Category: Brandpoint Health

2023-11-01T07:01:01

(BPT) – Self-care means different things to different people. Its essence, though, is focused on wellbeing. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health,” adding, “even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.”

This is especially true for those who spend their days caring for loved ones, helping with everything from meals and bathing to dressing and overall care. Being a caregiver requires energy, patience and focus to perform tasks for others that most of us take for granted. It is a selfless and demanding role that can wear out even the hardiest among us.

Finding ways to be more efficient and to prioritize one’s own wellbeing can ultimately result in better care for the recipient. Fortunately, people can take advantage of their AARP member benefits that can help make self-care for the caregiver even easier.

Prioritize Your Health

When you’re taking care of others, it’s easy to overlook your own health, especially preventive care. However, it isn’t a good idea to skip wellness checkups or postpone appointments to ensure there are no underlying concerns and any ailments can be addressed before they become serious.

If you have not yet established care with a physician, AARP members can access quality care with Oak Street Health, a primary care provider specializing in older adults on Medicare with a team of doctors, nurses and other professionals dedicated to keeping you well — physically, mentally and socially — at more than 190 centers across 24 states. Benefits include personalized preventive care plans, same-day/next-day appointments where available, a 24/7 healthcare patient support line and more. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location.

If you are already in pain, either from providing physical support for loved ones as you help them move in and out of the car or up and down stairs, or from an older injury, physical therapy can help. Fortunately, scheduling an appointment is more convenient than ever through AARP^® Physical Therapy at Home™ by Luna, and it can help ensure you continue to provide the necessary care and even avoid future injuries. Luna allows you to schedule physical therapy where and when it works for you. It provides access to highly experienced physical therapists who specialize in a wide range of disorders and ailments, and who come directly to you. AARP members and non-members alike can receive at-home physical therapy from Luna. Most insurances and Medicare are accepted by Luna and a prescription may not be needed to start.

Get Some Help of Your Own

It’s difficult to replace the primary caregiver, but there are some exceptional tools and services that enable you to step back and take a break without sacrificing care and safety. Taking time off periodically can be beneficial to your mental and physical health.

If you’re planning a trip or simply need some help around the house, the online marketplace Carelinx is there to help. AARP members have access to pre-screened, professional caregivers and receive a 3% discount on in-home caregiving services. Whether it’s for a few hours or every day, the Carelinx network of caregivers can provide personalized care to help with daily life.

If a visiting caregiver is stepping in, your loved one has periods alone, or you simply want to stay on schedule, the Hero^® smart pill dispenser can help you track what you took and when. The Hero^® smart pill dispenser is an all-in-one medication management platform designed to help make managing medications easier and more convenient for any health condition. You can set a medication schedule in Hero’s mobile app, load up to a 90-day supply of ten different medications, and receive alerts from Hero’s smart dispenser. AARP members receive an 8% discount and pay no initiation fee when they register for a Hero subscription.

If falls are a concern, technology can help. Lifeline offers medical alert systems with automatic fall detection, providing peace of mind that your loved one can get the help they need even if you are not present. AARP members save 15% on medical alert service and get free shipping and activation. You can choose the service option that fits your lifestyle and get fast, 24/7/365 access to help when you need it.

Plan for Your Care

As a caregiver, you have unique insight into your own potential need for care in the future. It’s a good idea to prioritize it, even while providing care for someone else.

Approximately 70% of Americans who reach age 65 will need some long-term care at some point in their life, and nearly half will need some sort of paid assistance. AARP members have access to information on options to help protect assets, maintain their lifestyles, and prepare for the future within their budget.

It’s also understandable that the demands as a caregiver may cause you to push off thinking about the future, especially when it comes to estate planning. You can make it less onerous with the help of Trust & Will, a secure and easy-to-use online estate planning platform with access to top-rated member support, free shipping, and one year of unlimited updates. As an AARP member, you receive a 20% discount on trusts, wills and estate planning documents.

You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup

To be the best caregiver possible, try to avoid thinking of self-care as indulgent or selfish and instead consider it an investment in your capacity to provide care. Remaining healthy, calm and focused requires taking proactive steps on your own behalf. When you fill your own cup first, you can better help your loved one fill theirs. To find more ways to simplify self-care, visit AARP.com/benefits.

AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

2023-11-01T07:01:01

(BPT) – Thirty-nine years ago, Hector and Nora met right after high school, marrying just eight months later — and have been inseparable ever since. Over the decades, the two have grown together with their family, now living in Los Angeles close to their two grown children. The strength of this family bond is now helping Hector face the biggest challenge of his life — being diagnosed with stage IV, metastatic pancreatic cancer.

