sleep

Welcome Spring

We will welcome the first day of Spring, March 20, in the northern hemisphere, with the occurrence of the vernal equinox. The amount of daylight we enjoy will continue increasing until the summer solstice, the day with the most hours of sunlight.

An equinox occurs when a planet’s subsolar point passes through its Equator. The equinoxes are the only time when both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience roughly equal amounts of daytime and nighttime.

This National Geographic link explains what vernal equinox means.

graphic of the earth explaining equinox and solstice — original source not known

At this link, I tell you how to stay safe and well this spring and summer.

5 spring health risks you need to prepare for now

With more hours of sunlight and warmer weather you may spend more time outdoors.While that may mean greater fitness from the physical activity, you will be at risk of several outdoor injuries. Be proactive and prevent warm weather ailments with these tips.

Keep reading

blooms on a dogwood tree blooming in the spring — In Oklahoma, dogwood trees bloom in the spring.

exploring the HEART of health through spring and summer

Are you looking forward to spring as much as I am? Where I live we enjoy warmer, sunnier days in the spring but also contend with thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes. Maybe the weather is turning colder where you live, or you live where the climate is mostly the same year round. Is your area prone to blizzards, hurricanes, or tropical storms?

Either way, our environment significantly affects our health and the way we live, so paying attention to what’s happening is one way we can explore healthy and safe lifestyles.

Remember it’s Spring forward to Daylight Saving Time

Most of the United States changes to Daylight Saving Time on the second Sunday of March every year

So you will either be going to bed an hour later than usual, or awakening an hour earlier.

Either way, your body will tell the difference until your sleep cycle adjusts; I know mine always does. WebMD offers these tips to make the change easier.

If getting a good night’s sleep is a persistent problem for you, check out the information I shared in this post.

Expert advice to sleep well every night

We welcome the first day of Spring in the northern hemisphere, with the occurrence of the vernal equinox which occurs around March 20 every year.

This link to The Weather Channel explains what the vernal equinox means.

insect bites and stings

Protect yourself against mosquitoes and other insects.

5 insect repellents to keep you safe this summer

sun exposure

Protect your skin with sunscreen while you’re outside.

(These are affiliate links placed here for your convenience. This blog can earn a commission from sales from these links. This does not imply endorsement of these products.)

blisters and other wounds

Protecting your feet.

Whether walking, jogging, gardening, or sports, our feet can take a beating from outdoor activity.

You probably don’t worry much about blisters- until you get one. Then the pain can inhibit walking, or even wearing a shoe.

At worst, blisters can become chronic wounds, get infected, and threaten limbs in susceptible persons like those with diabetes or poor blood flow.

Ways to prevent blisters include-

Proper fitting shoes, not too tight or too loose
Breaking shoes in before activity likely to cause a blister, like running, dancing, long walks, sports
Wearing absorbent cushioned socks, perhaps 2 pair together
Applying protective padding over pressure points on the feet. Even plain paper tape can accomplish this, according to this study published in the New York Times.

I own and wear several pairs of Skechers sports shoes. (affiliate link)

environmental allergies

What to do about seasonal allergies

Often called “hay fever”, allergic rhinitis doesn’t cause a fever but it can make us miserable with its characteristic symptoms-

runny nose, sneezing, congestion

diagram of the nose and sinuses — Allergies commonly affect the nose, throat, sinuses, ears, and eyes.

scratchy, itchy, or tickly throat

cough

ear itching and pressure

watery, itchy, red eyes

Even those people who have these symptoms year round may have seasonal exacerbations, usually spring and fall.

Here is information about allergy management from the American College of Allergy to discuss with your doctor.

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies, like other allergies, develop when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something in the environment that typically causes no problem in most people.

exploring the HEART of health this spring

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