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Healthy Summer Snacks to Help Keep You Hydrated, Cool and Slim

June 8, 2017 Mario Villavicencio Uncategorized Comments Off on Healthy Summer Snacks to Help Keep You Hydrated, Cool and Slim , , , ,

Summer is right around the corner. Many people associate summer with cold beers and hanging out by the pool to keep cool. However, the foods you eat can have a large effect on how you feel in the heat as well. Some foods are believed to cause warming or cooling effects in the body. Eating healthy is always important, but here a few healthy summer snack ideas from your Phoenix home care professionals that can help you feel cool in the heat.

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of water content. Staying hydrated during a hot day is very important to feel cool and keep your body functioning properly. Eating raw fruits and vegetables can help your body stay hydrated, along with drinking plenty of fluids. Being easy to digest, your body also doesn’t have to work as hard to break raw fruits and vegetables down. If you crave something more hearty, pairing with a dip such as hummus is another great cooling summer snack. Watermelons, celery, pineapples, cucumbers, apples and fresh greens such as kale are all jam-packed with water and vitamins. When it comes to cooling summer snacks, fresh fruits and veggies are at the top of the list.

 

  • Fresh ceviche is a great cooling summer snack if you are looking for a more hearty snack and you are not a vegetarian or vegan. Ceviche is a raw fish dish that is “cooked” by the acidity of lime juice. It is very easy to prepare and is always served chilled, so it is a great summer snack or meal option.

 

  • Banana “nice cream” is an excellent healthy dessert option. Take some frozen peeled bananas and pop them in the blender with some of your favorite nut milk, coconut water, or dairy alternative. The dairy and other ingredients in traditional ice cream cause you to feel bloated which can make you feel hotter. Add just enough nut milk to blend the bananas into an ice cream consistency. Add some peanut butter or cocoa powder for a little extra flavor. This is a great summer dessert sure to keep you cool and is also vegan and healthy!

 

These are just a few simple, cheap and healthy snack ideas to help keep you cool during the dog days of summer. Phoenix home health care professionals can help you with more healthy eating advice for summer and year round. For more information on our services, experience, or rates, call (602) 396-5742 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to serving you.

 


5 Ways You Can Give Your Summer Diet a Boost

June 21, 2016 Mario Villavicencio Active Living, Healthy Eating, Seasonal/Holiday, Uncategorized Comments Off on 5 Ways You Can Give Your Summer Diet a Boost , , , , , , , ,

Pretty cheerful young woman posing with fresh green lettuce leav

Everyone wants to look their best during the summer time, especially since most people interact a lot more during the warmer months, as opposed to the hibernating nature of winter. With all the get togethers, vacations, and outdoor activities of summer, you can expect to be seen a lot more, and to see your friends, relatives, and neighbors a lot more than you would normally during winter. Whatever kind of diet it is that you’ve chosen to prepare for summer, here are some things you can do to enhance its effectiveness, and get more out of your dieting effort.

Easy-to-do dieting boosts for summer

Each of these five dieting boosts can help dramatically increase the effectiveness of your dieting. By coupling these recommendations with careful food selection, you should achieve results much faster than if you are only dieting without these helpful aids.

