Experts say the keys to successful aging include accepting changes and finding meaningful activities. Aging gracefully isn’t always easy, but attitude is incredibly important. It’s true that aging brings hardships, but remember that the old are survivors. Wisdom, resilience and a mature perspective are often cited as the hard-won prizes of aging. Growing old is an accomplishment.
Dear Readers,
I have a problem that I hope you can help me solve. I am a psychotherapist and, yet, I am turning to you for advice. Here’s my problem: we women and girls of today tend to be sophisticated—smart, attractive, stylish, committed to family, religion, health, exercise, and nutrition. What could be better? And yet, as Director of The New York Center for Eating Disorders, I have seen many beautiful women complaining desperately about their bodies and their looks. They strive to be “perfect” and do not seem to realize that everyone has her own unique and special beauty.
What do Madonna, Shaquille O’Neal, Lance Armstrong, Claudia Schiffer, Clint Eastwood, Karl Lagerfeld and many other celebrities and well-known athletes have in common? They’ve all reported using a vibrating exercise machine known as Whole Body Vibration (WBV). Lagerfeld apparently credits the shaking platform with his dramatic weight loss.
We all get angry now and then. Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life.
With obesity rates at record highs, it seems like we’re constantly being bombarded with diet options ranging from low-carb to low-fat. But not all diets are just about losing weight. Some, like the DASH Diet, can also lower your blood pressure and improve your health.
Many people suffer from frequent heartburn. The following guidelines can help to prevent or relieve the uncomfortable symptoms. The danger from GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) lies in the repeated exposure of the esophagus to acid; this can result in respiratory symptoms as well as changes in the lining’s cells. In addition to following these strategies, speak with your physician.
Have you noticed how very free of wrinkles teenage skin is? Do you ever wonder why? First of all, they have more facial fat. As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin breaks down and our skin becomes thinner. Also, young people have not spent many years in the sun, therefore they have no sun damage. When I was a teenager, my friends and I always carried an aluminum shield to the beach along with our towels and other gear. We applied tanning oil to attract the sun and we would lie on a blanket and hold the reflector near our faces to catch the sun’s rays.
Following yet another knockout assault targeting an innocent pedestrian, Councilman David G. Greenfield, Senator Simcha Felder and Councilman-elect Chaim Deutsch are calling on the NYPD to drastically increase its presence throughout the community, especially during Shabbat, which is when two of the most recent attacks targeting Jews occurred. This request includes additional officers, temporary lighting at trouble locations and other measures to help prevent attacks. In addition, the elected officials are reminding the public to be especially vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the NYPD.
Sometimes, modern medicine pushes past science and into the realm of science fiction. The artificial heart and hip replacements were certainly in that category. Other breakthroughs have less of a “wow” factor, but offer relief and comfort where there was once pain and suffering. There were many amazing breakthroughs in medicine this year (unfortunately, a cure for the common cold is not among them). Although all the discoveries were made recently, some may not be available for years to come. Here’s a look at the remarkable therapies and game-changing technologies expected to dramatically reshape healthcare and save lives.
Who says you need a prescription for every problem? Sometimes a home remedy is all it takes to feel better. Home remedies have become increasingly popular as the expense of conventional medicine continues to rise and as the public takes a more holistic approach to medicine.
Millions of Americans are using acupuncture to improve their health, treating ailments ranging from the common cold to orthopedic issues. Acupuncture is also gaining momentum as an effective and safe way to treat childhood issues. Recenlty, a 9 year old boy (we’ll call him Shaya) came with his mother to my office. The mother stated that her son’s chief complaint was bed wetting. Shaya would wet the bed up to four nights a week. Summer camp was on its way and both he and his parents were eager to have him accident free.
Tu B’shvat is a holiday intimately connected to the agricultural cycle of the Land of Israel. Falling in the middle of the Jewish month of Shvat, the 15th day of the month is the New Year of Trees. Today, this holiday is often celebrated by planting saplings and eating the seven species—five fruits and two grains—associated with Israel.
We all know to dial 911 in an emergency situation, but when everyone is suffering from the same emergency (think Superstorm Sandy), assistance may be delayed. That’s why it’s important for your family to know what to do before help arrives.
Ephraim Gartenhause will be the recipient of the coveted Volunteer Award of Excellence at the 2014 Aleh Foundation Awards Gala, to be held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at 6:30 pm. He recently paid a visit to the Aleh Foundation. Mr. Gartenhause founded and created the volunteer project in Aleh’s first major Center (which served 14 children), located at 53 Kehilat Yakov in Bnei Brak, Israel.
