National Napping Day

Today, March 9th, is National Napping Day. Adequate sleep is essential to well-being, and it can help protect your physical health, mental health, well-being, quality of life, and safety. Sleep allows the body to perform important functions in order to repair and recharge.

Not getting enough sleep can compromise the immune system. Lack of sleep can make you more prone to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s.

Napping can help make up for lost sleep, and has been proven to improve mood and performance.

Private Home Care supports a healthy lifestyle, so go ahead and take a nap!

I Want You To Be Happy!

Today is National I Want You to Be Happy Day! Private Home Care encourages you to celebrate by doing something to make someone smile, such as giving a hug, telling a joke, or sharing how much they mean to you!

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/20-simple-ways-make-someone-happy.html

Alzheimer’s and Golf Article

https://www.nchpad.org/641/2608/Golf~and~Alzheimer~s~Disease?fbclid=IwAR2SrYVQWCxs0wgwyzsh13oWPtbGudFJjzSeVMlkCtG7zw7lQFmojQFhvq8

Private Home Care loves this article because it integrates two of our passions: caring for those with Alzheimer’s and golfing. Fascinating to learn how well the two compliment each other!

Kindness and Well Being

Kindness: good for your mind, good for your body! Make sure to be kind to yourself!

Practicing kindness is beneficial for both your mental and physical health. Many physical and mental health conditions are caused or aggravated by stress, and kindness reduces stress.

When you are in a positive mood from practicing kindness, your blood pressure is lower, your immune system is stronger, and it can even reduce your ability to feel pain.

When you practice acts of kindness, it releases hormones that improve your mood and well being! It is so effective that it is being formally incorporated into types of psychotherapy.

Kindness is most beneficial when it is a regular practice – you become more aware of it, and it becomes a habit, which may inspire others to be more kind as well. When you share kindness you have no idea how far the ripple will go.

Private Home Care encourages everyone to add more kindness to your life – to others and yourself!

Almonds are a Superfood!

Yesterday was National Almond Day! They are a nutritional SUPERFOOD and you gain all of the benefits from almonds from eating about a handful (1 oz) a day. Almonds are technically seeds and not nuts. 

Almonds are a great go-to snack and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways such as salty, savory, and sweet! Private Home Care snacks on almonds daily, it gives us energy to provide the very best care for you and your loved ones!

Health Benefits of Almonds:

Lowers overall cholesterol levels – Almonds are high in unsaturated fat and the American Heart Associate recommends that in moderation unsaturated fats may improve a person’s blood cholesterol status. Vitamin E found in almonds is an antioxidant that can help stop the oxidation process that causes cholesterol to clog the arteries.

Decreases cancer risk – Especially breast cancer.

Reduces risk of heart disease – Scientists found that almonds significantly increased the levels of antioxidants in the bloodstream, reduced blood pressure, and improved blood flow.

High in Vitamin E – Vitamin E and other antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage in the body. This damage may occur when too many free radicals accumulate.

“Free radicals result from natural bodily processes and environmental stresses. The body can eliminate many of them, but dietary antioxidants help remove them, too. High levels of free radicals can cause oxidative stress resulting in damage to cells. This can lead to various diseases and health problems.” – Yvette Brazier on December 1, 2013 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269468

There is even a link between higher vitamin E intake with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Decrease risk of obesity – Almonds may help manage weight because they are low on carbohydrates but high in protein, healthy fats and fiber, which helps you feel fuller for longer.  

Stabilize blood sugar for diabetics – Almonds are high in magnesium and scientists have found that there is a link between low magnesium levels and insulin resistance. 

Almonds increase bone health – Almonds contain calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, vitamin K, protein, and zinc, which all contribute to bone health. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Private Home Health Care. Did you know that there are many health benefits of love?

1. Increases positive emotions. Love releases feel-good chemicals in the brain such as oxytocin and dopamine. Love feels great – people love to love!
2. Better immune system – Humans are wired to form close relationships and bonds, and when that doesn’t happen biological systems can get overwhelmed. 
3. Less depression and substance abuse – social isolation is linked to depression and substance abuse, and having a loving relationship reduces that.
4. Lower blood pressure – studies have found that happily married people have the best blood pressure.
5. Less anxiety – Having strong social supports helps ease anxiety.
6. Natural pain control – studies have found that ‘kissing a booboo’ actually helps, touch from loved ones reduces levels of perceived pain.
7. Faster healing – A study at Ohio State gave participants blister wounds and found that the wounds of those happily married healed twice as fast!
8. Better self care – Couples encourage each other to take care of themselves, eat better, go to the doctor and look after their own well being.
9. Longer Life – People tend to live longer because they feel happier and connected.
10. Happier Life – A study in the Journal of Family Psychology found that happiness depends more on the quality of family relationships and not on the level of income.

https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/health-benefits#1