For Hector, the first sign that something wasn’t right was when he started having stomach problems, which seemed to occur with each meal he ate. After several doctor and hospital visits over the course of months, Hector was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — the cancer had spread (or metastasized) beyond his pancreas to other parts of the body.

“We both knew what it meant,” says Nora, referring to the seriousness of the diagnosis. But, the pair decided they were going to face the challenge together, “We’re going to fight it. We’re going to do everything we can.”

From that moment, Nora became Hector’s strongest advocate and caregiver.

What is pancreatic cancer?

The most common form of pancreatic cancer is Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is also one of the most deadly forms of cancer as the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.[i],[ii] PDAC is one of the hardest to detect cancers because there are often no noticeable symptoms in its initial stages and symptoms can appear similar to other diseases. So, PDAC is difficult to diagnose early.[iii] It is also one of the most difficult to treat of all solid tumor cancers as the cancer can spread quickly and invade surrounding tissues and organs.[iii] Overall, people diagnosed with PDAC face a poor prognosis with a five-year survival rate of just 12.5%.[iv]

As much as the impact on physical health, living with PDAC can negatively impact a person’s psychological and emotional well-being.[v] The condition causes significant stress for patients and their loved ones,[v] making it so important to have a strong support system when coping with this disease.

And people living with PDAC experience sometimes serious symptoms, including significant weight loss.[vi]

Advances in treatment options for PDAC have been limited over the past few decades, but researchers continue to work toward developing new approaches with the potential to increase survival rates.[vii]

How you can help a loved one with pancreatic cancer

For the past two years, Nora has been Hector’s caregiver, learning valuable lessons about how to be supportive throughout this difficult time. “One person alone cannot handle this disease,” Nora observes. “Support is really important.”

Nora offers these tips for others to help care for a loved one:

Become an advocate for your loved one. Be present at all doctor visits, take detailed notes and ask questions. Help your loved one track symptoms and other factors recommended by your health care provider.

Educate yourself. Ask questions and do research to help your family become more informed about the disease, treatment options, and how to cope with symptoms and side effects of medications. For example, Nora learned about the importance of nutrition for people with pancreatic cancer, and spoke up to Hector’s doctor about it.

Take care of yourself. If you don’t care for your own physical and emotional health, it’s harder to be there for your loved one. Nora finds listening to music and going for hikes give her a break and helps clear her head. “It’s important to make time for yourself as a caregiver,” says Nora. “By taking care of yourself, you’ll be able to support your loved one.”

Get organized. From maintaining an appointment calendar and getting a pill organizer to track medications, staying organized can help relieve the stress of caring for someone else.

Stay positive. Although Hector and his family are coping with a very difficult diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer, Nora believes in the power of positivity. She makes it a point to plan family events like concerts to give everyone something to look forward to. “Don’t give up,” Nora advises. “There’s always hope.”

You can learn more about Hector and Nora’s story by watching this video.

Sponsored by Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

2023-10-31T05:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re suffering from chronic pain, you’re not alone. According to the CDC, 58.9% of adults experienced some kind of pain in the past 3 months. 39% of adults had back pain, 36.5% had lower limb pain, and 30.7% had upper limb pain during that period.¹ Studies have shown the effectiveness of electrical muscle stimulation to strengthen muscle and reduce pain in various populations, from healthy young adults to the elderly.^2-4

truFlex is a fully customizable muscle stimulation device featuring multidirectional stimulation (MDS) technology to strengthen, tone, and define muscles on the abdomen, obliques, glutes and thighs. This award-winning muscle sculpting treatment can increase muscle mass up to 30%.^5,6

A single truFlex treatment delivers the equivalent of 54,000 crunches per session, plus it can treat up to 8 areas simultaneously and simulate 5 different workouts in as little as 15 minutes. It’s safe for all body types, skin types, and fitness levels.⁵

Dr. Shay Pathare of Advanced Spine Care and Pain Management in Staten Island, NY, is an expert in functional medicine who takes a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating patients. He develops customized treatment plans and prioritizes non-invasive procedures that lead to faster recovery.

