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According to the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), there have been 13,000 deaths in the US from common flu since January. And they estimate annual US deaths from common flu to be 36,000. If you’ve been paying any attention at all, you know (to date) there has been only one US death from swine flu (and that was an immigrant from Mexico).
Even most of the cases of swine flu showing up in the US are from people who were recently in Mexico. Why anyone would choose to visit a country that people are risking their lives to flee is beyond me, but that’s another story.
Although this particular respiratory virus (H1N1) appears to be spreading among humans and is of some concern as a result, the cases are generally showing up in young people. One theory why this is happening is older adults have come in contact with this particular virus sometime in their lives and developed an immunity to it.
As with any virus, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with sick people, wash your hands frequently, and keep your immune system healthy. There is also strong evidence that keeping your vitamin D levels normal provides for a natural resistance to flu viruses (as well as several other diseases). Your doctor can check your level with a simple blood test.
Should You Take Tamiflu?
Multiple studies in Europe (published in the prestigious medical journal Lancet on Jan. 19, 2006) indicate Tamiflu is ineffective with a number of flu viruses including avian flu. In some cases people have even died as a result of taking it.
During the avian flu pandemic, governments built up massive stockpiles of Tamiflu that were never needed. On April 23, 2009 the World Health Organization said the total number of confirmed deaths worldwide due to avian flu since 2003 was only 257.
Since there are 36,000 deaths every year in the United States from common flu, one has to wonder why governments are going out of their way to create massive fear about a new possible pandemic.
Why is the CDC now recommending people take Tamiflu for this current swine flu, when there have been no studies to even indicate it would be effective?
Wonder how many government officials are getting rich by buying options on stocks of the makers of Tamiflu (Roche and Gilead Sciences)?
I’m much more worried about our government rapidly moving forward on socialized medicine in the US. We already have a clear picture of what government control in health care does in both the Medicare and Medicaid systems. Both are massively bloated with bureaucracy and are clearly not sustainable by anyone’s definition. In fact, they are both going broke. Of course, by hiding this under an umbrella of total socialized (government run) medicine, the problem can be buried for years.
But that won’t make the inherent problem go away! Government run health care doesn’t work, is always more expensive, and is a sham.
It has been my experience that most people who wind up in a physical rehabilitation facility after hospitalization don’t know what to expect. In many cases they are so turned off by the reality of rehab, they either get off to a bad start or leave… hoping any alternative is better than staying. With that in mind I’m writing this so you can go in with your eyes wide open and get the most from rehab.
13 Common Expectations
Plenty of time to decide on which facility you want to go to. Reality: It’s difficult even be able to choose ahead of time, because when you’re ready for discharge there may not be an available bed at the facility you want. Have a couple options in mind.
Staffing equal to what they experienced in the hospital. Reality: Not even close.
Physical therapy to begin immediately. Reality: Highly unlikely, especially if you arrive late on Friday. At best, you’re first session will be mostly an evaluation by the therapist.
A quiet room similar to the hospital. Reality: Highly unlikely. Bring earplugs.
Pain medications dispensed on a schedule just like in the hospital. Reality: The discharging doctor will most likely change your pain medications… maybe even to “as needed” (which means you have to ask for them) Talk with the admitting nurse and ask about the schedule.
A restful place for recovery. Reality: This isn’t like going home. There are going to be frequent disturbances by staff, unusual sounds in the hallway, and probably somebody yelling off and on.
Food served in room. Reality: Expect to go to the dining room as part of your rehab.
Easy access to their doctor. Reality: Your regular doctor probably won’t even come see you in the facility. You’ll likely have an assigned doctor who may not see you for days.
Discharge home after a couple weeks of Rehab. Reality: Unless you push for it, this is highly unlikely. Rehab facilities only make money while you’re there.
The full color brochure created by the facility is reality. Reality: Did you miss the picture of Barbie?
Immediate response by staff to needs. Reality: Expect to wait a minimum of 10 minutes and it can frequently be more
Restful sleep at night. Reality: Just in case you missed it before, bring earplugs.
Painless rehab. Reality: You’re joking right? In order to keep you pain free, you’d probably need to be on heavy doses of narcotics. All you’d want to do is sleep. Rehab takes effort.
