When you are blessed, bless someone else. Sharing a blessing is how all great movements get started. One person shares what they have and others do the same. The idea of sharing blessings is behind Health Watch’s tagline, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!” We are blessed to be a blessing.
In the spirit of blessing, we invited Crystal King of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to be a guest on Health Watch a few weeks ago. Phoning in from Dallas, Texas, Crystal talked to Health Watch about a Komen for the Cure effort, Circle of Promise.
Circle of Promise is a movement to provide African Americans with tools to improve their health and empower communities with information about breast cancer. Circle of Promise members serve as ambassadors in their local communities. They advocate for greater access to breast cancer screening, mobilize friends and family to reclaim health, and separate facts from myths about breast cancer. They also inspire others to spread these messages of hope to those they know and love. Since starting, thousands have become Circle of Promise ambassadors. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is looking to recruit even more.
Supporting Circle of Promise are national ambassadors, including: singers Pattie LaBelle and Lalah Hathaway; Tom Joyner Morning Show co-host, Sybil Wilkes; artist Synthia SAINT JAMES, and many, many more. Crystal, herself a breast cancer survivor, has been featured as a Circle of Promise ambassador on corporate partner products. Circle of Promise includes people from all walks of life. Both the international celebrity and the faithful community member have a sphere of influence. That sphere can be a circle of promise to end breast cancer.
If you have been blessed and want to bless others, then Circle of Promise might be your opportunity. For more information about Circle of Promise and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, check out this website: http://www.circleofpromise.org/default.aspx
Health Watch has joined the Circle of Promise. Hope you will, too. Until next time, remember “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!”
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
“Feel Good About Being You”
Confidence -some people seem to have an over abundance of it, while others do not have enough. Being confident is something it seems like either you are either born with or struggle to develop. Unfortunately, too many find themselves in the latter category. Self-doubt can cause us to be anxious, stressed out and fearful. Yet, having the right amount of confidence can make the world seem like a place full of opportunities and possibilities, all with our names written on them. Confidence – how to achieve and maintain it – was the focus of last evening’s Health Watch.
Health Watch talked to two licensed psychologists, Dr. Leslie Sokol and Dr. Marci Fox, who work with clients in Philadelphia and Florida to boost their self-esteem and confidence. They had a lot to tell us about confidence and why too many of us are plagued by self-doubt. It was a Health Watch episode worth hearing.
For starters, they shared that there is a difference between self-doubt and realistic concern. Realistic concern is anxiety which manifests when you know you do not have the skills, training or experience to accomplish a particular goal. Realistic concern is reasonable because it alerts you to a need that you can work to address. However, self-doubt is different. Self-doubt says you cannot accomplish or achieve when all of your training, skills and experience say differently. Self-doubt is being concerned when there is really no need to be alarmed. Drs. Fox and Sokol shared a lot more about how doubt can wreak havoc on our confidence.
Doubts, whether they stem from our need to feel competent or to be accepted, can affect the way we see the world. When put in situations that cause us stress, one of those needs – either to be viewed as competent or be accepted – will fire up our doubts. As a result, we will “see” or “read into” situations things that are probably not true at all. Doubt can sabotage us before we even get started. Yet, thankfully Drs. Sokol and Fox shared there is a way to overcome doubt and regain the confidence that is rightfully ours. It begins first with acknowledgement.
Drs. Sokol and Fox advocate that we acknowledge each of us is a complete package and not a single item. What that means is that any one failure or set-back is not the sum total of who we are. Instead, it is one event. It does not define all of who we are. Therefore, we should not give it power over us. We define who we are, not a single event!
Another strategy they suggest is going on a fact finding mission to discover our assets- the unique and wonderful things that make us who we are. If we are not sure what those assets are, then ask people you know and trust to help identify them. Writing these assets down can help us see facts that support believing in and feeling good about ourselves. There were many more bits of wisdom our Health Watch guests had to share.
If you are in need of a confidence boost, then Drs. Sokol and Fox may have exactly the resource you are looking for. They have outlined their approach to confidence building in a book aptly titled, Think Confident, Be Confident: A Four-Step Program to Eliminate Doubt and Achieve Lifelong Self-Esteem. It is easy to read and provides quizzes and worksheets to help you with identifying your doubts and building your confidence.
To find out more about Drs. Sokol and Fox as well as the book, be sure to check out this link: http://www.thinkconfidentbeconfident.com/
We each have a right to feel good about who we are and our accomplishments. Both can be the fuel to propel us to higher and higher heights. As we grow in confidence, we can help others to do the same. Health Watch will keep doing its part to lead us on a path to confidence and health. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. Then pass it on!”
Health Watch talked to two licensed psychologists, Dr. Leslie Sokol and Dr. Marci Fox, who work with clients in Philadelphia and Florida to boost their self-esteem and confidence. They had a lot to tell us about confidence and why too many of us are plagued by self-doubt. It was a Health Watch episode worth hearing.
For starters, they shared that there is a difference between self-doubt and realistic concern. Realistic concern is anxiety which manifests when you know you do not have the skills, training or experience to accomplish a particular goal. Realistic concern is reasonable because it alerts you to a need that you can work to address. However, self-doubt is different. Self-doubt says you cannot accomplish or achieve when all of your training, skills and experience say differently. Self-doubt is being concerned when there is really no need to be alarmed. Drs. Fox and Sokol shared a lot more about how doubt can wreak havoc on our confidence.
Doubts, whether they stem from our need to feel competent or to be accepted, can affect the way we see the world. When put in situations that cause us stress, one of those needs – either to be viewed as competent or be accepted – will fire up our doubts. As a result, we will “see” or “read into” situations things that are probably not true at all. Doubt can sabotage us before we even get started. Yet, thankfully Drs. Sokol and Fox shared there is a way to overcome doubt and regain the confidence that is rightfully ours. It begins first with acknowledgement.
Drs. Sokol and Fox advocate that we acknowledge each of us is a complete package and not a single item. What that means is that any one failure or set-back is not the sum total of who we are. Instead, it is one event. It does not define all of who we are. Therefore, we should not give it power over us. We define who we are, not a single event!
Another strategy they suggest is going on a fact finding mission to discover our assets- the unique and wonderful things that make us who we are. If we are not sure what those assets are, then ask people you know and trust to help identify them. Writing these assets down can help us see facts that support believing in and feeling good about ourselves. There were many more bits of wisdom our Health Watch guests had to share.
If you are in need of a confidence boost, then Drs. Sokol and Fox may have exactly the resource you are looking for. They have outlined their approach to confidence building in a book aptly titled, Think Confident, Be Confident: A Four-Step Program to Eliminate Doubt and Achieve Lifelong Self-Esteem. It is easy to read and provides quizzes and worksheets to help you with identifying your doubts and building your confidence.
To find out more about Drs. Sokol and Fox as well as the book, be sure to check out this link: http://www.thinkconfidentbeconfident.com/
We each have a right to feel good about who we are and our accomplishments. Both can be the fuel to propel us to higher and higher heights. As we grow in confidence, we can help others to do the same. Health Watch will keep doing its part to lead us on a path to confidence and health. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. Then pass it on!”
Monday, October 19, 2009
“You are not alone.”
You have seemingly done all the right things. You went to school to prepare yourself for a successful career, which you have. You are in a stable relationship. You are reasonably healthy. It seems like everything is in place. Now you are ready to start your family. Yet, things are not panning out the way you would like. You see other couples getting pregnant. However, you are not one of them. Why won’t the stork stop by your house?
Infertility- its causes, what is available to help, and how to cope—those were just some of the issues last week’s Health Watch dealt with. Helping us to better understand infertility and options available to those trying to get pregnant was Dr. Gloria Richard-Davis, an infertility specialist from Meharry Medical College.
Dr. Richard-Davis told us that infertility is much more common than we perhaps first thought. So common in fact, Dr. Richard-Davis and her colleagues have written a book on the subject. The book entitled, Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy covers many of the issues our Health Watch listeners wanted to know more about. Things like why it is more difficult to conceive the older a woman gets; costs associated with fertility treatment; and whether it is necessary for a woman to have an orgasm in order to conceive. (In case you were wondering about that last one, the answer is, “No.”) It was a Health Watch program you would not have wanted to miss.
