To check these sites’ hours of operation on Memorial Day, please click here.

As always, if you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency access number.

If you feel you need medical advice or think you may need to be seen, call your doctor’s office at any time, day or night.  Your call will be directed to our 24/7 medical staff and triaged as needed.  Should you need an appointment, they can schedule an appointment for you at one of the locations above.

We wish you and your family a safe, happy, and healthy holiday!

What are eye spots, flashes and floaters?

Floaters are transparent spots, specks or lines that seem to move or “float” across your field of vision. They are actually small, semi-transparent or cloudy particles within the vitreous (the jelly-like fluid filling the back of eye). They come in different shapes and sizes and can look like insects, rain drops, dark spots, cobwebs, thread-like strands, or hair.  Some move around more and other seems to be much less mobile.

What causes spots and floaters?

Floaters are flecks of protein or other matter trapped in the back cavity of the eye.  New or large floaters are frequently caused when the vitreous gel detaches from the back wall of the eyeball. Although this sounds a bit scary, this typically happens as part of the normal aging process.  Certain eye diseases or injuries can also cause floaters.

Are spots and floaters serious?

Most spots and floaters are normal, but sometimes they can indicate a more serious problem, especially if there is a sudden increase in their number or if they are accompanied by flashes of light.

What are flashes ?

Flashes are brief, lightning-like streaks or arcs of light seen in your side, or peripheral, vision that may or may not appear with spots and floaters. They are similar to what you see when a flash goes off on a camera. Each flash only lasts for a split second.  They are typically white and are more visible in the dark.  Flashes occur when the vitreous gel tugs on and pulls away from the retina (the back lining of the eye like the film in the back of camera that receives visual images and sends them to the brain).  Every time the vitreous pulls on the retina, you will see a flash of light. After the vitreous completely separates, flashes tend to become less prominent and usually completely stop over a period of several weeks.

Another cause of flashes might be migraines. Flashes related to migraines usually last for about 15-30 minutes, tend to be colorful, shimmering, appear in both eyes simultaneously and may slowly move across your vision.  They then completely stop and may or may not be followed by a headache.

Is a vitreous detachment serious?

Vitreous detachment is very common and rarely leads to serious problems. The vitreous detaches over several weeks, and the floaters and flashes tend to become less prominent.  Sometimes, however, a vitreous detachment can cause small tears or holes in the retina. These holes can progress and cause vision loss if left untreated.

What should I do if I see spots, floaters or flashes?

If you suddenly see new spots, floaters, or flashes, if they get worse, or if you see a dark curtain progressing over your side vision, you should contact your eye doctor immediately for a complete exam. You will need a dilated examination (drops are used to make the pupil larger so the doctor can see the entire retina). This examination allows your eye doctor to determine if you have a vitreous detachment or a more serious problem like a retinal tear or retinal detachment.  The dilated exam will make your eyes light sensitive and your vision blurry for several hours.

In most cases, a sudden increase in spots, floaters, or flashes requires no treatment other than careful monitoring by your eye doctor. However an examination is extremely important to make sure it is a vitreous detachment and not a more serious problem such as a retinal tear or retinal detachment which must be treated quickly. For this reason when you call your doctor with flashes or new floaters they may want you to be seen the same day.

Influence of media

It is easy to blame television and film for portraying mental health patients and treatment in a negative light. If you saw “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the image of Jack Nicholson with his wild eyes and hair askew as a stereotypical patient facing involuntary confinement and forced shock treatment is a scary one. Some TV shows that feature mental health treatment depict providers who are unprofessional, inappropriate and even unethical. These shows may be entertaining, but they do little to help educate their audience about what brings someone to treatment and what providers do to help.

The news also features mental illness regularly.  The recent acts of mass violence that involved perpetrators who had mental health problems have inspired some to focus on the link between mental illness and violence. While perpetrators of violence at Virginia Tech and in Tuscon, AZ were suspected to have major mental illness, the truth is most acts of violence are not committed by people who have mental illness. People with major mental illness are actually estimated to be 11 times more likely to be the victims of violence than the general population, and most acts of violence committed are self-injury.

Twisting words

But we cannot just fault the arts and media for contributing to the stigma around mental health treatment. Many people feel reluctant to seek treatment because of how popular culture addresses mental health. It is embedded in our very language, with demeaning use of terms like “schizophrenic,” “psychotic,” and “delusional.” There is rampant overuse of terms like “depressed,” “panicked,” and “anxious” to describe normal variation in mood. Somehow, mental health terms have morphed into insults or casual phrases. Some view the need for help as a “weakness” or a sign they “cannot manage things” on their own.