  • Include powerful fat burners – eating the right foods is great for avoiding more pounds, but what about the fat you already have on your body? These substances can help burn away fat and slim you down for summer: caffeine from coffee, green tea extract from green teas, yohimbe which operates on the most stubborn fat reserves, hoodia gardonii which controls hunger pangs, oats, nuts, and 7-Keto which increases your metabolic rate.
  • Take advantage of summer foods – there are lots more fresh fruits and vegetables available in summer, especially at Farmers’ Markets,healthy eating, dieting, vegetarian food and people concept - cl roadside stands, and in co-operatives that sell shares on produce. These foods are great for filling you up, so you won’t be tempted to eat other foods which may have far less nutritive value for you, and encourage you to keep eating because you’re not satisfied.
  • Increase your activity level – with nice weather and long hours of daylight, you have no excuse for not exercising a lot more, even if it’s not a formal program. Activities such as jogging, walking, hiking, playing golf, swimming, working in the garden, mowing the lawn, and others can all boost your metabolism and burn fat. Plus, when you’re active, you don’t usually get as hungry as when you’re sitting around the house, thinking about your next meal.
  • Drink lots of water – this is something you might do anyway, but by making a conscious effort to drink more water, you’ll not only be helping your digestive system, but you’ll be making yourself feel more full, and not as tempted to eat larger meals. It’s a good idea to precede each meal with a largeglass of water for this very reason – so there’s just not as much room in your stomach for other goodies.
  • Keep yourself motivated – it’s very important to keep yourself motivated for dieting, because it’s very easy to miss a day or two and end up chucking the whole effort. Try posting a picture of yourself on the refrigerator in your favorite bikini, or for men, hang up a pair of summer shorts you used to fit into, so that it’s visible every day. If this doesn’t work for you, invite a friend to diet along with you, so you can each act as the other’s support during the process.

 

Professional dietary help

People requiring home health care in Phoenix can avail themselves of the non-medical services of MD Home Health and still diet in their own way to achieve better health, whether you are a senior, a physically disabled person, or even a non-adult. In some ways, you might even be more successful, since you’ll have a professional monitoring your diet program while providing expert home health care services.


Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

November 25, 2015 Mario Villavicencio Uncategorized Comments Off on Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it’s the time to gather family and friends, count your blessings, and gorge yourself on food. An average holiday meal contains over 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat, well above anyone’s caloric needs. With all the butter, cream, and bread hiding out in overly rich dishes, you may be kissing any health goals goodbye.

Contrary to what you might think, however, the holidays do not have to be your waistline’s greatest enemy. There are dozens of delicious, healthy, low-calorie Thanksgiving dish options available to discover. Even if you aren’t feeling up to preparing the meals yourself, Phoenix home health care specialists can help you shop and prepare these delightful, healthy Thanksgiving recipes.

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without pumpkin. Instead of turning this gourd into a sugar filled pie, why not warm yourself up with a spicy curried soup filled with this fall favorite.

Arugula Salad with Fennel, Apple, and Pecans

Before you dig into heavier dishes, fill up on lighter, greener foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Try out this festive mix of crisp arugula and fennel, complimented by the sweet crunch of apples and pecans. Top it off with a light balsamic vinaigrette to save yourself the calories.

Healthier (Vegan) Creamed Corn

This is a healthy twist on the classic heavy creamed corn. Substitute the cream for coconut milk and add a mix of spices to create a healthier (and vegan) version of creamed corn.

Basil Cranberry Sauce

Drop the regular sugary cranberry sauce for this one. It’s got an herbal twist and is sweetened to perfection using apple juice as opposed to regular sugar.

Kale and Butternut Squash Stuffing

Every Thanksgiving feast needs some stuffing. There are dozens of recipes out there, but none are as healthy or unexpectedly delicious as this kale and butternut squash stuffing. It’s an unusual combo of veggies that cooks up quickly and can be made vegetarian-friendly.

Chef Meg’s Roasted Root Vegetables

It’s almost impossible to go wrong with vegetables and you certainly won’t regret trying out this roasted root medley. Grab the fall harvest of carrots, yams, turnips, potatoes and combine with garlic and herbs for an affordable, healthy, and filling side dish.

Quinoa and Sweet Potato-Stuffed Mushrooms

As an alternative to turkey, for any vegetarians out there, this sweet potato-stuffed mushroom recipe is your ticket to a filling main dish. Quinoa is about as healthy as you can get, a whole grain and complete protein all in one package. Combine that with the richness of sweet potato and mushroom and this dish is a clear winner.

Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

If you thought you had to give up the turkey to stay healthy on Thanksgiving, think again. Turkey is among the healthier meats available, rich in protein and minerals and low in fat. Choose an organic turkey and lose yourself in the savory goodness of this herb-roasted turkey.

