjoy walking, running, biking, or other more aerobic activities. If, on the other hand, you’re more of a gym-equipment type, you could still take advantage of the beautiful fall season by going to a park with  outdoor fitness equipment  such as c...

New England is known across the world for its gorgeous fall colors, and Boston is no exception. As temperatures begin to drop, it is also high time to prepare for the colder winter ahead. Here are a few tips on getting your home and life more organized as you welcome the fall season in Boston.   Clean Up Your Yard Boston is famous for its stunning fall foliage, with vibrant shades of red, orange and gold. People travel from far and wide to witness the glorious colors, as the trees change from hues of green, and living in Boston gives you prime viewing of seasonal splendor. However, falling leaves also need cleaning up to reduce the attraction for pests. Fall is also the time to get your vegetable patch in order for next spring. Give your grass one final mow before the winter, feed the lawn, rake up dead leaves, trim back dead tree and shrub branches, power wash the deck and plant fall flowers. Take time to de-clutter your yard and clean your gutters, too. If removing debris and lea...

As the end of the summer break approaches, it’s natural for students and their parents to start planning for their return to school. Starting a new school year can be exciting, daunting, challenging, and nerve-wracking for children, so as parents, we need to help them get ready for the new school year. Here are a few back-to-school tips. Organize Your Home Over the break, it’s normal for your home to have become somewhat messier than normal. Make a team effort with the whole family to clean up, de-clutter and get organized. Not only does this put everyone back into work mode and set the scene for being back in school, but it also means your kids have no excuse for not being able to find their gym kit or book bag the night before going back in school. If you’ve got lots of junk to get rid of, save time by  renting a dumpster . It’s so much easier to be able to toss things away as you’re sorting, rather than maneuvering around piles in your home and making multiple trips to the local...

I can’t afford to hire a housekeeper, and I work full time. I don’t have other family members to share the burden of taking care of household chores. How do I keep my house in order and maintain a good quality of life? Automate! Here are some ideas. Cleaning the floor with robots Let the Roomba or similar robotic vacuums clean the floor for you while you are at work! This is a major time saver. Landscaping service or robotic mower? While we are talking about robots, do you know there are robotic lawn mowers and weeders? These innovative products are offered by  Automated Outdoor Solutions . Check them out! Laundry We all use washers and dryers, so laundry is automated. And if you use a programmable washing machine, you can schedule it to run at a convenient time, for example, two hours before you can come home to move the clean laundry to the dryer. But you can save more time by simply packing your laundry in a bag and call the  local laundry delivery service . Your clothes wi...

As you head outdoors, don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray, clinicians urge RACHEL COPPOLA  |  COVERAGE , NEWS SERVICE OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MASSACHUSETTS As summer vacation season kicks off, taking commonsense precautions to avoid sun, heat and insect-borne illnesses can help ensure a fun and safe season. Follow these summer safety tips: Stay sun safe Apply  sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30  and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection on all exposed skin, and reapply it every two hours regardless of SPF rating or more if you are swimming or sweating. “Consider a mineral-based sunscreen instead of a chemical-based one because it reflects UV rays away from the skin, and make putting it on part of your everyday routine like eating breakfast and brushing your teeth,” says Dr. Ashley Yeats, a family physician and VP of medical operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Wear sunglasses, a broadbrimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt or clothing with bu...

With 23 unique neighborhoods, Boston offers endless moments of discovery and excitement for you and your friends and family to explore and enjoy. Whether you live in the city or are visiting during summer vacation, you’ll never be bored. In fact, the choices can be overwhelming so we are here to give you a few good ideas to start the summer. Break out the walking shoes and sunscreen!   Enjoy the Water Nothing’s better than being by the water on a sizzling summer day. Enjoy the sea in Boston by taking a ferry ride or grabbing a spot on a Boston harbor cruise. Many visitors and locals enjoy taking a quick ferry ride over to Spectacle Island. There are plenty of hiking and swimming opportunities for everyone! If you’d rather just relax on the water, lounge on a cruise around the Boston harbor. Grab some  motion sickness medicine  from your local pharmacy if you tend to get seasick. Soak up the Sun Is being near the water not your cup of tea? Don’t worry. There’s still plenty...

Whether you’re a city native or a visitor, there’s much to  enjoy in the Boston area  at any time of the year. But with Father’s Day and graduation around the corner, you’re likely gearing up to celebrate, Boston-style. Here are a few tips to help you plan a happy and memorable Father’s Day or graduation celebration. Dine at One of Boston’s Many Fine Restaurants Whether you’re celebrating graduation day or hosting a Father’s Day event, you, your family, and your loved ones will enjoy having a night out and eating a nice dinner. And with many restaurants offering al fresco dining, you may even consider reserve an outside table. Make it memorable by getting a makeover, dressing up in your favorite dresses and best evening wear, and taking lots of pictures. Before you go, take these fine garments to a  Boston dry cleaner  to get them cleaned and conditioned. Be sure to  dry clean  them again afterwards to remove any food stains and keep them in shape for the n...