7 Ways to Get the Most From Physical Rehab
Trust your therapist to be your coach
Do the exercises your therapist recommends
Take advantage of every opportunity to work with your therapist
Be prepared for therapy by having your nurse pre-medicate for pain 30 minutes before the session
After the first couple of days, try to avoid narcotic medications during the day except right before therapy
Make sure you’re given pain medication about an hour before you want to go to sleep
Get a good night’s sleep without sleep medication, because these drugs tend to leave you lethargic during the day. If possible, stay out of bed until time to sleep. Bring some chamomile tea with you and have a cup or two before bedtime. Wear ear plugs to block unusual noises and sounds. Turn the TV off at bedtime.
According to Johns Hopkins Dr. Simeon Margolis, “back pain sends more people to the doctor than any complaint except upper respiratory symptoms.”
So there I was, unable to reach the phone, 30 kilometers away from my doctor, and I thought, “It doesn’t have to be this way. A backache doesn’t have to get me so low down – spread-eagled on the floor!”
It gave me little comfort to read that Apprentice star Claire Young says her “killer high heels” wrecked her spine and left her in agony.
All ye pretty women out there reading this, take heed and take the heels off. Obviously, plenty of people were being as silly as me.
So I was taken to the doctor, plus signed up for a physiotherapist and a yoga instructor. Then I pleaded with my boss for a week off. At this point I realized there were some things I could have done to avoid the debilitating pain, the doctor’s bills and the week off without pay
Types of Back Pain
Acute – If a sudden movement, sprain or strain on the muscles triggered the pain, then that pain would be acute. If you don’t continue to strain your back acute pain should disappear in a few days if you apply balm, alternate applying cold & hot packs, & maybe get a massage.
Chronic – your back has been aching for more than a few weeks or months, especially when you get to work
Causes of Back Pain
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Bladder or kidney infections
Pregnancy
Menopause
Cancer
Wearing ridiculously high heels
Dehydration
Diet
Stress
Repetitive movements
Also, did you know that a severe backache could be because of indigestion? And this should surprise some, a joint problem that affects the jaws, can lead to severe backache.
A sagging bed could lead to chronic backaches, so look out for that. If you can’t buy a new one straight off, slip in something rigid (such as a piece of 5/8 inch plywood) between the mattress and the bed frame to keep the mattress from sagging in the middle.
Action Plan
Get to know what you are up against: Acute or chronic?
Questions your doctor might ask you: Most doctors find it a challenge to find the exact reason for severe chronic backaches. Help them as much as you can by noting if there is a central point that pains and if that pain radiates from there to other parts of the body. When the pain is at its worst and if it pains all the time, or only when you move, walk, bend down and so on.
What is the cause: Rule out any spine-related problems. This might require you get an X-Ray. Apparently, my spine is crooked, so I have to extra care about how much weight I lift, how I get out of bed and several other things. The doctor suggests I turn to my side and get up. Apparently, just sitting up is out. Don’t just pop an anti-inflammatory or painkiller, just because it’s in front of you. Talk about the probable reasons with your doctor, it will be easier to cure it completely.
Exercise: Lie on the floor, bring up your knees to your chest and put some pressure on your knees. This lengthens the spine and massages it. However, those suffering from some kinds of severe chronic aches may not be able to do this. Consult your doctor. Yoga, Tai Chi and acupressure are relatively safe methods of reducing the pain and remedying the problem. Strength training may help in building a stronger back, so choose what works best for you.
Sit right: If you have a desk job, you are probably slouching forward all the time. Remind yourself to sit straight, stretch your back and get your own cushions or footstools, if your employer won’t get you a better chair.
Heat and cold: If the pain is acute, ice may be the best remedy. It reduces any swelling and the relief is greater if you massage the sore spot with the ice. Heat works best after you have used an ice bag for two days at least. Moist heat is recommended, i.e., wring a towel in warm water and keep it on your back.