With so many negative associations, it is not surprising that in 2010, only a little over a third of adults with mental illness reported receiving mental health services in the past year.

Worry about judgment

With society using this biased lens to view mental health, it is common for people to feel ashamed or embarrassed to discuss seeking help for problems with their mood. Some worry they will be judged or criticized for starting treatment. A 2010 CDC study showed that 90% of Massachusetts residents surveyed believe that treatment can help people with mental illness lead normal lives, but 39% do not believe that people are caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness.  This suggests a disconnect between what people believe will help and what they are motivated to do.

Celebrity spotlight

On occasion, Hollywood addresses the stigma of mental health problems. Celebrities that have acknowledged having depression include Sheryl Crow, Marlon Brando, Billy Joel, Ashley Judd, and J.K. Rowling. Historical figures with depression include Abraham Lincoln, and Tennessee Williams. In 1998 Janet Jackson told the Washington Post of her depression “it hits a lot of people – and a lot of artists – and I didn’t know that. Nobody ever talked about that in my family – I still haven’t talked to anybody in my family about it.”

Brooke Shields, Courtney Cox, and Gwyneth Paltrow, were vocal about struggling with postpartum depression.

Celebrities who have discussed their OCD include Donald Trump, Howie Mandel, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Charlize Theron, Megan Fox, Justin Timberlake, Howard Stern, and David Beckham.

Jane Pauley, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Patty Duke, and Carrie Fisher have discussed their struggles with bipolar disorder. Vincent van Gogh, Virginia Wolff, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Winston Churchill also had bipolar disorder.

But even with outspoken celebrities, there is still a fear that treatment for mental illness will interfere with having a happy, successful life. There is a need to change this perception, as recognizing mental health problems, as with any medical problem, is the first step to feeling better.

So, what can we do?  The journey to change society may not be a short one, but we can each contribute a step.  Challenge the stigma of mental health treatment by starting with – and acting upon – your own beliefs.

Starting the conversation

I often encourage people to consider opening up to someone in their life about what they have been going through, either as a first step or as they are receiving treatment. Problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder and addiction tend to run in families, so talking to a family member may give you insight into how other people in the family have managed treatment. Usually conversations leave people quite surprised to learn that they know many people who have also sought help. Talking to a friend, coworker, or family member can help you feel less alone in your treatment. You may even help someone else who is also struggling to engage in their own treatment.

The role of treatment and providers

I remind my patients that the treatment itself is the solution to the problem with which they are struggling, and should be seen as the thing that improves how they feel. Treatment should be looked at as a tool which people can use to help themselves.

Mental health treatment involves medical interventions for biological conditions. People cannot use willpower to make symptoms like depression or anxiety disappear any more than people can use willpower to make high blood pressure or diabetes disappear. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it this way. It is rare to hear people say “I didn’t want treatment for my high blood pressure because of the stigma.”

Providers can serve to educate patients about available treatment options and guide them to choose the one that is right for them. There is a great deal of room for improvement on public education and destigmatization of mental health treatment, and I feel providers should be at the forefront of this charge.

Until we see the change in the world we want, I encourage everyone to explore their own biases and not deprive yourself of necessary treatment. Everyone deserves to enjoy their lives.

At April’s SMArt Kids’ SMA in Burlington, we were joined by Wright-Locke Farm’s Farm Educator, Rebekah Carter. She taught SMArt kid and parent alike the importance of eating locally.

We learned that a typical grocery store tomato hails from Mexico and travels about 3,000 miles before it arrives at your local store.  About 3 weeks elapses from the time it is picked to the time it is eaten.  With all of this time and travel, the nutritional value is sacrificed. Exposure to heat, light, and air can decrease both the quantity and quality of vitamins in that once-vitamin-rich tomato. And it loses more vitamins still when you chop it, cut it and cook it at home.

The SMArt Kids were reminded that eating locally means the food won’t last as long in your kitchen but it will be healthier for you and taste more delicious than other food. The SMArt Kids already know that food that rots is healthier for them. (Remember: those are the foods on the perimeter of the grocery store rather than the aisles – eat plenty of these or, even better, eat foods grown at a local farm!)  These foods are fresher, less processed (or unprocessed) and are more natural. It may be healthier for other reasons, too. Not only did we learn that eating local food is healthy and delicious, but we even found out that consuming local, unprocessed honey may help reduce seasonal allergies.