Thanksgiving Home Care Helpers

The holiday preparations can be an overwhelming time, especially if you are attempting to put all the food and festivities for your family alone. Caregivers working in home care in Phoenix understand that you may need help along the way. They know how important staying healthy is an can provide the extra support you need over the holiday season. A homecare Phoenix caregiver can help with any shopping, cooking, or holiday preparation you need. For more information about how MD Home Health/Home Assist can help with your home care in Phoenix, please give us a call today.


Life After Surgery: Helping a Loved One Recover

September 21, 2015 Mario Villavicencio Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Senior Lifestyle, Uncategorized Comments Off on Life After Surgery: Helping a Loved One Recover , , , , , , , , ,

Post Surgical Care

Having to undergo a major surgical procedure is one of the most stressful and frightening experiences in a person’s life, but helping a loved one recover from surgery can be equally taxing. The hard work may be technically over once the surgery is deemed a success, but it can take a long time for one’s body to heal even after the most routine surgeries. This can be especially troublesome when helping senior citizens recover from a procedure; even the highest quality Phoenix home health care doesn’t eliminate the risk of serious complications in an elderly family member.

Helping someone you love recover from a major surgery can indeed be difficult, but with the proper education and a lot of patience, you can still help administer home care during a loved one’s recovery period. Here are a few tips that will help you with that.

Educate Yourself

The most important thing you can do to help a loved one recover from a surgery or illness is to educate yourself. Learn as much as you can about what they have gone through and what they can expect as they heal. It’s entirely possible that they will recover on their own after a few days or weeks of rest, but major procedures may require you or a caregiver to change wound dressing, administer medications or assist the patient in their daily routine. A good Phoenix home health care service will be able to give you the advice you need, but the best source of information is always the patient’s doctor. Ask about anything you think you might need to know; there is no such thing as being too informed.

Have a Caregiver Present at All Times

This piece of advice mostly applies to those recovering from a serious medical procedure, but it’s always a good idea to have a caregiver on hand as often as possible. This caregiver could be you, but it could also be a home health aide or nurse hired for the patient. This is particularly important for elderly patients since they will require a higher level of care than a younger patient.

Encourage Independence

Even though it is important to have a caregiver present at all times, you should still encourage your loved one to regain their independence as much as possible. This may not be possible during the first few days after the surgery, but over time they should be able to do most or all of the things that they used to do before undergoing surgery. 

Caring for a loved one as they recover from surgery is emotionally taxing for many people, but there are always resources available to you. If you would like to learn more about home health care in Phoenix and gain and extra hand so you can best serve your loved ones, feel free to give us a call.


Managing the Struggles of Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients

July 22, 2015 Mario Villavicencio Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Uncategorized Comments Off on Managing the Struggles of Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients , , , , , , , , , , ,

Male care assistant reading senior woman book

 

Caring for someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s can be exceedingly difficult.  With Alzheimer’s disease, something as simple as daily communication can be made into a frustrating and stressful task. Alzheimer’s patients often struggle to find the right words, are prone to losing their train of thought, and may even forget what simple words mean. This can create frustrating situations for both the Alzheimer’s patient and caregiver.

Even More Problems

Because Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, patients will have less functional brains over time. The end result is that every Alzheimer’s patient will have good days and bad days as their behavior changes with the passage of time. This means they may misunderstand the things they see and hear, be prone to anger, wander or get lost while leaving their home, and lose interest in things that once captivated them. They may also come to feel anxiety about traveling, become confused with even the slightest change in their daily routine, and be overwhelmed by day-to-day activities.

Required Care

Consequently, Alzheimer’s patients will need assistance with essential personal care like dressing, bathing, feeding, and taking regular medication. They may also require help with regular housekeeping like doing laundry, preparing meals, carrying out general errands, and keeping things tidy. Unless these issues are handled correctly, Alzheimer’s patients may turn to abuse drugs like alcohol and caffeine, they may start losing sleep which can lead to serious health problems, and they may fall prey to a variety of different illnesses.