Control your thoughts
Some people are more prone to suffering from chronic pain than others. This is really important to understand because it offers a plausible explanation for the fact that some people do not stick to their medicine, give up on exercise programs that can make them feel better, or continue with a lifestyle that makes the pain worse. Source: Cleveland Clinic
Some of these characteristics are:
A person who strongly feels responsible towards others and goes to any lengths to discharge their duties
A uncontrollable urge to do whatever it takes to get the job done, often sacrificing one’s own needs to achieve it
Not being easy on oneself or others
Holding very strong beliefs
Using pain as a way to seek attention or to buy time
Your spine is the main message center for your body. All the muscles and nerves associated with it are extremely important. So any pain affects the proper functioning of your body and should be tackled immediately.
When it comes to taking care of your eyes, and I cannot stress this enough, you’ve got to be regular. Get them checked regularly, incorporate healthy eye-food into your daily diet, give your eyes rest & exercise regularly.
According to a 7 year study, running and other brisk activities lead to greater cardio-respiratory fitness that is associated with lower cataract risk in men
Yoga incorporates several poses that increase blood circulation to your eyes and strengthen the eye muscles. Also, several poses reduce stress levels through the body and increase lung power, so your entire body, including your eyes feels refreshed.
Paul McCartney demonstrates some eye yoga exercises he learned in India.
Although, I must add, you mustn’t move your head as much as he does while you are doing these eye exercises.
What Makes the Eyes Weak?
Some of the common age-related eye disorders set in because of a diet that lacks nutrients that improve vision or prevent vision from deteriorating; or due to loss of tissue tightness around the eye socket, leading to droopy or puffy eyelids; or weakening of the retinal muscles leading to lower closer-range vision and so on.
Incidentally, smoking reduces blood circulation to the eyes. And in the study cited above, being overweight can increase your chances of developing cataracts.
Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and dry eyes are so very common these days, what with the way we stare at the computer, walk around without sunglasses on sunny days and stay awake for longer than our eyes can stand.
Cataracts are clumps of protein molecules that cloud up your lens making it difficult to see clearly, whereas a build up of pressure on the optic nerve causes glaucoma. This happens when the watery liquid flowing between the lens and the cornea is blocked.
Small Changes for Healthier Eyes
While at work make sure that the source of light is behind you, and not shining directly at you. Overhead lights are fine as long as they do not throw off the glare at you from the computer screen you are looking at. If you can manage: position the light source over your left shoulder, if you are right-handed, and over your right shoulder if you are left-handed.
If you need glasses, get them (and get glasses of the right power). Do not sacrifice your vision for the sake of not looking ‘nerdy’
Blink. Blink. Blink. Fifteen-twenty times a minute.
Every now and again, rub your palms together and place them over your eyes. Count to 20. Do this regularly.
Don’t let cigarette smoke, or any kind of smoke get into your eyes. It can cause the formation of free radicals in the eye, which can cause macular (retina muscle) degeneration.
Prevent your chances of getting eye infections by washing your hands often, especially if you are in a public space. Do not share face towels or eye cosmetics. And do not rub your eyes too vigorously.
Avoid reading while ill, because this puts extra strain on the eyes
Super Eye Foods
Bilberry extracts. This herb has been shown to slow the development of cataracts. It increases the blood supply to the eyes.
Red, orange, yellow fruits and green vegetables are particularly good for the eyes. They are loaded with antioxidants such as beta carotene, vitamins A, C, E
Omega 3 oils found aplenty in cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, cod and sardines are good for the eyes.
A tea made from eyebright, Echinacea, clover, burdock and licorice boosts your immune system… helping you resist eye infections.
Although I love making Indian food for its myriad colors and flavors, I must admit I never knew why turmeric was used in just about everything – in desserts, in chutneys, in the main course, and in the bedtime mug of milk. Now I know it’s because turmeric is the most beneficial herb you could add to any dish. It cools the stomach, purifies the blood, eliminates toxins, and aids digestion. It’s also an antioxidant. And there’s more.
Turmeric is a golden-yellow slightly bitter powder derived from the boiled, dried, powdered rootstock of a plant that looks very much like ginger. It is the flavoring agent that is most often held responsible for curry stains that don’t wash away easily. But that can be forgiven, as it lowers your risk of cancer, reduces inflammations, is used to treat asthma, arthritis, skin infections, anemia, and several other disorders.
Just as good as an external medicine, turmeric is said to be effective against many, if not all, germs that invade the body. It is used in sunscreens and gets rid of acne without leaving behind scars. It is applied over wounds to prevent infections. It is a fungicide and keeps bugs away from stored grains. Not surprising then that it is the physician’s favorite herb and the subject of several patent wrangles.