The SMArt Kids helped Rebekah plant some summer crops in “cells” she brought from Wright-Locke Farm. They planted lettuce, lemon cucumbers, summer squash and more. They got their hands dirty and their interest sparked in gardening.

Consider planting your own garden at home. Rebekah recommends organic seeds like the ones you can buy at Johnny’s seeds. Check out this link to purchase some for your garden.  Remember it can be as simple as an herb garden in a ceramic pot!

For those of you with more space or ambition, try a pizza garden. Perhaps you can plant basil, garlic, tomatoes; you will have a continual supply for your homemade pizzas. And this will enable you to achieve another SMArt Kids’ goal: reducing fast food.  Don’t forget to add some marigolds to keep those pesky bunnies from eating your salad!

Still not sure how or why to eat locally?  Here are ten ways to eat locally this spring and summer:

• Learn what is in season for your area
• Shop at a Farmers Market
• Join a CSA (community-supported agriculture)
• Shop at stores that label food origins
• Shop the perimeter of the grocery store (foods that rot!)
• Plant a garden
• Visit farm stands or U-picks
• Choose restaurants that source locally
• Shop at locally-owned food producers like bakeries
• Buy family-farmed products when local is unavailable

Not sure if there is a farmer’s market in your neighborhood? Go to the website below, insert your zip code and you’ll find a nearby farmer’s market to visit. Check out www.massfarmersmarkets.org

Check out the Wright-Locke farm website to plan your next visit.  Look under the Education tab for education program availability and registration information.  You can sign up for an educational program or just visit the working farm.  It can be fun and educational experience for you and your family.

I look forward to the May 16th SMArt Kids SMA. With Spring officially here, I am eager to hear how the SMArt kids are playing outside more and perhaps even working in their gardens.  Keep up the SMArt work!

Brittanny Boulanger, MD

Here is a “top five” list of things NOT to say or ask someone trying to get pregnant.

5. “It’s just stress.”    

Stress may not help the baby making process, but—infertility is a medical condition.  Stress doesn’t cause tubes to be blocked, sperm counts to be low or ovarian reserve to be diminished.   It is very stressful to try to get pregnant and most patients are already trying to minimize stress.

4.  “Is it you or your partner that has the problem?”

This question may be asked innocently, but it is not helpful.  Although the source of infertility may determine what treatments are indicated, it is private information and generally not supportive of the couple or their attempts to build a family together.

3.  “Maybe you should stop doing … (insert exercise, drinking milk, eating soy, drinking coffee, working…etc.)”

Infertility patients ask themselves these questions all of the time and work with their physicians to identify factors that may help their individual circumstances.  Not only can it be hard to identify these factors, taking away some of them (such as exercise or working) may not necessarily be positive, either increasing stress or diminishing self-worth.

2. “Have you considered adoption or egg donation?”

Couples may think about adoption but may not be ready to consider alternatives to conceiving with their own eggs/sperm.  Egg donation brought up at an inappropriate time may be devastating to the female partner if she isn’t comfortable with the idea or hasn’t explored all options for using her own eggs.  If you don’t have complete knowledge of where someone may be in the decision-making process, avoid bringing up alternative options for parenting.

1.    “Are you sure you really want to put yourselves through all of this?”

My patients tell me that this question is one of the hardest to answer.  No one wants to put themselves “through all of this.” I have yet to meet a single patient who is hoping that IVF is needed to get pregnant.  By definition, people undergoing treatment for infertility are not getting pregnant the way that they wanted to, and we need to be sensitized to the fact that they are making the best decisions that they can.

It is clear that there are many unhelpful things to say and do, but having a few key people to confide in may be invaluable to infertile couples.  Ways to support a couple struggling with infertility include:

• Listen. Give your friends space – don’t bombard with questions.  Share your concern and support. Wait for them to tell you what is going on, and listen to what the couple is experiencing.
• Offer to be a source of support, but respect their need for privacy.
• Recognize that infertility treatment can take years to resolve—and that resolution can have many forms.  Don’t minimize the pain and grief, and don’t offer false hopes.
• Reassure your friend/family member that you love them no matter what—and this is not related to their ability to have a child.
• Try to make time for activities with friends that don’t involve children.
• If it’s a family member dealing with infertility, cut them some slack around family/baby-centered events and holidays.  Don’t take it personally if the couple decides to skip family events.  The winter holidays, anniversaries of pregnancy losses, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day all are often hard for couples with infertility.
• Support whatever decisions a couple makes regarding treatment.  A patient told me that one of the most supportive things a friend said to her was, “Whether it is through pregnancy or adoption, I know that you will be a great mom someday.”