“All of the treatments I utilize are to improve function as well as provide other benefits such as reduced pain, improved sleep, and quality of life. We assess each patient’s concerns, and improving function is one of our main goals. For patients experiencing persistent lumbar pain, it can be difficult to do exercises to strengthen the core muscles, such as the abdominal muscles, obliques, lumbar muscles, and upper gluteal muscles. truFlex offers an innovative treatment option that can strengthen their thigh muscles, gluteal muscles, buttocks, abdominal muscles, and back muscles without having to do strenuous exercises that could lead to further injury,” says Dr. Pathare.

Dr. Tammy Chen of Central Park Laser Aesthetics in New York City uses truFlex to help strengthen the core for her patients. “Cutera’s truFlex is very versatile. I can use it to target our patients’ specific needs, placing the handpieces where their chief complaints are. Popular treatment areas include the abs, obliques, legs, and glutes. It can be used for all fitness levels,” she explains. “You can be a couch potato and jump-start your strength to start working out with truFlex, and even fit athletes still see an improvement. My husband was in the best shape of his life training for an Ironman where he qualified for world championships, but he only got abdominal definition after using truFlex. He finally had the six-pack abs he always wanted,” Dr. Chen adds.

She continues, “truFlex only takes 15 minutes and patients can feel the effects instantly. After doing 54,000 ‘crunches’ they feel like it’s easier to stand up taller and engage their core. I also use it post-injury as part of their physical therapy regimen to help speed recovery because it strengthens the muscles so they can get back to their activities faster and pain-free!”

“Women postpartum who have struggled to get their deeper core stronger can also benefit from truFlex, which stimulates muscles deeper than traditional exercises they can do on their own,” Dr. Chen adds. “It’s not about being a size zero but being stronger and preventing injury. If your core is strong, you’ll have better overall health.”

Learn more about how truFlex can strengthen and tone your body.

References:

1. Lucas JW, Connor EM, Bose J. Back, lower limb, and upper limb pain among U.S. adults, 2019. NCHS Data Brief, no 415. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2021. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:107894external icon
2. Matos F, Amaral J, Martinez E, et al. Changes in muscle thickness after 8 weeks of strength training, electromyostimulation, and both combined in healthy young adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19:3184.
3. Wirtz N, Zinner C, Doermann U, et al.. Effects of loaded squat exercise with and without application of superimposed EMS on physical performance. J Sports Sci Med. 2016;15:26–33.
4. Picorelli AMA, Pereira LS, Pereira DS, et al.. Adherence to exercise programs for older people is influenced by program characteristics and personal factors: a systematic review. J Physiother. 2014;60:151–6.
5. truFlex Clinical Guidelines, Cutera, Inc.
6. Ronan SJ. A Novel Bio-Electric Current Stimulation Device For Improvement Of Muscle Tone [white paper, Cutera Inc.]. 7/2019.

2023-10-30T11:01:00

(BPT) – This is a promotional message sponsored by Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.

Starting in her early twenties, Lindsay noticed some extreme changes in her mood and behavior.

“I was making all kinds of impulsive decisions,” Lindsay remembered. “One day I would go on a huge shopping spree, not worrying about the money I didn’t have. The next day I felt so depressed I would end up in bed all day not doing anything. There was no happy medium.”

These highs and lows were unpredictable, making it hard for her to know what each day would look like, even after she became a mother. “Living with these symptoms was driving me crazy and I didn’t know what to do,” Lindsay said. “As a mother, it was becoming tougher to take care of my kids. I always worried that today would be the day they couldn’t count on me to be there for them.”

These concerns led Lindsay to seek help. Although she didn’t receive a diagnosis from her doctor, she was treated for the symptoms she was experiencing.

“The antidepressants I was taking helped a little, but nothing was working the way I needed it to,” Lindsay said. “A few years later, I found a new doctor that talked with me and diagnosed me right away with bipolar I depression.”

Difficulties with diagnoses

Lindsay’s story is not unusual, as uncovering the correct diagnosis for bipolar disorder can take time.

“Diagnosing bipolar I and II depression is sadly often a lengthy process — five years for bipolar I and ten for bipolar II, on average,” said Dr. Greg Mattingly. “In general, both bipolar I and II can be misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder up to 3/4 of the time.”¹

Dr. Mattingly advises other providers to seek additional clues, beyond depressive episodes, to diagnose bipolar disorder. “Additional symptoms may include the 4 ‘A’s: anxiety, agitation, anger and attention problems,” explained Dr. Mattingly. “Also, inadequate response to multiple antidepressants can suggest bipolar depression, as was the case for Lindsay.”