Curcumin: Concentrated Turmeric
The main constituent of turmeric is curcumin. This element has been shown to prevent several kinds of cancers in tests on animals. Curcumin can prevent a tumor from growing and spreading through the body. This has been confirmed in studies on animals afflicted with tumors in the colon, prostate gland and breast.
Curcumin’s antioxidant properties destroy free radicals that affect our cells and result in premature aging and several disorders. It strengthens the liver and rids it of toxins. And those at risk of heart diseases can incorporate a pinch of turmeric in their meals to prevent any damage to the arteries. Turmeric also lowers cholesterol levels, and does not allow clots to form in the arteries.
Anti-aging Brain Spice?
Curcumin has also been shown in animal studies to protect the brain as it ages. Asian Indians have at least half the age related brain diseases (like Alzheimer’s disease) of those in the rest of the developed world. One possible explanation is their almost daily consumption of turmeric in dishes like curry.
While curcumin is the concentrated extract of turmeric and can be purchased as a supplement, the ethnobotanist James A. Duke theorizes the synergistic effects of food are more important than just consuming what appears to be the active ingredient.
Home remedies:
Asthma: Add I teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk. Let this boil over a slow flame for a couple of minutes without spilling over.
Sore throat: A milk-turmeric drink can be used by those with a sore throat from a cold. If you add a teaspoon of powdered pepper to this (only if you can handle the spice), it acts as an expectorant and clears up the nose.
Intestinal worms: You will need a teaspoon of fresh juice from raw turmeric first thing in the morning. Add a pinch of salt and sip this before you eat or drink anything else.
Muscle strain: Take equal quantities of ginger paste and turmeric paste and apply it over the affected area for at least 30 minutes.
Stomach upset: After a meal that didn’t agree with you, take a cupful of yogurt. Add a spoonful of turmeric to it and eat it.
One of the most common problems with aging is the onset of chronic disease. Yet, with just a few adjustments in our lifestyle, diet, and habits, we can avoid them altogether. While there is certainly lots of attention being paid to diet these days, what we do after we eat is nearly as important as what we eat.
Your mouth is the gateway to your body. And you should have a sentry constantly on duty there. Even healthy mouths are home to a wide range of bacteria. Some are beneficial but most are harmful if they wind up in other areas of our body. If you don’t rinse away leftover food from in between teeth, the resulting bacterial & chemical reactions can lead to gum disease, weak teeth, and even mouth sores.
How Poor Oral Hygiene Affects You
Oral hygiene is grossly underestimated. Bad breath isn’t just annoying, it can be indicative of gum disease that could lead to heart disease, stroke, or cancer.
Several studies show links between gum disease and heart disorders, stroke, and even cancer. What is emerging is a definite link between poor oral hygiene and serious diseases.
One theory is that unhealthy gums lead to infection and the harmful bacteria get into your bloodstream and weaken your immune system, wreaking havoc all over your body, including your heart.
Closely allied to this theory is the idea that the bacteria enter the bloodstream and attach themselves to fatty plaques in the coronary arteries leading to constrictions & even clots. This means your heart doesn’t get all the oxygen and nutrients it needs resulting in a weakened heart and maybe even a heart attack.
Any problem with your gums starts this way: Plaque builds up, leading to swollen gums that start to bleed. Plaque build up happens if you don’t rinse your mouth well enough after a meal or don’t brush & floss right or often enough. Other contributors are eating or drinking too much processed food, sugar, or consuming too much caffeine or alcohol.
Apart from wrong diet, the other causes of gum disease are: chronic illness, high stress, glandular disorders, blood disease, smoking, and deficiencies in vitamin C, calcium, folic acid and niacin.
Daily Action Plan
Brush and floss correctly. Eat mouth-friendly food. Avoid sugar whenever possible, but if you do consume it, brush afterwards. Use a soft-bristled brush (many dentists now recommend a sonic electric toothbrush) at least three times a day, and floss at least daily. Don’t know how? Take a look at this video:
Action Tips
Avoid: Mouthwashes that contain alcohol, artificial colors or flavors. Toothpaste containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and saccharin.
