Stay Healthy

GUIDELINES TO HELP KEEP YOUR SKIN SAFE

It’s clear that excessive exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin, yet general knowledge about sunscreens — how they work, how much to use, and what brands are safe — seems to be a bit hazy. 

Here are a few guidelines to increase your sunscreen know-how and help you make better decisions about protecting your skin.

TIPS FOR PEOPLE WHO SIT FOR LONG HOURS

Sitting for a long period of time, whether it’s in the office or at home, can work against a person’s health in the long run. Ultimately, it may increase your risk for weight gain, heart disease, joint pain and diabetes, and it may also affect your posture.

HERE’S WHY IT BENEFITS YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

If you’re looking for a reason to enjoy some time in the sun, call it “getting your vitamin D.” Five to 10 minutes a day, two to three times a week, can help your body create the vitamin D it needs. Technically, vitamin D is a pro-hormone. (Vitamins are nutrients that you primarily receive through diet.) Here’s why vitamin D is so important:

The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat disease and to promote optimal health. The use of such therapies is increasing, according to recent studies. 

TIPS TO LOWER THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS

While you can’t change your family history of heart disease, there is still a lot you can do to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

“The first step to take control of your heart health is to contact your primary care physician,” says Dr. Stephen Fedec, a board-certified cardiologist at Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists in Okatie and Beaufort. “Determine if you have risk factors for heart disease. If you do, make necessary lifestyle modifications to reduce that risk.”

MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING A PANDEMICBY ASHTON SULLIVAN

There’s a crisis occurring, and it’s not just the virus that threatens our physical health.  As a mental health provider, I’m on the frontlines of what some are declaring the “secondary pandemic,” or the “mental health pandemic.”  While there still exists a stigma around the topic of mental health, it must be addressed.  Millions of people are suffering from the emotional effects of COVID-19. 

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT

Losing weight. It tops the 2021 to-do list for millions of Americans. While fitting into those old jeans may be a motivating factor for some, a growing number of people are being inspired to drop those extra pounds to improve their health. 

And with the pandemic still raging, it’s more important than ever. Along with an increased risk of developing serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and certain cancers, overweight adults are much more likely to become severely ill from COVID- 19. Studies have found the likelihood of being hospitalized doubles if you are obese, and the likelihood of dying increases by nearly 50 percent. 

STAYING ACTIVE HELPS REDUCE STRESS, PROVIDES MENTAL BOOST

A “new you” in the new year is about truly taking time for you. As we envision a more hopeful 2021, there are ways you can give yourselves a boost. 

Exercising can be a grind, but it’s important to stay active to help you not only physically, but mentally. 

Good news! 2020 is over. Normally, the turn of the calendar feels like it crept up, aided by too many rushed and regretted cookies or cocktails. This year, we hope it can offer a welcome chance to finally wipe our slates clean from some of last year’s chaos. Paying attention to our health is more important than ever. Even so, major New Year’s resolution lifestyle overhauls feel like a lot in the current atmosphere.