US Media Studios Explains the Health Benefits of Yoga

Once considered something only the hipster crowd practiced, yoga has gained a new, refreshing reputation as a great health benefit.

US Media Studios learns that people who practice yoga are less stressed out than those that do not. It is also a great exercise for connecting the mind and body. It is beneficial to all age groups and all kinds of people. Military combat veterans who go to yoga classes gain inner peace, strength in mind and thoughts, stress relief, and feel stronger mentally and physically.  Baby boomers and other age groups who take yoga classes experience increased flexibility, increases muscle strength, improved respiration and energy, gain better balance, and protection from injury. Yoga also help build stronger bones.

Yoga classes around the country are offered a low-cost at community centers, the Y, health clubs and gyms, and on the beach, in parks and in city centers.  Some yoga teachers, or yogis, allow a new participant to take one class free to see if it is something the person wants to continue. It doesn’t hurt to ask before starting. Not all yoga classes are alike. Go online or ask someone who is into yoga which type would be best for a newcomer. US Media Studios also reminds readers that yoga clothes are cool and are worn almost everywhere now.

Feeling stressed out with sore joints and muscles? Are crazy thoughts running through your mind all day and night long? Sample one yoga class. It might just be ticket to better mental and physical health.

Health Briefs TV Reflects on How Older Women Fare to Older Men

Ask anyone over the age of 55 and they will say that growing older is no so golden. From the general aches and pains of advancing age to dementia-related diseases, the so-called “Golden Years” are not so shiny. Health Briefs TV reflects on how older women fare to older men.

A study which ran for 30 years with data from both sexes aged 65 and over found that men live longer and with less disability than women. Men in the study lived longer than women in the study and experienced less disability than women. Disability can be from arthritis, falls which harm the bones, dementia and other related medical issues.

Older women might want to focus more on quality of life than quantity. Health Briefs TV encourages both older men and women to remain active physically and socially, as these ways have been proven to extend and improve growing older. There are many programs which are free or offered at a low cost which provide exercises to keep muscles and bones limber and flexible. The same classes give seniors the opportunity to meet new people, connect with friends and enjoy an activity together.  Most of the exercise classes can be tailored to a specific participant’s physicality. 

Older women may experience some pitfalls as they age. Men also experience them. The aforementioned study notes that women tend to focus how much can be done now as opposed to doing less with more. More time for family, friends and loved ones. More time to slow down and enjoy a leisurely activity. Life can be good and good when we are older. Preventative moves can help us live longer, healthier and more active years.

Health Briefs TV Explores Mental Health

Mental health is making the news this week as the UK’s popular Duchess and the US’ First Lady publish online articles to raise awareness of the topic. Health Briefs TV explores some of the issues concerning mental health.

Even talking about mental health in a casual setting can invoke a negative stigma. No one wants to bring the topic up. Yet, millions of people manage every day live with depression, anxiety, nervousness, PTSD, and other afflictions of the brain and mind.  But no one is really talking about it.  Until now.

One in five Americans live with a diagnosable mental health illness today.

Many mental health problems can be treated with medication or therapy. Meditation and yoga are well-known to help calm an anxious mind, and come without the side effects of often prescribed drugs.  People from every background and age group live with depression and anxiety. Young and old, poor or wealthy, Veteran or civilian, executive or staff worker – anyone can battle through the symptoms silently, afraid of others finding out and thinking less of them.  The stigma can be almost as debilitating as the mental illness.

Health Briefs TV asks readers to learn and recognize the five signs of someone struggling through a mental health problem. If any of these signs are familiar, talk to the person privately about them. Learn more about it from changedirection.com.

1. Personality change
2. Agitation
3. Withdrawn from others
4. Change in personal care
5. Feeling hopeless

Every person in our lives matters. It’s easy to see when someone is feeling physically unwell. It is much more difficult to see when someone is feeling mentally not well.  Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone and ask them. It could save their life.

Health TV Reviews Healthy Living Tips

Healthy living is more than just eating well and getting daily activity. It is a well-rounded balance of everything that makes us function optimally. Health Briefs TV reviews healthy living tips for the whole family.