The Center for Fertility and Reproductive Health at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates prides itself on providing comprehensive fertility care, including advanced Reproductive Surgery and IVF with a seamless transition to OB care and other specialty services. To learn more about our team, please visit www.harvardvanguard.org/fertility.

The impact of nurses on advancing the quality of care through innovation and using data to develop more cost effective strategies to deliver high quality care is clearly evident in the many contributions of our nurses at Harvard Vanguard.  I want to highlight and recognize the critical role all nurses play as a member of the health care team in meeting the complex and unique needs of our patients and families with compassion and caring.

Although I know the stories below are only a small glimpse of the amazing care provided at Harvard Vanguard each and every day, I would like to share the inspiring recognition and testimony given by those who nominated nine of our nurses for the Boston Globe Salute to Nurses.

We congratulate and sincerely thank our extraordinary nurses!

Boston.com Salute to Nurses

Nomination Letters – Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates

Teen Perron – Chelmsford and Kenmore Cardiology Congestive Heart Failure

The Boston Globe does not have Teen’s nominating letter listed on their website, so unfortunately, we are unable to share it with you here.

Nancy Houser – Wellesley Internal Medicine

I would like to nominate Nancy Houser from Harvard Vanguard Wellesley for my care in February 2013.

—Nominated by Jean Osborn

Kathleen Narbonne – Quincy Complex Chronic Care

This past October, my dad was very ill. Kathleen, my girlfriend’s mom, would come to my parents’ house every night after work and help with my dad’s care. She would answer any questions my family had and would help administer medicine when my dad needed it. She put my family at ease, letting us know that if we had an issue, she was always on call. She would come to our house with dinner and stay until midnight or later, wake up and go to work the next day. She was our on-call nurse throughout the day as well. She is a dedicated and compassionate nurse and I am lucky to have her in my life.

—Nominated by Marc LoPilato

Carolyn Dobies – Watertown Pediatrics

Carolyn Dobies has been my son’s nurse practitioner at the pediatrics center of Harvard Vanguard since birth. Throughout the years, Carolyn has treated my son for illnesses and check-ups and has certainly demonstrated great professionalism and dedication while being sympathetic to my son’s feelings. Carolyn represents the highest quality that can and should be found in a nurse.

—Nominated by Paul Wilkins

Alisha Guertin – Watertown Dermatology

I have the pleasure to work with a very knowledgeable and skilled nurse. Alisha is caring, with excellent bedside manners and a great attitude with both patients and co-workers. She always strives to give the best care possible and goes above and beyond for our patients. She’s a great team player.

—Nominated by Giovanni Quintero

Diana Parks-Forbes – Burlington Vulvovaginal Services

We are honored to nominate our colleague, Diana Parks-Forbes, NP, for her exemplary care of women for over 40 years. She co-founded the Vulvovaginal (V) Service at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates with Dr. Elizabeth Stewart in 1992. Since then, she has compassionately cared for thousands of women suffering from debilitating, humiliating, and isolating V issues. She is also recognized as a specialist in caring for pediatric patients with V pain. Her patients frequently say, “Diana saved my life.”

—Nominated by C. Whitman, RN; K. Roberts, RN; M. Rehberg, RN; D. Lipkin, NP

Kathryn Staab – Post Office Square Obstetrics and Gynecology

I am a physician who cares for obstetrical and gynecological patients who often require monthly or weekly visits. In the past year, I changed my schedule to see patients until 7 p.m. on Thursdays to improve their access to care without having to take time away from their jobs. My nurse, Katie, offered to stay late in the office with me to see these patients. I am not surprised by her generosity. Katie is a compassionate, kind, dedicated, intelligent woman, and a phenomenal nurse. She connects incredibly well with patients and will spontaneously call to check in on them when she knows they are having a difficult time. I feel incredibly lucky to work with Katie and to share the care of patients with her.

—Nominated by Dr. Elizabeth Gagliardi

Sue Warner – Kenmore and Watertown Pediatrics

Sue Warner, a nurse practitioner, is warm and friendly and gives excellent care to her patients. She works toward building positive relationships with not only her patients, but their parents as well. She effectively uses astute judgment and is willing to ask questions and go beyond. She is a pleasure to work with.

