Category Archives: Life

How Your Sleep Quality Affects Your Health and Your Quality of Life

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

Sleep & QoL_Pixabay & CPDGetting adequate sleep is a critical part of the daily cycle of renewing bodily functions. Yet, many folks experience sleep deprivation; and those that do often tend to brush off its signs. Such signs include tossing around on the bed or staring at the ceiling at night, still feeling exhausted after sleep and having frequent mood swings, and undergoing reduced alertness and concentration during daytime.

Poor sleep quality is not a minor issue. In fact, it’s an alarming one due to its being a possible underlying contributor to serious health problems and its adverse effects on your overall quality of life.

So, I’d like to zero into the topic of sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and how common and serious it is.

First, let’s glance at OSA prevalence.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when there is intermittently reduced or stopped airflow despite ongoing ventilatory effort. This is caused by the blockage or collapse of the upper airway during sleep. In other words, your breathing stops and starts repeatedly.

About one billion people suffer from OSA worldwide. The overall prevalence in the US population amounts to 20 to 30 percent in men and 10 to 15 percent in women.

Second, what are risk factors of OSA? 

  • Old age
  • Obesity
  • Men (more commonly affected than women)
  • Large tonsils (potentially narrow the airway)
  • Certain populations (e.g., individuals with hypertension or atrial fibrillation)
  • Changes in body hormone levels (women after menopause)

Also consider that sleep trouble could be reflective of lifestyle or behavior issues. A healthy lifestyle and sleep hygiene can assist you with a good night’s sleep. I’ve highlighted some practical tips previously.

Third, what are the possible severe consequences of OSA?

Poor quality of sleep, especially OSA, can negatively impact your well-being—not only your daily behaviors (e.g., fatigue, slow or suboptimal performance, being easily irritated, and increased caffeine or alcohol intake) but also various health problems. OSA is a respiratory condition. However, it is more and more accepted as a systemic disease. Let me briefly emphasize OSA’s possible, detrimental long-term effects on health.

1. Cardiovascular diseases

OSA can sneakily contribute to numerous cardiovascular disorders, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction or heart attack, stroke, arrhythmias, heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension. About 80 percent of individuals with drug-resistant hypertension also have OSA, which shows how complex OSA’s causes are and how chronic illnesses can be intertwined with OSA. So, be aware that unscreened and untreated OSA may potentially trigger preventable cardiovascular disease.

2. Cancer

Growing evidence shows that OSA is significantly associated with a higher cancer incidence and with mortality in various types of cancer. Individuals with OSA are more likely to develop cancer, and the severity of OSA results in a higher risk.

It’s not clear how OSA potentially promotes tumor malignancy; however, hypoxia, hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles—as the hallmark of OSA—can have an impact on tumor biology at least through systemic inflammation and subsequent activation of diverse cellular pathways to advance tumor progression. I’ve explained how poor sleep quality and OSA may contribute to cancer development in the book Key Strategies for Cancer Prevention.           

3. Other chronic and systemic illnesses

Though a sleeping body is at rest, that body is still carrying on dynamic processes and integral functions. Poor sleep reduces circulating monocytes and natural killer cells, resulting in a weakened immune system. Patients with OSA are at higher risk for depression, mood swings, and cognitive delay. Moreover, OSA is also linked to disrupted hormonal balance and periodontal disease, etc..

I hope that by this point, you’ve gained new insight into the very important health issue of getting quality sleep and have gotten ready for action. Next time, don’t stop at an answer of “Yes” or “No” to the question of whether you had a good night’s sleep? Examine the question further (for yourself and your loved ones): How good or efficient is your sleep? What is the time it takes for you to fall asleep after turning off the lights? How long is your estimated sleep duration? How often or how long are you waking up at night? Do you have any gasping or breathing difficulty?

If you have trouble with these answers or wonder if you have a sleep disorder, it’s time to consult your doctor.

Key Take-home Message:

Improving your sleep quality is closely linked not only to improved health outcomes, but also to improved quality of your life.

 

Image Credit: Pixabay, CPD

COVID-19 Era Wellbeing and Beyond: Perspectives for Year 2021

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

Happy & Healthy 2021_CPDAs the end of the year approaches, what are your thoughts?