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a common mental health condition that causes extreme changes in mood and behavior. These changes, or mood episodes, can cause you to experience lows (depression) and highs (mania).^3,4 Mood episodes can affect your sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly.²

The Lows

The lows of bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar depression or depressive episodes, can make people feel sad or hopeless. They may lose interest or pleasure in most activities, even those they once enjoyed. These depressive episodes may be present through their lives, and some episodes may even last several months.⁵

People with bipolar depression typically spend more time in the lows than in the highs of the illness. The lows can be the more debilitating state for some people and may have a greater impact than manic episodes on everyday function. About 90% of people report severe impairment due to depressive episodes.^4,6

The Highs

The highs of bipolar disorder, known as manic or hypomanic episodes, can cause people to feel euphoric, impulsive, unusually irritable, or have an abnormal amount of increased energy. Symptoms during hypomanic episodes are milder than manic episodes.⁵

Manic symptoms are usually reported less frequently and can often be easily overlooked or seen as something positive rather than a sign of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder are three times more likely to experience bipolar depression than mania.⁴

Effective treatment for bipolar disorder

Discovering the correct diagnosis is the first step toward finding effective treatment. If you’re experiencing symptoms of bipolar depression, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider who specializes in mental health, and to have open conversations about all your symptoms to identify bipolar depression and the best treatment path.⁴

“When I was finally diagnosed with bipolar I depression, I worried about the stigma associated with it,” said Lindsay. “But my doctor told me that together, we could manage this! After a few years of trying different treatments, I had a doctor tell me about a medication called CAPLYTA.”

CAPLYTA^® (lumateperone) is a once-daily pill that is proven to deliver significant relief across bipolar depression in adults and can be taken alone or with the medicines lithium or valproate.⁷

Studies have shown CAPLYTA is proven to provide significant relief from depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder and can reduce the overall severity of bipolar depression. Unlike some medications that can only treat bipolar I depression, CAPLYTA treats both bipolar I and bipolar II depression and can be taken alone or with lithium or valproate.

CAPLYTA has Boxed Warnings for increased risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. CAPLYTA is not approved for people under 18. See additional important safety information below.

“When I talked to my doctor about CAPLYTA, I liked hearing that CAPLYTA could make a difference when it comes to improving my bipolar depression symptoms,” said Lindsay. Getting her symptoms under control was important to Lindsay and her doctor.

At first, Lindsay was worried about weight gain with CAPLYTA. But her healthcare provider reassured her that most people who took CAPLYTA did not gain weight or have changes in their blood sugar or cholesterol in short- or long-term clinical trials. At 6 months, the average weight change for people on CAPLYTA was -0.02 lbs.

CAPLYTA may cause problems with your metabolism including high blood sugar, diabetes, increased fat (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels in your blood and weight gain. Most people in clinical studies did not have a change in their blood sugar, cholesterol, or weight. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar, fat levels, and weight before you start, or soon after you start CAPLYTA, and then periodically during treatment.

“I like that CAPLYTA is approved to treat both bipolar I and bipolar II depression,” said Dr. Mattingly. “The proven efficacy and well-established safety and tolerability profile, along with the convenient once-daily dosing, make CAPLYTA an excellent choice for a patient like Lindsay. But remember, every patient experience will be unique, so it’s important to monitor for potential side effects such as sudden mood changes, behaviors, or suicidal thoughts. It’s really important to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or questions you have. I encourage all of my patients to be proactive and to come to me with any questions they may have or side effects they may experience.”

“Since taking CAPLYTA I’ve noticed a real difference,” Lindsay noted. “I have fewer extreme highs and lows. I have some energy back and I get out of bed in the morning ready to face the day.”

The most common side effects experienced by people with bipolar depression taking CAPLYTA were sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth. CAPLYTA can cause sleepiness and difficulty thinking. Until a patient is aware of how CAPLYTA may affect them, they should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities. These are not all the possible side effects, please see the Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warnings, below.

If you or a loved one is struggling with bipolar depression, CAPLYTA may be able to help. Talk to your healthcare provider and ask if CAPLYTA is right for you. To learn more, visit CAPLYTA.com.

CAPLYTA^® (lumateperone) is a prescription medication used in adults for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder (bipolar depression). CAPLYTA can be taken alone or with the medicines lithium or valproate for bipolar depression. It is not known if CAPLYTA is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

Medicines like CAPLYTA can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). CAPLYTA is not approved for treating people with dementia-related psychosis.

