Health Blog

“Fred remembers dates and things I say,” she says. “He remembered I like rubies and gave me a ruby engagement ring. And he takes the time to plan really wonderful surprises — like our first wedding anniversary celebration. Things were really hectic for us around that time. Fred was just getting his gym off the ground — so things were a little tight financially — and I was swamped at work. I hadn’t made any special plans and he never let on that he’d made any, either. The night of our anniversary, he said, ‘Come on, let’s go out to dinner,’ and very nonchalantly suggested I wear a certain special dress. Well, the next thing I knew, a limousine was pulling up out front — stocked with champagne — and off we went to this fabulous restaurant he had to have booked weeks in advance. I was stunned and touched. He said, ‘It’s our first anniversary only once.’ (more…)

Women love romance. It’s the stuff of fairytales and “happily ever after.” Romance makes us sigh, it makes us smile — it chokes us up and makes us misty. It makes us feel warm and loved — and very, very special. Actress Melanie Griffith says it perfectly in the film comedy “Milk Money.”

“There is a place you can touch a woman that’ll drive her crazy,” she tells a 12-year-old boy curious about sex. “Her heart.” (more…)

Approximately 30 percent of the population have insomnia that lasts longer (chronic insomnia). If one’s insomnia lasts longer than a few weeks and is affecting his/her mood, relationships or ability to function at work, it is advisable to see a doctor. (more…)

Quality sleep serves many functions. It helps people stay emotionally balanced and most likely plays important roles in memory and learning. Sleep is also believed to be important for appropriate brain functioning and may be necessary for other organ systems to work well. (more…)

About a year and a half ago I started to become ill again, too ill. All the tests performed by specialists would only show that my internal organs were failing. I could no longer digest food, except very rarely. I could eat only one small meal daily, which usually consisted of a jar or two of baby food. I was in severe pain all the time, especially when I ate. The tests revealed that I would die within three months, probably sooner because there was nothing anyone could do, because no one could find the cause. I was actually happy. It was about time! All my life I had wanted to die. No more pain. No more sadness. No more being used by others. (more…)

Then I started to mature. Puberty was really hard on me physically and emotionally. I developed asthma and wound up in the hospital on an almost monthly basis for a week each time. I all of a sudden became a bother to my family. My older brother used to beat me for wheezing. My step-father used to beat me when I was unable to breathe enough to do chores, and for all the money he used up to take me to the hospital or to see the doctor. The other members of the family used to criticize me. (more…)

6. The Water Is Fine
Take a bath. With a little imagination, you can turn the family bath into your own private spa. Add some scented salts, oils or even some of the kids’ bubble bath to the water. Light candles, sip something delicious, savor chocolates, leaf through a magazine and simply enjoy yourself for half an hour — or until your toes look like prunes.

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4. Different Strokes
Pet your pet. You’ll feel better, says Stephanie LaFarge, Ph.D., a psychologist with the ASPCA in New York City. “It’s been well-researched and scientifically documented,” says LaFarge. “Humans have the capacity to tune into and be comforted by animals.” (more…)

There are no two ways about it — you are stressed! And thinking about all the stress in your daily life makes you even more stressed. Just take a minute to reflect. What would it take to end your climb up that wall — even for a little while? (more…)

Like thousands of people, perhaps even millions, I went through a time when I did not want to live. I spent the majority of my life waiting to die. I was asked by a friend to write my story; I never thought I would until today. There comes a time in everyone’s life when they are faced with a crisis that propels them to the next level of healing. How we deal with life’s crises defines who we are, and the way our bodies, spirit, and mind will perceive life in the future. The past is as important as today, and sometime more important than tomorrow, for in tomorrow, all of our past is before us to heal. (more…)