Eat fruits like apples that automatically clean out your mouth
Get plenty of Vitamins C, A, E, and B, potassium, calcium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. A quality multivitamin will help accomplish this.
Avoid too much sugar, candy, processed juice drinks, and syrups
Change toothbrushes every 2-3 months
Rub Vitamin E oil on inflamed gums and use aloe vera based pastes to sooth painful gums
Cranberries Create An Impenetrable Energy Shield More Powerful Than a Missile Defense System
Although it’s been known for several years that cranberries can prevent urinary tract infections, up until now, the exact mechanism has remained a mystery. But in a newly published study, scientists at Worcester Polytechnic Institute say they’ve discovered the secret.
They found that virulent bacteria, like the kind that create urinary tract infections, have hair-like projections called fimbriae that attach to the wall of the bladder. Their studies showed that even low concentrations of cranberry juice created a thermodynamic energy shield that keeps these nasty creatures from getting a foothold.
No Harm To Friendly Bacteria
Because the good bacteria don’t have these fimbriae, they aren’t affected. This is important, because our bodies have billions of good bacteria that provide protection from such gut wrenching disease organisms like Clostridium difficile.
Unpublished work also shows cranberry juice has potent effects on disease-causing bacteria, but that the effect is temporary. This suggests that in order to have continuous protection; you will need to consume some form of cranberry regularly – perhaps daily.
Cranberries, a Superfood You Should Enjoy Year Round
Cranberries are higher in antioxidants than strawberries, spinach, broccoli, red grapes, apples, raspberries, and cherries. With 8,983 total antioxidant capacity per cup, only cultivated blueberries outrank them.
Besides being naturally high in Vitamin C, cranberries also contain calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfer, vitamin A, vitamin B-1, Vitamin B-2, vitamin B-3, vitamin B-5, vitamin E, and zinc.
Rich in a dozen phytochemicals (phytonutrients). Phytochemicals work in a number of different ways to prevent disease, even cancer.
Proanthocyanidins present in cranberries are responsible for their anti-adhesion properties. In addition, these proanthocyanidins promote dental health since they inhibit the bacterial growth that causes plaque.
A 2001 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry revealed this red berry (in its pure form) contained the highest quantity of disease-fighting phenols, a type of antioxidant that is thought to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Cranberries are also a good source of resveratrol, the component of red wine that makes it so good for you.
How to Get Your Cranberries Without Terrorizing Your Body With High Calorie Sugar
Sugar (sucrose) is not only highly addictive; it’s absorbed directly into the blood stream from your stomach, which upsets the natural chemical balance of your body. In addition, sucrose has zero nutrient value.
Pure fresh cranberries have only 45 calories per cup, but when sugar is added, the result tips the scale…
140 calories from 1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries. Note: Craisins (by Ocean Spray) is sweetened with sugar, but Eden Foods offers dried cranberries sweetened with apple juice. Same amount of calories, but better for you.
130 calories from 8 oz. of cranberry juice cocktail (sweetened with sugar)
5 calories from 8 oz. of Ocean Spray diet cranberry juice cocktail (sweetened with fruit juice and Sucralose). Note: Since research has shown Sucralose can cause the thymus gland to shrink, I wouldn’t recommend it. The thymus is important to your immune system.
258 calories from 1/3 cup of jellied cranberry sauce
Add this “Thanksgiving fruit” to your weekly diet. Try them in salads, muffins, pancakes, breads, cheese spreads, on peanut butter sandwiches, etc. You can find unsweetened cranberry juice at some health food stores. Since it’s very sour, you can either sweeten it with honey (heat together in a sauce pan until the honey dissolves into the juice) or make cranberry vinaigrette to serve on your salads.
It’s so embarrassing those who suffer from it frequently become reclusive. Losing control of your bladder is not a disease, and it isn’t related to getting older.
Urinary tract infections, constipation, and certain medications and health disorders can affect a person’s ability to control their bladder. Incontinence can be treated with medications, surgery, or even artificial devices.
But a few exercises and practical tips go a long way in ensuring that this problem stays away.