CAPLYTA and antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when CAPLYTA or an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. Report any change in these symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately.

Do not take CAPLYTA if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Get emergency medical help if you are having an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching, hives, swelling of the tongue, lip, face, or throat).

CAPLYTA may cause serious side effects, including:

• Stroke (cerebrovascular problems) in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): high fever, confusion, changes in your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, stiff muscles, and increased sweating; these may be symptoms of a rare but potentially fatal condition. Contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you experience signs and symptoms of NMS.
• Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia, TD) in your face, tongue, or other body parts. TD may not go away, even if you stop taking CAPLYTA. It may also occur after you stop taking CAPLYTA.
• Problems with your metabolism including high blood sugar, diabetes, increased fat (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels in your blood and weight gain. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar, fat levels and weight before you start and during your treatment with CAPLYTA. Extremely high blood sugar levels can lead to coma or death. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of high blood sugar: feeling very thirsty, hungry, sick to your stomach, needing to urinate more than usual, weak/tired, or confused, or your breath smells fruity.
• Low white blood cell count. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment with CAPLYTA.
• Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
• Falls. CAPLYTA may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in your blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow your thinking and motor skills which may lead to falls that can cause broken bones or other injuries.
• Seizures (convulsions).
• Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities. Until you know how CAPLYTA affects you, do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
• Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated while taking CAPLYTA.
• Difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into the lungs.

The most common side effects of CAPLYTA include sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth.

These are not all the possible side effects of CAPLYTA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had heart problems or a stroke, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood sugar, problems with cholesterol, have or have had seizures (convulsions), kidney or liver problems, or a low white blood cell count. CAPLYTA may cause fertility problems in females and males. You should notify your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking CAPLYTA. CAPLYTA may cause abnormal involuntary movements and/or withdrawal symptoms in newborn babies exposed to CAPLYTA during the third trimester. Talk to your healthcare provider if you breastfeed or are planning to breastfeed as CAPLYTA passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you’re taking. CAPLYTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how CAPLYTA works, causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines while taking CAPLYTA without talking to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs. Contact Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. at 1-888-611-4824 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

CAPLYTA is available in 10.5 mg, 21 mg, and 42 mg capsules.

Please see Medication Guide, including Boxed Warnings.

References:

1. Frye MA, Calabrese JR, Reed ML, et al. Use of health care services among persons who screen positive for bipolar disorder. Psychiatr Serv. 2005;56(12):1529-1533.
2. Bipolar disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955. February 16, 2021. Accessed April 20, 2023.
3. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder. Accessed April 21, 2023.
4. Miller S, Dell’Ossa B, Kettera TA. The prevalence and burden of bipolar depression. J Affect Disorder. 2014; 169(1): S3-S11. Accessed April 19, 2023.
5. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder. Accessed April 21, 2023.
6. Merikangas KR, Akiskal HS, Angst J, et al. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(5):543-522.
7. CAPLYTA (lumateperone) [package insert]. New York, NY: Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.; 2023.

US-CAP-2300545 10/2023

2023-10-30T08:15:00

(BPT) – The end of the year is such an exciting time. The leaves are crunchy, pumpkin spice abounds, cooler weather has made a reappearance and Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities are on the horizon. The end of the year also brings with it one of the busiest seasons for travel — with studies showing the majority of Americans (83%) plan to squeeze at least one more trip in before year’s end.

Unfortunately, cold and flu season falls at the same time as the holiday travel season, and experts are predicting it to be a rough one. From bustling airports to crowded tourism attractions keeping travelers in close quarters, immune systems are sure to be put to the test.

Whether traveling to get some vitamin sea or to visit grandma, the one thing travelers are keeping top of mind is how to stay healthy and well throughout their travels. We spoke with Registered Dietitian Kelly Springer about the healthy holiday travel must-haves she never leaves home without to keep herself and her family energized and feeling great all season long:

Boost Your Immunity On the Go with Wedderspoon’s Manuka Honey Drops

Manuka honey is chock full of nutritional elements that the human body needs — including trace amounts of enzymes, amino acids, B Vitamins, C Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants — that are beneficial to the immune system and empower everyday wellness. When you begin building your travel arsenal of immune boosting, therapeutic remedies, consider adding products that incorporate the natural goodness of this tasty superfood to help strengthen the body’s defenses and stave off sniffles or scratchy throats before they start.

