sleep

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.

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

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.

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

Thank you for viewing the advertisements and using the affiliate links that fund this blog; with your help, we can grow, reach more people, and support worthy causes that bring health and wholeness to people around the world.

Dr. Aletha

5 spring health risks you need to prepare for now- watercresswords.com

updated October 29, 2025

Do you spend more time than you want dealing with clutter? Do you organize only to find you still don’t have enough room for your belongings?

If so, maybe you need to discard stuff, not organize it better. This process goes by different names—decluttering, simplifying, minimalism—with the goal of less stress, more peace, and more time to enjoy activities that truly give us pleasure and satisfaction.

Sometimes we need to simplify our daily habits. Do you ever feel you’ve been busy all day, and didn’t accomplish anything you really wanted to do? Maybe decluttering, simplifying, and changing our daily routine will create a more satisfying -and healthier- life.

7 Health Habits We Need

Here are some habits we often neglect or fail to prioritize, but medical professionals recognize as vital to optimal health and well-being. I’ve illustrated each with a link to an affiliate service or product that you might find helpful (and through which you can help support this blog), but feel free to develop your own ideas on how to make these a consistent part of your life.

Sleep

Too many of us treat sleep like a luxury or a waste of time rather than as the necessity that it is. Some of us need more quality sleep; many people are chronically tired due to undiagnosed sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea which aren’t recognized without medical evaluation.

Eating

We need to eat nutritious food- a whole food, plant-based diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, beans, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, dairy- anything that isn’t processed or full of unnecessary sugar or excessive fat.

EAT PLANTS FEEL WHOLE-a book review

In this post I review Dr. George E. Guthrie’s book, “Eat Plants Feel Whole,” where he highlights the transformative power of a whole-food, plant-based diet in combating chronic diseases. Dr. Guthrie, a renowned family physician, emphasizes the addictive nature of processed foods and advocates for a shift towards plant-powered nutrition to improve overall health and…

Keep reading

Connection

We need to spend more time with our family and friends, keeping in touch physically and emotionally. Parents and children connect when they read together. Family vacations create connections through shared activities and memories. Children benefit when grandparents actively participate in their lives.

Visiting this local museum with my toddler grandson was a treat for both of us.

A Visit to Wow! Children’s Museum

I talk about my visit to WOW! Children’s Museum dedicated to engaging children and families in creative learning experiences. This bright, colorful interactive museum is in Lafayette, Colorado, near Denver .

“We specialize in highly interactive programs for small groups that give each child an opportunity to explore art, science, and culture.”

July 26, 2022April 16, 2026

Giving

We need to cultivate generosity and give more, whether it’s our money, time, talent, or possessions. Every community offers ample opportunities to volunteer and serve others.

My husband and I have supported children through ONE CHILD for 30 years.

Physical activity

We need to move more often, including sports, exercise, chores, walking, even standing up more than we sit.

Here are exercise and fitness recommendations and guidelines from the National Institutes of Health

I keep track of my daily steps with a Fitbit device, and record workouts, mindfulness, and sleep. (affiliate link)

people in a gym exercising — photo courtesy Amanda Mills, CDC.gov, Public Health Image Library

Mental activity

We can read, learn new skills or improve established ones, start or resume a hobby like photography, learn another language, and maybe start a blog.

Bookshop.org is an online bookstore that financially supports local, independent bookstores.

We believe bookstores are essential to a healthy culture and they are dedicated to the common good.

Bookshop.org donates a portion of every sale to independent bookstores.

Conversation

We need to communicate with others often and authentically. Social media, phone calls, text, and email messages substitute when necessary, but they shouldn’t replace face-to-face time with others.

Book clubs, hobby groups, classes, and church groups offer safe spaces to share ideas and learn from one another.

2 women talking over coffee with open bibles — Conversation over coffee can be therapeutic. graphic from the Lightstock collection of stock photos, graphics, and other media, an affiliate link

How to Listen So People Will Talk-a book review

In this post I review the book “How to Listen So People Will Talk” by Becky Harling. She emphasizes the importance of listening in effective communication. The author, a certified John Maxwell speaker and coach, provides practical tips, including asking questions, showing empathy, and using body language. The book addresses listening through conflict and enhancing…

Keep reading

Self Evaluation

Which of these habits do you need to cultivate?
What will you gain by including _____ habit in your life? What will you lose if you don’t?
What is your next step to getting there? How will you know you have arrived?

Come back to this post and leave a comment anytime.

Exploring the HEART of healthy habits

Another healthy habit suggestion-follow this blog!

Thank you for reading this post. I strive to make them worth your time.

I share information and inspiration that sparks transformation in your body, mind, and spirit.

You can follow this blog in two easy ways. One is to put your email address into the box below.

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Watercress Words by Dr. Aletha

Tag: sleep

5 spring health risks you need to prepare for now

Remember it’s Spring forward to Daylight Saving Time

sleep