If you are dealing with infertility, be encouraged. You are not alone. There are others in the same position and those with expertise to help. Health Watch wants to do our part to connect you to them. If you want to learn more about Dr. Richard-Davis’ book, please check out the link below:
http://www.amazon.com/Planning-Parenthood-Strategies-Fertility-Assistance/dp/0801891124
This is Health Watch singing off. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on.”
Infertility- its causes, what is available to help, and how to cope—those were just some of the issues last week’s Health Watch dealt with. Helping us to better understand infertility and options available to those trying to get pregnant was Dr. Gloria Richard-Davis, an infertility specialist from Meharry Medical College.
Dr. Richard-Davis told us that infertility is much more common than we perhaps first thought. So common in fact, Dr. Richard-Davis and her colleagues have written a book on the subject. The book entitled, Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy covers many of the issues our Health Watch listeners wanted to know more about. Things like why it is more difficult to conceive the older a woman gets; costs associated with fertility treatment; and whether it is necessary for a woman to have an orgasm in order to conceive. (In case you were wondering about that last one, the answer is, “No.”) It was a Health Watch program you would not have wanted to miss.
If you are dealing with infertility, be encouraged. You are not alone. There are others in the same position and those with expertise to help. Health Watch wants to do our part to connect you to them. If you want to learn more about Dr. Richard-Davis’ book, please check out the link below:
http://www.amazon.com/Planning-Parenthood-Strategies-Fertility-Assistance/dp/0801891124
This is Health Watch singing off. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on.”
“You Can Do This”
You are sick and tired of the muffin top around your waist. It seems like the more you try to cut calories and exercise, the less weight you loose. You figure being the size you are is inevitable. Better to just learn how to deal with it. Accentuate the positives and minimize the negatives. If that sounds like you, then hold up for a minute.
Maybe it is not more willpower you need, but instead to listen to your body. I mean really listen to your body and start from there. Maybe that is where the secret to permanent weight loss can be found. You have tried everything else why not try something that might actually work for you. That is what Marcelle Pick, MSN, OB/GYN NP, co-founder of Women for Women Clinic and author of The Core Balance Diet challenged Health Watch listeners to believe. Believe you can, put that belief into action and achieve permanent weight loss and regain your health. It all starts with understanding how your body functions.
Marcelle told our Health Watch listeners that our bodies are made up of several systems, which all function to keep our minds, bodies and spirits in balance. When these systems are not functioning properly, systems like the adrenal, hormonal, digestive, inflammatory, neurotransmitter or detoxification, our “core” malfunctions and as a consequence we gain and retain weight. If we can listen to which system(s) is out of balance, provide what it needs to recalibrate, then health is restored and excess weight comes off. The Core Balance Diet provides a way to get in touch with these systems. By the response for our Health Watch listeners, Marcelle’s ideas about balance and weight loss definitely struck a chord with them.
Listeners wanted to know more about Marcelle’s approach as well as information about diet sodas, artificial sweeteners, and much, much more. Marcelle responded to each based on her years of experience working with women, as well as her genuine commitment to helping people live healthfully.
If you are finally ready to be rid of the weight, then The Core Balance Diet might be worth considering. Want to read more about Marcelle and her approach then check out the following link:
http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/corebalancediet.aspx
The weight can finally be over. Start by taking the first step on the path to balance and know that Health Watch will be with you all the way. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on.”
Maybe it is not more willpower you need, but instead to listen to your body. I mean really listen to your body and start from there. Maybe that is where the secret to permanent weight loss can be found. You have tried everything else why not try something that might actually work for you. That is what Marcelle Pick, MSN, OB/GYN NP, co-founder of Women for Women Clinic and author of The Core Balance Diet challenged Health Watch listeners to believe. Believe you can, put that belief into action and achieve permanent weight loss and regain your health. It all starts with understanding how your body functions.
Marcelle told our Health Watch listeners that our bodies are made up of several systems, which all function to keep our minds, bodies and spirits in balance. When these systems are not functioning properly, systems like the adrenal, hormonal, digestive, inflammatory, neurotransmitter or detoxification, our “core” malfunctions and as a consequence we gain and retain weight. If we can listen to which system(s) is out of balance, provide what it needs to recalibrate, then health is restored and excess weight comes off. The Core Balance Diet provides a way to get in touch with these systems. By the response for our Health Watch listeners, Marcelle’s ideas about balance and weight loss definitely struck a chord with them.
Listeners wanted to know more about Marcelle’s approach as well as information about diet sodas, artificial sweeteners, and much, much more. Marcelle responded to each based on her years of experience working with women, as well as her genuine commitment to helping people live healthfully.
If you are finally ready to be rid of the weight, then The Core Balance Diet might be worth considering. Want to read more about Marcelle and her approach then check out the following link:
http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/corebalancediet.aspx
The weight can finally be over. Start by taking the first step on the path to balance and know that Health Watch will be with you all the way. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on.”
Friday, September 25, 2009
“Being Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired”
The noted Civil Rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer coined the phrase, “Being sick and tired of being sick and tired.” She used it to describe what it felt like to be black, poor, left out and disenfranchised under Jim Crow. Sickening and tiring. Not just a chronic situation people were living with, Hamer also meant it as a rally cry. When you are “sick and tired of being sick and tired” you do something about it. Being “sick and tired” can be the starting point for getting well. People with chronic fatigue syndrome know all about this.
Health Watch wanted to find out more about chronic fatigue syndrome and what it means to be “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” We also wanted to know what is being done to help people with CFS and what people with CFS are doing to educate others about the condition. To answer some of our questions about CFS we had Dr. Charles Stratton, associate professor, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine on last night’s Health Watch.
Dr. Stratton told us that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is not the same as being tired from being overworked or stressed out. Nor are CFS and its debilitating effects something just in people’s heads. Instead CFS is a medical condition that causes people to be significantly fatigued. Common symptoms associated with CFS include: difficulties with memory and concentration; joint pain and inflammation; tender lymph nodes; on-going muscle pain; feeling tired and exhausted even after resting; and problems with sleep. Because the symptoms of CFS resemble those associated with other medical conditions, it is not always easy for healthcare providers to determine if a person has CFS.
Yet, as Dr. Stratton shared more and more research is linking CFS to specific pathogens, which invade the body and cause wasting associated with CFS. If the associated pathogen can be identified and treated, it is possible for those with CFS to return to their normal, active lives. Dr. Stratton talked about one survivor who as a child with CFS once treated went from wasting away to becoming an active and healthy adult.
Dr. Stratton also shared that CFS is less common in children and more often seen in adults between 40-50yrs. Although it appears to happen more in women, Dr. Stratton pointed out this may only be because CFS can be easily misdiagnosed and that there are many people who may have symptoms, yet do not know they have CFS. That is why public awareness about CFS is so important.
To raise our awareness about CFS, the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sponsoring a national photo exhibit called, The Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The photo exhibit features the stories of people living with CFS, along with information, local experts and actual people touched by CFS. The exhibit is touring the Nashville area at Cool Spring Galleria, 1800 Galleria Boulevard in Franklin, TN from September 21-27, 2009. To find out more about the exhibit and The CFIDS Association of America, please check out these links:
http://www.cfids.org/sparkcfs/default.asp
http://www.cfids.org/
“Being sick and tired of being sick and tired” is something those with CFS understand all too well. Yet, those with CFS are not taking it lying down. Instead they are rallying and educating others about it. By getting educated about CFS we too can join the cause. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Health Watch wanted to find out more about chronic fatigue syndrome and what it means to be “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” We also wanted to know what is being done to help people with CFS and what people with CFS are doing to educate others about the condition. To answer some of our questions about CFS we had Dr. Charles Stratton, associate professor, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine on last night’s Health Watch.
Dr. Stratton told us that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is not the same as being tired from being overworked or stressed out. Nor are CFS and its debilitating effects something just in people’s heads. Instead CFS is a medical condition that causes people to be significantly fatigued. Common symptoms associated with CFS include: difficulties with memory and concentration; joint pain and inflammation; tender lymph nodes; on-going muscle pain; feeling tired and exhausted even after resting; and problems with sleep. Because the symptoms of CFS resemble those associated with other medical conditions, it is not always easy for healthcare providers to determine if a person has CFS.
