September is National Yoga Awareness month. Yoga combines physical and relaxation modalities originating back from ancient Indian traditions. Endurance training, breathing techniques, and meditation merge to create mind and body health and wellbeing. Yoga practices vary; some target physical training while others concentrate on stress reduction. Researchers continue to highlight positive attributes of yoga, making its practice a building block in the management of chronic diseases. As noted in WebMD, “Yoga has long been known to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate…Yoga has also been linked to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and better immune system function.” 

There it is, Jerry Seinfeld “live-on-stage” and your face looks like you just chopped some fresh onions- Streaming with irrepressible tears. Yet this weeping originates from joy and laughter. Go ahead, and treat yourself to a giggle. It can actually save your life! According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM.edu), a study revealed that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh than others within the same age group. Many experts agree in the numerous health benefits of laughter, but can this joyful expression truly prevent a heart attack?

A recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic linked hospital off-hours to increased death rates following a heart attack. Researchers reviewed an average of 2 million medical records, analyzing patient outcomes 30 days after experiencing a heart attack. Results demonstrated a 5-percent higher chance of death, for clients arriving to the hospital during weekends and evening shifts. Patients, who arrived to the hospital during off-hours, experienced a 15 minute longer wait time than patients admitted during weekdays and normal business hours. Could these tragedies have been a result of understaffed medical units?

You’re body is feeling achy, congested, and the headache intensifies each passing minute. The flu symptoms don’t seem to subside aside from taking Alka-Seltzer two hours ago. Before reaching into the medicine cabinet and grabbing an Aspirin to relieve aches and pains, think twice as you may be double dosing.

There are ways to prevent holiday blues, and have a fulfilling New Year! It’s time to nurture you, and to care for the little things that warm your soul in 2014! Whether you have family going out of town, or just spending the holidays a lone, there are ways to make this time of year exciting and open to all sorts of positive possibilities. 

1. Creative ways to connect with loved ones:

If loved ones will be put of town make arrangements to set up times to call. FaceTime and Skype are great options to interact and see family and friends during calls.