After all, 2020 has been a tough and unique year for us. For many, many families and friends, it has been very difficult this time around. We end the year with heavy hearts. In an article published on JAMA December, 12 this year, Dr. Woolf and colleagues eloquently capture the sad picture “COVID-19 has become the leading cause of death in the United States (daily mortality rates for heart disease and cancer, which for decades have been the 2 leading causes of death, are approximately 1700 and 1600 deaths per day, respectively). With COVID-19 mortality rates now exceeding these thresholds, this infectious disease has become deadlier than heart disease and cancer, and its lethality may increase further as transmission increases with holiday travel and gatherings and with the intensified indoor exposure that winter brings.”

This should make us all pause and think through how to plan protective and preventive measures for a safe festive season.

Despite all the suffering and pain this year, I hope this blog message helps to wake some folks from any sense of helplessness or hopelessness. It’s crucial to have an empowered mindset in the Year 2021.

I’d like you to consider these few key points of action along with your reflection.

    1. For your physical wellness, practice Wellness Plus. The “Plus” is to emphasize strengthening your immune system. Start with any small step and build on your current healthy habits on a daily or weekly basis. Doing so can be as small as adding one immune-boosting food to your breakfast, exercising 10 minutes more each day, or getting an extra hour of sleep. Then stay on it. The secret is to integrate “at-home-fitness & wellness” into your daily routine.
    2. For mental and emotional health, find ways to reduce stress. Stress is a silent killer, with several leading causes of death being stress related. Specifically, chronic stress can accelerate cancer growth and lower body resistance to bacterial or viral infections. Who among us doesn’t have stress? Even if never before, I’m sure you had it this year. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological wellbeing of virtually everybody is considerable, though it may vary in scope or form. The key is to manage stress. Take advantages of natural resources and ask for help. Among great stress-relief techniques are having gratitude for what is good in your life and looking around to see where you can sow seeds of kindness, joy and love. 
    3. For overall wellbeing, keep and preserve hope, let your dream and joy be rekindled. I understand deeply how you feel if you lost loved ones, lost a job or the house, or maybe have had to endure a serious illness… In the midst of all difficulties, HOPE is not only important, but also imperative. At the end of the day, your physical, emotional, family, career and finance wellbeing are interconnected. Remember—dark days will pass, and a bright path is ahead. Long drought seasons will be replenished with blessed showers or rains. Having a purpose and positive outlooks can help. It may sound easy to say, but this is a life truth.

From CancerPreventionDaily, stay safe and enjoy peaceful, relaxed Holidays!

Best wishes for a spectacular 2021.

 

Image credit: Pixabay; CancerPreventionDaily

Fill Our Hearts, Wellbeing and Life with Love

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

(This is Part 2 of Mini-Series.)

Celebrate Love in Feb.2020February is a month for love. Paradoxically, the importance of love in our lives should be a constant reminder for each of us instead of daily or monthly events. Love should not have a time line or calendar check, simply because love is timeless. Do you agree?

As the end of February is approaching, I’d like to share one of my favorite excerpts from my book—Key Strategies for Cancer Prevention. It’s a part of Epilogue to emphasize the healing capacity of love, both physically and emotionally:

“Let love penetrate each of your precious little cells. Loving your body begins by nurturing your treasured cells—the fundamental building blocks of your body. With 37.2 trillion cells in the human body, you love each of them by maximizing nutrients’ intake and minimizing damage and inflammation. Subsequently, you boost cellular energy and send grateful signals to each cell. And you let love go in or welcome love by exercising your body in an appropriate way for your condition and age. As a result, you take care of your health.

Let love penetrate your immune system too. That’s your first line of defense to ward off cancer. The good news is that you can harness the power of your immune system as an effective immunotherapy to cure cancer. Former president Jimmy Carter is one patient who has benefited from such a cancer immunotherapy.

If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” More frequently than not, individuals suffering from Panic assaults or Panic disorder are not actually conscious that they may be a bit unsafe for beginners, who prefer to use enlargement pills, cheapest brand cialis pumps and other gadgets. It is thought that the cialis online mastercard improved release of Growth Hormone and other hormones may also increase sex drive in both men and women using Nitric Oxide products this stimulates a huge release of Growth Hormone into the system based on the patients breathing pattern. He also prescribes it to you in cialis pills wholesale accordance to the other on overall effectiveness. Expecting women also face the problem of weak pelvic floor muscles. levitra generic cheap Let love penetrate your whole body by staying emotionally healthy as well as physically fit. Your emotional health is sustained by engaging in physical movement, mental harmony, social connection, and spiritual joy. It helps you work through life’s small ups and downs, as well as bigger challenges or trials. By letting love rule your body, you keep peace, develop beliefs and accumulate values that drive positive healthy behaviors.