—Nominated by Janelle Nuon

Janet Kuklinski – Watertown Internal Medicine

When we moved here over 20 years ago, my husband and I had to find a new set of doctors and nurses. Finding Janet Kuklinski was a godsend. She is a top-notch nurse. Janet has the extraordinary combination of knowledge of common sense approaches to medical issues coupled with caring and thoughtful listening. Over the years, she has remembered certain tendencies and found ways to prevent problems. Since I work with high school teens, I am exposed to many students who come to school even when they are sick. “Guess what, I have strep… mono… bronchitis…” Janet has given me sound advice on how to avoid catching everything that walks through my classroom door. Even while I was pregnant, she offered an alternative to a steroid cream to help clear up a skin problem. In the present world of shortened medical appointment times, she returns phone calls promptly and usually has advice that works. Janet has a good understanding of her patients’ needs. Once at a health fair, I won a raffle. The prize was a home blood pressure machine. I offered it to Janet, and she knew the perfect patient who could benefit from owning this and made sure she received it. It would be my pleasure to see her honored. She certainly deserves every accolade.

—Nominated by Deborah Savarino

The Medical Group is a multi-specialty medical practice with 15 physicians and 8 advanced practice clinicians offering adult medicine, cardiology, oncology/hematology, gastroenterology and nephrology as well as other clinical support programs and services.

“The Medical Group is a terrific fit with Harvard Vanguard, and we welcome them to our organization,” said Dr. Gene Lindsey, president and CEO of Harvard Vanguard and Atrius Health. “We share common values and goals, as well as a commitment to delivering high quality, patient-centered care.”

“Our physicians have enjoyed a collaborative relationship with the staff of The Medical Group for many years, and we look forward to working together more closely to care for patients in the North Shore community,” said Dr. Bill Boyd, Medical Director for Harvard Vanguard’s Northern Region.   The Beverly practice expands Harvard Vanguard’s North Shore presence, which also includes a large multi-specialty office in Peabody, and Lynnfield Medical Associates, an internal medicine practice located in the same building.

Dr. Harriet Bering, who was previously the president of The Medical Group and is now the Medical Director of the Beverly practice, said “We are delighted to now be a part of Harvard Vanguard and are excited to bring expanded services and programs to our patients.”

Nonetheless, here are questions 3, 2, and 1:

#3.  Is there anything I can do about painful intercourse?

Like question #7, this is also very common but has a complicated answer.  Typically, the cause of painful intercourse falls into one of three categories: a skin/tissue problem, psychosocial, or some sort of pelvic floor or nerve damage.

An uncommon condition like lichen sclerosis or, more commonly, estrogen deficiency can cause skin problems in the vulva, the external parts of a woman’s genital organs or the vagina.  Every woman will have some changes in estrogen levels with menopause, and the problems this presents go beyond vaginal dryness, which is often discussed.

Psycho social issues can also make sex hurt.  If the woman is shy or there is not enough foreplay, these affect the level of arousal and how sex can feel.  Pelvic floor and nerve damage are also possible, especially if a woman has had GYN surgery.  The pelvic floor is a network of muscles, ligaments and tissues in the lower abdominal area. It acts like a hammock to support the uterus, bladder, vagina and rectum. Pelvic floor disorders cause weakness or poor function of the muscles and nerves in the pelvic floor.  These issues can become more common with age, and if these muscles are damaged, it can affect how having sex feels.

#2.  What kind of exercise is the best exercise for me?

I am passionate about exercise and could go on and on with my patients about it.  My answer to my patients is to get out there and move, period.  The benefits fall into two categories: fitness and cardiovascular risk.  A study showed how important it was for people to move.  People did 30 minutes of exercise in morning and then sat at their desks for 8 hours, and the other group did the same desk-sitting but got up for 2 minutes each hour to walk around.  The second group dramatically reduced their cardiovascular risk.  So get up and move, even if it’s for a little bit.

Find something you like to do, not something you think you should do; you won’t keep it up if you don’t enjoy it.

Why is this so important?  The benefits of exercise are well-documented for most of the biggies: it cuts down on your risk for heart attack and stroke, lowers your blood pressure, and improves your joint health, sleep, mood and sex drive.  There have also been studies showing how exercise helps energy levels: in people who were just hospitalized, those who, as they started to feel better, got up and walked got better faster than counterparts who stayed in bed.

Obviously, your age matters, and what exercises you can do will also change.  Talk to your doctor about what exercise level is right for you, what exercises will make you healthier, how you’ll know if you’re doing too much, and get some ideas of exercises that will get you up and moving.

