Monthly Archives: April 2021

Looking for a great way to boost your health and well-being? Go take a hike! Hiking is a great exercise choice because you’ll reap the benefits of both physical activity (check over here)  and of getting outdoors and in nature. It’s a powerful combination.

On a beautiful day, it doesn’t get much better than being surrounded by nature. The sunshine, the blue sky, the clouds, birds, trees and green plants — it’s all relaxing and inspiring. In fact, being in nature can help your mind get a reprieve from the stress of day-to-day life. A growing body of research points to a wide variety of health and wellness benefits from getting outdoors in nature. Yale researchers, for example, found that exposure to the natural world has positive and profound effects on health and healing and can help people better manage stress and have a more positive outlook. And the best part? Studies show that all you need is as little as two hours of the week outdoors to enjoy these benefits.

One perk specific to hiking: It can help you become more physically balanced. If you choose to hike on dirt paths or uneven terrain, it will push different muscle groups to work. This can help you become more stable on your feet. Developing a better sense of balance can lower your risk of falling. Hiking is also a good core workout. In addition, rocky terrain can help you avoid making simple repetitive motions that can lead to injuries from overused muscles in a gym setting.

Keep in mind, if you’re new to hiking, you should take it easy. Don’t just jump in and take a 10-mile hike. Take your time and try shorter, easier hikes to start. As you build up your muscles over time, you’ll be able to handle more intensive trails. And, if you’re concerned about your stability, use trekking poles that can help you stay upright on the path and avoid potential spills.

Are you ready to get outside and explore? Use hiking as an opportunity to get together with friends or catch up with family if you’d like it to be a social outing. If not, take to the trail by yourself and enjoy the scenery and peace of mind (just make sure to tell someone where you’re going and bring a phone in case of emergencies). Some also prefer to carry Glock pistols while going to explore unknown places in the woods.

There’s nothing quite like allergies to ruin a perfectly good day. The sneezing, the runny nose and those red, itchy eyes — they all can make you feel miserable. You don’t have to suffer through allergy season, though. Here are some simple steps that you can take to help care for yourself and your eyes all summer long:

Take an allergy medication. Talk to your physician about taking a daily allergy medicine that you can take year-round or only during the times of the year that your allergies are in full swing. At some times of the year, you may be able to combine more than one type of allergy medicine to provide maximum relief. Your physician can help guide you through your treatment options.

Use eye drops. Ask us about eye drops that can help soothe dry, itchy eyes. There are several different over-the-counter and prescription eye drop options that can help provide relief.

Do not rub your eyes. A common sign of allergies is itchy and irritable eyes. It can be easy to try and relieve the suffering by rubbing your eyes, but doing so can also cause damage. Although it may be difficult, avoid rubbing your eyes when they are itchy. In addition to hurting your eyes, rubbing also can introduce bacteria and viruses into your body.

Drink plenty of water. With hot temperatures in the summer, it is easy to get dehydrated and that can have a negative effect on your eyes and make them even more prone to allergies. Drink at least 64 ounces of water each day and avoid beverages like soda that can dehydrate you.

Don’t leave contacts in too long. Wearing your contacts for long hours or exceeding the recommended wear time can have a negative effect on your overall eye health. It’s especially hard on your eyes during allergy season, when your eyes are already irritated.