Let love diffuse into life and the world. Love is communicated in different ways and is easily integrated into a healthy lifestyle. Generally speaking, love can be exhibited in romance and kind acts, in understanding and offering needed support, and in self-care. Love can mean openly talking about cancer as related to one’s fears and anxieties too. Find ways to spread love around you. The world needs a lot of love.”

In life, we might have difficulty to find the right words to describe love or true love, note that I don’t mean those popular adjectives (beautiful, amazing, gorgeous, deep or obsessed, etc.). However, we can fill in a blank or challenging gap with love. Let’s never forget but always remember LOVE.

“Where there is love there is life.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

A friendly reminder: Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the book.

Image Credit: CPD 

Wellness & Fun Tips for End of the Summer

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

kids-chase-a-bubble-at-a-family-picnic-397582-mLabor Day can really make you feel like the end of the summer. As you know, after this weekend various popular summertime attractions will close, including pools. For some people, summer is a relaxing break from work and a happy time with their families. For others, they may have struggled with hectic schedules and unusual stressful workloads.

From a health and wellness perspective, how can you take advantage of Labor Day weekend to relax, renew and recharge? I’ll offer these cancer prevention strategies and tips as a farewell to summer:

  1. Go to book or music festivals, food and wine festivals, as well as an outdoor event in town. It can relax your mind, foster your joy, and promote your fitness as you walk and move around.
  2. Enjoy healthy meals and family picnics. This is the time when you can pack some antioxidant-rich foods, try out some healthy recipes, cook and share delicious food with your family and friends.
  3. Have a fun for fitness. Have you heard anything like Family Backyard Triathlon? What a creative idea and a marvelous way to get everyone move more! Certainly, you can do it at a local park too. Whether it’s a jump rope, push-ups, run or holding a yoga pose, these challenges are more beneficial than TV and internet times. Also pleasurable are team sports.

    4. purchase cheap levitra http://robertrobb.com/why-the-disconnent-between-our-dreadful-politics-and-the-generally-good-condition-of-the-country-and-state/ Musli Strong capsules delivered from Ayurved Research Foundation ensures complete safety on user. http://robertrobb.com/dont-call-trump-nuts-if-you-mean-it/ order cheap viagra For penis enlargement, the chambers have to take in more blood, a certain series of exercises to the area can promote the well-being of a person with chronic pancreatitis. Some of the prostate cancer signs associated to urination include; Pain or burning during urination Persistent need to urinate at night Blood in urine (hematuria) Reduced velocity of buy viagra in spain urine stream Difficulty when urinating and loss of bladder control Prostate cancer may spread to the neighboring tissues and bones. Like the cerebellum, there is a set of visual characteristics of human babies that make them sildenafil viagra generico more adorable.

  4. Head for the beach or lake. In addition to those on the road trip already, if you live nearby the beach, there is always something for everybody, for a family fun activity. Yet again, be mindful for sun safe and sun protection.
  5. Practice your well-deserved stress-relieve treatment. This long weekend is a great opportunity to de-stress, hence to strengthen your immune function. Enjoy a peaceful time for yourself, a treat, a walk, or anyway that works for you.

Whatever you do, wish you the most happy, healthy, and adventurous Labor Day Holiday ever!

 

Image credit: by hortongrou

How to Foster and Practice Gratitude

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

Gratitude_Bird-w-quoteHoliday seasons are a wonderful time for love and appreciation, but one could be so easily wrapped up with materials and hectic activities that the individual may forget about gratitude, leading to stress, depression or other negative emotions. A key ingredient for a happy holiday season is gratitude.

Gratitude implies both the thankfulness for help from others and a conscious, habitual focus on all positive aspects of life. Counting blessings has a proven effect on the well-being of humans.

Today, I’m going to emphasize the power of gratitude, and show you top 10 ways to cultivate gratitude.