Providing Care

Whenever communicating with someone who suffers  from Alzheimer’s, it’s important to try to state your intentions as simply as possible. Try asking questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, while providing step-by-step instructions whenever possible. One might also consider simplifying communication. For instance, rather than asking “how are you?” try asking “would you like to eat?” This simplification can make communicating with an Alzheimer’s patient far more effective.

Adjusting to behavioral changes can be accommodated with a similar approach. If your loved one starts to lose sleep, consider implementing a bedtime routine or planning energetic activities during the day. If they start pacing around their home, be sure that they’re wearing comfortable shoes and have a safe area to walk. Your care should be reactionary and supportive to the types of behaviors that they develop.

Phoenix Home Health Care

Providing this kind of care can be difficult, particularly for anyone who lacks experience working with Alzheimer’s patients. That’s why MD Home Health supplies the most trustworthy and qualified caregivers available, screened for their expertise and reliability alike. By choosing from only the more reliable and proven homecare providers in Phoenix, you can rest assured that your loved one will have the best possible care available to them. MD Home Assist care can help provide all the necessary care required to look after an Alzheimer’s patient, ensuring their well-being on good days and bad days alike. If you’d need a hand providing homecare in the Phoenix area, get in touch with MD Home Health today, and get the peace of mind you deserve. For more tips on managing the struggles of caregiving, and maintaining good self-care visit the Caregiver Wellness Solution Center.


3 Things to Expect from New Mother/Baby Care

May 2, 2015 Mario Villavicencio Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Uncategorized Comments Off on 3 Things to Expect from New Mother/Baby Care , , , , , ,

dreaming newborn baby - 3 weeks old baby sleeping

Congratulations on your new arrival! As all the thrills and excitements fade away, it’s time to make that transition into motherhood with a positive attitude. One of the best ways to ensure that you get all the supports you need is by hiring a reliable new mother/baby care service. As a well-known Phoenix Home Health Care, MD Home Health promises to deliver quality care that will make you and your baby happy.

Being a new mom is never easy. In addition to getting all the chores done around the house, you are now responsible for a precious little person that coos, sleeps and cries at a whim. While your significant other may be entirely loving and supportive, he/she may not much of a “baby expert” either. What you need is an experienced and qualified home caregiver who not only can give you practical tips, but also lend a strong hand in times of need. If you’re considering new mother/baby care, here are 3 things you should look out for before hiring:

Smart, but Simple Postpartum Tips

Although it’s easy for new moms to become buried in a hectic schedule, studies have shown that rest is a much needed routine. According to Stanford Children’s Health, the postpartum period, which begins immediately after delivery, is both physically and emotionally challenging. To effectively rebuild her strength, WomensHealth.gov recommends that the mother be relieved of all responsibilities so she can rest, eat and care for the baby. This is why an experienced new mother/baby care provider is someone who can give practical postpartum tips to help new moms in their recovery process.

Professionally Trained to Care for Newborns

Caring for a minor is a serious business, not to mention caring for a newborn who needs all the attention and love to thrive physically, mentally and emotionally. This is why home care companies, like MD Home Health of Phoenix, make sure all caregivers have passed a criminal background check, a physical health check, and a written and hands-on competency test. On top of that, caregivers are be trained to handle newborns with professionalism and compassion. So when you’re considering a new mother/baby care, be sure to ask the company for their training program and hiring process. Doing so will help you to better evaluate whether a company meets your personal expectation of care and service.

Sympathetic, Friendly and Flexible Service

In addition to evaluating the qualification of the service provider and caregiver, you’ll want to hire a new mother/baby care service that is willing to go out of their ways to make you feel comfortable. The postpartum period, according to WebMD, is a sensitive time with lots of emotions, hormones and physical changes. You’ll want to be around a caregiver who can lend not only professional hand, but also some emotional support. After all, it is friendship and loving care that will help you pull through those first few months of motherhood.

Enjoy your new bundle of joy by getting professional and quality support from MD Home Health’s New Mother/Baby Care. All our caregivers have been rigorously trained to handle and respond to situations with precision and understanding. Contact MD Home Health for more information today.


