Psychotherapist, author and positive living expert, Diane Lang, offers 7 tips to be happy after age 40. The truth about mid life is that we hit a low point in life which could be the cause of the crisis we feel when we hit our 40th birthday. It’s normal to hit 40 and start asking yourself the following questions: Is this all there is to life? Why am I here? What’s my purpose? Who am I? What do I really want? The problem is when we get stuck in this question phase and don’t move forward. We can become stuck in this crisis and become lost.

“In mid life we naturally hit a low. What excited us in our 20s and 30s no longer has much of an impact on us. The things we never paid much attention to now stands out more like a good cup of coffee, friends who we have a lot in common with, kids, sunsets and sunrises, nature, etc. I appreciate the simple things much more with age which allows me to be more mindful in life which a positive of aging BUT yet it’s not enough to avoid the crisis,” shares Diane Lang.

Reality sets in when we enter mid life. We start to realize not all of our dreams came true and some might not ever. We start re-evaluating our dreams to fit our reality. We worry about retirement and not having enough money. We worry about wasting time doing things that were not passionate about. We worry about paying off our mortgages and our children’s college bills. Truth be told we become stressed out in our 40s between a mix of reality setting in and worrying taking its toll our happiness levels start to shrink.

Here are 7 tips to achieve midlife happiness:

1. Be realistic about your dreams and goals. Set new goals to fit your value system in mid life.

2. Gratitude – look at all you have done up to now such as your education, job experience, family, travel, etc.

3. Add more connection to your life – when we hit mid life it’s more important to have friends we connect to and have things in common with. This is a good time to find those friends. Do activities that you love and meet people who feel the same. Connection is so important.

4. Release the toxic – we lose patience in mid life for all the drama so it might be time to break up with the narcissists in your life.

5. Remember that the older we get the happier we get. Yes, mid life is stressful but once we pass through it and hit the fifties we get happier and happier. So, you have a lot to look forward to.

6. In mid life we tend to worry about our kids which is completely normal BUT it’s also time to start worrying about yourself. Start having more balance by taking care of your family as well as your own needs.

7. In mid life we develop a lot of new interests like religion, spirituality, fitness, solitude, etc. Take a personal development class or try yoga. When we keep learning, we keep growing and growth brings happiness.

- Diane Lang is a Positive Living Expert and psychotherapist – is a nationally recognized speaker, author, educator, therapist and media expert. Lang is extremely mediagenic and offers expertise on a variety of health and wellness topics about creating balance and finding happiness through positive living as well as multiple mental health, lifestyle and parenting needs. In addition to holding multiple counseling positions, Diane is also an adjunct professor at Montclair State University.

Supplements have become tremendously popular in recent years, not only among athletes, but also among everyday people seeking the keys to youth, vitality and longevity. It seems there isn’t a disease or ailment in existence that can’t be prevented by regular consumption of a specific vitamin, mineral, herb or other nutrient. With so many different products on the market, you might find yourself wondering if it’s even possible to optimize your health without the use of supplements.

The Benefits of Whole Foods

Fortunately, the answer to that question is yes. By eating a variety of the right whole foods, you can achieve high levels of dietary health and physical fitness. In fact, research finds that whole foods are actually a far better option than supplements alone. The reason for this is what is known as Food Synergy or Nutritional Synergy.

Food Synergy

For example, the phytonutrient Lycopene (most notably found in tomatoes) was discovered to help prevent prostate cancer. Interestingly, studies tracking the use of synthetic Lycopene supplements have provided inconclusive results with regard to cancer prevention. But studies focusing on the consumption of tomato sauce consistently showed that just two servings a week could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by as much as 23%.

The Biological Web of Nutrition

Essentially, what researchers are finding is that calcium, vitamin C and pretty much all other nutrients are not solely responsible for the benefits they are expected to provide. It is the combination of said nutrients and their entire biological web of interlinking compounds that give our bodies the nourishment they need. Supplements offer just one link in that complex chain. You wouldn’t expect a plant to grow without sunshine and water. Likewise, you can’t expect five oranges worth of vitamin C tablets to provide you with the same nutritional benefits as five actual oranges would.