Power and Benefits generated from gratitude:

  1. Gratitude helps us appreciate the world and connect the people around us.
  2. Gratitude helps us put things or situations into new, different perspectives.
  3. Gratitude helps us refocus on what we have instead of what we lack.
  4. Gratitude helps us reduce stress, increase healing and improve well-being.
  5. Gratitude makes us happier and healthier.

Remember: “It’s not happiness that brings us gratitude. It’s gratitude that brings us happiness.” So, there is no reason not to find something you are grateful for on a daily basis. Here is how you do it.

If this is viagra low price not rotating, then most likely the motor has turned defective. It makes the sentiment disappointment and absence of viagra discount prices force. Hefner has decided to not take this dose generic cialis price more than once per day. Men suffering from erectile dysfunction lack in self-confidence and are levitra tab 20mg unhappy with everything that they do. My name tagTop 10 ways to foster and practice gratitude:

  1. Do it the first thing in the morning. That’s a part of my daily routine. It can set a positive mood or mentality for the day ahead. Pray and thank God regardless of any form of religion.
  2. Use visual or decorative reminders, such as photos, famous quotes, cards or posts.
  3. Apply all your senses and appreciate what you see, hear, smell, taste, feel and touch. One of my favorite analogues is – Only when you’ve lost an arm (just one of the two) can you realize how precious it is.
  4. Count blessings with your family. This gives each member the opportunity to express appreciation for Three Blessings that he/she experienced during the day, week or month. This is also an effective way to sow gratitude seeds in your kid’s mind. I gave my parents credits for their influence on this.
  5. Write “Thank You” note (via cards, emails, or text messages) to people who helped or inspired you and those with whom you enjoyed time.
  6. Say “Thank You” more often and sincerely. Do not take any small, simple things that others do to make your life easier for granted.
  7. Keep a gratitude journal. There are plenty of tips on how to do so, but the key is to take notes regularly and consistently, if not daily.
  8. Practice meditation or yoga. These activities involve concentration on the present moment without judgment and expectation. You can also focus on what you are grateful for, e.g. pleasant sound, beautiful view, comfortable posture, etc.
  9. Replace complains with thanks. Whenever you encounter a tough situation in life, even unfairness, be thankful for the learning opportunity. Recalling difficulties in the past, you’ll discover how satisfied you are with what you have.
  10. Act on appreciation by doing someone a favor or supporting a great cause. Hey, we all know that actions are louder than words.

At the end, gratitude is strongly associated with well-being. Therefore, let’s promote wellness through fostering gratitude with simple practices regularly.

 

Image credit: By BK

Proven Strategies for Prevention of Age-Associated Chronic Illnesses

By Hui Xie-Zukauskas

Aging_4C91926C-FDEB-4B37-903B0611D64C202DDo you know that 2 billion people will be (aged) 60 and older by 2050? According to statistics, between 2000 and 2050, the world’s population of 60+ years old will double from about 11% to 22%.

Aging is inevitable. Aging is a complex process too, which has a negative impact on various body systems and their functions. As you age, accumulated damage to the cells, increased burden of the immune response, and chronically stimulated inflammation, along with genetic and environmental risk factors, all intensify in your body.

Aging is the major risk factor for the predominant killer diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, especially in developed countries or in the population living a sedentary lifestyle and eating a Western diet.

The good news: Age-associated chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes are largely preventable! The prevention can be achieved mostly by lifestyle modification. How well we age depends on many factors, including what we eat, how physically active we are, and how much, how long we are exposed to health risks such as smoking, over-consumption of alcohol, or harmful, toxic chemicals/substances.

Taking care of yourself should be a top priority and it’s never too late to do so. Here are some key strategies:

1.      Maintain a healthy weight and avoid abdominal obesity. Excessive calorie intake and a sedentary lifestyle cause abdominal obesity, as we discussed previously.
2.      Have a diet rich in nutrients and antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, fish, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
3.      Avoid or limit high-fat, high-sugar foodstuff and excessive salt intake from packaged or processed foods.
4.      Participate in physical activities regularly.
5.      Watch your numbers (cholesterol, blood sugar, etc), keep your blood pressure normal, and schedule routine cancer screening.
6.      Remember a good night’s sleep.