For myself and my family, I prefer a more holistic approach to our wellbeing. As such, I constantly find myself reaching for Wedderspoon’s Manuka Honey Drops for an on-the-go, healthy kickstart. These dual action drops are delicious and feature naturally-occurring wellness properties — like echinacea and bee propolis — to soothe your throat at the first sign of a tickle and provide a boost to the immune system. They’re an ideal remedy for pesky symptoms related to allergies or colds and flus and are easy to toss in your bag and go.

Harness the Power of Nature with Wedderspoon’s Propolis Sprays

Another of my favorite Manuka honey-based products I can’t live without during travel and cold and flu season is Wedderspoon’s Manuka Honey Propolis Spray. The star of the show here is bee propolis, which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonoids, making it one of nature’s most potent defenders against germs and free radicals in the body.

These sprays combine the immune boosting prowess of Manuka honey and bee propolis with flaxseed glycerin, known for its omega-3, fatty acid and antioxidant properties, so it’s super gentle yet effective at soothing dry, scratchy throats. The best part? You can use it daily for a proactive approach to keep germs at bay. Wedderspoon has several flavors, but my favorite is the Chamomile Mint because it’s the perfect blend of refreshing and calming. Pro tip: stash one of these in your carry-on to relieve discomfort from dry cabin air during long flights and to proactively counter against your coughing seatmate.

Bolster a Happy Gut Biome with Probiotics

More than half the cells that create antibodies for fighting sickness are in the gut, but travel can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and cause a decrease in the number of healthy microorganisms in the microbiome. To ensure you’re keeping your gut biome, and by proxy, your digestive and immune systems, resilient, consider supplementing your daily routine with a probiotic blend. These work to increase the amount of good bacteria in your gut, aid in digestion, improve nutrient absorption and can help fight cells that cause disease. The healthier your gut microbiome, the healthier you are, so no packing list is complete without them.

There are so many options on the market for consumers today, but my personal favorite is Just Thrive. They use a proprietary blend that works as an antioxidant and probiotic, and contains the most well-researched, DNA-verified strains with a 100 percent survivability rate, meaning it has the most impact when it reaches your gut.

Maintain Your Sleep Schedule with Melatonin

Getting quality sleep is so important for just about every function in the body, from blood pressure and cardiovascular health to managing stress, appetite and the immune system. The excitement of a vacation, early travel mornings, and jet lag from traveling to different time zones can all affect your circadian rhythm and sleep schedule.

To help with travel-related sleep disruption and ensure I have enough energy during the day to thoroughly enjoy my reason for travel — like spending quality time with loved ones over the holidays — I bring Olly’s Sleep Gummies. They’re a tasty and simple way to add melatonin to my bedtime ritual to give my body that natural little nudge it needs to help me fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed. I love the blackberry flavor and that they contain chamomile, passionfruit and lemon balm extracts — all of which promote relaxation and sleep. Combine this with a fresh silk pillowcase to stay cool and you have my recipe for a perfect night’s sleep while on the go.

Create a Comfortable, Irritant-Free Space with a Personal, Portable Air Purifier

Rounding out my healthy holiday travel must-haves list: a mini portable air purifier. Germs are, of course, everywhere, but with your own air purifier, you can filter out and clean the air of irritants like dust and pollen to help combat allergies, colds and other sinus problems.

The PureZone Mini from Pure Enrichment is a favorite because it’s compact, incredibly lightweight and rechargeable, meaning it goes wherever I do — in the car, on a plane, to a hotel. Its two-stage HEPA filtration system safely cleans the air immediately surrounding you, eliminating 99.97 percent of germs, and also helps to get rid of odors and harmful gasses. Bringing my own air purifier helps me to feel more at ease while traveling in more intimate, indoor settings.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner and many people’s travel plans are in full swing. As you put your holiday travel packing list together, consider saving room for some of these items to prioritize your health and wellness, no matter where your travels take you, so you can come home feeling even better than when you left.

2023-10-25T07:01:01

(BPT) – Content sponsored and provided by Pfizer. Bernadette Gorczyca has partnered with Pfizer to share her experience living with migraine.

For Bernadette Gorczyca — a teacher of 13 years — migraine has been a part of her life since she was a young child. While she’s no longer a classroom teacher due to her severe migraine disease, Gorczyca is still passionate about education and has carried that passion into teaching others about migraine.