Supplements Step In

That’s not to say that supplements are unhealthy or even useless. It’s just that they were never meant to replace nutrients that are available in whole foods. The intended use of a supplement is communicated in its name. It’s meant to supplement your diet and provide some nutrition where there might be a deficiency. Used in this way, they make an excellent addition to your whole foods diet.
Bio

- Jordan Layton is a professional health and wellness writer for Sports Nutrition.

According to The Huffington Post, the researchers do not claim to have found a cause and effect relationship, but according to Dr. Remy Slama, who is a fertility expert at France’s Joseph Fourier, “this study adds another suspect to the list of factors possibly influencing male fecundity potential, which includes being overweight, exposure to tobacco, and exposure to pollutants.”

A similar study was found in the Times magazine article in November 2012 about pollutants linked to lower fertility in both men and women. The article revealed a strong association between exposure to chemicals and infertility with men. For men, there was a higher blood concentration of eight chemicals, including pesticide and seven PCBS, which were associated with 17% to 29% reduction in the odds that his partner would get pregnant. These statistics alone show how powerful pesticides are.

The Futon Shop also believes there are a number of harmful side effects when sleeping on chemicals and considers sleeping on an organic futon mattress as the best way to prevent sleep issues, increased chance of infertility and other diseases. One of the biggest issues is the one that Dr. Remy Slama speaks to regarding pollutants in the Huffington Post. The study by the American Journal of Epidemiology is so important and needs to be further explored. Last week was Resolve’s National Infertility week, so there are lots of good info and new studies being done every year regarding infertility. The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) states that there are many factors that increase a man’s infertility. CDC lists many factors that increase infertility in a man such as: heavy alcohol use, drugs, smoking cigarettes, and environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead.

As for looking at infertility as an issue related to age and genetics, there is not much to control or change with these two factors. But when it comes to controlling environmental toxins such as: drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, and harmful chemicals, a person has a lot more control over steering clear from these harmful pollutants. Buying local, buying organic, and asking for no fire retardants are the most important questions while researching for a chemical free mattress.

The Futon Shop realizes that toxins are everywhere. Toxins are hard to escape from, especially since they are hiding in our cars, seeping from our furniture, finding a way in the air when we breathe, and landing on our kitchen table when we eat. But Americans have a choice to do what they can when preventing toxins from entering their body. Companies like The Futon Shop who dedicate their time and money to producing American made products, practices sustainable and toxic free manufacturing, gives consumers the power back in their hands with the knowledge and choice to buy organic and live a healthier lifestyle. Let The Futon Shop help create a safe and healthy sleeping environment.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

Recent studies have found that supplementing with the probiotics Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactococcus lactis, and Streptococcus thermophilus for four weeks, subjects demonstrated improved processing activity in the area of the brain responsible for controlling emotion, sensation and anxiety.

The article also describes a clear connection between the enteric nervous system, located around the digestive system, and the central nervous system; this finding opens new possibilities to the connection between how probiotics may be effective in treating anxiety. Supplementing with the Lactobacillus strain of probiotics also supports the production of the neurotransmitter GABA, the primary neurotransmitter responsible for controlling behavior and mood.

Probiotic supplements may even reduce the production of stress hormones in the body, thus further reducing risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, digestive issues, depression and anxiety.

The full article on probiotics for anxiety is available at http://eprobiotics.com/probiotics-for-anxiety/.

About: eProbiotics.com is a new website that was launched in March of 2013 in order to educate the community in the importance of digestive and intestinal health and how maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria can combat many illnesses. Recent topics have included probiotics for sugar cravings, probiotic supplements, probiotics as a treatment for colitis, probiotics for gut and colon health, understanding the benefits of probiotics, probiotics and stress induced IBS, the diabetes and probiotics connection, as well as several other highly informative articles are available to help people understand the connection between intestinal health and overall health.

A free guide on cleansing foods and intestinal health is available at http://eprobiotics.com/free-report. The free guide has been made available to show people which natural foods they can begin to eat to increase healthy bacteria and improve overall intestinal and gut health.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

I have long suffered with digestion issues. From my stomach being upset to acid reflux to having colon problems and even urinary tract infections I have had problems after problems. However recently I have changed my lifestyle and added a few supplements that have really helped me out. Here are some of the ways I improved my digestion:

1. Checking out allergies – The first thing that really helped me to turn a corner was checking out if I was allergic to any of the foods I was eating. I know that gluten intolerance can cause many digestive issues. Thankfully I am not gluten intolerant, but I am lactose intolerant. Once I switched to soy products I greatly reduced my stomach upset and bloating.

