healthy living

Winter is the time of year when those creepy, crawly cold and flu germs come out of hiding in search of a warm place to snuggle up and reproduce. On just about every public surface – and harboring on cell phones and computer keypads among many other places in our homes – they prey on adults and especially love finding their way onto children who just can't seem to keep their fingers out of their mouths and noses.
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It's true that hearing loss comes with age, in fact, a reported up to 50% of those over 75 are affected. However, the World Health Organization reports that approximately 17% of teenagers and 19% of people in their 20s have signs of hearing loss, and much is likely noise-induced, especially in this digital day and age.
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Holidays have a bad rap when it comes to the fattening, unhealthy foods that generally accompany them, not to mention the extra boozing and grazing that occurs at many of the seasonal parties. But not all holiday foods can be blamed for packing on the pounds. Some elements of our traditional holiday feast even have "superfood" qualities.
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For many parents, making kid's lunches is one of the bigger drawbacks to back-to-school time, adding one more chore to our already busy lives. In a perfect world, we'd have our kids make their own, but there are drawbacks to that as well. For starters, these self-made lunches would likely include lots of fun snacks and very little in the way of nutrition. And the prodding it takes to get them to actually do it often takes longer than just doing it ourselves.
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'Tis the season for fresh, locally-grown leafy greens. As one of the first seeds to hit the dirt in the early spring, these hearty plants are now hitting the shelves in abundance. High in antioxidants, the benefits of adding more greens to your diet seem endless, with studies touting a number of health benefits, including cancer prevention, stronger bones, brain health, better vision, and healthier skin, among many others.
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With the arrival of summer comes the smell of sizzling food on the grill, as it wafts from across the neighborhood, and backyard dining is once again the norm. According to the Health, Patio, & Barbecue Association, 7 out of 10 families in the U.S. own a grill, making it by far the most common outdoor cooking method. And there's no doubt that summer wouldn't be the same without one.
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Few of us in North Carolina are immune to occasionally losing an hour to mindless scrolling on our phones and devices. After all, it's the nature of social media and the internet: an endless series of rabbit holes full of breaking news, TikTok videos, shopping, and Insta updates we didn't know we needed. But, for some, those technological time warps aren't just occasional, they're a daily, or even hourly, preoccupation. When does an innocuous pastime become a problematic addiction? And what do we do about it?
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In a world full of visible dangers, the last thing anyone in North Carolina wants to think about is the invisible ones. But they're there and, believe it or not, many of them may be lurking inside your home. According to the CDC, each year, approximately 430 people in the U.S. die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and more than 50,000 are treated for it. Mold is prevalent in an estimated 70 percent of American homes. And the EPA and Surgeon General attribute more than 21,000 annual deaths from lung cancer in the U.S. to radon exposure.
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Nobody likes to go to the doctor, especially when they aren't sick. But preventative healthcare is a huge piece of the long, healthy, and happy life puzzle. Annual wellness exams often include a general screening, vitals check, labs, and maintenance for chronic health conditions. In fact, it isn't uncommon that these annual exams identify early-stage diseases like cancer, concerning blood pressure and cholesterol levels, thyroid dysfunction, and a host of other common deficiencies and abnormalities. And, since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandated 100 percent coverage for preventative care, there's no excuse for missing your annual physical.
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Anymore, it's an expectation: New Year's Day rolls around and a laundry list of resolutions lies before us. Gym membership and self-help book sales skyrocket. The revelry of the holidays gives way to Dry January, "clean" meal planning, and the next best diet. Entrepreneurs recommit to the hustle. A growth mindset is on the tip of everyone's tongue. It seems that everyone is looking to fix, improve, and ascend the latter of some self-determined actualization or another.
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Little in life is as important as healthful, restful sleep, and lots of it. But little in life seems to evade American adults as pervasively. Insufficient sleep, health, lifestyle impacts nearly two-thirds of Americans. And, according to a recent study by the CDC, one in three adults doesn't get enough sleep on a regular basis.
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It's an invisible facet of the aging process, but more critically linked to maintaining health, functionality, and autonomy than perhaps all else: brain health. From infancy to adulthood, the brain is in a constant state of growth, forming more than a million new neural connections every second in the earliest years of life and achieving 90 percent of its adult volume by age 6.
