Pittsburgh Better Times

A Lifestyle Publication for the Pittsburgh Community

Finding The Best Multivitamin For Your Life

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Vitamins and dietary supplements have grown in popularity in recent years. There are lots of claims for various types of supplements, so it is important to be able to get through all of the fake information to know the facts of what you are putting in your body. One of the best ways to learn about the different available vitamins is to look at different available reviews. Read about Consumer Health Review to see real reviews on the top supplements. In addition to reading reviews, you can follow these tips to learn more about multivitamins and figure out how to make sure you get the nutrients you need!

What Are Multivitamins?

The way our diet is today, we are no longer naturally getting the full range of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to live long, healthy lives. Instead of taking a lot of different pills to try and make up this deficiency, multivitamins combine many of the most commonly needed vitamins into one or two easy to take pills. These pills can ensure that you get all of the nutrients you need for your health. Some of the most common vitamins included in these supplements are vitamins B, C, D, biotin, potassium, and magnesium.

When starting a new multivitamin, it is important to remember a few things that may cause it to be less effective. Calcium can stop the absorption of some vitamins and minerals, so eating a lot of dairy or taking a calcium supplement in addition to a multivitamin may not actually get you the nutrients you are hoping for. Also, taking too much of vitamins A, D, E, or K can cause you to overdose. This overdose could cause life-threatening symptoms, so it is important to make sure you follow the dosing instructions as strictly as possible. If you are pregnant, it is also important to make sure you are following the dosing instructions, as high doses of these vitamins can cause harm to your unborn baby. [Read more…]

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The VR Health Movement

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More movement, less food. This is the mantra of tried and tested advice when it comes to losing weight and gaining a healthy lifestyle. But we all know that this simple instruction is easier said than done.

What if your weight is influenced by the fact that you’re one of the many people who get paid to sit for long hours for a living? A transport driver, a courier, a writer, a receptionist, or maybe an enthusiastic gamer. It is, in fact, this last career choice that could be the key to unlocking your more svelte, inner identity, particularly if you prefer to monitor your body through a virtual, rather than a palpable reality. [Read more…]

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Seniors Embrace Technology More Than Ever

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In a very brief span of time, the use of technology by people over the age of 65 has increased and will continue to increase dramatically over the next few years. In a Pew Research Center survey, (2016) fewer than half of seniors ages 80 and up (44%) reported using the internet and just 28% said they had home broadband service. While, for those in the 65-69 age group, 82 percent report internet usage and more than 66 percent had home broadband.

These numbers indicate that the senior tsunami is now hitting the tech world. Providence Point, Pittsburgh’s premier 62+ Life Plan community sees the shift on a daily basis. According to Bob Kocent, Executive Director of the CCRC located in Pittsburgh’s South Hills, “Residents have access to a robust calendar of classes, programs and events. The growing popularity of classes for iPad, iPod and iPhone tutorials is just one piece of evidence to show that technology is becoming routine for seniors.”

The marketing office at Providence Point points out that visitors to the new ‘interactive’ website have grown dramatically as well. “Our new website has seen a big spike in visitors, and our analytics show that it is the savvy senior creating this change. Retirees are looking at our floor plans, watching our videos, and taking our virtual tours,” said Marilyn Walsh, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. [Read more…]

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The Best Types of Therapy to Help Deal With Depression

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Chronic depression is hard for many to understand. Even if everything is going well for you, depression can strike at any time and bring you down. You can lose all motivation and be distant from the ones you love. To an outsider, you should just be happy, since it seems like all is well, but it obviously is easier said than done.

There are ways to treat depression and reduce the amount of episodes you have, or recover from them faster. Some may look to an antidepressant to fix a chemical imbalance; some may seek therapy to learn ways to cope. Others tackle depression through a combination of both types of treatment. In this post, we’ll look at some types of therapy that can help with managing depression.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Has someone ever told you that you just need to think more positively? They might have a point. Many who have depression tend to be swarmed by negative thoughts that bring them down. However, one can’t simply change the way they think overnight. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help. A cognitive therapist will teach you ways to change your thinking from negative to positive, and identify things like thought distortions. This can reduce or lower the severity of the depressive episodes you have. [Read more…]

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Want to Get Thin So You Can Be Happy?

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Put Happiness First. The Pounds Will Start to Slide Off

By Nancy Bryan, Ph.D.

“I’m so unhappy because I can’t get thin.”

If you believe this, you’re setting yourself up for a tremendous amount of frustration and disappointment. That’s because it simply is not true that being thin will make you, or anybody, happy. From a neurological and biochemical perspective, it would be far more accurate to say “I’m not thin because I’m not happy.” 

Through years of research and personal experience, I have seen that lasting serenity and happiness will curb the desire to overeat, causing pounds to slide off on their own. The real challenge is not to get thin, but to achieve this calm-inducing state.

Doing this may sound daunting, but in fact it boils down to removing the two types of obstacles that stand in the way of achieving this highly desirable state of mind.

The first of these is personal: dissatisfaction is our human nature, courtesy of four million years of evolution.  As Patrick Manning explains in an essay in the little book The Way of Gratitude, “We human beings are hardwired to persistently seek the satisfaction of our needs.…we are strongly disposed to focus our attention on what we lack.”  [Read more…]

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2018 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

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Since Mother’s Day is just around the corner, to help prepare you to find the perfect gift for mom, we’ve assembled our annual Mother’s Day Gift Guide. A special thank you to those of who sent in your gift ideas and suggestions for this occasion.