From infants to grandparents, there are great ways to live a healthier and longer life. Everyone in the family should be consuming several servings of vegetables, fruits and grains every day. These include dark leafy greens like spinach, and starchy vegetables like small potatoes. The grouping also includes whole fruits and whole grains. A combination of these keeps bodies working smoothly, provides energy and tastes good. Fat-free or low-fat dairy items are also good since they are good sources of calcium and protein, long-known for strengthening bones and providing stamina. More good sources of include fish, chicken and lean red meat and soy. Healthy oils such as safflower, olive, and canola oils (think two teaspoons per day) are not only tasty but boost good health.

Along with these suggestions, the Health Briefs TV show encourages readers to limit sugar from their daily diets. We should consume less than 10 percent every day. Prepare and cook as many meals at home as possible to reduce sugar. Other things to limit daily are: saturated fat, (less than 10%), sodium (2,300 mm per day) and cholesterol. Healthy living is easy start, affordable to maintain, and benefits everyone – young and old. 

Health Briefs TV Reviews How to Recognize Postpartum Depression

The joy of bringing a baby into the world can be overshadowed by feelings of inadequacy, exhaustion, frustration and despair. But there is help and there is nothing wrong about asking for it. Health Briefs TV reviews how to recognize postpartum depression and what to do for it.

Four million women have a baby every year, and roughly 300,000 suffer from postpartum depression. Fifty-percent of it goes relatively unnoticed. And many more people think that giving birth is a happy, miraculous, life-changing, beautiful thing – which it is. But for the new mom, the realities of delivering the infant, its complications, and the mood changes, sadness, and irritability,  plus lack of sleep, can all add up to post partum depression. Most of the time, these symptoms fade in two weeks.

The Health Briefs television show relays that new mothers might want to talk to their health care providers about what to do. Even following basic healthy living guidelines can be beneficial: eat healthy meals regularly, get some exercise, try to get rest when possible, and remember that postpartum depression is common and is treatable. It takes an incredible amount of patience, stamina and love to bring a baby into the world and care for it 24/7. Don’t let postpartum depression get the better of you. 

Health Briefs TV Examines the Lesser Known Breast Cancer Symptoms

Most men and women know to perform a monthly self-exam of their breasts. This is one of the most commons ways to find lumps in the tissue.  Health Briefs TV examines the other, lesser known breast cancer symptoms to look for.

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In this light, we share information we find with readers on the topic to help raise awareness. Lesser known symptoms of breast cancer are:

• Persistent pain in one particular spot of the breast should be mentioned to doctors, even if no lump or lumps are felt.
• Red spots or a rash that does not go away on the breast should be examined by a doctor.
• Skin changes on the nipple such as flaking or discharge are signs to call the doctor. It may not be breast cancer, but it is always better to find out than not.
• Any distinct asymmetry or dimpling, creasing or puckering of the skin on your breasts with arms raised and leaning forward are signs to call the doctor. Why take any chances?

It is said that the most common sign of breast cancer is no sign at all. The Health Briefs television show encourages readers to get a mammogram or other screening between the ages of 40 and 50.  Most health insurance plans cover this with no co-pay. Schedule a screening today. It’s always better to know than to not know.

Health Briefs TV and How Your Eyes and Brain are Tied Together

We all know that our eyes and brain work together. But there is more to it than that, as Health Briefs TV explains.

A study by Psychological Science found that the small vessels behind the eyes can reveal how healthy the brain is. The scientists found that people with wider veins behind the eyes scored worse on IQ tests in middle age than those with small veins. Eye vessels and brain vessels are similar in size, structure and function.  When the eye doctor takes a retinal image , it gives him the ability to see what shape and how healthy the veins are, which in turn can determine how healthy the brain is.  The Health Briefs TV show also notes that regular eye exams can help track changes in the brain, and determine if someone is at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease in mid-life.

So don’t wait too long to get an eye check-up. Not only will it be able to determine how healthy your eyes are, but it can also indicate how healthy your brain is too. Don’t forget to eat brain food: fatty fish, broccoli, leafy greens, healthy oils such as olive oil, and dark chocolate. 

Health Briefs TV Celebrates “Go Red for Women” Friday

Today, February 13, is National “Go Red for Women” Friday. Health Briefs TV joins the nation in bringing awareness to women and heart disease.

The Heart Association notes that heart disease is the number 1 killer of women. It kills one in three women each year. The Go Red for Woman campaign began in 2004 and since then, 275 women a day have been saved from strokes and heart disease.  A compelling fact for women and men to note is 80% of cardiac events is preventable through healthy living. This includes preparing healthier meals at home in smaller portions. It also means getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, not smoking and being sure to get plenty of rest every night.