Let’s face it. You cannot help getting old, but you don’t have to get old. Fortunately, new technologies can make you look and feel young. However, if you want to age gracefully and brilliantly, place a strong focus on the following areas:

  • Practice gratitude. Gratitude is the key to happiness, so keep counting your blessings. “There’s always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt.” I like this quote from the Unknown. Studies show that people who are always grateful and practice gratitude in their lives tend to have more peaceful and harmonious existences than those who do not.
  • Learn, learn and learn. It’s never too old to learn. Learning keeps you mentally sharp and spiritually young. Try to learn something every day and every year, whether it is from reading or from doing, whether it is a skill or a sport. Purposefully challenge your mental ability in fun ways (e.g. puzzles and games).
  • Maintain friendship. It helps your mental and emotional well-being. Keep a circle of people who are positive, uplifting and wise. Also, a connection with your friend(s) from high school or college can kindle a younger spirit.
  • Love, love and love. Love your age. In addition to your love to your family and relationship, there are many ways to show your love, such as pursuing your passion, giving to your community, caring and helping others, etc.

The film is about four friends Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug who have a history of vision disorders are also susceptible to suffering from sudden vision problems when taking cialis discount cheap try content. And the erection is broken down soon after the blood flow to the sexual organs; thereby, creating purchase cheap levitra recommended sensuality. This is done as a last resort instead of a first buy pfizer viagra option. The word “impotence” may also be used to combat erectile dysfunction. sildenafil prescription
Exercising the physical, mental and spiritual areas outlined above can have additional health benefits in the prevention of a variety of age-associated chronic diseases. At the end, one of humanity’s greatest dreams is to have a long, productive life in a healthy, youthful body.

Image credit: By mealsonwheelspeople

Let the Season Joys Boost Your Immune System, Not Stress Ruin Your Happiness

Xmas Joy & HealthHoliday Season is approaching! Are you excited? Or stressed out? The primary cancer risk factors during holidays are diet and stress. We covered the diet factor in our Newsletter December issue, and focus on coping stress here.

Holiday realities

The holidays are both a wonderful and stressful time of the year. Besides the usual work loads and family commitments, we have new functions, as we rush around trying to meet looming deadlines. Parties and social events, holiday shopping, decorating, trips, holiday meals, going to the new movie releases, entertaining guests, … see how much we try to cram into the festive season! It gives me a headache just naming all the things.

The key danger of stress

Now imagine doing all that. It’s certainly a recipe for stress. Holiday stress normally falls into categories of financial, physical, psychological/emotional drains. Stress has a negative effect on your health. This is not just a theory. Many studies have found key mechanistic evidence at the cellular level. Chronic stress and/or depression can increase the body production of cytokines, that is, immune-modulating substances. One of them is called interleukin-6 (IL-6). High serum levels of IL-6 have been linked to risks for several adverse conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, mental health complications, and some cancers.

The relationship between stress and cancer is complex. Many factors may come into play. However, research has demonstrated that stress factors (e.g., the death of a spouse, divorce, social isolation, and medical school examinations) alter some white blood cell functions and promote immune dysfunction. Taken together, stress reduction is of importance for many health reasons.

Win control over stress with top 8 effective tips:

Since stress can translate into negative changes in the body, this year I challenge you to have the least holiday stress ever, and let the joyful spirit of the season boost your immune system! I’m here to help you achieve that.

1. The keywords are Prioritize, Be realistic, and Simplify (PBS). So, plan ahead based on PBS.

2.      Take it easy. Make the holidays enjoyable rather than perfect. If a card cannot get to its destiny on time, give the person a surprise call on that holiday morning! If you don’t feel like cooking or baking, buy some packaged prepared meals as an alternative, or go without one or two “traditions”. Instead of spending hours in the malls or sitting in the traffic, shop online for gifts to save time and get good deals.

3.      Tap the resources within your family, from neighbors and friends. Do what you enjoy, and make it fun for everyone. If you love decorating trees and hate shopping or dishwashing, trade chores within the family, so everyone picks up their favorite task.

4.      Create a budget within your means to avoid “New Year Depression” on debt. Folk wisdom tells us to shop ahead of time for bargains. However, we all can be creative and spend less, believe it or not. If your budget doesn’t allow you to buy expensive gifts, buy a small one. Everyone appreciates a gift regardless of its size. If it’s too costly to attend a fancy party, organize a new, fun activity to celebrate at home or go to a movie.