Brain Exercises to Improve Memory

August 9, 2014 Mario Villavicencio Uncategorized Comments Off on Brain Exercises to Improve Memory , , , , , , , , , ,

Active Retired Seniors, Two Old Men Playing Chess At Park

Brain Exercises to Improve Memory

Brain exercises are a good way to keep your mind sharp and stay on top of your game. Reports find that brain exercises, some as simple as face recognition or number matching, can go a long way to improve memory and delay the effects of long term memory loss.

We all forget things from time to time, whether it a misplaced set of car keys or where we parked the car after going shopping. These instances of forgetfulness pale in comparison with the slow eroding effect of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia that 5 million people in this country suffers from and the 6th leading cause of death according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Strengthening your brain through the use of specifically designed exercises, such as those from Homecare Phoenix providers and others can go a long way to improving your memory and prolonging your life.

Ways to Exercise the Brain

When you engage in physical exercise, you also exercise your brain. Remaining physically active, even in your older years improves the flow of oxygen to the brain. Physical exercise also has the added benefit of staving off the development of certain medical conditions such as diabetes and diseases of the heart, both of which lower your memory retention and place your health at risk.

In addition to physical exercise, maintaining a connection with your social network, be it friends and family, is important for helping you stay connected as you age and keep your mind sharp. A Harvard University School of Public Health study found that elderly people with active social lives have a slower rate of memory decline.

How to Start Improving Your Memory

If you want to begin improving your memory, start by getting up, getting active and getting involved with those around you. You may also consider different memory games and other devices that are designed to exercise your brain, regardless of your physical condition or level of activity. Spending a few minutes a day playing mind games, moving about and interacting with others can go a long way to helping you enjoy more of your life and slow the rate of memory loss and the negative effects of aging.

Services like those provided through MD Home Health, a Phoenix home health care service provider, can help those looking to improve their memory. MD Homecare Phoenix provides those services that help not only exercise the body but also exercise the brain.

 


Good vs. Bad Vegetables

July 31, 2014 Mario Villavicencio Uncategorized Comments Off on Good vs. Bad Vegetables , , , , , , , ,

Whether you’re in the Phoenix Home Health Care system or simply concerned about what you put in your body, not all vegetables are created equal. Some should be eaten every day and others are just bad vegetables, in comparison.

Fresh farmers market fruit and vegetable from above with copy sp

Veggies: The Good, the Bad, the Fattening

According to Dr. Mercola, some vegetables offer better nutritional return than others. Broccoli, asparagus, kale, onions, collard greens, tomatoes, and fennel are just a few vegetables that come highly recommended. Spinach, essentially a superstar of the nutrition world, does as well.

The vegetables that should be used more sparingly include beets, carrots, eggplant, and winter squashes. This is because of their high carbohydrate levels. Likewise, potatoes should be used on occasion rather than as a staple of your food pyramid. Potatoes are very starchy and can cause weight gain (which causes a whole slug of other issues) if ingested too regularly.

The Game Changers

Most people who think of veggies are undoubtedly transported back to childhood, recalling memories of hiding lima beans in paper napkins and feeding peas to the dog. However, vegetables don’t have to taste bad. In fact, two vegetables can be enjoyed quite easily: one is highly tasty and the other doesn’t have much taste at all.

Avocadoes, though technically a fruit, are widely regarded as a vegetable. The main ingredient in guacamole, they aren’t only good for taste buds, but they’re good for your body as well.

Per the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, avocadoes are rich in oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat that can help lower bad, LDL cholesterol and raise good, HDL cholesterol. Avocadoes can also offer protection against breast cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

Mushrooms are game changers not because they are as tasty as avocadoes but because their subtle flavor enables them to be added to all sorts of dishes – salads, pizza, spaghetti, rice, and macaroni, just to name a few.

Adding mushrooms to your meals can also add protein, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B, antioxidants, and minerals to your body.