Yet, as Dr. Stratton shared more and more research is linking CFS to specific pathogens, which invade the body and cause wasting associated with CFS. If the associated pathogen can be identified and treated, it is possible for those with CFS to return to their normal, active lives. Dr. Stratton talked about one survivor who as a child with CFS once treated went from wasting away to becoming an active and healthy adult.
Dr. Stratton also shared that CFS is less common in children and more often seen in adults between 40-50yrs. Although it appears to happen more in women, Dr. Stratton pointed out this may only be because CFS can be easily misdiagnosed and that there are many people who may have symptoms, yet do not know they have CFS. That is why public awareness about CFS is so important.
To raise our awareness about CFS, the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sponsoring a national photo exhibit called, The Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The photo exhibit features the stories of people living with CFS, along with information, local experts and actual people touched by CFS. The exhibit is touring the Nashville area at Cool Spring Galleria, 1800 Galleria Boulevard in Franklin, TN from September 21-27, 2009. To find out more about the exhibit and The CFIDS Association of America, please check out these links:
http://www.cfids.org/sparkcfs/default.asp
http://www.cfids.org/
“Being sick and tired of being sick and tired” is something those with CFS understand all too well. Yet, those with CFS are not taking it lying down. Instead they are rallying and educating others about it. By getting educated about CFS we too can join the cause. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
“Die with Dignity”
If you keep living, there will come a day when you will have to deal with dying. We don’t like to talk about it much, but death is a natural part of life. Many of us fear death. So we try and avoid it at all costs. When it happens to someone we love, we are usually unprepared. Because we have not given much thought to dying, it ends up being even more stressful because we have to process how we feel while making major decisions about handling what needs to be done.
Planning for death sounds morbid, but it is not. Instead it is a healthy way of thinking about living. The same dignity you have in life should be the same dignity you keep in death, maybe even better. Having a “good” death (Yes, its possible.) requires thinking about what you want and knowing what is available so your wishes are respected. Planning for death can be a celebration of living.
To change the way we think about death and dying, Health Watch decided to find out more about both. We wanted find out what scares us about dying and how to avoid this when it’s our time or somebody else’s that we love. We also wanted to know how to better cope when someone we love dies. To help us think about these issues we had Dr. David Tribble, chief medical officer for Alive Hospice on to talk about death, dying and grief. Not only did Dr. Tribble share factual information we all need to know, he shared his heart. It was a Health Watch show not to be missed.
We uncovered that most of us fear the same things about death – dying alone, dying in pain, what happens after death, and leaving others behind. Although death is not easy, there are some things we can do make the situation better. This is where hospice becomes so important. We found out that hospices operate separate facilities as well as offer services in hospitals, to help patients and love ones transition through the dying process. Dr. Tribble shared that as much as dying is a medical issue it is even more a spiritual and emotional one. Hospices are equipped to serve all of these needs.
We also learned that to have our wishes honored, we can create an advance directive, which is an umbrella term for documents created before a person becomes seriously ill. Advance directives include living wills, a document which says how you want to be cared for if you become terminally ill; medical power of attorney, a document which gives a person you name the right to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them for yourself; and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders, which tell the hospital whether or not you want to be resuscitated if your heart stops beating. The Tennessee Department of Health has even more information about advance directives at this link: http://health.state.tn.us/AdvanceDirectives/index.htm
These are documents you can prepare long before you ever might need them. Although they indicate your wishes about your care, as Dr. Tribble told us, if while receiving care you change your mind, then your advance directives can be changed. Advance directives are to give you, your loved ones and healthcare providers directions about how to best care for you.
During our conversation with Dr. Tribble we also talked about grief. Grief is an important part of healing, especially when someone you love passes. Dr. Tribble shared that we do not all grieve the same way. Our age, relationship to the person and other experiences will all affect the way we grieve. Although the hole left when someone dies can never be filled, through grieving we learn how to better cope with that hole. Again hospice centers, like Alive Hospice, can be particularly helpful. These centers have people trained to help those left behind dealing with loss. If you want to find out more about Alive Hospice and the services they offer, please check out this link: http://www.alivehospice.org/
Death and dying are not something we like to talk about, but they are something we need to discuss with our families. When we do, it makes both less scary for everyone. Health Watch will keep doing its part to make it a little easier. We encourage you to do yours. To live and die well, those are the markers of a life well spent! Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”
Planning for death sounds morbid, but it is not. Instead it is a healthy way of thinking about living. The same dignity you have in life should be the same dignity you keep in death, maybe even better. Having a “good” death (Yes, its possible.) requires thinking about what you want and knowing what is available so your wishes are respected. Planning for death can be a celebration of living.
To change the way we think about death and dying, Health Watch decided to find out more about both. We wanted find out what scares us about dying and how to avoid this when it’s our time or somebody else’s that we love. We also wanted to know how to better cope when someone we love dies. To help us think about these issues we had Dr. David Tribble, chief medical officer for Alive Hospice on to talk about death, dying and grief. Not only did Dr. Tribble share factual information we all need to know, he shared his heart. It was a Health Watch show not to be missed.
We uncovered that most of us fear the same things about death – dying alone, dying in pain, what happens after death, and leaving others behind. Although death is not easy, there are some things we can do make the situation better. This is where hospice becomes so important. We found out that hospices operate separate facilities as well as offer services in hospitals, to help patients and love ones transition through the dying process. Dr. Tribble shared that as much as dying is a medical issue it is even more a spiritual and emotional one. Hospices are equipped to serve all of these needs.
We also learned that to have our wishes honored, we can create an advance directive, which is an umbrella term for documents created before a person becomes seriously ill. Advance directives include living wills, a document which says how you want to be cared for if you become terminally ill; medical power of attorney, a document which gives a person you name the right to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them for yourself; and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders, which tell the hospital whether or not you want to be resuscitated if your heart stops beating. The Tennessee Department of Health has even more information about advance directives at this link: http://health.state.tn.us/AdvanceDirectives/index.htm
These are documents you can prepare long before you ever might need them. Although they indicate your wishes about your care, as Dr. Tribble told us, if while receiving care you change your mind, then your advance directives can be changed. Advance directives are to give you, your loved ones and healthcare providers directions about how to best care for you.
During our conversation with Dr. Tribble we also talked about grief. Grief is an important part of healing, especially when someone you love passes. Dr. Tribble shared that we do not all grieve the same way. Our age, relationship to the person and other experiences will all affect the way we grieve. Although the hole left when someone dies can never be filled, through grieving we learn how to better cope with that hole. Again hospice centers, like Alive Hospice, can be particularly helpful. These centers have people trained to help those left behind dealing with loss. If you want to find out more about Alive Hospice and the services they offer, please check out this link: http://www.alivehospice.org/
Death and dying are not something we like to talk about, but they are something we need to discuss with our families. When we do, it makes both less scary for everyone. Health Watch will keep doing its part to make it a little easier. We encourage you to do yours. To live and die well, those are the markers of a life well spent! Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
“Rest for the Weary”
With everything going on, it is getting harder and harder to cope. There are more bad days than good days, and it seems as if the cloud over your head will never lift. Maybe you find comfort in “happy hour” after work with friends. But, now it seems that even the occasional cocktail is not enough. “Happy hour” is all day long. Guilt, shame and your little secret are starting to take a toll on you and those around you.
Or maybe life has dealt you some particularly hard blows. Death, divorce, abuse- you name it, you have been through it. Even though you are alive, you are dead inside. You are going through life on autopilot. You do not remember how to actually “feel” anymore. You are numb and disconnected. You don’t know when it happened you just know you are there. You are stuck.
Women, particularly those dealing with emotional trauma, substance abuse, and other addictive behaviors can feel like that. For many it feels as if they are facing these challenges alone. When they reach out for help, the help they receive is not always enough. Traditional treatment deals with the behavior, but not the emotional issues that underlie abuse. Dealing with one without addressing the other can feel like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. Fortunately, there is a better way and Health Watch is on a quest to find it.
More and more behavioral health providers are now talking about dual diagnosis, which is a fancy way of referring to addiction and emotional issues. Not only are they talking about it, they are also developing treatments to deal with both. Brookhaven Retreat, a residential treatment facility for women in East Tennessee, is one such facility. Jacqueline Dawes, owner and founder of Brookhaven, talked to Health Watch last Thursday about Brookhaven and its unique approach to helping women heal.