2. Cutting down on fat and salt – Secondly I also made a diet change by cutting down on the fat and salt I consumed. This was due to other health reasons, but it helped my digestion as well. Once I cut down on fat and salt heavy prepackaged foods, soups and lunch meats I discovered my bowel movements became more regular and my blood pressure dropped. In fact I had to stop taking my blood pressure medication! However in order to decrease my fat and slat I switched to whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. These fresh ingredients aggravated my digestive issues to the point that I did not know which was worse, the fat or the pain. However I have since discovered how to solve this problem.

3. Taking a probiotic – I started taking a probiotic supplement once a day along with a digestive enzyme supplement with problem foods. When I eat fresh vegetables or spicy foods I make sure I take the digestive enzyme supplement beforehand. The combination has allowed me to be pain free after eating for the first time in years!

4. Drinking more water – In order to help my digestion I have also started drinking more water. By replacing sugary sodas and caffeine laden drinks with water I have seen that my stomach can hold more food without refluxing, my bowel movements are more regular, and my urinary tract infections have been greatly reduced. I also take a cranberry supplement to help keep my urinary tract clean.

5. Exercising – Last but not least I have increased my activity level. Though other health issues prevent me from running on a treadmill or going for a jog I have found ways to be more active. Bike riding is a great way to get out and be moving when the weather is nice. By moving more I keep my digestion running smooth and do not have as many issues.

Although all of these things may not work for you, some of them may help at least a little. Improving your digestion helps your overall health and certainly helps you to feel stronger and more able to face the stresses of life.

- This post is contributed by Christine Maddox. Currently she is pursuing her Master’s degree from University of Texas as well as blogging for www.4nannies.com. She loves to write anything related to parenting, kids, nanny care etc. She can be reached via email at: christine.4nannies @ gmail.com.

SafeTeens.org is a digital resource on healthy living and safe sex for Pennsylvania teens. Designed to help teens and young adults learn how to make healthy choices to protect their futures, the site, which covers topics such as safe sex, relationships, peer pressure, nutrition, and more, is designed to empower teens to make positive choices and connect with reliable health information and services, while communicating messages of responsibility, health and wellness.

The new publication, Q: For Advocates & Educators, is designed to help adults who work with teens use the material on the website effectively in their lesson plans and activities. Q will be sent out quarterly via email. Those interested in receiving the quarterly can sign up for it on the resource corner page of SafeTeens.org. The inaugural issue of Q is also available to view on the web. All new signups through the month of May will be entered into a drawing to win a SafeTeens Educator’s Prize Pack.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

By Jacqueline Marcell

CREATIVE BEHAVIORAL TECHNIQUES
Once my parents’ brain chemistries were better balanced, I was finally able to optimize nutrition, fluids, medication, treatments, exercise and socialization with much less resistance. I was also able to implement creative techniques to cope with the intermittent bizarre behaviors. Instead of logic and reason—I used distraction and redirection to topics they were interested in. I also learned to use reminiscence and talk about the old days, capitalizing on their long-term memories which were still quite good. Instead of arguing the facts—I simply agreed, validated frustrated feelings, and lived in their realities of the moment. I finally learned to just go-with-the-flow and let any hurtful comments roll off.

And if none of that worked, a bribe of vanilla ice cream worked the best to cajole my father into the shower, even as he swore a blue streak at me that he’d just taken one yesterday (actually over a week ago). I was finally able to get my father to accept a live-in caregiver (he’d only alienated 40 that year—most only there for about ten minutes), and then with the benefit of Adult Day Care five days a week for my parents and a support group for me, everything finally started to fall into place.

IF WE ONLY HAD LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

I just could not believe it—I finally had everything figured out medically, behaviorally, socially, legally, emotionally, caregivers in place, the house elder-proofed, and all I needed was some financial help to keep them at home. If I’d only made sure my parents bought Long Term Care Insurance (or I bought it for them) years ago while they were healthy and before a diagnosis of dementia, it would have covered the cost of their care at home. Instead, I paid for their care, which nearly wiped me out in every way. After four more years of managing every detail of 24/7 live-in care for my parents, I then survived invasive Breast Cancer.