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There's no getting around the fact that many jobs require desk time, and for many people, that means eight-plus hours a day just sitting. In an ideal world, a life complete with regular yoga practice, chiropractic adjustments, strength training, constitutionals, ideal nutrition, and relaxing massages might be the obvious solution. But few can support such luxuries. Still, adjustments must be made to the sedentary necessities of the grind if it's to continue, well, grinding. Here are a few simple solutions to the desk debacle:
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With summer, comes a welcome invitation for people in North Carolina to spend as much time as possible outside. Not only does nature replenish Vitamin D and support immunity; reduce anxiety and depression; lower blood pressure and reduce stress; increase serotonin and reinforce circadian cycles for better sleep; and improve focus, but it may also help reduce cancer risk by increasing anti-cancer proteins. "Being outdoors in nature can be healing and beneficial for the body and mind," says certified therapeutic recreational specialist Erica Price. "Whether at the beach, forest, or in a neighborhood park, nature offers a calming effect. And, when we combine nature with physical activity, it can help fight depression and anxiety."
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With spring comes cleaning, and with cleaning comes a fresh opportunity to take on tired interiors and welcome the light and liveliness that summer ushers forth.
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Winter is almost over and trees are budding with the first signs that spring is in the air. A crocus pops its sweet purple plumes through the last ice crystals and we heave a collective sigh of relief that, with the winter chills, the myriad of mucus-producing viruses is finally leaving the building. And then, for many, that first fatal sneeze. Spring, in all her verdant glory, has ushered back in seasonal allergies and the snotty noses and congestion we hoped not to revisit until the fall. For many of us in North Carolina, seasonal allergies aren't just a nuisance, they prevent outdoor recreation, socialization, yard maintenance, and a host of other activities that make summer, well, summer.
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The pandemic changed many things for many Americans, from how we work to how we socialize. One potentially positive shift is that it accelerated the already growing field of telehealth. Suddenly it became easier and made more sense to see your doctor online for basic ailments and routine check-ins. But is telehealth all it's cracked up to be? Here are some common questions you may have about telehealth:
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Heat-related illnesses are serious business. When left untreated, the symptoms of heat exhaustion can turn into heatstroke, which is life-threatening. During the prime summer months, this can be a big problem and one that can creep up on you, since the signs and symptoms of heatstroke can often look like something else. With normal summer temperatures slowly increasing around the globe, it's even more important to understand how heatstroke occurs and how you can prevent it.
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Most Americans don't worry about how much water they use. But life depends on having enough clean, fresh water and this precious resource is becoming more scarce every single year.
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Many Americans struggle with depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter months. This year, it's been especially hard to stay mentally and physically healthy. When the pandemic has forced many of us to stay cooped up inside our houses, it just gets easier and easier to not get out of your pajamas or venture beyond your front door. But if you want to get back to a healthier lifestyle in the new year, getting outside is one great way to start improving your social life, physical health, and state of mind.
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It's safe to say that, at this point, everyone around the globe is tired of the pandemic. So much so that there's now an official name for it: pandemic fatigue. Unfortunately, the end of this difficult episode unknown, which means we're going to have to live with the constraints of pandemic life and all of its negative impacts for much longer than we would like.
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Taking care of elderly parents? Here's how to keep them safe and stay sane. Having the opportunity to spend time with and give back to your elderly parents can be an unexpected gift. But as rewarding as it is, it can also be exhausting, frustrating, and dispiriting at times. Here are some ways to stay sane and enjoy time with your loved ones while you still have them.
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In some areas of the country, having an air conditioner is an absolute necessity. But in other areas, such as in the Rocky Mountain Regions, staying cool indoors takes some diligence and effort. Whether your home is equipped with AC or not, here are some things you can do to keep your spaces cooler this summer.
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While the summer of COVID-19 continues, many Americans are looking for ways to get their recreation and vacation fixes without putting themselves at risk. Having a good old-fashioned day at the beach is a great option. Whether you're trying to minimize the risks of the virus or a jellyfish sting, make sure to follow these guidelines during your excursion to stay safe and protected.
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Summer is coming, and with that, gardeners everywhere are pulling on their gloves, dusting off their shovels, purchasing seeds, and getting into the dirt. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a novice, knowing how to keep your garden properly watered is an important skill to develop. Here are some tips to improve your watering game.
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The holidays are a time for potlucks, office parties, and food-related gifts. But how can you be sure that mystery casserole, fruitcake gift basket, or shrimp cocktail are safe to eat? Here are some tips to keep in mind when you're cooking for a crowd, attending a holiday party, or deciding what to bring to an office potluck.
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We all love how fresh and wonderful a home can feel after a good spring cleaning; but getting started can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you don't have to clean your home perfectly to rejuvenate your living space. Here's how to get maximum results, whether you have a few hours, a few days, or no extra time at all.