If you are already suffering from urinary incontinence, note what you eat and drink, and at what time of the day. Also make a note of how often and at what time you are unable to control your bladder. Your doctor will be able to find out what kind of incontinence you have:
Types of Incontinence
Stress incontinence: Leaking urine while undertaking physical activity, coughing, sneezing, or laughing, which puts sudden and unexpected pressure on the bladder. This problem affects younger women who have just been through childbirth and those who are experiencing the onset of menopause.
Stress incontinence: Leaking urine while undertaking physical activity, coughing, sneezing, or laughing, which puts sudden and unexpected pressure on the bladder. This problem affects younger women who have just been through childbirth and those who are experiencing the onset of menopause.
Urge incontinence: Most people can control the urge to urinate if a lavatory is not accessible. But sometimes, those who have diabetes, or have suffered from a stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis may be unable to control the urge and therefore leak urine. Certain drugs such as, antidepressants, diuretics, tranquilizers and high blood pressure medicines can stress the bladder-wall muscle.
Overflow incontinence: Men with an enlarged prostate may experience that a little urine leaks from a full bladder. Diabetics could also suffer from this type of incontinence.
Functional incontinence: Most common in people with Arthritis and bone disorders, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease that curb one’s movements, thinking, or ability to communicate – making it difficult or impossible to reach the lavatory in time.
Mixed incontinence: Most common in women. Usually stress and urge incontinence.
Anatomic or developmental incontinence: Caused by a physical or neurological abnormality or damage due to trauma or disease.
Because of pregnancy & childbirth, menopause, and the structure of the female urinary tract, women experience incontinence twice as often as men.
8 Ways to Improve Bladder Control
Kegel exercises: Arnold Kegel developed a series of exercises in the late 1940s that helped pregnant women overcome stress incontinence. But, they are used today by almost anyone to control the bladder and bowel movements. For at least 2 minutes – 3 times a day, follow these exercises:
a) Relax your muscles and imagine that you are holding back a bowel movement by tightening the anal muscles.
b) When urinating, stop the flow, and restart it.
c) Sit or lie down with your knees slightly apart and tighten the pelvic muscles for at least 2 seconds, relax for 2 seconds and repeat this 10 times. Gradually, hold and relax the muscles for about 10 seconds each time.
Watch your fluid intake: If your diary shows that you have been having lots of fluids (coffee, juices, soups, etc) you may need to cut it down, at least before bedtime or just before a long journey. However, take care that you do not cut away too much and dehydrate yourself.
Look out for diuretics: Alcohol, caffeine and grape juice are well-known diuretics that increase the urge to urinate.
Seize opportunities… To relieve yourself. Holding it in for too long in social gatherings or during meetings may lead to an infection or overstretch the bladder. Get into the habit of relieving yourself at regular intervals.
After you urinate, wait for a few seconds and stand up and sit down again. Double voiding usually works for those who do not feel relieved even after urinating.
Stop smoking. The nicotine irritates the bladder and the lungs. A sudden cough could lead to a loss of bladder control. Smoking also raises your blood pressure causing increased urine production.
Cranberries juice or capsules significantly reduce urinary tract infections and also alleviate the symptoms of urinary tract illness. It also deodorizes urine and inhibits the adhesion of dangerous micro-organisms that stick to the urinary tract.
Watch your weight: Fat deposits put a lot of pressure on the bladder and pelvic muscles. Studies have found that those who suffer from incontinence and then shed excess weight, are able to control their bladder better.
A 23-year study of 660 people over the age of 50 conducted at Yale University concluded that it was actually possible to increase one’s lifespan by about 7.5 years by holding a positive perception of aging. And this advantage held true regardless of age, sex, economic status, loneliness, or even functional health!
The implication of this research and others like it is tremendous. Positive Psychology, a relatively new branch of psychology, studies the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. A recent study showed being happy also influences the happiness of your family and friends, and to a lesser degree their friends and family.
So, happiness can increase your lifespan and quality of life.
Why Happy People Live Longer
Researchers at University College London’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health have concluded some important biological processes are actually improved by happiness.
In their study they found that cortisol, a stress hormone that can lead to diabetes and hypertension and controls many of the body’s functions was 32% lower in the subjects who were happy. They also found happy people had lower stress levels and heart rates.
And, they discovered that health-related biological factors were independently related to happiness. In other words, people aren’t just happy because they are healthy… They are healthy because they are happy.
