SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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
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
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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
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?
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
icmags.com
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.
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
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