EARLY SIGNS OF DEMENTIA OFTEN OVERLOOKED
What is so astonishing is that not one healthcare professional discussed the possibility of the beginning of Alzheimer’s (or any type of dementia) in my parents with me that first year, which happens far too often. Alzheimer’s afflicts 5.4 million Americans, but millions go undiagnosed for so many years because intermittent subtle warning signs are just chalked up to stress and a “normal” part of aging. Since one out of eight by age 65, and nearly half by age 85 get Alzheimer’s, healthcare professionals of every specialty should know and share the “Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” when they notice subtle signs in their patients, so everyone can save time, money—and a fortune in Kleenex!

TEN WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S

(Reprinted with permission of the Alzheimer’s Association)

1. Memory loss
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation of time and place
5. Poor or decreased judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood or behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

www.ElderRage.com/Alzheimers.asp

- Jacqueline Marcell is an international SPEAKER on Eldercare, Alzheimer’s now being termed “Type 3 Diabetes”, and Breast Cancer. She is the author of the best-selling book ELDER RAGE (print, audio, Kindle/Nook), a Book-of-the-Month Club selection receiving 50+ endorsements, 400+ 5-Star Amazon reviews, required reading at numerous universities, and considered for a film. www.ElderRage.com

My father had always been 90% great, but boy-oh-boy that temper was a doozy. He’d never turned it on me before, but I’d never gone against his wishes either. When my mother nearly died from his inability to continue to care for her, I flew from southern California to San Francisco determined to save her life—having no idea that in the process it would nearly cost me my own.

DECEPTION OR INTERMITTENT DEMENTIA?
I spent three months in the hospital helping to nurse my 82-pound mother back to relative health, while my father went from loving me one minute to calling me nasty names and throwing me out of the house the next. I walked on egg shells trying not to upset him, even running the washing machine could cause a tizzy, and there was no way to reason with him. It was so heart wrenching to have my once-adoring father turn against me.

I took my father to his doctor right away, only to be flabbergasted that he could act normal when he needed to. I could not believe it when the doctor looked at me as if I was just making things up. She didn’t even take me seriously when I reported that my father had nearly electrocuted my mother, but fortunately I walked into the bathroom just three seconds before he plugged in a huge power strip that was soaking in a tub of water–along with my mother’s feet! Much later, I was furious to find out my father had instructed his doctor (and everyone he could) not to listen to anything I said because I was just a (bleep bleep) liar—and all I wanted was his money. Boy, I wish he had some!

THEN THINGS GOT SERIOUS
My father had never laid a hand on me my whole life, but one day nearly choked me to death for adding HBO to his television, even though he had eagerly consented to it just a few days before. Terrified, I call the police for the first time in my life who took him to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation. I could not believe it when they released him right away saying they couldn’t find anything wrong with him. What is even more astonishing is that similar horrifying incidents occurred three more times.

CAREGIVER CATCH 22
Finally I was thrilled to bring my frail mother home from the hospital, but furious to find myself trapped. I couldn’t fly home and leave her alone with my father—she’d surely die from his inability to continue to care for her. I couldn’t get my father to accept a caregiver, and even when I did—no one would put up with his temper very long. I couldn’t get healthcare professionals to help—my father was always so darling and sane in front of them. I couldn’t get medication to calm him, and even when I finally did—he refused to take it, threw it in my face, and flushed it down the toilet. I couldn’t place my mother in a nursing home—he’d just take her out. I couldn’t put him in a home—he didn’t qualify. They both refused moving to Assisted Living—legally I couldn’t force them. I became a prisoner in my parents’ home for nearly a year trying to solve crisis after crisis, begging for professional help—and infuriated with a medical system that wasn’t helping me properly.

GERIATRIC DEMENTIA SPECIALIST MAKES DIAGNOSIS

TRAPPED IN OLD HABITS
What I’d been coping with was the beginning of Alzheimer’s (just one type of dementia), which begins very intermittently and appears to come and go. I didn’t understand that my father was addicted and trapped in his own bad behavior of a lifetime and his habit of yelling to get his way was coming out over things that were illogical and irrational—at times. I also didn’t understand that demented does not mean stupid (a concept not widely appreciated) and that he was still socially adjusted never to show his “Hyde” side to anyone outside the family. Even with the onset of dementia, it was astonishing that he could be so manipulative and crafty. On the other hand, my mother was as sweet and lovely as she’d always been.