Health living is easy to achieve. But one must be committed to maintaining it every day and make it a lifestyle change and not a temporary change. The Health Briefs TV show urges women and men to institute changes into daily lives for everyone in the family.  Invite children into the kitchen and teach them how to help make a healthy dinner.  Sit down at the table as a family and enjoy a good meal while catching up on each person’s day. Take an after dinner walk together and include the family dog if there is one.  Heart health is good for everyone. Wear red today and every Friday in February to demonstrate how important heart health is for women.

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Health Briefs TV Explains Why a Short Walk is Better than No Walk

A recent study from Cambridge University reports that a short daily walk is better than no walk at all. Health Briefs TV explains why a little daily exercise can prolong life.

Researchers studied nearly 300,000 people and found that a brisk 20 minute daily walk can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. The study also found that this short bout of activity is better for longevity than body weight. People that walk or do some other form of physical activity daily increase blood to the heart, raise their energy levels and the exercise improves mood. In contrast, someone who is sedentary can become lethargic, cranky and is at risk for becoming obese and suffer from the consequences. Those who work at jobs which require sitting all day should take breaks to move. Head outside for a quick walk, take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators and park farther from the office building. The Health Briefs TV show strongly encourages readers to add some kind of daily activity to their regular routine. The extra energy, health benefits and longer longevity that comes from daily exercise makes one feel physically better and stronger. Plus, it can lower health insurance rates .Get up and move now.

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Health Briefs TV Wonders Why Women Can Handle the Flu Better than Men

Women, by nature, are stronger than men when it comes to handling illness better. They’re tougher and are the gender that takes care of their families. But this is just one reason why Health Briefs TV learns why women can handle the flu better than men.

The female body produces estrogen which in turn produces an enzyme which fights off infection.  Males do not produce this hormone which means their bodies are not equipped as well as women to fight off the flu virus. And then there are the other factors: women go to the doctor and get and take a prescription drug to kill the virus sooner. Their very make up is made to be the nurturer and therefore stronger than the males. Men tend to take to the bed longer and expect to be well taken care of when sick. Women spend less time in bed and do more when sick to keep the home running smoothly.  Men are not so good at accepting help, especially from medical professionals.

Health Briefs TV suggests men double up on vitamin C , drink plenty of fluids and get a decent amount of rest.  The flu season is expected to be bad this year even for those who get the flu shot. So ante up on the vitamins, sleep, hydrating liquids, eat healthy and get some moderate exercise. If flu symptoms crop up, go to the doctor and get a prescription to knock it out sooner.

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Health Briefs TV and the Ten Most Healthy States in the U.S.

The Healthiest State in the U.S.

Where we live plays a large part in how healthy we are. Health Briefs TV takes a look at the ten healthiest U.S. states, as rated by United Healthcare Foundation, and how they made it to the top of the chart.

Nebraska has a low rate of drug deaths, a high rate of high school grads, a good rate of child immunizations. Although it is 10^th on the list, the western state has a high rate of binge drinking and large gap in health status by education level.

North Dakota is ninth on the list due to its low rate of drug-related deaths, high immunization rate for teens and lower rate of low birth weight.

Colorado is one of those states with an abundance of outdoor activities which is why it is in eighth place. The state has lower numbers of obesity and diabetes and the lowest in the country.

New Hampshire has a high rate of active residents, a low rate of infectious diseases, and low infant mortality rates, which is why it is seventh on the list.

Minnesota may be a terribly close place in the winter but it came in sixth place for the lowest obesity and diabetes rates in the nation, as well as having a low rate of drug deaths.

Utah is fifth. This state has a low number of people who smoke, 2^nd lowest diabetes rates in the country, and a low percentage of children in poverty.

Connecticut is fourth because the state has a low prevalence of smoking,  a high immunization rate among children, and a low occupational fatalities rate.

Massachusetts is third as it most noted by researchers of having more residents with health insurance than other states. 

Vermont is one of the healthiest states in the U.S. High school graduations are up, children living in poverty is down, violent crimes and binge drinking rates are also down.

Hawaii is the healthiest state in the U.S. Obesity, cancer and preventable hospitalization rates are all down. The percentage of smokers hs gone down by 21% in the last year. Health Briefs TV applauds each of these states for their great work in helping residents achieve overall health and wellness.

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