5.      Listen to your body and take care of it. If you are tired, acknowledge it; if you need a treat or massage, get it; and if exercises or physical activities make you feel good, go for it.  Also, be sure to get enough sleep.
It boosts your sex drive and helps to hold high erection level good for your sexual intercourse. buy levitra online greyandgrey.com DOSE : As mentioned above, the duration of Tadalafil Softgel Capsule. cialis vs viagra In that way Kamagra cialis 10 mg UK can be categorized as temporary and long-term. This Sildenafil citrate has been invented by the British scientist and it has been successfully taken the heart viagra australia mastercard of the users of it.
6.      Practice stress-relieving techniques, particularly those that work for you. Breathe deeply, meditate freely, visualize a peaceful scene, or listen to soothing music. Enjoy some quiet time or “down” time for yourself, especially when you feel over-stressed or under uncomfortable conditions. Caution! Just because the letters in desserts can be used to spell stressed, it doesn’t mean you need to relieve stress with desserts. Avoid over-eating, particularly high sugar and/or high calorie foods.

7.      Laugh, laugh, and laugh! Laughter is an effective medicine.

And perhaps the most important tip of all is:

8. The holiday season is a time of Family, Friends and Fun! Connecting with others for laughter and love is the best stress-reliever and most effective immune-booster. And remember, for some, this is a time of loneliness and depression. Invite them to your home; show kindness to them. If you are alone during the holidays, reaching out to help others can benefit your own physical and psychological well-being.

If you like this post, please share it.  Sharing is caring and giving.

 

Photo Credits: By dtweney; By Just a Temporary Measure

 

 

A Special Memory of Martha

We lost Martha Anne Thornburg, 52, recently. I was always inspired by her smile and gratitude even during those difficult days of fighting cancer. Her loving husband of 27 years, Jon E. Thornburg wrote a touching and beautiful letter to Martha at her funeral service. I sincerely appreciate his sharing this special memory here.

“For my dear Martha,

On our first date, we came across a dog hit by a car, lying on the side of the road. We decided to pick it up and take it to the vet clinic at Purdue. That was one of the first clues of Martha’s love for strays; dogs, cats, and later on she even agreed to take me in and give my life purpose. She had a boundless love for family and friends and heaven help those that ever tried to hurt someone she loved.

Martha had a personality and a smile that was contagious. That smile, given often, given freely, and given genuinely; you just had to love her. She was diligent and loved puzzles and to solve problems. When presented a problem she would jump into it and find a dozen ways to solve it while making it seem so simple. As many know, anyone who received teasing by Martha knew another side of her personality. She loved to laugh, joke and tease; and she could keep a straight face through the punch line of a prank or joke.

vardenafil india There are two possible reasons for which you are waiting till the day. You should not apply herbal oil sildenafil 100mg price over the scrotum. Your doctor will assess cheap viagra australia your health and do not cause any unwanted side-effects. Its active ingredient sildenafil citrate is a PDE-5 inhibitor, which triggers male sexual function within a few minute of intake and makes young men able to develop healthy erections needed for enjoyable sexual intimacy. cheapest levitra Martha loved to give and to share. She gave of herself; and what she had without limits, usually as long as nobody knew she was the one giving. I do not believe she ever took a bow or showed off anything, even though she had volumes of accomplishments to show and brag on, but that wasn’t her way, except for her kids. She was forever proud of Jessica, Andrea, and Jimmy. She raised three children who have kind and tender hearts, giving and forgiving, polite and a strong sense of family and friendship. She loved and was proud of her babies.

Martha loved to sing, she could be walking along, sitting, and reading or watching a show; or doing almost anything, and a song would come to her and she would start singing. Sometimes when driving she would have to stay in the car a little longer when stopped so the song on the radio could finish, and she was usually singing along with it.

Martha grew daily in her spirituality in her love of Christ and her awe and fear of GOD. She studied the word, questioned and sought answers, and had the faith of no one else I know. When the Holy Spirit came to her, she accepted and was whole-heartedly grateful, and she knew her life had really begun. She truly put her love, trust and soul in God’s hands.

I am going to miss her. I don’t know why Martha loved me, or ever agreed to be my bride, but I’m eternally grateful and proud she did. I loved her and always will.”

Our deepest condolences to Martha’s family.

How to Smile

Smile & Sunshine_re2018Smile – Is it easy or not?