A happy person seeks out more challenges and ways to have fun. They tend to see new developments as stimulating rather than threatening. The ability to see the lighter side of things leads to a lower stress life.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore concluded that laughter leads to healthier blood vessels. When you laugh, it’s a work out for your diaphragm, abs, heart and shoulders.
Laughing and having a good time increases the production of endorphins, the number of antibody-producing cells, and boosts the success of T-cells. A stronger immune system means you get ill less often. And because you are healthier, you enjoy life more. Another one of life’s pretty neat circles…
Action Plan
Have you ever seen a baby that’s just happy all the time? Turns out happiness is coded in our genes… Studies of identical twins who grew up in separate homes have proved this. Which means some people are just going to be happier naturally.
But don’t despair if you weren’t born happy. You can still make a conscious choice – and live longer.
We all know that emotions, negative and positive, affect our posture, heart rate, blood pressure, & adrenaline levels… In short, our health. In a similar way, our pursuit of happiness, our decision to cheerfully accept or make choices, leads to a lifestyle governed by the pleasure-seeking principle.
This means you can choose to:
Go out camping with friends instead of spending a lonely weekend at home
Help someone who is less fortunate than you (it will automatically elevate your mood)
Watch funny movies
Take a fun mini-vacation with family every month
Be around other happy people
Count your blessings daily
Yes, happiness is a state of mind, but also manifests in the way your body functions. Many studies have shown that a happier person tends to deal with illnesses, unforeseen shocking events and even with permanent disability better than those who hold a largely negative perception of life and aging.
Turns out, laughter is the best medicine. Maybe this explains why George Burns and Bob Hope lived so long.
Under the right conditions, about 33% of all seniors in this country could qualify for up to $1,843 a month in additional income from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This money can be used to pay just about anyone to provide elder care services at home. As an example, these funds can be used to pay children, other relatives, friends, home care companies, or domestic workers. Adequate documentation and evidence must be provided in order to receive money from VA for these services, particularly the services provided by family members or other non-professional providers. The National Care Planning Council furnishes detailed instructions and training to those practitioners who wish to help veteran households receive this valuable source of revenue to pay for home care.
Veteran’s Pension May Pay for Long Term Care
This little-known source of money for paying long term care costs is known as Veterans Pension and is available to veterans who served on active duty during a period of war or to the single surviving spouses of these veterans. Pension is also known popularly as the “aid and attendance benefit.” Of approximately 35 million Americans age 65 and older in this country, about 11.5 million are veterans who served during a period of war or their surviving spouses. This represents about 33% of the senior population.
The Pension benefit has an income and an asset test. Veteran households with income or assets above the test levels will not qualify for the benefit. Fortunately, there are special provisions that allow — under certain circumstances — individuals who would normally fail the tests to still qualify. VA typically does not tell potential applicants about the special provisions. A practitioner who understands how to obtain the aid and attendance benefit can help potential applicants receive the benefit even when they have been told by VA that they do not qualify.
Pension income is often used to pay costs of long term care such as home care, assisted living or nursing home care. That’s because the nature of these expenditures allows potential applicants for the aid and attendance benefit to meet the special provisions of the income test.
Consultant Training Available
Over the past 3 1/2 months the National Care Planning Council has received over 750 requests from veterans families all over the country who are trying to find help with their loved ones’ long term care needs. Many of these veterans households would likely qualify for the aid and attendance benefit mentioned above. As a result of these inquiries, the council is looking to train veterans benefits consultants to help veterans obtain their benefits and to handle these requests.
This consultants package not only provides the training but it also provides a listing service, a unique website, a seminar marketing system and business strategies to help consultants reach out to more veterans who might qualify for this benefit.
This is a new program. The first trained consultant has been in place for a little over three weeks. In that short time, his personal listing service and personal website, provided by the National Care Planning Council, have already resulted in 15 requests for his services from veterans families seeking help with the aid and attendance benefit. Other consultants who have come online since this first one are experiencing similar results.
If you are interested in becoming a consultant or know someone who might be, you can call the National Care Planning Council at 800-989-8137 or check out our consultants training package: www.consultantspackage.com. To learn more about the National Care Planning Council, go to www.longtermcarelink.net.
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