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5 hair care tips to add to your routine

Read more about 5 hair care tips to add to your routine

Struggling with dry, damaged hair? The root of your problem may grow from your haircare habits. Whether you have coily, wavy, curly or straight hair, there are things you can add to your weekly routine to keep your hair healthy and shining.

Condition

No matter how often you wash your hair, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) says you should always pair your shampoo with conditioner. Conditioners can improve the look of dry, damaged hair and protect it against static electricity and UV rays. Conditioner should only be used on the tips of hair.

Avoid heat

woman holding straightener with distressed look

Products that produce heat, like curling irons and straighteners, cause damage to your hair. Instead of using these products every day, opt for a couple of times a week. When you do use them, be sure to turn to the lower heat setting and use a heat protectant spray.

Oil massage

Massaging oil, particularly coconut oil, in your hair once a week provides many benefits. A 2015 study published in the National Library of Medicine shows that oiling your hair can help prevent breakage. For more tips on how to use coconut oil on your hair, read this blog.

Wear a hat in the sun

We know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun, but we should protect our hair too. Wearing a hat in the sun protects our hair from getting dry and damaged.

Wear your hair down

When you can, opt to let your hair down. Constantly pulling it up in buns and ponytails can cause damage to your hair follicles. Over time, AAD says this can lead to hair loss. Keep your hair a cut above with these tips.

Genesis HealthCare System’s Health and Wellness content conveniently provides accurate and helpful information. Your health history and current health may impact suggestions provided through our Health and Wellness content. Although we hope this information is helpful, it is not a substitute for your doctor's medical advice. Before making any significant changes, please consult your doctor.

Beauty

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 08:00

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Take the plunge

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Have you heard of cold plunges? It’s just what it sounds like – jumping into icy water (anywhere from 39 to 59 degrees). It’s another, more intense form of cold therapy.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, cold therapy is used to reduce swelling and sensitivity to pain. When you have a sprained ankle, you typically apply an ice pack to reduce inflammation. A cold plunge is like covering your entire body with an ice pack. It’s not just for professional athletes and celebrities. Many people are starting to take the plunge at home.

There are many reported benefits to bathing in icy water. In a 2020 study, people who swam in cold water had higher wellbeing and health than those who did not.

Other reported benefits of cold plunging include:

Reduced stress and anxiety
Improved mood
Boosted immune system
Increased circulation

With both physical and mental advantages, you may be tempted to dip your toe in. While you can invest in a pool specifically for plunging, your bathtub works the same. There are some risks associated with cold plunging, so definitely have a conversation with your doctor before you take the plunge.

Tips for cold plunging:

Get your doctor’s approval
Start slow and gradually add more time
Have someone with you
Warm up slowly so you don’t shock your system

If you are still hesitant to jump in, you can start with cold showers. Taking a cold shower has many of the same benefits.

Fitness

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 08:00

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How to naturally lower your cholesterol

Read more about How to naturally lower your cholesterol

Maybe you just came from the doctor’s office and learned your cholesterol is too high. Maybe you want to avoid hearing those words from your doctor. Either way, take our quiz to learn more about cholesterol and tips to lower it naturally.

Eating healthy is a great way to lower cholesterol naturally. However, sometimes our bodies need a little help, and there are medications to assist you when needed. If you have high cholesterol or want to prevent it, please talk to your family doctor about the best plan of action for you.

Nutrition

Quiz

Tue, 10/17/2023 - 08:00

Take our quiz to learn more about cholesterol and tips to lower it naturally.

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Your body is the only workout equipment you need

Read more about Your body is the only workout equipment you need

Gym memberships and home gyms are typically expensive and usually either take a while to get there or take up a lot of space in your home. However, exercise is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy and live a longer and happier life. So, what do you do? Find a decent pair of shoes, a space with room to move, maybe your basement, backyard, park or wherever and use your body-weight to get fit.

