Depression

Everyone feels sad at times but people with depression feel sad all of the time.  Many people do not realize that they are depressed.  The good news is that it can be treated.

The causes of depression are varied:

• The way different parts of the brain "talk" to each other.
• Depression can run in families.
• Chronic illness.
• Stress.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Having a baby.

The signs of depression can include:

• Sadness.
• Things that used to make you happy, don't make you happy anymore.
• No interest in eating.
• Eating too much, or all the time.
• Sleeping too little, or all the time.
• Feeling tired all the time.
• Feeling nervous or cranky.
• Crying a lot.
• Feeling guilty.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Trouble paying attention.
• Thinking of death or trying to kill yourself.

If you have some of these signs for more than two weeks go to your doctor or clinic.  Depression can be treated with medicine or counseling.  Sometimes both are used.

To learn more go to the National Institute of Mental Health.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Protect Your Family

Keep your children safe around water this summer.

Read the information from the CDC on protection the ones you love from drowning.

http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/Drowning/index.html

Working Out in the Summer

The experts at American University say heat stroke is just one strenuous workout away.

• Start by planning your outdoor exercise during the coolest time of the day, early morning. If that doesn't work, wait until after 5pm.
• Wear light colored clothes that wick away moisture, but wear as little as you can comfortably get away with.
• Protect any bare skin with sunscreen.
• Once your workout is under way, take it slow and easy. Acclimating your body to the heat takes time.
• And drink plenty of water, enough to replace what you lose. A good rule of thumb is to drink one pint of water for every pound you lose. 

Take Short Strolls

MedlinePlus: Trusted Health Information for You

Read about the benefits of 15 minute walks.

Buy a Pedometer

Something as easy and inexpensive as a pedometer may keep you moving.


MedlinePlus: Trusted Health Information for You

Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Make just a few changes for better health.


MedlinePlus: Trusted Health Information for You

Minnesota Discovery Center - Run the Gauntlet

Keep Your Eyes Healthy

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics mentions these foods that can help promote healthier eyes:

• Nutrient-rich kale, which can help protect against sunlight damage, cataracts and macular degeneration.
• Sweet potatoes, which are rich in beta carotene and may help thwart macular degeneration.
• Strawberries, which are rich in vitamin C and may help reduce the risk of cataracts.
• Omega-3 fatty acid-rich salmon, which can help manage dry eyes and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
• Green tea, which is loaded with antioxidants and may help protect against macular degeneration and cataracts.

Vegetarian Diets

 People who limit how much meat they eat and stick to mostly fruits and vegetables are less likely to die over any particular period of time, according to a new study.

MedlinePlus: Trusted Health Information for You

Minneapolis-St Paul Fittest in America

It's a three-peat. For the third year in a row, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is the fittest in America, according to the American College of Sports Medicine's annual rankings released Wednesday.


MedlinePlus: Trusted Health Information for You

Healthy Habits for Today

We all know our health is important, but we often neglect some of the little stuff that comes back to bite us later. Here are four of the simplest and cheapest things you can do now to make your future self happier and healthier.

http://lifehacker.com/four-healthy-habits-youll-kick-yourself-for-ignoring-n-510457969

Natural Wellness Expo in Hibbing

Try samples and talk to the experts.  Fitness demonstrations will be going on every 20 minutes to show you the options you have for getting into shape.

Exercise With Allergies

The American College of Sports Medicine offers these suggestions:

• Talk to an allergist before starting an exercise program.
• Take all medications for allergies and asthma as prescribed by your doctor.
• Breathe through the nose while you exercise.
• Exercise indoors when outdoor pollen counts are high. Keep windows and doors closed, and exercise on a mat instead of on carpeting.
• Keep rescue medications on hand, don't exercise if symptoms are flaring, and take extra time to warm up and cool down.

Minnesota Public Health Database

Minnesota Public Health Data Access is an online portal within the Minnesota Department of Health website that provides access to “health and environment” data.  Librarians, students, and the public can now access and download data for use in research projects, grant applications, and for public awareness. 

Minnesota developed this portal in collaboration with the National Tracking Network which includes data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 states, and New York City.  Nationally consistent data and measures may be used to compare trends over time and geographic patterns at the county, state, and national level. 

·        Explore data on over 17 health and environment topics, including asthma, cancer, childhood lead poisoning, and air quality, drinking water, and more
·        Find resources about common risk factors and disease prevention measures
·        Sign up for regular email updates

Check it out today!

Fast Food Has Not Gotten Healthier

Researchers analyzed 14 years of menus from familiar U.S. chains.

MedlinePlus: Trusted Health Information for You

Don't Over Cook Those Vegies

The Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition offers this advice:

• Use a soft brush and water to clean produce with thick skins. By contrast, soaking them may cause some nutrients to dissolve in the water.
• Steam produce instead of cooking in water.
• If you do cook produce in water, save the water for later use.
• Microwave vegetables, as the shorter cooking time may help keep key nutrients.

Free clinic gets special care - Hibbing Daily Tribune: Local

Free clinic gets special care - Hibbing Daily Tribune: Local

Don't Eat When You are Stressed

The Harvard Medical School mentions these alternatives to emotional eating:

• Meditate, which may help you ease stress and improve impulse control.
• Engage in regular exercise, especially in forms such as yoga or Tai chi.
• Seek support from friends and loved ones when stress takes over.
• Get rid of high-fat, high-sugar foods so you're not tempted when under stress.

Fit Family

The Shapeup.org website offers these suggestions for family-fitness activities:

• Start a regular family tennis match.
• Head out with the family pet for a jog or a walk.
• Go to the park and rent a paddleboat, or hit the trails for a walk or run.
• Take a yoga class together.
• Play a family game of whiffleball or volleyball.
• Dance to your favorite music, or use steps or a solid bench to do some step-aerobics together.
• Challenge your clan to walk as many city blocks as you can.

Fats in the Body

What do fats do in the body?

Find out here!