SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
to fall asleep. On top of wanting to text
with friends or check social media,
children and teens will give any excuse
to stay awake. Electronic devices are
best left in the dark at bedtime.
BAD HAIR DAYS?
effects are ultimately hurting their ability
to fully function during the day.
The National Sleep Foundation
recommends that children between
the ages of 6 and 10 get 10-11 hours of
sleep per night, while 11 to 17-year-olds
should get 8.5 to 9.5 hours. A poll done
by the foundation last year revealed that
children were falling short and losing out
on the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
Research shows that less sleep leads to
learning and behavior problems, directly
affecting cognitive ability, concentration,
and problem-solving skills. Many families
have seen the negative effects and often
assume they are symptoms of ADHD,
when these distracting behaviors could
likely be reduced or even eliminated by an
earlier bedtime.
Make Sleep Matter
• Set bedtimes and wake times. You
can start to make sleep a higher priority
for your kids by setting a good example
and getting enough sleep yourself.
Start by setting bedtimes and wake-up
times that you can adhere to on both
weekdays and weekends. Creating a
pattern will help your body understand
its sleep cycle, allowing for more
restful nights.
• Create wind-down activities before
bed. The half-hour before bed should
be free of high-energy activities. Start a
bedtime routine that includes calming
activities like bathtime or reading.
• Make a bed sanctuary. As adults,
nothing is better than a comfortable
place to sleep at night. Make your
children’s beds the same for them. Add
extra pillows for comfort and a favorite
stuffed animal to keep them company
at night. Keep lights down to a dim
lamp or nightlight to make the room
dark enough for sleeping.
• Keep electronics out or off.
Electronics produce a blue light that
sends a signal to your brain to stop the
release of melatonin, making it harder
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If you seem to be having a stint of
bad hair days, maybe your body is
trying to tell you something. Poor hair
condition could be a sign of physical or
psychological issues.
Keeping an Eye on Your Hair
• Increase water intake. Dehydration
becomes evident in many forms, but
one lesser known form is brittle hair.
Increasing water consumption has
many benefits, including improving the
look and feel of your hair.
• Hair loss may be a sign of bigger
issues. It is normal to lose 80-100 hairs
per day. Feel like you are losing more
than that? Stress and anxiety could be
the cause. If you can’t identify specific
stressors, talk to your doctor. Excessive
hair loss could be a sign of other
health problems.
• Eat well for luscious locks. Think
your diet has nothing to do with the
way your hair looks? Think again. Hair
quality can change over time with
continual consumption of processed
foods. Keep a healthy diet full of
nutrient-rich foods including healthy
fats, dark leafy greens, and fish and
you’ll be on your way to radiant hair.
HEAR ALL ABOUT IT
Although hearing loss is most
commonly associated with aging, it could
happen at any time and can be caused by
environmental conditions like working
in a noisy environment, earwax buildup,
or inner ear damage. According to the
National Center for Health Statistics,
the average person waits six years after
the first signs of hearing loss to get
checked by a doctor. Hearing problems
are considered an undertreated issue for
reasons including patient denial, vanity,
and less awareness of issues associated
with hearing loss. With the oldest Baby
Boomers entering their 70s, an age at
which many individuals only start seeking
medical attention for hearing ailments,
it is important to take charge at the first
signs of trouble.
icmags.com
A study on the psychological effects of
hearing loss was done for the American
Psychology Association and focused
on mental health in patients who suffer
from hearing loss. The National Council
on Aging study found that 2,304 people
who suffered from hearing loss but used
no form of treatment were 50% more
likely to suffer from sadness or depression
than individuals who wore hearing aids.
It revealed that individuals not using
hearing aids showed more signs of anger,
anxiety and frustration, causing them
to be less involved in social activities
than those who wear aids. The risk for
dementia also increases in patients who
suffer from hearing loss, due to sensory
loss and growing social isolation, pointed
out in a study conducted by the Archives
of Neurology.
Start becoming aware of the signs of
hearing loss, and consult your doctor or
audiologist if you start to notice some of
the symptoms:
• Trouble hearing over the phone
• Vertigo, causing dizziness, pain, or
ringing in the ears
• Mumbled voices
• Having to ask others to repeat
themselves often
• Avoidance of social situations
• Having a family medical history of
hearing loss
Individuals with hearing loss may often
be reluctant to face the reality, but may
not know about the deeper implications
of letting it go untreated. If you or
someone you know may be experiencing
some of the symptoms of hearing loss, be
sure to understand and share the benefits
of seeking treatment.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN
As we learned in grade school, our
largest organ is our skin. Our skin
regulates body temperature, protects
against the elements, and gives us the
feeling of different sensations. Since our
skin does so much for us, it is important
to take care of it. A skin care routine is
important for men and women of all ages,
although it will vary throughout the years.
Teenage Years
When starting your first skin care
routine, it’s important to first determine
your skin type. It’s pretty simple to figure
out whether oily, dry, or combination.