Before challenging your body, challenge your mind to learn more about body-weight exercises.

Do you want more body-weight exercises? Visit the National Academy of Sports Medicine for nine exercises and step-by-step on instructions on how to perform them.

Before starting a body-weight workout program, talk to your family doctor to make sure you are in good enough shape to start and for tips.

Fitness

Quiz

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 08:00

Before challenging your body, challenge your mind to learn more about body-weight exercises.

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Is dark chocolate nature’s miracle dessert?

Read more about Is dark chocolate nature’s miracle dessert?

You have probably heard a rumor that dark chocolate is good for you. You might have even tried it and become bitter because it probably tasted bitter.

The truth is the rumor about dark chocolate having health benefits is more than a rumor. Take our quick quiz to learn more.

Nutrition

Quiz

Tue, 10/31/2023 - 08:00

Is dark chocolate nature’s miracle dessert?

The truth is the rumor about dark chocolate having health benefits is more than a rumor. Take our quick quiz to learn more.

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The sweet pain of inflammation

Read more about The sweet pain of inflammation

Is too much of a good thing bad? Philosophers have pondered this question for centuries. In the case of inflammation, it is absolutely true. Inflammation is how your body fights infection. However, sometimes your body continues to create inflammation without anything to combat. This can become chronic inflammation, and that can cause pain, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, depression and more – all bad things.

The good news is there are steps you can take to reduce your odds of chronic inflammation. According to multiple studies, including a review of the effects of dietary sugar from 2018, eating less sugar can decrease your chance of developing chronic inflammation.

When you digest sugar, your blood glucose spikes, and your body produces insulin, leading to the creation of inflammatory hormones. If you are consuming too much sugar, your body can create too many inflammatory hormones, and that can lead to chronic inflammation.

However, sugar is not the only thing to avoid. It is generally acknowledged certain types of food can lead to inflammation. Try to avoid refined carbohydrates that include white bread and bakery items, fried foods, soda, red meat and margarine.

The sweetest news is not only can you avoid certain foods to reduce your chances of developing chronic inflammation, you can also eat your way to good health. A Mediterranean diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and healthy oils is widely accepted to decrease inflammation.

For more tips on dealing with inflammation, talk to your family doctor.

Nutrition

Thu, 11/02/2023 - 08:00

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Five health myths doctors wish would go away

Read more about Five health myths doctors wish would go away

From “starve a fever, feed a cold” to “drink eight glasses of water a day,” old wives’ tales and false medical advice run rampant in our everyday lives. Even the soundest medical advice can struggle to stand up against some of the myths we hold as truth. Can you tell fact from fiction? Check out five myths that doctors debunk regularly below.

Starve a fever, feed a cold.

According to the medical experts at Cedars-Sinai, this is fiction. Cold or flu, your immune system needs energy and nutrients to do its job, so eating and getting enough fluids is essential. Researchers at Harvard Medical School agree, saying that there’s no need to eat more or less than usual if you have a cold or flu.

You need to drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated.

Many people grew up hearing that drinking eight glasses of water is what’s needed to be properly hydrated. The truth is that many studies state that thirst is the best indicator of how much water you need to drink.

Going out with wet hair will make you sick.

It turns out that running out of the house without drying your hair won’t make you sick. Going out with wet hair can definitely make you colder, but it can’t make you sick. Studies do show that if you already have the virus in your body, going out with wet hair can cause the symptoms to begin showing.

Stress leads to high blood pressure.

Your stress levels aren’t as tied to your blood pressure levels as you think. Stress can temporarily raise your blood pressure, but chronic high blood pressure isn’t a direct outcome of stress.

Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.

Although cracking your knuckles isn’t good for you, it isn’t particularly harmful either. The long running rumor that this habit will cause arthritis is false.