Jacqueline talked about her own experience of losing a child, divorce, and how those experiences prompted her to start Brookhaven. We discussed the kind of comprehensive health/behavioral health services Brookhaven offers. We explored reasons why women are reluctant to seek care, signs to look for in yourself or a loved one dealing with depression, and how Brookhaven has transformed the lives of women throughout the United States. It was an hour you would not have wanted to miss!
However, in case you did miss last week’s Health Watch, you can find out more about Jacqueline and Brookhaven Retreat at the following link: http://www.brookhavenretreat.com/
Recovery is possible. That’s the take-home message from last week’s Health Watch. If you are broken, healing and restoration are available. When you take the first step, others will be there to take the journey with you, including Health Watch. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!”
Or maybe life has dealt you some particularly hard blows. Death, divorce, abuse- you name it, you have been through it. Even though you are alive, you are dead inside. You are going through life on autopilot. You do not remember how to actually “feel” anymore. You are numb and disconnected. You don’t know when it happened you just know you are there. You are stuck.
Women, particularly those dealing with emotional trauma, substance abuse, and other addictive behaviors can feel like that. For many it feels as if they are facing these challenges alone. When they reach out for help, the help they receive is not always enough. Traditional treatment deals with the behavior, but not the emotional issues that underlie abuse. Dealing with one without addressing the other can feel like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. Fortunately, there is a better way and Health Watch is on a quest to find it.
More and more behavioral health providers are now talking about dual diagnosis, which is a fancy way of referring to addiction and emotional issues. Not only are they talking about it, they are also developing treatments to deal with both. Brookhaven Retreat, a residential treatment facility for women in East Tennessee, is one such facility. Jacqueline Dawes, owner and founder of Brookhaven, talked to Health Watch last Thursday about Brookhaven and its unique approach to helping women heal.
Jacqueline talked about her own experience of losing a child, divorce, and how those experiences prompted her to start Brookhaven. We discussed the kind of comprehensive health/behavioral health services Brookhaven offers. We explored reasons why women are reluctant to seek care, signs to look for in yourself or a loved one dealing with depression, and how Brookhaven has transformed the lives of women throughout the United States. It was an hour you would not have wanted to miss!
However, in case you did miss last week’s Health Watch, you can find out more about Jacqueline and Brookhaven Retreat at the following link: http://www.brookhavenretreat.com/
Recovery is possible. That’s the take-home message from last week’s Health Watch. If you are broken, healing and restoration are available. When you take the first step, others will be there to take the journey with you, including Health Watch. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we do better. So pass it on!”
Friday, August 28, 2009
“Getting to the Heart of the Matter”
You have seen the news clips of rowdy town hall sessions around the country. You have been bombarded with advertisements supporting one or another side of the healthcare reform issues or another. You have seen pundits and heard debates on cable news about healthcare. Yet, you still are not really clear on what the issues are or where you stand on them. You wish someone would have a real conversation about healthcare reform that does not leave your head spinning, but instead gives you real, concrete things to think about. Health Watch is attempting to do its part to help weed through the rhetoric and get to the heart of understanding healthcare reform.
Health Watch hosted two recent shows focused on different aspects of the healthcare reform issue. Last week we spoke with Dr. Alfredo Cambronero, an economics professor at Fisk University about the costs of healthcare reform. He told us about how most Americans are covered under employer-based insurance coverage, which in large part is already subsidized by the government. We talked about the pros and cons of a “public option,” an approach to regulating insurance costs by providing government-run health insurance as an option for employers and citizens. Dr. Cambronero offered additional insight about what our current healthcare debate and the divisiveness it has caused says about us as a nation and what we truly value. It was a discussion you would not have wanted to miss.
Last night, Health Watch spoke with Dr. Dale Block, a family practitioner, healthcare management expert and author of the book, Healthcare Stewardship: a Guide to Improving the Health of All Americans. He has developed an 8-point plan for changing the current United States “sick-care” into a “well-care” system. The idea of “stewardship,” each of us taking responsibility for health is at the core of his plan.
Prevention is another essential part of “health stewardship” as Dr. Block sees it. He believes whole-heartedly in people promoting better health by educating themselves and each other about health and doing those things in our power to promote health. He also believes that evidence-based medicine, identifying medical practices that work and eliminating those that do not, is critical to improving quality and efficiency in care. Dr. Block is not just advocating health stewardship as a solution to healthcare reform he is putting it into practice in a rural Florida community. Dr. Cambronero is doing the same through his research and applied economic endeavors here and abroad. When it comes to thinking about healthcare reform, Drs. Cambronero and Block are not just talking the talk. They are walking the walk.
If you want to find out more about Dr. Block’s ideas about healthcare reform and his book, you can check out this link: http://www.healthcarestewardship.com/
During the upcoming weeks we invite our Health Watch listeners and blog readers to join our conversation about healthcare reform. We will keep bringing you the best and brightest minds on the issue and wade through the myths to get to the heart of what really matters, figuring out how to provide quality care for all of us. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”
Health Watch hosted two recent shows focused on different aspects of the healthcare reform issue. Last week we spoke with Dr. Alfredo Cambronero, an economics professor at Fisk University about the costs of healthcare reform. He told us about how most Americans are covered under employer-based insurance coverage, which in large part is already subsidized by the government. We talked about the pros and cons of a “public option,” an approach to regulating insurance costs by providing government-run health insurance as an option for employers and citizens. Dr. Cambronero offered additional insight about what our current healthcare debate and the divisiveness it has caused says about us as a nation and what we truly value. It was a discussion you would not have wanted to miss.
Last night, Health Watch spoke with Dr. Dale Block, a family practitioner, healthcare management expert and author of the book, Healthcare Stewardship: a Guide to Improving the Health of All Americans. He has developed an 8-point plan for changing the current United States “sick-care” into a “well-care” system. The idea of “stewardship,” each of us taking responsibility for health is at the core of his plan.
Prevention is another essential part of “health stewardship” as Dr. Block sees it. He believes whole-heartedly in people promoting better health by educating themselves and each other about health and doing those things in our power to promote health. He also believes that evidence-based medicine, identifying medical practices that work and eliminating those that do not, is critical to improving quality and efficiency in care. Dr. Block is not just advocating health stewardship as a solution to healthcare reform he is putting it into practice in a rural Florida community. Dr. Cambronero is doing the same through his research and applied economic endeavors here and abroad. When it comes to thinking about healthcare reform, Drs. Cambronero and Block are not just talking the talk. They are walking the walk.
If you want to find out more about Dr. Block’s ideas about healthcare reform and his book, you can check out this link: http://www.healthcarestewardship.com/
During the upcoming weeks we invite our Health Watch listeners and blog readers to join our conversation about healthcare reform. We will keep bringing you the best and brightest minds on the issue and wade through the myths to get to the heart of what really matters, figuring out how to provide quality care for all of us. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”
Thursday, July 23, 2009
“Wake Up to Spirit and Health”
Throughout the ages, people have turned to faith for healing. Whether it was the power of prayer, meditations, laying of hands, or other means, people have sought a connection to their spirit for guidance and comfort. People of faith and those with no particular faith continue to seek truth through spirituality. For many, this is their pathway to better health.
Those who gain deeper understanding of their spiritual power are often transformed physically, emotionally and spiritually. So much so that they are compelled to share their experience. Some call this “testifying” or “witnessing” to what has happened to them. Hearing other’s triumphs often inspire people to believe the same is possible for them. Yet, in our modern society we often shy away from sharing our spiritual beliefs for fear of what others might think or say. Gary Hall is not one of those people.
Having dealt with serve illness throughout his life, Gary believed there had to be a better way. So he made it his life’s mission to search for and find it. His journey led him to his spirit and faith. Believing that there is divine power available to all, Gary shared with our Health Watch listeners how he uses the word of God and his faith to manifest miracles in his life.
Chronicling his story and spiritual insights, Gary has written a memoir called, A Wake Up Call: A Coming to Know God. In it he discusses how to become spiritually awake; how challenges like ego, doubt and the past can keep our spirits from blossoming; the importance of finding purpose; and how to keep our spirit in tune.