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Everyone experiences stress and not all of it is bad. But when stress levels stay high or become chronic, they can cause a huge variety of health issues or make existing health problems worse. Overproduction of stress hormones can damage the brain, heart, and other organs and prevent cells from functioning normally. As the Mayo Clinic explains, chronic stress impacts the body, which impacts the mood, which can impact behavior. In this way, too much stress can impact our entire lives, affecting health, relationships and our quality of living on a day to day basis.
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February is American Heart Month, and even if you don't have heart disease, it's time to learn whether you're at risk, and what you can do about it. High blood pressure is a leading cause of death in Americans and one of the most important things to address for a healthy heart. Yet only about half of those who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure have it under control.
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Let's face it, most of us probably don't think much about replacing everyday household items, the ones we hang onto for months or even years. But hiding in our kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms are many tools and products that should be refreshed on a regular basis to prevent illness and disease, or just to ensure that they're actually working properly.
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Cold and flu season in North Carolina is officially here. Perhaps, as recommended by health departments nationwide, you got a flu shot, and maybe you'll get lucky and avoid getting sick. But if you do catch what's going around, here are six ways to minimize your pain and suffering, and maybe even shorten your illness.
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How much do you know about your skin or skin overall, for that matter? November is National Healthy Skin Month, and a good time to set aside all the latest skincare fads and get some real information about your skin, what it does, and what truly is the best way to take care of it.
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What does it mean to age in a healthful way? Although it's different for each person, healthy aging is about maintaining a high quality of life at every stage, and cultivating habits that allow you to continue to enjoy your life and do the things you love to do. And while aging is inevitable, aging well is a choice.
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We all know we're supposed to wear sunscreen, but with hundreds of options on the shelves every summer, many of us end up choosing the wrong one. Here's what you need to know about how to choose the right sunscreen, and why.
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Summer is the time when the outdoors beckon. Research shows that spending time in nature can positively impact mental health, stress levels, blood pressure, cholesterol and many other conditions. But not all of us live close to the great outdoors, and some of us wouldn't call ourselves "outdoorsy," even if we do. Don't fret. You can still get the benefits of being outdoors, even if you live in a city or don't enjoy hiking.
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We have all heard about the sharp increase in e-cigarette use, aka "vaping," among young people. If you are a parent or educator of teens, you're probably more familiar than most. So why are e-cigarettes suddenly so common on middle and high school campuses? Here's what you need to know about vaping, and how to protect your teen.
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Many sighted Americans, even those who wear corrective lenses, take their vision and eye health for granted. Every day, we effortlessly navigate the world, experiencing bright colors, beautiful sunsets; and looking into the faces of our loved ones without a second thought. But eye health includes much more than just the ability to see. According to the National Eye Institute, more than 23 million Americans have never had an eye exam. This means that there are millions of Americans who may be experiencing not just vision problems, but also serious eye diseases, that may go untreated and lead to more serious problems. Here are some answers to some common questions about eye check ups and health:
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Think back to your best childhood summer. Was it action packed, or full of lazy days? Did you spend time with family, visit your grandma down South, or just run around the neighborhood with friends? Maybe your memories include helping your dad out at the office, working a summer job, or taking on a challenging internship. Keep those memories in mind and follow these guidelines to plan a summer your kids will remember forever.
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We all want to feed ourselves and our families fresh, healthy food, and summertime is when produce is the freshest. Summer farmer's markets are starting soon, and the produce on the shelves calls out for lighter summer meals. But when it comes to fruits and vegetables, not all choices are created equal. Many types of produce are grown with pesticides that can be harmful to humans, and some are more resistant. Here's how to make sure you're eating the healthiest produce around, no matter what your budget.
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Stress is the body's natural response to a wide variety of pressures and demands. These can include normal, everyday stressors like workplace drama, relationship or money issues as well as major life events, like a death in the family, the loss of a job, or the diagnosis of a major illness. Sometimes, stress can be healthy and positive it helps us rise to an important challenge; other times, too much stress can wear us down, and cause physical and mental health problems, like poor sleep, depression, anxiety, chronic illness, or weight loss/gain.
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With Valentine's Day on the horizon, February is often known as the month on love. And when it comes to the high school years, that's when these feelings tend to bloom. Do you have teenagers who are starting to date? What are some steps you can take to educate them on dating safely? What kinds of rules should you set as a parent? These are common questions that parents have as their kids start to evolve into adults. Here are some things to consider...