Organic Vs. Nonorganic

Once upon a time, organic vegetables were only found in the aisles of health stores and farmers’ markets; today, they’re everywhere. This largely has to do with pesticides.

Organic vegetables are grown in environments where pesticides aren’t used; nonorganic vegetables are grown in environments where pesticides are used.

According to the Pesticide Action Network, pesticides may be dangerous to human health: the pesticide chlorpyrifos has been linked to ADHD while the pesticide DDT increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer by as much as five-fold.

Still, whether there is true need for panic has yet to be established. This is because while pesticides have been linked to cancer, their correlation is usually only found in farmers and other people routinely exposed to very large amounts as an occupational hazard. The amounts on food are much lower and, therefore, likely much less dangerous. In fact, per the Cancer Research Foundation of the United Kingdom, no link has been found between the trace amounts of pesticides found on vegetables and cancer formation.

Even so, for people who want to err on the side of caution, organic vegetables should be purchased if possible. If you can’t afford or do not have access to organic produce, the benefits of eating nonorganic vegetables will likely far outweigh any theoretical risks. Yet, just to be safe, all vegetables should be thoroughly washed before consumption. This is especially important for people in homecare, Phoenix based or otherwise.

For more information on home care, Phoenix health, and how nutrition impacts your wellbeing, visit us at MD Home Health. Remember, it’s never too late to start eating your veggies.


Six Tips for Better Napping

July 19, 2014 Mario Villavicencio Uncategorized Comments Off on Six Tips for Better Napping , , , , , ,

Cute family sleeping together in bed

6 Tips for Better Napping

Hear what our experts have to say about improving Phoenix home health care with smart napping. Read our tips for better napping and give a pop quiz to your home care Phoenix providers. You will understand why our company is the best of the best when it comes to offering quality Phoenix Home Health Care. 

A Few Words about Sleep AND Naps

Sleep is an everyday pursuit that promotes physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. No matter how young or old you are, having quality sleep during the night will ready you for a whole new day. While a good night’s sleep is important, recent studies have found that snoozing away on the couch in the afternoon can make for a more functional body. According to scientists and psychologists, napping can improve your cognitive memory processing and give your alertness level a quick but generous boost. However, as with everything, there is a way to nap right as there is a way to nap wrong. To maximize your napping experience, here are 6 tips that will steer you to a better and smarter napping routine: 

Tip #1: Know Your Nap Time

The ideal nap time generally falls between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Because most people start to lose their energy after a hearty lunch, Mayo Clinic recommends people to nap around 2 or 3 p.m. Anytime after 4 p.m. will likely interfere with your bedtime. Don’t let your nap turn you into a miserable night owl with a low energy level the following day.

Tip #2: Plan Your Nap

Planning your nap for the same time everyday will keep your body’s circadian clock in tune with your energy flow and recuperation need. Be consistent with your nap by setting apart a time to let your body relax and steal a few snoozes. Experts have also found that a regular nap can help you to sleep faster and wake up quicker!

Tip #3: Watch Your Time

Timing is everything when it comes to napping. As a government study finds, “long naps are often associated with a loss of productivity and sleep inertia.” Short naps that last under 30 minutes are said to promote alertness, performance, and learning ability. Plan you nap and set an alarm for 20 or 30 minutes to reap the full benefits of napping.

Tip #4: Set the Stage

According to National Sleep Foundation, the environment you choose to nap plays a role in determining the quality of your nap session. Make sure that the room is at a comfortable temperature and try to rest in an area where noise is at the minimum. A quiet and dark room instills a feeling of calmness that is perfect for a cozy rest.

Tip #5: Watch Your Caffeine Intake

Having that second coffee in the morning may not be the best idea if you plan on napping later in the day. Caffeine may not be able to keep you going all day but it can definitely impede your ability to sleep in the afternoon. So, keep your caffeine intake down and help yourself to nap more soundly.