Our Health Watch listeners offered further insights about the relationship between spirit and health. Some shared their spiritual tools – like meditation – and how they use them to stay healthy. Others offered perspectives on how we have lost our spiritual way and how to reclaim this path for wellness. With such a lively discussion between our Health Watch listeners and our guest it is clear that many are undergoing their own spiritual awakenings.
To find out more about Gary’s experience and his book, please check out this website:
http://gary-hall.com/
For all those seeking to find your spiritual path to health and healing, be encouraged. You are not alone. Health Watch is here with you. Keep seeking it and it will surely come. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”
Those who gain deeper understanding of their spiritual power are often transformed physically, emotionally and spiritually. So much so that they are compelled to share their experience. Some call this “testifying” or “witnessing” to what has happened to them. Hearing other’s triumphs often inspire people to believe the same is possible for them. Yet, in our modern society we often shy away from sharing our spiritual beliefs for fear of what others might think or say. Gary Hall is not one of those people.
Having dealt with serve illness throughout his life, Gary believed there had to be a better way. So he made it his life’s mission to search for and find it. His journey led him to his spirit and faith. Believing that there is divine power available to all, Gary shared with our Health Watch listeners how he uses the word of God and his faith to manifest miracles in his life.
Chronicling his story and spiritual insights, Gary has written a memoir called, A Wake Up Call: A Coming to Know God. In it he discusses how to become spiritually awake; how challenges like ego, doubt and the past can keep our spirits from blossoming; the importance of finding purpose; and how to keep our spirit in tune.
Our Health Watch listeners offered further insights about the relationship between spirit and health. Some shared their spiritual tools – like meditation – and how they use them to stay healthy. Others offered perspectives on how we have lost our spiritual way and how to reclaim this path for wellness. With such a lively discussion between our Health Watch listeners and our guest it is clear that many are undergoing their own spiritual awakenings.
To find out more about Gary’s experience and his book, please check out this website:
http://gary-hall.com/
For all those seeking to find your spiritual path to health and healing, be encouraged. You are not alone. Health Watch is here with you. Keep seeking it and it will surely come. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”
“Keeping the Home Fires Burning”
For those that have been in long-term, monogamous relationships like marriage, keeping intimacy’s fire burning hot is not something that just happens. It takes work. When partners are committed to each other and the relationship, the effort can be well worth it. Most often the issue is not whether couples desire greater intimacy. Instead, it is about not knowing how to make it happen.
Some couples turn to medications, marital aids and other strategies with greater frequency to rekindle love’s flame. Others live with less fulfilling relationships, suffering in silence instead of having the passionate marriages they truly want. With the greater number of male enhancement, female arousal and other similar products on the market, it is obvious that even if couples are not having satisfying relationships, they definitely are trying. Yet, perhaps the answer is not a toy or a little blue pill. Instead it might be in the bond between you and your partner. That might be the where “the secret” to having a passionate relationship is.
Dr. David Schnarsh, a clinical psychologist, certified sex therapist and author of the re-released bestselling book, Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships, definitely gave our Health Watch listeners some food for thought about passion and relationships. And our listeners also had a lot to share, also.
One of the myths Dr. Schnarsh dispelled early is that committed relationships should always burn hot. Instead, Dr. Schnarsh explained that relationships, like all living things, have cycles. There are ebbs and flows in relationships. These are natural, necessary and normal. These “cooling off” periods allow us to (re)assess our relationships, better understand ourselves, and cultivate who we are so we bring our best to our partners. Being comfortable in our own skin and with our sexuality are the best aphrodisiacs any couple can use.
If you are looking for a resource on creating greater intimacy, then you and your partner (maybe while tucked in under the covers!) should perhaps check out Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships. Dr. Schnarsh also has a sex survey that can give even more insight on the state of your relationship. For more information, check out the website below:
http://passionatemarriage.com/
Whether you are in a committed relationship or still waiting for the love of your life, you need to bring your best self to any relationship. For when you love yourself it is impossible for others not to follow suit. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”
Some couples turn to medications, marital aids and other strategies with greater frequency to rekindle love’s flame. Others live with less fulfilling relationships, suffering in silence instead of having the passionate marriages they truly want. With the greater number of male enhancement, female arousal and other similar products on the market, it is obvious that even if couples are not having satisfying relationships, they definitely are trying. Yet, perhaps the answer is not a toy or a little blue pill. Instead it might be in the bond between you and your partner. That might be the where “the secret” to having a passionate relationship is.
Dr. David Schnarsh, a clinical psychologist, certified sex therapist and author of the re-released bestselling book, Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships, definitely gave our Health Watch listeners some food for thought about passion and relationships. And our listeners also had a lot to share, also.
One of the myths Dr. Schnarsh dispelled early is that committed relationships should always burn hot. Instead, Dr. Schnarsh explained that relationships, like all living things, have cycles. There are ebbs and flows in relationships. These are natural, necessary and normal. These “cooling off” periods allow us to (re)assess our relationships, better understand ourselves, and cultivate who we are so we bring our best to our partners. Being comfortable in our own skin and with our sexuality are the best aphrodisiacs any couple can use.
If you are looking for a resource on creating greater intimacy, then you and your partner (maybe while tucked in under the covers!) should perhaps check out Passionate Marriage: Keeping Love and Intimacy Alive in Committed Relationships. Dr. Schnarsh also has a sex survey that can give even more insight on the state of your relationship. For more information, check out the website below:
http://passionatemarriage.com/
Whether you are in a committed relationship or still waiting for the love of your life, you need to bring your best self to any relationship. For when you love yourself it is impossible for others not to follow suit. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on!”
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
"Gronwing in Grace"
Aging is a part of living. Growing old gracefully is choice, a choice that includes planning for the future and embracing what life has in store. With more and more people getting older and living longer, it makes sense for all of us to give careful consideration to the lives we want to live 10, 20, or 30 years from now. So how do we get started? We start by being honest about our current situation and making decisions now about our futures.
Last week’s Health Watch guest Dr. Eva Mor, epidemiologist, gerontologist and author of the book, Making the Golden Years Golden, gave us food for thought about aging. The explosion of aging Baby Boomers is forcing the entire nation to reconsider what it means to grow older. With more disposable income, accumulated wealth, technological savvy, and education the elderly are demanding more and better options. Take for instance housing and long-term care.
Most people want to be as independent as long as they possibly can. The ability to remain in ones’ home is a big part of this. A generation ago, when aging loved ones could no longer care for themselves, their choices were limited. Either move in with relatives or into nursing homes. This is not the case today. Although living with relatives and nursing homes are what some elders choose, others are opting for other arrangements. Some of these choices include hiring part-time or round the clock sitters for care and support at home. Others are selling their homes and moving into assisted living facilities and retirement communities. Some are opting to rent space in their homes to non-relatives or become boarders in others’ homes. Still others are choosing new living concepts like the Green House Project, small communities of elders and support staff living together. (www.thegreenhouseproject.org)These choices are making the prospect of growing older less troubling and more engaging. That is a wonderful thing.
If you are someone you love needs to think about long-term care and housing, start by taking a look around where you currently live. Are the main rooms of the house all on one level? If you or your loved one were confined to a wheelchair, would mobility around the house be affected? Are the bathrooms designed for easier access by someone who is frail? Are front stairs easy to climb or is a ramp available? If not, then perhaps it is time to make upgrades to ensure you can remain in your home for as long as possible. Thinking about things like this on the front end can make decisions that much easier later on.
For more information about how to make the golden years golden, you might want to check out Dr. Mor’s website, www.goldenyearsgolden.com. Aging does not have to be burdensome if we embrace it with thoughtfulness and care. That’s what Health Watch intends to do and we hope you do the same. Until next time remember, “When we know better. We should do better. So pass it on.”
Last week’s Health Watch guest Dr. Eva Mor, epidemiologist, gerontologist and author of the book, Making the Golden Years Golden, gave us food for thought about aging. The explosion of aging Baby Boomers is forcing the entire nation to reconsider what it means to grow older. With more disposable income, accumulated wealth, technological savvy, and education the elderly are demanding more and better options. Take for instance housing and long-term care.