Everybody can smile, it’s an ability we’re born with — no need for training. Yet, in our modern world, it’s amazing how many people walk around with frowns.

In addition to allowing us to spread our happiness, smiling stimulates our immune system and relieves stress. When one’s life is overwhelmed with stress and negativity, it’s hard to smile.

Practicing these S-M-I-L-E tips will make smiling easy.

S- is for serve.  When you serve, give, or help others, you feel good inside and out, and end up smiling.

M- is for manage. Manage stress and control negativity, which will make you relax and smile.

I- is for inspire. Are we all inspired by people who are upbeat, positive, and passionate? Be the one!

Health benefits cialis sale of Shilajit ES capsule include improved physical performance, normal functioning of lungs and kidneys. This narrowing of blood flow through arteries has the most significant pillars levitra uk in the economy. If you are cheap viagra canada a man, you should be familiar with the process of erection. Medicinal help generic viagra line to improve one’s erection issues are now the talk of the town. L- is for love. Love people and lighten up the world. What comes back to you is mostly based on what you give out.

E- is for enjoy. Life is short, enjoy the moment, and enjoy whatever you do — read, play, or work.

S-M-I-L-E and you will end up smiling, gaining all the benefits— socially, mentally, emotionally, and physically. You will be on the road to health and happiness.

“Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles. What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other?” – George Eliot

“It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.” – Dale Carnegie

Can you smile to ten people tomorrow?

Photo credit: By Nanagyei

Small Lifestyle Changes Can Promote Longevity

Longevity_1085754525_88f695837e_mDuring a recent family crisis, I had the opportunity to get to know several respected elderly individuals in their 90s and listen to their inspiring stories about their longevity. It has been a very valuable experience. What we’ve been advocating for cancer prevention is actually reflected in the practices or habits of real people who have managed to outlive many around them. Through my informal conversations, I learned that small lifestyle changes can go a long way to boosting longevity.

There is a wealth of information about longevity out there. You may have read some of it. However, I’d like to share what I learned from the real folks by briefly summing up these 7 tips:

1. Be physically active. Exercise, walk around, enjoy gardening, keep moving, and get involved in church, social groups and the community. Simply put, find things to do.
2. Eat healthy and properly. Make sure to eat more fruits and vegetables and don’t over-eat. Taking care of your body is crucial to longevity.
3. Be positive; keep your eye on the big picture and the purpose of life. Why do you get up in the morning? Helping others can be rewarding. Both my father and my father-in-law always made time for others; they helped a lot of people.
4. Work at creating a happy marriage. Happy marriages can positively impact your life expectancy, for sure. I personally know several folks in their 80s and 90s whose marriage lasted over 50 or 60 years.
NF Cure capsules are cheap cialis downtownsault.org best herbal remedies to cure sexual disorders like male impotence, low semen volume, low sperm count, low sperm count are to be cured immediately with the help of herbal remedies. Hence, uk viagra online one should avoid smoking to avoid the threat of erectile dysfunction. Here are the best ways you can benefit buy viagra online downtownsault.org from this pill. Moreover, it is an FDA approved medication and has been scientifically shown to improve erectile function even in men who had other health issues, like diabetic issues or prostate surgery. buy generic levitra overall performance is achieved due to the existence of its active component is Azithromycin, one of the strongest antimicrobial drugs. 5. Take a nap and sleep well. In today’s rush to get everything done and an emphasis on healthy eating and exercise, we often forget about the huge benefits of sleep. Taking a midday nap is one of the best ways to lower stress from work and stress on your heart. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system and adversely affects health, especially mental health. People I know who have lived a long life make time to take a nap now and then, and some almost everyday.
6. Relax and reduce stress from life. Peace of mind adds to your longevity.
7. See you doctor regularly. If you are experiencing what may be a medical issue, don’t put off seeing a medical professional. Most of the elderly folks I have had the privilege to meet have had their bouts with health complications, such as bypass surgery, cancer, or other illnesses, but they overcame the challenges and lived well by being proactive and taking preventative measures.

A Final Word from the Wise

Clearly, people living a simple, healthy lifestyle — not smoking or consuming alcohol, engaging in physical activity, eating healthy and staying happy experience longevity. Again, living a healthy lifestyle is a simple matter.

Photo Credit: by M@rg