Tip #6: Find Your Personal Balance

It is important that you find your personal sleep balance. The recommended amounts of sleep (8 hours each night) is a guideline not a rule carved in stone. If you find that your afternoon nap is impeding your ability to get a good night’s sleep, then try napping a little earlier in the afternoon. Remember, sleep is not like a bank account so even if you make a deposit in the afternoon, you still need to sleep at night. So plan accordingly and have a great nap!

For more tips on how to keep your body rested, visit us at MD Home Health, and don’t forget to rest and find your balance.


Keep Your Brain Healthy By Feeding It With Words

May 22, 2014 Mario Villavicencio Uncategorized Comments Off on Keep Your Brain Healthy By Feeding It With Words , , , , , , , ,

A good book is good for your health

In this digitally age, the Internet offers fast connections, videos at an accelerated speed and instant access to information  – all at a much faster rate than reading a traditional book. After all, why spend time flipping through 476 pages of Harry Potter when we can watch it in 3 hours on TV with sound effects and captivating graphics? Why waste time skimming the newspaper when we can access YouTube or even turn on NBC to the charming Brian Williams for updates instead? Even though we know that 99.9% of the time books offer a better experience, we still opt in for convenience and snuggle up to Netflix blockbusters instead of perusing through great novels.

However, recent studies suggest that reading information rather than streaming it online has better long-term benefits for the brain. Swapping the remote for a book can help fight against diseases while increasing memory and improving your social cognitive skills. Below are three benefits to how being a bookworm can boost your mental state and keep your brain healthy.

Reading may prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Just like exercising to keep the heart healthy, we need to stimulate the mind for a good workout to enhance our brain horsepower. According the study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, adults who regularly challenge their intellectual curiosity with hobbies like reading, playing chess, or solving a Sudoku puzzle are 2.5 times less likely to be develop Alzheimer, a fatal brain condition that typically occurs after the age of 60.

The research conducted by Dr. Robert Friedland surveys people in their 70s and collected data on how participants enjoy their pastimes during early adulthood from age 20 to 39 through midlife from 40 to 60 years old. The study finds that subjects engaging in regular stimulating hobbies like reading a novel or knitting a sweater reduce the risk of Alzheimer from early on because they produce healthier brain cells to fight off destructive Alzheimer cells that kills off our brain neurons. The research emphasizes that though intellectual stimulation from early childhood does not completely immune individuals from the disease but trading in TVs for books will help delay the process.

 “Brain power unused is brain power lost”

Additionally, reading in the long run keeps your mind sharp when as you age. A study published in Neurology journal assesses that subjects participating in stimulating activities like reading throughout their life develop 32 percent slower cognitive decline compared to those who suffer 48 percent faster memory loss due to passive activity like watching TV or talking on the phone. Since the task of reading requires more processing than digesting a speech, sound, or image, your brain requires more function to infer information from sentences. It involves greater concentration skill to formulate and create a visual from just words alone. Therefore, invest in your memory by exercising it with books and physical activities. Instead of a movie night, have a slumber party with your family and friends for some intellectual fun, food and fiction!

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Reading enhances your social awareness

According to NPR, losing yourself in a literary fiction can expose you to a greater understanding of how “other people are thinking and feeling” (http://n.pr/1nqSAQz). In contrast to the clear-cut, drawn out protagonists and antagonists from popular movies, characters from literary writing require more complex analysis since they are usually not fully developed. They rely on readers to interpret their actions and push the audience to extrapolate their thoughts and emotions in order to create a complete narrative. “This is really the very same processes that we engage in when we try to guess other people’s thoughts and feelings and emotions, and to read their mind in everyday life,” Emanuele Castrano, Psychology professor of The New School for Social Research, further explains.

Whether you’re indulging yourself with the latest celebrity gossips, restaurant reviews, or political opinions, save at least an hour out of the day to immerse yourself in some compelling paperbacks and plot twists. Processing words not only improves your intellect and critical thinking skills but it also gives you the unique power to pause, think, and reflect—habits that will keep your brain healthy over time!

For more tips on how to maintain a healthy mind, visit us at MD Home Health, until then read a book.  

 

 


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