National Walking Day

Today is National Walking Day!

Walking is one of the healthiest things you can do. Even just a 20 minute walk every day can significantly increase your health and well being. Our bodies were designed to move around and walk, and we need to take care of ourselves by doing so.

\Walking is the simplest form of cardio exercise, and it is essential to our health. You can walk by yourself or with others, and it is an enjoyable, free activity. Additionally, walking in nature is known to reduce stress and improve mental health. Find a trail near you or walk around your neighborhood. You can also visit a local park or walk on your treadmill.

Private Home Health Care encourages you to get out and walk today on National Walking Day!

National Play Outside Day

Yesterday was National Play Outside Day! Everyone put down your electronic devices and get outside! Sometimes responsibilities and distractions keep us from spending time in the fresh air as we should. National Play Outside Day is a reminder to stretch our legs and expend some energy in the great outdoors.

Being outside is proven to be beneficial to your health. Natural surroundings help to lower cortisol levels, which alleviates stress and decreases blood pressure. The great outdoors also helps your mental health by increasing dopamine, a pleasure chemical, as well as serotonin, in your brain. Playing outdoors clears the cobwebs from our brains. We sometimes get stuck on a topic, project or issue and are unable to resolve it. A change of scene often brings clarity we didn’t have before. 

Nothing compares to inhaling outside air into your lungs – it helps you breathe more deeply and intake more oxygen. Engaging in physical activity outside is very healthy. Whether you are running, biking, golfing, or hiking, it does not matter what it is you are doing outside, as long as you are in the fresh air and moving your body. In addition, being outside is a low-risk activity for spreading viruses so it is safe to be social outside as well!

Now that spring is here, time to celebrate Play Outside Day as often as you can!

International Carrot Day

International Carrot Day pays homage to the humble yet mighty carrot. This root vegetable can be found all over the world and is a staple in many dishes. Carrots can be found in any type of food, such as salad, soup, entrees, desserts and as juice. (Try juiced carrots and oranges together – delicious!). They are crunchy, tasty, and highly nutritious.

Carrots are a particularly good source of beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. Carrots also have number of health benefits. They’re a weight-loss-friendly food and have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health. What’s more, their carotene antioxidants have been linked to a reducedrisk of cancer.

Carrots are found in many colors, including yellow, white, orange, red, and purple. Did you know that originally carrots were not orange? Up until the middle ages, carrots were mostly purple. It was only in recent centuries that farmers cultivated orange carrots.

Orange carrots get their bright color from beta carotene, an antioxidant that your body converts into vitamin A. This nutrient promotes good vision and is important for growth, development, and immune function.

Today, embrace the crunch and munch on some nutritious carrots!

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 honors the men and women who served and sacrificed during the longest conflict in United States history.

On March 29, 1973, combat and combat support units withdrew from South Vietnam. Generations later, Veterans of this time period are gaining the respect that was not so freely given upon their return. Involving five U.S. presidents, crossing nearly two decades and 500,000 U.S.military personnel, it left an indelible mark on the American psyche.

Returning veterans did not always receive respectful welcomes upon their arrival on American soil. Over 58,000 killed, never to return. The observance recognizes the military service of these men and women who answered the call to serve their country when she needed them. They didn’t make the decision to go to war.

Throughout National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Private Home Health Care recognizes the service and duty by all servicemen and women of this era.

World Epilepsy Day

Celebrated annually on March 26, Epilepsy Awareness Day, or Purple Day, was created to increase the public’s understanding of this brain disorder and to eliminate the fear and stigma surrounding it. With over 3.5 million people diagnosed with epilepsy in the U.S. and over 50 million worldwide, it is likely you know someone living with the day-to-day challenges epilepsy brings. The good news is epilepsy can be easily managed if diagnosed and treated correctly, so awareness and research are important. Join Private Home Health Care in observing Epilepsy Awareness Day by wearing purple!

Epilepsy is caused by electrical disturbances in the brain resulting in seizures of various types. It can be a scary condition to people who do not understand what is going on, which has led to many unnecessary assumptions and even laws about the disease and the capabilities of those who live with it. It’s the fourth most common neurological disorder after migraines, strokes, and Alzheimer’s. Estimates show that one in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy at some point in their life.

The motto is ‘Anyone with a brain can have a seizure and anyone with a brain can help those with epilepsy.’ So, that means YOU can help today!

Type 1 & 2 Diabetes

Education and awareness is key to fighting diabetes. At Private Home Health Care, we are passionate about advocating for health and wellness, including diabetes. In honor of National American Diabetes Association Alert Day, here is more information that may help you or a loved one.

There are two types of diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes is not as preventable, it can be managed well with insulin injections. Managing Type 1 diabetes might also require frequent blood sugar monitoring, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Education is key to learning how to manage symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes often has a very strong genetic component.

However, type 2 is much more preventable, and some actions can be taken. Making healthy choices provides the best chance of protecting against type 2 diabetes. In the United States, 9 out of every 10 cases of diabetes can be avoided if the above lifestyle changes are implemented. Families, schools, workplaces, communities, and healthcare providers can all work together to make healthy choices easy ones.

Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes:

-Eliminate sugar and refined carbs

-Work out regularly and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle

-Make water the primary beverage

-Maintain a healthy weight

-Quit smoking

-Eat a high fiber diet-Optimize Vitamin D levels

The best way to treat disease is to prevent it in the first place. By leading a healthy lifestyle, it is the best way to set yourself up for long term health.