Most people want to be as independent as long as they possibly can. The ability to remain in ones’ home is a big part of this. A generation ago, when aging loved ones could no longer care for themselves, their choices were limited. Either move in with relatives or into nursing homes. This is not the case today. Although living with relatives and nursing homes are what some elders choose, others are opting for other arrangements. Some of these choices include hiring part-time or round the clock sitters for care and support at home. Others are selling their homes and moving into assisted living facilities and retirement communities. Some are opting to rent space in their homes to non-relatives or become boarders in others’ homes. Still others are choosing new living concepts like the Green House Project, small communities of elders and support staff living together. (www.thegreenhouseproject.org)These choices are making the prospect of growing older less troubling and more engaging. That is a wonderful thing.
If you are someone you love needs to think about long-term care and housing, start by taking a look around where you currently live. Are the main rooms of the house all on one level? If you or your loved one were confined to a wheelchair, would mobility around the house be affected? Are the bathrooms designed for easier access by someone who is frail? Are front stairs easy to climb or is a ramp available? If not, then perhaps it is time to make upgrades to ensure you can remain in your home for as long as possible. Thinking about things like this on the front end can make decisions that much easier later on.
For more information about how to make the golden years golden, you might want to check out Dr. Mor’s website, www.goldenyearsgolden.com. Aging does not have to be burdensome if we embrace it with thoughtfulness and care. That’s what Health Watch intends to do and we hope you do the same. Until next time remember, “When we know better. We should do better. So pass it on.”
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Stay on the Watch Tower
There is perhaps no more helpless feeling than seeing someone you love in need and not knowing how to help them. That is a special torture. One that many of us face when someone we know is ill and hospitalized. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, unsure of what to do or how best to help. Hospitals are intimidating places. So much so that most of us sit quietly, step aside and let the healthcare professionals do their jobs to care for our loved ones. This is both right and wrong.
Healthcare professionals and the care they provide in hospitals are vitally important. However, neither is perfect. Both are susceptible to errors, shortages, and the like. What happens outside of hospitals- economic downturns, more people uninsured, rising healthcare costs, insurance restrictions, an increasingly aging population and sicker people – affects what happens inside hospitals. All of these influence the type and quality of care they provide. Sometimes this care is less than it should be.
So how can we make sure those we care about get good quality care in hospitals? It is not by sitting passively on the sidelines. It is by staying alert, taking notes, and asking questions. We help most when we become active health advocates.
Being an advocate for someone in the hospital is not about being belligerent, condescending or bossy. Instead it is about being assertive. What does that mean? It means identifying someone in your family as the point of contact with healthcare providers for your loved one. It is building a team of family, friends or hired assistants to stay with the hospitalized person round the clock. Being assertive means knowing who the primary physician(s) and nurse(s) are in charge of your loved ones care, making sure they know who your loved one is, and that people care about this person. It is about writing down the names, dosages, results, side effects and other information about medications, tests, and labs that your loved one undergoes while in the hospital. And more than anything it is about helping the person who is hospitalized heal by being their eyes, ears and voice in the hospital. Being an advocate means staying on the watchtower to make sure your loved one is well cared for.
This evening’s Health Watch guest, Martine Ehrenclou, author of the book, Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive, has a lot of insight and tips to share about how to be an effective hospital advocate. If you are interested in a step-by-step guide for the next time someone you know is hospitalized, then this might be a book for you. To find out more about the author and the book, check out this website: http://criticalconditions.com/
Health Watch is on the watchtower for our health. Make sure you do the same for someone you love. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Healthcare professionals and the care they provide in hospitals are vitally important. However, neither is perfect. Both are susceptible to errors, shortages, and the like. What happens outside of hospitals- economic downturns, more people uninsured, rising healthcare costs, insurance restrictions, an increasingly aging population and sicker people – affects what happens inside hospitals. All of these influence the type and quality of care they provide. Sometimes this care is less than it should be.
So how can we make sure those we care about get good quality care in hospitals? It is not by sitting passively on the sidelines. It is by staying alert, taking notes, and asking questions. We help most when we become active health advocates.
Being an advocate for someone in the hospital is not about being belligerent, condescending or bossy. Instead it is about being assertive. What does that mean? It means identifying someone in your family as the point of contact with healthcare providers for your loved one. It is building a team of family, friends or hired assistants to stay with the hospitalized person round the clock. Being assertive means knowing who the primary physician(s) and nurse(s) are in charge of your loved ones care, making sure they know who your loved one is, and that people care about this person. It is about writing down the names, dosages, results, side effects and other information about medications, tests, and labs that your loved one undergoes while in the hospital. And more than anything it is about helping the person who is hospitalized heal by being their eyes, ears and voice in the hospital. Being an advocate means staying on the watchtower to make sure your loved one is well cared for.
This evening’s Health Watch guest, Martine Ehrenclou, author of the book, Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive, has a lot of insight and tips to share about how to be an effective hospital advocate. If you are interested in a step-by-step guide for the next time someone you know is hospitalized, then this might be a book for you. To find out more about the author and the book, check out this website: http://criticalconditions.com/
Health Watch is on the watchtower for our health. Make sure you do the same for someone you love. Until next time remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Friday, May 29, 2009
To Thy Own Self Be True
Growing older is a fact of life. Death is the alternative. Therefore, instead of dreading aging, fearing what comes with it and seeing it as a slow march towards the end, perhaps we need to view it differently. Maybe we can learn something from how Eastern cultures, notably the Chinese, think about aging.
Within Chinese culture growing older means gaining greater social status. Those gray hairs and wrinkles are a sign that one has lived life and learned some important lessons along the way. With age comes wisdom, wisdom that can be shared with others. With age also comes the opportunity to truly be one’s self. It is a time to explore all of those dreams pent up when you were younger because you did not have the time, had other pressing responsibilities (being a parent, working), or were too afraid to pursue because of what others might have thought about it. Growing older is a time for release and blossoming into a new creation. For the Chinese aging is not an end, but a beginning. What a refreshing way of thinking about life!
This way of thinking not only covers life in general, but specifically issues that go along with midlife. Take menopause for example. Among the Chinese there is no word for menopause. Instead this time in a women’s life is referred to as “second spring.” No longer able to conceive and bear children, the physiological and emotional changes that come for women during menopause serve as an opportunity for self-examination & recognition of accomplishments; a time for revitalization; and a period of reinvention for the next phase of living. Midlife is a time to finally become one’s truest self. Last night’s Health Watch guest, Dr. Maoshing Ni (better known as “Dr. Mao”) really helped put midlife and menopause into perspective for us.
Dr. Mao, a thirty-eighth generation Chinese medical practitioner, who has recently released a book entitled, Second Spring, told our listeners about the meaning behind such common menopause symptoms as hot flashes, loss of libido and sex drive, memory difficulties and mood swings. Many of these have to do with “flow” and “energy" or the lack there of. Dr. Mao also offered our listeners natural and inexpensive ways to improve and maintain balance, making “second spring” a joyous time in a woman’s life.
So inspired by the possibilities that come with “second spring’ Dr. Mao and his colleagues have dedicated their careers to helping thousands of women become the people they were always meant to be. Maybe there really is something wonderful about growing older, something worth (re)discovering and anticipating with joy. The Health Watch team definitely looks forward to finding out. Hope you do too. Here’s to growing older with style and grace. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better, so pass it on.”
Within Chinese culture growing older means gaining greater social status. Those gray hairs and wrinkles are a sign that one has lived life and learned some important lessons along the way. With age comes wisdom, wisdom that can be shared with others. With age also comes the opportunity to truly be one’s self. It is a time to explore all of those dreams pent up when you were younger because you did not have the time, had other pressing responsibilities (being a parent, working), or were too afraid to pursue because of what others might have thought about it. Growing older is a time for release and blossoming into a new creation. For the Chinese aging is not an end, but a beginning. What a refreshing way of thinking about life!
This way of thinking not only covers life in general, but specifically issues that go along with midlife. Take menopause for example. Among the Chinese there is no word for menopause. Instead this time in a women’s life is referred to as “second spring.” No longer able to conceive and bear children, the physiological and emotional changes that come for women during menopause serve as an opportunity for self-examination & recognition of accomplishments; a time for revitalization; and a period of reinvention for the next phase of living. Midlife is a time to finally become one’s truest self. Last night’s Health Watch guest, Dr. Maoshing Ni (better known as “Dr. Mao”) really helped put midlife and menopause into perspective for us.
