healthy and beautiful

As I was scrolling through Instagram (far less annoying to me than Facebook lately) last night, Tracy Anderson referenced Lena Dunham. I went to look and found this: Promised myself I would not let exercise be the first thing to go by the wayside when I got busy with Girls Season 5 and here is why: it has helped with my anxiety in ways I never dreamed possible. To those struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression: I know it's mad annoying when people tell you to exercise, and it took me about 16 medicated years to listen. I'm glad I did. It ain't about the ass; it's about the brain. Thank you @tracyandersonmethod for showing me the light (and @bandierfit is where I bought my Florida mom inspired workout look.) #notsponsored   #stillmedicated      Exercise has been a regular part of my life since I was a teenager. I would be lying if I said it has always been a stress release. It was probably much more “about the ass” (not really ass for me as I come fro...

Do you find that it's taking longer to process information as you get older?   Research backs this up. There are things you can do, though, to keep your brain fit as you age. Brain Exercises That Boost Memory — and May Fight Alzheimer's These tips and mental exercises can keep your brain sharper and may even help prevent the signs of Alzheimer's disease. By Linda Melone Like your muscles, your brain needs regular workouts to stay healthy and fit as you age. Why? Just as we lose some muscle as we get older, our brains can atrophy, too. More specifically, your brain's "cognitive reserve"— or its ability to withstand neurological damage due to aging and other factors without showing visible signs of slowing or memory loss — diminishes through the years. That can make it more difficult to perform mental tasks. But, just as weight workouts add lean muscle to your body and help you retain more muscle in your later years, researchers now beli...

Information from Your Family Doctor How to Prevent a Stroke What is a stroke? A stroke happens when there is a problem with the blood supply to a part of the brain. The area of the brain that does not get enough blood becomes damaged. A stroke can happen when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. A stroke also can happen when the wall of an artery bursts. Depending on which part of the brain has poor blood supply, a stroke can be mild to severe. Here are some problems strokes can cause: • Problems with moving (including paralysis) • Problems with feeling • Loss of vision • Problems with thinking, understanding, or communicating (that is, problems with speaking, reading, or writing) • Changes in emotion or behavior What increases my risk of having a stroke? Strokes can happen in anyone, but they tend to be more common in older men, black people, and Asian people. Although we cannot change our age, gender, or race, we can control the following risk factors for stroke: • Tobacco use...

By eHow Health Editor Meningitis is an inflamation of the covering of the brain due to a viral, bacteria or fungi infection. It's can be lethal within hours - especially in kids. Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms, especially if you have a child, and seek treatment as soon as possible if you suspect infection. Know that sudden fever, especially over 100 degrees F, with or without a preceeding illness, is cause for concern. If you or your child is ill with an earache, cold, flu or pneumonia, check for fever twice a day. Evaluate your eyesight. If you're experiencing photophobia, that is, looking at light causes you pain or prompts you to look away, you may have meningitis. Watch for vomiting, another symptom of meningitis. Evaluate your level of fatigue. Sometimes malaise and lethargy is a warning symptom of meningitis. Check your infant's fontanelle, or soft spot. If it's bulging or tight, call your pediatrician immediately. Listen to your child's cry...