If you’re looking for a gift idea, our annual gift guide features a wide variety of ideas.

For the Fitness Lover

JBL Reflect Fit: The latest addition to the popular JBL Reflect line-up, JBL Reflect Fit Bluetooth headphone features in-ear heart rate monitoring and provides spoken, on-demand heart rate updates with a simple press of the button. It’s also compatible with the most popular fitness apps so athletes can access all of their workout stats in one place. JBL Reflect Fit is designed with IPX-5 sweat proof material and a reflective cable for comfortable and safe workouts. With a battery life of up to 10 hours, athletes can power through multiple workouts before having to recharge. It also features a microphone for crystal clear calls and a vibration alert to let athletes know of incoming calls while at the gym or on-the-go.

UA Sport Wireless Flex: These wireless neckband headphones offer a sleek design, JBL’s Signature Sound and impressive versatility to provide athletes with a secure fit at the gym or on-the-go. The headphones feature bend-and-stay Flex Zones in the neckband so athletes are guaranteed an adjustable fit and all-day comfort. Additionally, when rushing out the door to the gym, the headphones only require a quick five minutes of charging time for one hour of playback. UA Sport Wireless Flex are also engineered with an embedded RunSafe LED feature with three flashing modes for increased visibility and safety in low light conditions – perfect for running at night or before sunrise. [Read more…]

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How to Preserve and Revive Your Memory Through Writing

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By Beth N. Carvin

The Centers for Disease Control reports that one in eight Americans over age 60 complain of worsening memory loss. The problem may be related to a medical condition, emotional problems, cognitive impairment or simply the indignities of aging, but it’s distressing regardless of the cause.

One way to preserve and possibly enhance memory is to proactively revisit your past. Reminiscence therapy is one technique option, with uses ranging from mental health interventions to memory care in nursing homes. But sometimes, simply committing your life experiences to paper (virtual or otherwise) can also be helpful and even therapeutic.

A variety of research studies have explored the health benefits of writing. The American Psychological Association, for instance, published a study indicating that expressive writing reduces “intrusive and avoidant thoughts about negative events,” allowing for better coping and improved working memory. Additionally, work by neurologist Judy Willis MD finds that reflective writing, when well guided, may be a source of conceptual development and stimulate the “brain’s highest cognition.”

Whether you or someone you know is impacted by a memory deficit, or you’re simply seeking a way to tell your own story for yourself and your family, here are five simple strategies for preserving and sharing your memories in writing. [Read more…]

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Lyme Disease, Deer Ticks, and Your Family

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By Robert Oley, PE, MSPH

It’s that time of the year once again, when you and your family are enjoying the warmer weather and all the outdoor activities that come with it.  Unfortunately for you, deer ticks are also taking advantage of the nice weather, and are waiting for you as you step outside.

The spring and summer months are when you are most likely to be bitten by a deer tick, and become infected with Lyme disease.  The highest risk age group for contracting Lyme disease is children.  Not only do they tend to spend more time outside than others, but they are less likely to be careful about where they play.

Although Lyme disease is a grave health risk to these and other family members, there are other equally debilitating tick-borne diseases one can also become infected with such as babesiosis, anaplasmosis, bartonella, tularemia, mycoplasma, tick paralysis, and viruses. [Read more…]

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Have “The Talk” with Your Parents to Prepare for the Challenges of Aging

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By Lynda G. Shrager

 

When the issue “Can mom and dad stay in their home?” arises, getting aging parents on board with making modifications can be a challenge. To help them stay home as long as possible, family members and caregivers need to ascertain if they’re having physical or cognitive problems, and plan ahead before there’s a crisis.

 

Some 90 percent of people age 65 and over say they want to spend their senior years at home making independent choices and maintaining control of their lives. Aging in place has psychological benefits, allowing seniors to remain involved in daily activities in a familiar environment, and also financial benefits, as assisted living facilities average close to $50,000 annually.

 

But as time takes its toll, aging in place can be problematic. If you sense a decline in home upkeep or self-care, it’s best to be proactive. This requires more than a phone call, as the answer to “How are you?” will most likely be “Fine.” Making staying at home viable calls for a fact-finding mission.

 

Sleuthing begins with a visit. Watch as they move through daily routines. Do they “furniture surf” when moving around the house? Are they unsteady on steps? Did the lost car keys end up in the refrigerator?

[Read more…]

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Life After Divorce? Start With Your New Home

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Divorce signifies a new beginning. It is a great opportunity to rediscover yourself, rekindle your sparkle and do all that your heart desires. While Pennsylvania has the fifth lowest divorce rate in the nation, the most difficult thing about divorce is moving out of the home that you spent years in. In fact, some divorcees slip into depression due to this. A new home doesn’t have to be a constant reminder of the ended marriage.

With an expert’s guidance, your home can be a source of motivation for the new and exciting life that awaits. A home should be a haven that invokes peace, serenity, relaxation, and tranquility. According to some of the best interior designers in Orange County, this begins with sprucing up your indoors as well as the outdoors. You only need to customize it in a way that reaches deep into your happy place.

Color

Nothing will uplift your spirits better than a well thought-out combination of colors all around your living space. Imagine waking up to the bright rays of the sun piercing through your curtains, bouncing off your lavender painted walls and lilac throw pillows on your sun seat under your window. This is all while your yellow sunflowers remind you of how beautiful life is. Isn’t this motivation enough to get out of bed and make the day count? [Read more…]

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