“It took nearly 30 years of living with migraine, multiple misdiagnoses and a lot of self-advocacy to finally understand that migraine is a neurological disease that needs to be treated or it can continue to progress,” says Gorczyca. “Now, it’s my personal mission to help others find their voice so they can help themselves and those around them. Whether you’re a teacher like I was, a student, or someone who hasn’t been in a classroom in decades, it’s so important to understand the impact of migraine on an individual.”

Gorczyca’s journey with migraine started when she was just five years old. She first experienced abdominal migraine, a form of migraine with episodes of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Then in middle school, she began experiencing migraine pain in her head. By the time she reached high school, she was experiencing frequent, severe migraine attacks. After being misdiagnosed for years, Gorczyca began to think that migraine attacks were a normal part of life and she only focused on treating each individual attack. After experiencing a long-lasting, severe attack when she was 33, she desperately began researching everything she could about migraine and finally understood how important a migraine management plan could be in reclaiming her life.

Here are three reasons why Gorczyca believes migraine education is so important.

1. The stigma associated with migraine often becomes a barrier to treatment. Less than half of people with migraine seek care from a doctor for migraine.^[1] Gorczyca notes that stigma may help explain this. “People often feel like migraine attacks are their fault because they do not understand that migraine is a neurological disease that impacts the entire body. The language we use contributes to the stigma, too. For example, when we refer to the disease as “migraines,” people then think of migraine as a condition that comes and goes, rather than realizing that it’s a lifelong, complex neurological disease that the brain is always navigating. This was the main reason I didn’t start preventive treatment until I was in my thirties, even though I had been living with migraine since I was a child.”

2. People struggling with migraine should know they aren’t alone. “I want those with migraine to know there is a large community of people with migraine out there. While everyone’s experience with migraine is different, we are here to support each other. My treatment plan and the ways I treat my migraine — what I call my “migraine treatment toolbox” — grew exponentially after finding the migraine community. There are great patient advocacy resources and social media groups where people with migraine can get more information or join the community,” says Gorczyca.

3. People require individualized migraine management plans. “My goal is to help people understand that migraine is a disease and there are treatment options available. People who experience migraine can work with their doctor — particularly a neurologist or headache specialist — to develop a treatment plan to help get their migraine under control,” she says. Every person is different, and there’s no one migraine treatment that works for everyone. In fact, Gorczyca, like many people with migraine, relies on a migraine treatment toolbox to manage her migraine symptoms. “For me personally, I use a combination of treatment approaches in my preventive and acute migraine management plan.”

“Migraine is a lifelong disease and becoming educated about it changed my life,” says Gorczyca. “I have been able to take steps to find the right treatment to help my migraine symptoms so I can get back to doing the things I love and embrace my life instead of having to retreat from it.”

To learn more about migraine, visit Pfizer.com.

Bernadette Gorczyca is a person with migraine and patient advocate who takes a biopsychosocial approach to managing migraine disease. She can be found on Instagram @ChronicAccounts. Views or opinions expressed on @ChronicAccounts are those of Bernadette Gorczyca and do not represent the views or opinions of Pfizer.

1. Parikh, S.K., Kempner, J. & Young, W.B. Stigma and Migraine: Developing Effective Interventions. Curr Pain Headache Rep 25, 75 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-021-00982-z

2023-10-24T07:01:00

(BPT) – Seborrheic dermatitis (Seb Derm) is a common recurrent inflammatory skin condition that causes red patches covered with large, greasy, flaking yellow scales, and persistent itch, and most often occurs on areas of the body with oil-producing glands. Often mistaken for other types of skin diseases, Seb Derm is a real medical condition that requires a clinical diagnosis from a medical professional.

Never heard of it before? You’re not alone — a nationwide survey of 300 adults with Seb Derm reveals the need for greater awareness, understanding and discussion about the disease, including its significant impact on those affected.

Learn more at www.ClearingUpSebDerm.com.

2023-10-22T23:01:00

(BPT) – When it comes to diet, there seems to be a constant stream of extreme, contradictory advice out there. A news report may say one kind of food is “deadly,” while superfoods are promoted by social media influencers. The result: If you’re concerned about health, you may be sacrificing flavor and cutting back on foods you love—without reaping any rewards.

But what if instead of eating less, you could live a long, healthy life by eating more?

That’s exactly what Dr. Michael Crupain says everyone should be doing. As a board-certified preventive medicine physician with a personal mission to make the world a healthier, more delicious place, Crupain has spent decades studying biology, nutrition, and health in the halls of academia while also honing his culinary skills in top restaurant kitchens and alongside home cooks around the world.

