How to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis
Experts wish more people spotted the signs earlier: feeling overwhelmed, not feeling “like yourself,” shifts in sleep, behavior and mood. The United States has a mental health problem, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show. More young people, especially girls, are reporting poor mental health. And while the national suicide rate […]
How to be prepared, safe and happy during music festival season
NEW YORK (AP) — Music festival season has arrived: a time to gather outside with friends, listening to tunes, dancing, and maybe even getting the chance to rub shoulders with musicians you love. “Live music nourishes your soul and makes you feel truly alive,” says Chris Bro, host of the “Next” radio show in Maryland […]
Things to know if you are thinking of becoming pregnant later in life
Dr. Jacquelyn Means knew that being pregnant in her late 30s would be challenging. “It is definitely harder on your body. You just feel a lot more fatigued. There are certain complications to watch out for,” said Means, a Texas OB-GYN who had her first child at 37 and her second at 39. “It’s usually […]
E-bikes can be powerful. Here’s how to stay safe
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The 14-year-old was riding an electric bicycle at an estimated 25 mph when he slammed into Janet Stotko during her evening walk, leaving her unconscious and bleeding on a sidewalk in her Minnesota neighborhood. The 2024 crash nearly killed Stotko, who was raced to a hospital with severe brain injuries, […]
Here’s how to start your backyard vegetable garden
If you want healthy food, experts say to eat what’s local, organic and in-season. Those foods benefit the planet too, because they are less taxing on the soil and they don’t travel as far. It doesn’t get more local, organic and in-season than a backyard vegetable garden. At this time of year, many backyards across […]
How to make the most of your workouts after menopause
When Sarah Baldassaro turned 50, she took stock of her health and began working with a fitness coach on strength training, a type of exercise that’s crucial for women in midlife. “Now I would say I’m stronger overall than I ever have been at any age,” said Baldassaro, 52, of Alexandria, Virginia. “My fitness level […]
How to volunteer with young children: Tips and ideas for families
NEW YORK (AP) — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned three she set out to find volunteer opportunities they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into the forest to promote […]
How to start reading books again as an adult
NEW YORK (AP) — People stop reading in adulthood for lots of reasons. But it’s never too late to turn the page on old habits and start again. Curling up with a good book can reduce stress, increase creativity and boost empathy. A recent analysis of U.S. government data found that the percentage of Americans […]
How to remember your health questions during a doctor’s visit
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not unusual for a 20-something to text Mom in a panic from the doctor’s office, seeking help answering a question. And patients of any age can struggle to recall all their medicines — or forget to mention a concern. Getting the most out of a doctor’s visit requires some advance preparation. […]
How Nordic countries embrace the long dark winter and beat the blues
The Nordic countries are no strangers to the long, dark winter. Despite little to no daylight — plus months of frigid temperatures — people who live in northern Europe and above the Arctic Circle have learned how to cope mentally and physically with the annual onset of the winter blues, which can begin as early […]