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2017 was the year of bulletproof coffee, health tracking apps and devices, probiotics, mindfulness, golden lattes, Korean beauty products, and fancy sauerkraut. So what wild, innovative, strange, and fun things will we be doing, buying and consuming to stay fit, strong, and healthy in 2018? Here are just a few health, food, and fitness trends to watch for in the new year:
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Did you know that your home could be harboring toxic levels of radiation in the form of Radon gas? To raise awareness of this silent killer, January has been designated National Radon Awareness Month. It's a time to get your home tested and to encourage those around you to do the same, in an effort to reduce the thousands of preventable deaths caused by Radon each year.
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A brand new year is on its way and, with it, a chance to make a fresh start. Let your smartphone be your guide as you tackle everything from weight loss to meditation to straight up happiness. Here are the top 10 apps that just may help coax you towards your best year ever.
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Hosting a family dinner this holiday? There's a very good chance that a guest at your table will be allergic to something you're thinking of serving. Here's what you need to know about food allergies and how to be hospitable, no matter who you're hosting.
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Sleep is one of the most important aspects of healthy living. The New York Times recently proclaimed that "sleep is the new status symbol," and recent studies have blamed a lack of sleep for everything from poor academic performance to weight gain to relationship problems. So how much sleep do you really need? Probably more than you're getting. The CDC recommends a minimum of 7 hours, even for adults. Children and teens need even more, so if you're a parent, be sure to help your child get to bed at a reasonable hour each night.
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According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. Falling disproportionately impacts adults age 65 and older, and can lead to serious injury, further health problems, decreased quality of life, and a loss of independence.
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Domestic violence affects men, women, families and communities, and its impacts are far-reaching. According to the National Coalition on Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. In the U.S. alone, victims seeking help place more than 20,000 phone calls to domestic violence hotlines each day. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, offering a good time to bring this serious issue to light.
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Extreme heat can be fatal. Already this year, 29 children have died from being left in hot cars, and hundreds of adults die each year from heat stroke or other conditions that are made worse by the high temperatures. As unusually high temperatures become more common, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness, and how to prevent them from happening.
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It's always harvest season somewhere, which means that nowadays it's possible to get many fruits and vegetables year-round. But that doesn't mean you should. Summer is still a special time for high quality, locally-grown fruits, veggies, meats and dairy products. Here's how to make the most out of summer's bounty.
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The abuse of prescription and non-prescription opioids is a national epidemic, affecting individuals and families of all races, ages, and classes. According to the Center for Disease Control, overdose deaths related to prescription painkillers have quadrupled since 1999. Every single day, approximately 90 Americans die of overdose, making opioid abuse the number one cause of death by injury in the US. Opioids include prescription painkillers, like Vicodin and Hydrocodone, synthetic opioids, like Oxycodone, and the street drug heroin. Some of these drugs may initially be prescribed by a doctor for legitimate pain. But even under the care of a medical professional, opioid use can lead to dependence and addiction, causing the user to seek more drugs by any means necessary, despite negative consequences.
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There's an app for everything these days, but not all of them are worth downloading. Here are a few user favorites worthy of space on your device, that will help you to make the most of your summer plans.
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Written about frequently in medical journals, Alzheimer's disease is one that's been widely studied, but is still an anomaly to many scientists. Since, June is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, it's a good time to look at what we do know, along with things one can do to prevent it.

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Happy spring! It's that time of year in North Carolina when flowers, plants, and trees are blooming, the grass is green, requiring maintenance, and the air is fragrant with new life. It's also that time of year when millions of Americans are battling seasonal allergies. For some, spring is hopeful; for others, it's miserable.
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Let's face it, many of us get motivated to exercise because we want to regulate or lose weight. It's looked at like a chore, rather than a pleasure in many cases. However, know that there are many other benefits to regular exercise may up the motivation levels.
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Most of the modern world is plugged in these days to smartphones, ipads and laptops, among other things. And many of us complete the loop by coaxing earbuds into our ears, turning up the sound to shut the world out, even just for a minute. But this practice, along with the increased amount of dangerous noise present in the modern world, is causing epidemic levels of early hearing loss in children, adults and teens. Read on to find out what you can do:
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Everyone in North Carolina agrees that cyber safety is important, but what, exactly, does it mean to be "safe" online? And what do parents really need to know? Here are the top five things you can do to teach your kids how to become responsible digital citizens:
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There are plenty of potentially hazardous activities that go along with the holiday season and the start of winter, such as stringing up Christmas lights, navigating the icy roads, and hopping on those skis or other snow sports equipment, just to name a few. This is also the time of year when we break out the snow shovels and ice melt, so that we, and our neighbors and visitors, can safely navigate our walkways and sidewalks.
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