Lifestyle

Mon, 11/06/2023 - 08:00

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3 heatless hairstyles

Read more about 3 heatless hairstyles

Styling your hair with hot tools every day is time-consuming and bad for your hair. According to a study in the National Center for Biotechnology Center, heat damage happens when you use excessive heat on your hair for extended periods of time. Using a curling iron or straightener multiple times a week can cause your lovely locks to break and become dry. To combat frizzy, lifeless hair, try these other methods of styling.

1. Heatless curls

Curls without the heat sound like the best of both worlds. It’s not as hard as you might think. There are lots of different methods to try. You can get creative with what you have at home, like a pair of leggings or socks. By wrapping damp hair over the material and sleeping in it to let your hair dry overnight, you can wake up with luscious curls. You can purchase heatless curling rod headbands and do the same thing. Lots of tutorials are available online. With a little trial and error, you can wake up with styled hair. This will let you hit the snooze button a couple more times in the morning and save your hair.

2. Braids or twists

Braids and twists can take practice, but the results certainly make it worthwhile. A simple braid can create both a sophisticated and a relaxed look. If you’re not one for wearing your hair in this kind of style, try braiding your hair at night and sleeping in it. In the morning, take the braids out and comb through them for a wavy style.

3. Hair accessories

Headbands, berets, clips and more have been used to add a little touch to hairstyles for centuries. In fact, there are depictions of ancient Egyptians wearing hair accessories. Adding a headband can keep your hair out of your face in a stylish way. Claw clips and butterfly clips from the 90s are back on the rise in fashion.

The next time you go to reach for a hot styling tool, think about trying one of these options instead. Your hair will thank you.

Beauty

Tue, 11/07/2023 - 08:00

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Don’t be a fall guy

Read more about Don’t be a fall guy

Use this checklist to prevent falls at home

Every year, thousands of older adults fall and hurt themselves. Falls are one of the main causes of injury and disability in people aged 65 and older. Those who fall once are two to three times more likely to fall again. Hip fractures are especially serious, and most of them are caused by falling.

Falls are often caused by hazards that are easy to overlook. Fortunately, these hazards can also be easy to fix. This checklist helps you find hazards in each room of your home, and it gives tips on how to fix the problem.

If you experienced a fall recently or are concerned about falling, it’s a good idea to talk with your primary care physician.

Checklist

Floors

____Move furniture so your path through a room is clear.

____Remove throw rugs on floors or use double-sided tape or a special backing so the rugs won’t slip.

____ Pick up papers, books, shoes, boxes or other things that are on the floor. Always keep objects off the floor.

____ Coil or tape wires (such as extension cords, or lamp or phone cords) next to the wall so you can’t trip over them. If you need another power outlet, have an electrician install one.

Stairs and steps

____ Pick up papers, shoes, books or other things on stairs. Always keep objects off stairs.

____ Fix loose, broken or uneven steps.

____ Make sure you have plenty of light in stairways. Have an electrician put in an overhead light at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can get light switches that glow.

____If you have burned-out lights in the stairway, have a friend or family member change the bulbs.

____Make sure the carpet is firmly attached to every step. You can also remove the carpet and attach rubber treads to the stairs to prevent slips.

____Fix loose handrails or put in new ones. Make sure handrails are on both sides of the stairs and span the full length of the stairs.

Kitchen

____Move items in your cabinets so that the things you use a lot are on the lower shelves (about waist level).

____If you must use a step stool, get one with a bar to hold onto. Never use a chair as a step stool.

Bathroom

____Put a rubber mat that won’t slip or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.

____Have a carpenter install grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet.

Bedrooms

____Place a lamp close to the bed where it’s easy to reach.

____Put in a night light so you can see where you’re walking. Some night lights turn on by themselves after dark. You might also turn on an overhead light in the hallway or bathroom before you go to bed.

____Change the height of your bed if you have trouble getting in or out of bed. You might try a thinner mattress or a shorter bed frame.

____Don’t use sleepwear or bedspreads that are slippery.

Senior Living

Thu, 11/09/2023 - 08:00