#1.  Is it hot in here or is it just me?

I’ve often likened the change in a woman’s body leading up to menopause to the performance of an orchestra.  When she is younger, her hormones are usually in perfect harmony, one is going up while the other is going down, much like different instruments in an orchestra as they play a particular piece of music.  During the pre-menopause time, also known as perimenopause, it’s a sputtering phase, like the trumpet misses its cue and comes in two beats too soon, the violins are out of tune, and everyone is out of sync.

While we don’t fully know why, the symptoms and the overall experience are so different from woman to woman.  Some women have very manageable symptoms, but some women find the symptoms of menopause to be overwhelming and even crippling to them as they (try to) go about their daily activities.

If the symptoms of menopause are having a major impact on a woman’s quality of life, the most effective treatment is hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  As one of my colleagues, Dr. Alice Rothchild, outlines so thoroughly in her blog post here, we’ve learned an incredible amount about HRT in the past 45 years, but there are still risks.  I counsel women very clearly on the pros and cons of HRT relative to the severity of symptoms they are experiencing.  If we decide on HRT, I typically recommend keeping a woman on for about 5 years, monitoring along the way and deciding what next to do at the 5-year mark.

Other possible medical therapies are Prozac again, which helps with hot flashes, irritability and insomnia in some women.  Gabapentin, a medicine that first came out as an anti-seizure medicine and now is used for sleep disorders and neuropathies, among other things, has also been found to effectively control hot flashes in women and it is very benign as far as risks or side effects.  It comes down to a discussion between a woman and her doctor as to the impact symptoms are having on her life.

In conclusion, I hope as you’ve read my top ten list that it has emphasized to you how important it is to talk with your doctor – openly, honestly, and as frequently as you can.  So many of the treatment approaches need to be customized for you, and only you and your doctor can have the correct level of conversation.  One important message that I shared at the conference: if you can’t discuss these things with your doctor, maybe you have the wrong doctor.  You need to feel able to ask your doctor anything – remember, knowledge really is everything.

The weather is finally (albeit in fits and starts) warming up here in the Northeast.  The spring season is a time for renewal, which means it’s also a good time to reassess your health habits and maybe renew a few good ones that may have lapsed or even start brand-new ones.  To give you some ideas on healthy habits to try, we’ve summarized a few health tips and topics from our past blog posts:

• You may have started off the New Year with good intentions of reaching a healthy weight. If you haven’t seen the results you were hoping for, consider keeping a food journal. Studies have shown that writing down everything you eat and drink can make you more aware and help you identify some barriers to your weight loss. If you need help deciphering your journal, consider consulting with a nutritionist.
• We all know exercise has an endless list of benefits. Getting started and sticking with an exercise routine can be the biggest challenge. You might enjoy the solitude of working out on a treadmill at a gym with your headphones; or you may want to incorporate social interaction with a walking group. Trying different types of exercise will help you determine what you like and what you don’t like. New to exercise? Check with your doctor before starting any program. Once you decide what exercise is right for you, make sure you read this article to help you choose the right athletic shoe.
• As the daffodils and tulips start to emerge from the ground, your thoughts turn to cleaning up your yard. Did you know you can actually burn a couple hundred calories an hour working in your garden? While gardening is great way to get fresh air and beautify your home, you may be using muscles you haven’t used all winter. Read tips here for stretching and preventing injury before gardening.
• After a long winter, getting outside and getting some sun feels good! We all know how important it is to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but did you know you need to protect your eyes as well? Getting your eyes checked at least every two years and choosing the best sunglasses is important, too!
• As part of your spring cleaning, check your medicine chest for expired prescription medications. Check with your town or local police department to see if they have a program where they will safely dispose of medications for you. Read our guide to safe, proper medication disposal.
• The local farmers markets will be opening up in a few months and are a great place to get fresh fruits and vegetables. See nutritionist Anne Danahy’s blog post about the Seven Seasonal Superfoods.
• Age-related losses in memory or motor skills simply result from inactivity and a lack of mental exercise and stimulation. In other words, exercise your mind as well as your body! Learning new skills all through life contributes to healthy brain function. Pick up or renew a language; play word games and do crossword puzzles; learn to play a musical instrument; sing in a choir. Read more ways to live a long and healthy life.
• Spring is the perfect time to get out there and take a walk or visit a state park. Biking is another great family activity. Before you hit the road or the trails, make sure you get your child properly fitted with a bike helmet.  It’s important to be a good role model for your kids, so get yourself a bike helmet, too!