Ways to Stay Active During the Pandemic

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Freelance writer Sierra Powell shared with Healthy Lombard that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought life to a halt for many people around the world, and you may have had trouble staying active because of the lockdown orders and other restrictions on everyday life. If you’re unable to get to the gym or engage in some of your other normal activities, there are still ways that you can stay active until the pandemic subsides. These five ideas can help you stay active during the pandemic so that you can maintain optimal physical and mental health.

 

Plan Home Workout Routines

Just because you can’t make it to the gym or a recreation center in your area doesn’t mean that you have to give up exercising. Many home workouts can be performed with hand weights, resistance bands, and other simple equipment. As Healthline.com explains, you can also try doing calisthenics by using your own body weight instead of equipment, and some examples of these exercises include push-ups, bench dips, and crunches. Another option is to set out a yoga mat so that you can try doing yoga poses that are designed to help improve breathing, stamina, and flexibility.

Explore the Great Outdoors

A lot of businesses and entertainment centers in your area might be closed, but you can still get out and take part in a variety of exciting activities by visiting some of the best outdoor spots. A large park in your area that allows for safe social distancing can be a great place to go jogging or cycling and can help clear your mind as you breathe in the fresh outdoor air. Hiking through a forest or along a mountain trail can also help you fulfill your wanderlust. If you want to stay overnight in a wilderness area, you can go camping in California and pitch a tent or rent a private cabin. Read more

The Benefits of reading paperbacks!

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Reading Written In Multicolored Plastic Kids LettersCollege of DuPage Nursing Student Lance LaCour shared with Healthy Lombard that when someone suggests we read an interesting book they have recently read, a normal response in today’s society tends to be, “do they have that on audible?” It seems that the old fashion way of paper and ink is lost to us recently. What if you found out that the old school way of reading isn’t just better in small things like retaining knowledge better, but in the big things as well. Things like stifling memory decline latter in life and making you an all-around happier person starting today? Well, cozy up in your favorite nook with your choice of warm drink and follow along as we rediscover an old friend.

 

Retain information better.

Such is a good friend that brings back the fondest memories that we cherish through our lifetime. Paper reading does just that in comparison to other forms such as digital. A study done by Anne Mangen titled Reading linear texts on paper versus computer screen: effects on reading comprehension took 72 tenth graders from two different schools in Norway and sought to find out what the effects of digital reading had in a school context. During the randomized study the first group read 1400 – 2000 words in print while the second group read the same texts in PDF on a computer and then tested the groups on reading comprehension. Mangen concludes by saying, “Main findings show that students who read texts in print scored significantly better on the reading comprehension test than students who read the texts digitally.” If you want to remember what you read better, consider parchment. Read more

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN A RETURN TO IN-PERSON SCHOOLING

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Little girl and boy lying with laptop at home on the groundDanielle Dooley, MD, a general pediatrician who specializes in immigrant child health and school health and
Olanrewaju Falusi, MD, a pediatrician at Children’s National and Medical Director for Advocacy Education at Child Health Advocacy Institute (CHAI) and an Assistant Director for the LAUnCH Track in the Pediatric Residency Program shared in Rise and Shine that school systems around the world are grappling with rising coronavirus cases in their communities and how to continue to operate and/or reopen safely for in-person learning. They are also facing rising inequities due to the challenges of virtual learning and the digital divide. Parents around the nation are wrestling with similar decisions about whether to send their child to school for in-person learning.

While virtual learning has been a necessary adjustment during the pandemic, particularly when we knew little about schools and the risk of COVID-19 transmission, we also know there is no substitute for in-person learning. When children are physically in school, they have access to supports and services that enhance their development, including in-person academic instruction; the stability of routines; physical exercise; nutritious meals; social connection with other students, teachers and staff; medical services such as oral health, mental health and physical health services as well as therapies like speech and physical therapy; and contact with a network of supportive adults who can build relationships with children. Read more

What Is Children’s Mental Health?

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Crying kid, emotional sceneThe CDC found that being mentally healthy during childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities.

Mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, which cause distress and problems getting through the day. Many children occasionally experience fears and worries or display disruptive behaviors. If symptoms are serious and persistent and interfere with school, home, or play activities, the child may be diagnosed with a mental disorder. Read more

Benefits of Black Tea

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BestTeaSupplier, that provide a variety of high quality teas shared with Healthy Lombard that Black Tea was discovered in China about 4000 years ago. Today it is among the most popularly consumed beverage in the world. People often drink black tea, either alone or in drinks.

In this article,  have listed 29 important black tea benefits:

1. May Improve Oral Health

Research indicated that black tea reduced plaque formation and restricted bacterial growth. So drinking black tea may protect against dental plaque, cavities, and tooth decay. It also may freshen your breath.

2. May Boost Heart Health

Black teas contain a group of antioxidants called flavonoids that benefit heart health. These flavonoids can also be obtained from vegetables, fruits, red wine, and even dark chocolates.

Therefore, add black tea to your daily routine is good for your heart.