KEY: NEUROLOGIST BALANCES BRAIN CHEMISTRY!
Alzheimer’s makes up 60-80% of all dementias and there’s no stopping the progression nor is there yet a cure. However, if identified early there are four FDA approved medications (Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne and Namenda) that in most people can mask the symptoms, keeping a patient in the early independent stage longer, delaying the need for part to full-time care. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that along with optimal lifestyle changes (proper nutrition, weight, exercise, socialization), a five year delay in the onset of a patient needing care could save $50 BILLION in annual healthcare costs. Even a one month delay in nursing home placement could save the U.S. $1 BILLION annually.

After the neurologist masked the symptoms, he treated my parents’ depression which is often present in dementia patients. It wasn’t easy to get the dosages right and it took a lot of time, patience and adjustments—and no, my father wasn’t suddenly turned into an angel—but at least we didn’t need police intervention any longer!

Stay tuned for part 2 of this article…..

- Jacqueline Marcell is an international SPEAKER on Eldercare, Alzheimer’s now being termed “Type 3 Diabetes”, and Breast Cancer. She is the author of the best-selling book ELDER RAGE (print, audio, Kindle/Nook), a Book-of-the-Month Club selection receiving 50+ endorsements, 400+ 5-Star Amazon reviews, required reading at numerous universities, and considered for a film. www.ElderRage.com

The article details how probiotics, especially Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria like L.Acidophilus, L.Bifidus, L.Plantarum, B. Lactis thrive in a healthy digestive system. Among the many ways these probiotics support health is through reducing cravings for sugar and sweets. While researchers are still researching how probiotics reduce the cravings for sugar, they hypothesize it is closely related to bacteria’s need to feed on prebiotics; prebiotics are carbohydrates that serve as food for probiotics.

Researchers are finding that people living in civilized countries are more frequently experiencing health issues directly related to a lack of probiotics in their system. This lack of probiotics is directly related to the western diet, and is the result of excess sugars, artificial sweeteners, processed foods, pesticides and pollution.

Scientists now have evidence that consuming probiotic supplements results in greater weight loss when compared to non-probiotic users, a direct result of probiotics ability to decrease sugar cravings. Supplementing with probiotics has demonstrated a significant decrease in sugar cravings in as little as four days, this kills of harmful microorganisms and results in weight loss.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

The device used for the procedure is designed and crafted by Boston Scientific and is called a Bronchoscope. Dr. H. Erhan Dincer, a Pulmonologist at the university, is trained to carry out the treatment which involves using the device to go through and apply heat to the patients’ airways in order to shrink the smooth muscles surrounding the airways. The heating process, using a temperature of about 150 degrees, is applied to sections of the muscles for 10 seconds per section. According to Dr. Dincer, once the muscles around the air tubes are shrunk, the air ways opens up allowing patients to breathe easier.

The entire procedure takes a total of 9 weeks and is divided into three treatments for three different parts of the lungs and is performed three weeks apart. An asthma patient, Greg Morgan, underwent bronchial thermoplasty in October of 2012, because he was hospitalized 7 times in 2 years due to asthma attacks. “There’s no feeling in the world like not being able to breathe,” shares Morgan to kare11.com. According to him, he was able to work full time again after the procedure. “I have not used either the inhaler or the nebulizer at all since then. So it’s been just an amazing turn of events for me,” he said.

However not all asthma patients are qualified for this procedure. Currently, it is only being offered to patients suffering from severe asthma although not all severe asthma sufferers even qualify for bronchial thermoplasty. Specialists say that with more research, this new treatment would someday be available to all asthma patients. Since it was only approved by the FDA in 2010, some insurance plans still do not cover the procedure, but that may not be the case anymore in 2 years’ time.

Meanwhile, the PURE team thinks that although this treatment could be considered revolutionary in asthma research, prevention and vigilance should still be top priorities for asthma sufferers and their families. Hypoallergenic goods and products as well as clean environments should remain to be the focus as there are 30 million people in the US who suffer from asthma and bronchial thermoplasty is not yet available for everybody.

- Courtesy of PRWeb