Dr. Mao, a thirty-eighth generation Chinese medical practitioner, who has recently released a book entitled, Second Spring, told our listeners about the meaning behind such common menopause symptoms as hot flashes, loss of libido and sex drive, memory difficulties and mood swings. Many of these have to do with “flow” and “energy" or the lack there of. Dr. Mao also offered our listeners natural and inexpensive ways to improve and maintain balance, making “second spring” a joyous time in a woman’s life.
So inspired by the possibilities that come with “second spring’ Dr. Mao and his colleagues have dedicated their careers to helping thousands of women become the people they were always meant to be. Maybe there really is something wonderful about growing older, something worth (re)discovering and anticipating with joy. The Health Watch team definitely looks forward to finding out. Hope you do too. Here’s to growing older with style and grace. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better, so pass it on.”
Friday, May 22, 2009
Love Never Fails
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, NLT)
With many marriages ending in divorce and long-time relationships breaking up, it is easy to become jaded about love. For many, we stop believing sustained love is possible or even worth pursuing. What a sad life this would be without love. Therefore, it is heartening when we hear that real and healthy love is possible.
We shared findings last night on Health Watch from a study out of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, published in this month’s Psychological Science, indicating that overcoming boredom is the key to keeping relationships alive and well. Over 100 first-time married couples were studied for 16 years about their marriages. Those that expressed dissatisfaction at the 7 year mark (that dreaded seven-year itch) were more likely to divorce or be dissatisfied 9 years later in their marriages. Boredom was a strong predictor of future unhappiness and loss of intimacy. That was what science had to say. But, we wanted to know what our Health Watch listeners thought about keeping relationships strong.
If last night’s Health Watch callers are indication (and we believe they are) then love truly is not dead. It is alive and well. We heard from men and women who have been married or in committed relationships for only a few years and for decades. They had a lot to teach us. One important lesson they shared is that love, like any important thing, has to be cultivated. It has to be nurtured to thrive. Yes, love never fails. But, love takes work.
Here are some “trade secrets” to successful marriages and relationships that our Health Watch listeners shared:
Ø Be friends first and forever with your mate. Relationships that start out as friendships create a foundation of trust and support that can get couples over the tough times.
Ø Keep discovering new things about your mate. Each human being has many facets. The person you are with has new things to share and so do you. Keep learning about each other and you will never get bored with the one you love.
Ø A relationship is about service. It is about bringing the best out of the one you love and trusting they will do the same for you. Service should be your relationship’s mission statement – service for their best and your best.
Ø To keep the fire burning, be intentional about taking time to love each other. Talk to each other and share your feelings. Plan date nights with each other. Do the things you did when you were dating. Keep the relationship fresh and interesting.
Ø Never be too big to say, “I’m sorry.” Be willing to forgive so that you can be forgiven.
Ø Have a healthy spiritual relationship with God/Higher Being. When you are in-tune with yourself you can be better in sync with your partner.
It is obvious from our Health Watch listeners that they are putting in the time and effort to have healthy relationships. Hopefully, they will inspire us to do the same in ours. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
With many marriages ending in divorce and long-time relationships breaking up, it is easy to become jaded about love. For many, we stop believing sustained love is possible or even worth pursuing. What a sad life this would be without love. Therefore, it is heartening when we hear that real and healthy love is possible.
We shared findings last night on Health Watch from a study out of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, published in this month’s Psychological Science, indicating that overcoming boredom is the key to keeping relationships alive and well. Over 100 first-time married couples were studied for 16 years about their marriages. Those that expressed dissatisfaction at the 7 year mark (that dreaded seven-year itch) were more likely to divorce or be dissatisfied 9 years later in their marriages. Boredom was a strong predictor of future unhappiness and loss of intimacy. That was what science had to say. But, we wanted to know what our Health Watch listeners thought about keeping relationships strong.
If last night’s Health Watch callers are indication (and we believe they are) then love truly is not dead. It is alive and well. We heard from men and women who have been married or in committed relationships for only a few years and for decades. They had a lot to teach us. One important lesson they shared is that love, like any important thing, has to be cultivated. It has to be nurtured to thrive. Yes, love never fails. But, love takes work.
Here are some “trade secrets” to successful marriages and relationships that our Health Watch listeners shared:
Ø Be friends first and forever with your mate. Relationships that start out as friendships create a foundation of trust and support that can get couples over the tough times.
Ø Keep discovering new things about your mate. Each human being has many facets. The person you are with has new things to share and so do you. Keep learning about each other and you will never get bored with the one you love.
Ø A relationship is about service. It is about bringing the best out of the one you love and trusting they will do the same for you. Service should be your relationship’s mission statement – service for their best and your best.
Ø To keep the fire burning, be intentional about taking time to love each other. Talk to each other and share your feelings. Plan date nights with each other. Do the things you did when you were dating. Keep the relationship fresh and interesting.
Ø Never be too big to say, “I’m sorry.” Be willing to forgive so that you can be forgiven.
Ø Have a healthy spiritual relationship with God/Higher Being. When you are in-tune with yourself you can be better in sync with your partner.
It is obvious from our Health Watch listeners that they are putting in the time and effort to have healthy relationships. Hopefully, they will inspire us to do the same in ours. Until next time, remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Can’t Live With Them, Can’t Live Without Them
Even the best relationships have their ups and downs. When things are good, they are great. But, when they are bad, they can be the worst. Nobody wants to be miserable when it comes to love. Yet, dealing with misery, sadness, and disappointment that comes in relationships is necessary to have the happiness you truly want in your relationships. Last week’s Health Watch guest, Ted Cunningham, co-author of From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage definitely made that clear. You can not avoid the irritations, resentment and anger that come up in relationships and expect to have a healthy one. You have got to deal with the matter head-on.
One good way of doing this is by becoming a student of anger. Most of the battles in our relationships are really about deeper issues – not about whether or not you put the toilet seat down or whose turn it is to pick up the kids. When we are stressed, tired, frustrated or scarred it can manifest itself in a lot of different ways. Study the script of your fights. Is there a pattern? If so, what is that pattern telling you? That pattern can tell you some really important things. Things like what your anger triggers are; the real source of your anger; and even whether not forgiving someone is the tool you use against the person you love. Studying anger can not only lead to better communication with your partner, it can tell you a lot about yourself. Maybe it’s time you studied your anger.
Ted also shared some other really important tips to create better intimacy with your partner. Some of the big ones include:
Ø Realize you cannot change somebody else. So, get off of their case.
Ø Be a “safe” partner. Be somebody your partner can share their hopes and dreams with without fearing you will cut them down.
Ø Checking in. Create time where you and your partner can openly share with each other about what is really going on in your lives.
The bottom line is that when it comes to love and relationships, we sometimes can’t live with them. But, we certainly can’t live without them. Therefore, we need to use all the tips and tools we can to learn from them and make them better. Here’s to happy relationships!
That’s it for this Ask Health Watch blog entry. Remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
One good way of doing this is by becoming a student of anger. Most of the battles in our relationships are really about deeper issues – not about whether or not you put the toilet seat down or whose turn it is to pick up the kids. When we are stressed, tired, frustrated or scarred it can manifest itself in a lot of different ways. Study the script of your fights. Is there a pattern? If so, what is that pattern telling you? That pattern can tell you some really important things. Things like what your anger triggers are; the real source of your anger; and even whether not forgiving someone is the tool you use against the person you love. Studying anger can not only lead to better communication with your partner, it can tell you a lot about yourself. Maybe it’s time you studied your anger.
Ted also shared some other really important tips to create better intimacy with your partner. Some of the big ones include:
Ø Realize you cannot change somebody else. So, get off of their case.
Ø Be a “safe” partner. Be somebody your partner can share their hopes and dreams with without fearing you will cut them down.
Ø Checking in. Create time where you and your partner can openly share with each other about what is really going on in your lives.
The bottom line is that when it comes to love and relationships, we sometimes can’t live with them. But, we certainly can’t live without them. Therefore, we need to use all the tips and tools we can to learn from them and make them better. Here’s to happy relationships!
That’s it for this Ask Health Watch blog entry. Remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Friday, May 8, 2009
Sex, Drugs and the Law?
Who knew that legalizing marijuana and taking erectile dysfunction ads off TV would prompt such a response from our Health Watch listeners? Go figure. It just goes to show that sex and drugs really are lightening rods for many of us. Both topics definitely made for lively discussion last night.