3. Black Teas have Antioxidant Properties

Black tea contains polyphenols such as catechins, theaflavins, and thearubigins which are also antioxidants that may help lower the risk of chronic diseases.

While antioxidants are available in supplements, the best way to consume them is through food and beverages.

Read more

Our Furry COVID Companions

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College of DuPage Nursing Student Andrea Armenta researched for Healthy Lombard that when thinking about what makes a family, almost everyone would also consider including pets as part of a traditional family. For most of us, our furry friends have a role that is more than merely ornamental. In the early months of 2020, an increase in the number of individuals changing their schedule to accommodate a remote lifestyle has occurred. During this time, more people are also adopting loving comrades through foster care. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA, 2020) reports a nearly 70% increase in animals going to foster programs. This determines there are more people finding support and stabilization from furry friends during this time of quarantine.

Pets help to create memories that can last for a lifetime. Pets add joy to life due to their pure and calm demeanor but may also benefit overall health. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2020), a bond exists between pets and their owners resulting in an increased quality of life from improvements in levels of fitness, stress reduction, and a general sense of happiness in their owners. The study continues to indicate that pets help to decrease blood pressure and increase the opportunities of exercising. Read more

Mindful Meditation

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learnrelaxationtechniques.com published a mindfulness meditation guide for beginners.

In this guide, they featured all the major concepts and steps even did simple infographics to help execute mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness is the act of living in the moment and being aware of your surroundings and behavior while focusing on the now and the present.

It is a philosophy as well as a way of life that encourages active engagement and concentration on the present, taking each moment with complete command and control of your thoughts and actions.

The most basic aim of mindfulness is to bring positivity and accountability to our lives for a more immersive living experience and better control of our actions and circumstances.

It is a means of making our lives healthier and more productive by actively working towards the state we want to achieve with complete dedication.

We can easily incorporate mindfulness into our busy routines and daily life by investing some time in mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness meditation is an excellent way to slowly train our mind and body for the most effective application of mindfulness over time. Read more

KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE ON SMARTPHONE

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James Burns is a Network Specialist for Routers network. That’s why he created the Child safe Guide.

As we all know how badly our new generation needs the smartphone, it is also a must that we review the pros and the cons of the kids using smartphones. Being a parent or anyone who cares, you need to check whether your child is doing well if he is not in your company. There are hundreds of questions that arise regarding the wellness of the child. For example, if the child is out, we need to know where he is? If he is late, we need to ask when you are going to return. There are many more reasons that make it clear that our children must use smartphones because the internet is an ocean of knowledge, but also we know that with some advantages, everything has got some particular disadvantage too. Keeping your kid away from the nasty world over the internet is in itself a great job to do. The smartphones undoubtedly provide unmonitored access to the graphic adult content as well as different gaming or gambling sites and application.

Also, if we talk more seriously on the topic, there is the problem of cyberbullying and the no of fake websites, online scams our children can face. The university called Middlesex’s study found that about 53% of the generation in the age of 11-16 had seen the explicit material online. Among these, 95% of the children watched the content before the age of 14. Read more

Stress Management, COVID-19 Friendly

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Don't Panic Note Meaning No Panicking Or RelaxingCollege of Dupage Nursing Student  Danielle Rome wrote for Healthy Lombard that during this dreadful pandemic of COVID-19, everyone’s stress levels have skyrocketed due to lost jobs, schools transitioning to solely online learning (even Kindergarten), and the overall fear of getting COVID-19 when venturing out in public. While some stress is beneficial, is important to have a balance between times of stress and times without stress.

Your Body Under Stress

When the body experiences stress, the hormone cortisol is released along with epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline. According to Mayo Clinic (2019), cortisol alters immune system responses by suppressing the digestive system, reproductive system and growth processes while simultaneously affecting parts of the brain that control mood, motivation, and fear. In the context of the current pandemic, potential stressors may impact the mind and body without one realizing its effects.

We are often not aware of long-term stress and its negative impact on various body systems. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH, 2020), this chronic stress potentially disturbs the aforementioned body systems (immune, digestive, cardiovascular and reproductive) and may also affect sleep. Read more

Survey Reveals Spending Habits During COVID-19

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused one of the largest economic downturns since the Great Depression, resulting in financial uncertainty for many Americans.

Highland recently surveyed 2,000 Americans to get a better understanding of their spending habits and personal finances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s what they found:

  • 63% of Americans have cut back on spending during the pandemic.
  • Top reasons for cutting back: 1. Being more cautious 2. Reduced income/salary 3. Staying home more often 4. Lost job 5. Spouse/partner lost job.
  • Where Americans have cut back: 1. Dining out/takeout 2. Entertainment 3. Apparel 4. Travel 5. Transportation.
  • Top reasons for spending more 1. Buying more food or groceries 2. Buying more household supplies 3. Started new hobby 4. Home improvement/renovations 5. Retail therapy.
  • 63% have been living paycheck to paycheck, which is up 10% prior to the start of the pandemic.
  • 27% of Americans say they’ve accumulated $10,000 or more in debt during the pandemic.

Read more