Sensible Guides

Spring has arrived and for many of us so has allergy season. As much as we love the changes in our seasons, we don’t look forward to the sneezing, sniffling, watery eyes that are typical for the allergy suffer.

It is estimated that over 50 million Americans are affected by allergies in some form, and nasal allergies comprise over half of the allergy population. They are an unavoidable part of life and the fact that the numbers are steadily increasing makes it more important to be aware of our roles in keeping our symptoms in check. Continue »

Acupuncture has been around for centuries as an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine and is now making an impact in mainstream medicine today.

Our increasing dependency on pills for quick fixes has also shown increased side effects associated with overuse and a build up of unhealthy tolerances within our own systems.

Today we hear about the benefits of Acupuncture and its proven ability to alleviate symptoms from pain and illness with the use of tiny needles inserted into specific pressure points called acupuncture points. It has been shown to relieve muscle spasms and stimulate immune function promoting healing in a variety of ways. Continue »

It’s the time of year that Colds and the Flu manage to waylay the best of us no matter how much we try to avoid them.

Though you cannot avoid the unpleasant symptoms that go along with these illnesses, you can manage treat them effectively. With a quick trip to the local pharmacy, you can stock up on many different products to relieve all your symptoms.

However, there is an abundant of equally effective home remedies that are available without adding unnecessary medications to your system. Continue »

We all know how important keeping active is for a longer and healthier life, but it’s not just our body that is important. Keeping our mind healthy is crucial to aging well and living a better life as we grow older.

We have talked about academic learning and its importance for keeping our brains active but there is so much more to understand about our brain as it ages. By engaging in activities that require us to think quickly, we help stretch our brain muscles and strengthen our memory and cognitive skills which can significantly keep decline in check. Continue »

Many people will state that the number one source of stress in their lives is their job. There are varying degrees of job related stress but the majority will say they experience high levels of stress several times a week and one in four people have high levels of stress every day.

What you may not be aware of is that this type if stress can severely impact your health which ultimately can affect your life. Your body deals with stress in many ways and some can cause serious health problems.

Chronic or long term stress causes almost 80 percent of all illnesses. Weakened immune systems create havoc on our bodies and allow all types of diseases to take hold. Continue »

Dealing with stress on a day to day basis can bring out the worst in most people but thankfully we have the tools and the ability to decrease our levels of stress in a variety of ways.

The healthiest way to reduce levels of stress and increase relaxation is in some form of physical exertion.

By reducing tension and increasing oxygen levels we can not only help our mental health but our physical health as well. Continue »

Headaches are a common ailment that many people encounter from time to time in the course of their lives but for those who suffer chronic headaches, the pain can be debilitating.

According to the National Headache Foundation nearly 80% of the adult population suffer from headaches with tension headaches being the most common. Migraines make up an additional 13% of the population and though they are less often they are one of the most painful.

The causes of migraines vary and are unique to the sufferer however the frequency of both migraine and tensions headaches can be lessened with a few lifestyle changes. Continue »

Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that first arrived in the US at the beginning of the 20th century but made its mark in the early 70′s.

Yoga, which essential means mental, physical, and spiritual discipline, was practiced to achieve tranquility and enlightenment but has since taken its place in a more gentle approach to physical fitness.

Today yoga is embraced by many people in all walks of life as a way to stretch muscles, strengthen the body and increase concentration and relaxation. There are many types of yoga to choose from based on personal preferences and physical limitations but they generally use the same techniques in a variety of settings. Continue »

There are those who subscribe to the idea that taking daily vitamins will help boost their health and well-being as they age and then there are others who think supplements are nothing but a waste of money. Medical professionals also sit on both sides of the fence when it comes to these issues.

The younger population generally do not consider their health lacking and vitamins normally don’t play a role in their lives. Yet it is only when as we grow older that we begin to see how age can affect the normal wear and tear of our bodies and we start to examine this issue more intently. Continue »

For most people who work a regular work week, the weekends are the best part of the week for typical rest and relaxation. However there is more to your weekend than taking a couple of days to catch up on chores.

Weekends are a vital part in stress management. In the tough economic times of today, many people work more hours than ever before, spending less time on leisure and are weighed down with the stress of keeping everything together.

Rejuvenating yourself on the weekend is crucial to your body and mind so that you leave the stress of the week behind you be ready to face a new week ahead. Continue »