In case you missed Health Watch last night (5/7/09), here are some highlights:
Making Pot Legal
A California assemblyman recently proposed legislation to legalize the cultivation and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Earlier this week (5/5/09) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California suggested that a large scale study, including international case comparisons, should be conducted to determine the economic and social impact of legalizing marijuana. Why is legalizing pot once again a matter of public debate? It is because of the economy, of course.
California is facing a huge budget deficit and legalizing marijuana might be one way to offset some of this debt. Just how much revenue could be generated from legalizing marijuana in California? According to some estimates it could be as much as $1.34 billion dollars annually. Who knew pot could be so lucrative?
Among our Health Watch listeners, there was quite a bit of support for marijuana legalization. Some of the noted reasons in favor of marijuana legalization included:
Ø As a way to reduce the number of African American men involved the criminal justice system for recreational use of marijuana; and
Ø Pot does not produce the same kinds of harmful and/or destructive effects as alcohol misuse (e.g., DUIs).
Those against legalizing marijuana offered the following reasons:
Ø Government involvement in taxing marijuana will cut into profits of those growing and selling marijuana;
Ø Legalization of marijuana might serve as a gateway to legalize and tax other drugs; and
Ø Excessive marijuana consumption slows down coordination and affects brain functioning. Allowing people more access to marijuana will only make matters worse for those who regularly use.
If you want to read more about this subject, check out this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/us/07arnold.html?ref=us
That’s what some Health Watch listeners are thinking. But, what do you think? Check out this week’s Health Watch POLL QUESTION: Should marijuana be legalized? (Tell us what you think!)
ED Ads No More
You have seen the commercials on television, couples lounging in twin bathtubs, smiling and looking at the horizon. They are made all the happier by a little blue pill touted as the remedy to erectile dysfunction (ED). Even though the couples in those ads look content, everybody is not, especially not Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA).
Fed up with these commercials, Rep. Moran introduced H.R. 2175 in the U.S. House of Representatives last month. The bill prohibits any ED commercials from airing on broadcast radio and TV between 6 AM and 10 PM. The bill further advises the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to treat these ads as “indecent” and instruct stations to restrict broadcasting to late night or overnight hours.
Health Watch listeners had a lot to say about ED, those little blue pills, and airing these commercials. Respondents shared everything from -- these pills make sure men regularly “clean out” their prostates; women want more than just sex from their partners; to the fact that men take them to please their partners. Obviously, ED and ED medications are on a lot of folk’s minds. What do you think?
If you want to read more about this subject, check out this link:
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/07/erectile-dysfunction-ads-too-hot-for-tv/
Well, that’s it for this entry. Remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Listen to WFSK, 88.1 FM (Fisk University) and Health Watch (Thursdays, 6:00-7:00PM, CT) at www.wfsk.org.
In case you missed Health Watch last night (5/7/09), here are some highlights:
Making Pot Legal
A California assemblyman recently proposed legislation to legalize the cultivation and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Earlier this week (5/5/09) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California suggested that a large scale study, including international case comparisons, should be conducted to determine the economic and social impact of legalizing marijuana. Why is legalizing pot once again a matter of public debate? It is because of the economy, of course.
California is facing a huge budget deficit and legalizing marijuana might be one way to offset some of this debt. Just how much revenue could be generated from legalizing marijuana in California? According to some estimates it could be as much as $1.34 billion dollars annually. Who knew pot could be so lucrative?
Among our Health Watch listeners, there was quite a bit of support for marijuana legalization. Some of the noted reasons in favor of marijuana legalization included:
Ø As a way to reduce the number of African American men involved the criminal justice system for recreational use of marijuana; and
Ø Pot does not produce the same kinds of harmful and/or destructive effects as alcohol misuse (e.g., DUIs).
Those against legalizing marijuana offered the following reasons:
Ø Government involvement in taxing marijuana will cut into profits of those growing and selling marijuana;
Ø Legalization of marijuana might serve as a gateway to legalize and tax other drugs; and
Ø Excessive marijuana consumption slows down coordination and affects brain functioning. Allowing people more access to marijuana will only make matters worse for those who regularly use.
If you want to read more about this subject, check out this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/us/07arnold.html?ref=us
That’s what some Health Watch listeners are thinking. But, what do you think? Check out this week’s Health Watch POLL QUESTION: Should marijuana be legalized? (Tell us what you think!)
ED Ads No More
You have seen the commercials on television, couples lounging in twin bathtubs, smiling and looking at the horizon. They are made all the happier by a little blue pill touted as the remedy to erectile dysfunction (ED). Even though the couples in those ads look content, everybody is not, especially not Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA).
Fed up with these commercials, Rep. Moran introduced H.R. 2175 in the U.S. House of Representatives last month. The bill prohibits any ED commercials from airing on broadcast radio and TV between 6 AM and 10 PM. The bill further advises the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to treat these ads as “indecent” and instruct stations to restrict broadcasting to late night or overnight hours.
Health Watch listeners had a lot to say about ED, those little blue pills, and airing these commercials. Respondents shared everything from -- these pills make sure men regularly “clean out” their prostates; women want more than just sex from their partners; to the fact that men take them to please their partners. Obviously, ED and ED medications are on a lot of folk’s minds. What do you think?
If you want to read more about this subject, check out this link:
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/07/erectile-dysfunction-ads-too-hot-for-tv/
Well, that’s it for this entry. Remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Listen to WFSK, 88.1 FM (Fisk University) and Health Watch (Thursdays, 6:00-7:00PM, CT) at www.wfsk.org.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
“I once was blind, but now I see.”
This week we witnessed the first successful face transplant in the United States. Health care professionals at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio gave Connie Culp a new face and a new lease on life. The recipient of a donor face from a woman declared brain dead, Culp regained the ability to smell and see fully with the transplant. What was taken has now been restored. Time has a way of healing old wounds.
Slowly, new nerve cells are growing in Culp’s face. Doctors anticipate she will have more facial function and expression by later this year. Culp will finally grow into the face fashioned just for her.
Without question, Culp is a miracle. It is not the new face or her ability to smell and see that are the real miracles here. What is miraculous is that even when the chips were down, Culp did not give up. She forgave the man who hurt her. People shunned and were afraid of her. Yet, Culp kept moving forward. Even when she could not see with her natural eyes, she saw that life was worth living. Despite everything Culp believed the best wasn’t behind, but in front of her. And when others could not see what was really beautiful, Culp could.
Health Watch wishes Connie Culp many more years of seeing beyond limits and living life to the fullest. Hopefully, her story will inspire us to do the same.
For more information about Connie Culp and her amazing transformation, check out:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103838034&ps=cprs
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/06/face.transplant.shooting/index.html
Take care and remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Slowly, new nerve cells are growing in Culp’s face. Doctors anticipate she will have more facial function and expression by later this year. Culp will finally grow into the face fashioned just for her.
Without question, Culp is a miracle. It is not the new face or her ability to smell and see that are the real miracles here. What is miraculous is that even when the chips were down, Culp did not give up. She forgave the man who hurt her. People shunned and were afraid of her. Yet, Culp kept moving forward. Even when she could not see with her natural eyes, she saw that life was worth living. Despite everything Culp believed the best wasn’t behind, but in front of her. And when others could not see what was really beautiful, Culp could.
Health Watch wishes Connie Culp many more years of seeing beyond limits and living life to the fullest. Hopefully, her story will inspire us to do the same.
For more information about Connie Culp and her amazing transformation, check out:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103838034&ps=cprs
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/06/face.transplant.shooting/index.html
Take care and remember, “When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on.”
Friday, May 1, 2009
Welcome to the Ask Health Watch blog!
Welcome to the Ask Health Watch blog. This blog will recap important tidbits after our weekly on-air shows and provide a space for listeners to share their thoughts on how we can "make health happen" in our local communities. You can also suggest topics & guests you want to hear on Health Watch.
Please be sure to keep your posts positive, clean and expletive free.
The Ask Health Watch blog is just another way to keep thinking and talking about health. We look forward to hearing from you. And remember, "When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on."
Please be sure to keep your posts positive, clean and expletive free.
The Ask Health Watch blog is just another way to keep thinking and talking about health. We look forward to hearing from you. And remember, "When we know better, we should do better. So pass it on."
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