Now, he’s combined knowledge from both worlds into a new cookbook, The Power Five: Essential Foods for Optimum Health, published by National Geographic. Filled with over 75 recipes, The Power Five will help you eat more delicious foods and improve your health at the same time.

What are the Power Five foods?

1. Fruits and vegetables for life

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most people eat only about half the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. That’s why Crupain turned his kitchen into a lab, studying techniques from grandmothers and master chefs to develop recipes with flavor and texture combinations to help home cooks turn vegetables into mouthwatering meals.

“Increasing fruits and vegetables in your life starts with finding the best in-season ingredients and learning simple techniques to transform them into dishes even the pickiest eater will enjoy,” says Crupain. “These recipes let you tap into the science of longevity and include more powerful, nutrient-dense foods in your life. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to power your cells and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, other inflammatory diseases, and even some cancers.”

2. The magic of beans

This member of the Power Five is often associated with magic, and while they may not be supernatural, they are a powerful protein source. Beans are rich in antioxidants and healthy fiber, and they also feed the good bacteria in your gut that transform them into other nutrients important for health. Impressively, beans power the diets of the people who tend to live the longest around the world.

Beans are also versatile because there are so many kinds—over 400, actually. With all this diversity, Crupain says it’s easy to find something to love.

“Whether you choose canned beans or the amazing varieties you can find dried, beans can be added to almost any dish,” says Crupain. In The Power Five you can find them in recipes substituting for chicken, in a creamy sauce, or as a complement to pastas.

3. Whole grains you can love

With so much anti-carb sentiment in the media, you may be surprised—and excited—to learn that a nutrition expert wants you to eat more bread and pasta. According to Dr. Crupain, our bodies quickly turn the refined grains we usually eat into sugar, which promotes inflammation and easily becomes excess calories.

But whole grains are different. Whole grains contain layers called the bran and germ, which provide fiber, fats, and other important nutrients. Eating whole grains is associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. In The Power Five Crupain shows readers how to make whole grain pasta, breads, and even desserts that taste more like their refined counterparts than bland health foods. See below for a Whole Wheat Sourdough Lasagna Bread recipe to try.

4. The unique benefits of fish

In general, people eat enough animal products, but that’s not true for fish. Unfortunately, says Crupain, many people just don’t want to eat fish, so he spent months developing tasty fish recipes, creating techniques to help readers access this amazing source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids by maximizing flavor and minimizing effort.

If you eat just one or two servings of fatty fish (think salmon or trout) a week, studies suggest you can decrease the risk of death from heart disease dramatically. Omega-3 fatty acids are also a powerful nutrient for brain development in babies and support the nervous system. Eating fish seems to reduce the risk of stroke and dementia as well.

“Sustainability becomes a big issue when we think about people eating more fish,” says Crupain, “but more sustainable fish farms are helping meet the demand. In The Power Five I teach people recipes for steelhead trout, a fatty fish loaded with omega-3s that’s found in both elite kitchens and at your local grocer. It has a mild flavor, and when you follow the techniques in the book, I guarantee even people who don’t love fish will change their minds.”

5. Big nutrition in little packages: Nuts and seeds

While everyone searches for the next superfood, it turns out some of the most powerful foods come in the smallest packages. Tiny but mighty nuts and seeds are supersized by mounting evidence showing they can lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes. While you might avoid these Power Five foods because they’re relatively high in fat, Crupain says you should be doing just the opposite.

“Nuts and seeds are nutrient-dense foods loaded with good healthy fats,” Crupain notes. “Eating more healthy fats, instead of saturated fats, is associated with lower lousy cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease.” Nuts are also a great snack, like one of Crupain’s favorites, California walnuts, which are an excellent source of omega-3s. In The Power Five you’ll discover how to use nuts and seeds to add texture to a dish or even replace cream.

Check out one of Dr. Crupain’s recipes featuring whole grains, from The Power Five:

Whole Wheat Sourdough Lasagna Bread
Serves 6 to 8. Prep time: 14 hours. Cook time: 1 hour.

Lasagna is comfort food at its best and is one of life’s great pleasures. This recipe is a bit of a showboater if you want to take your sourdough making to the next level. It gets a bit messy when you’re hiding thin layers of cherry tomato sauce and cheese between bread—but it’s worth it.

Ingredients:

40 grams whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon sourdough starter
50 grams extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for pan
6 grams salt
200 grams whole wheat durum flour
100 grams whole wheat bread flour
2 1/2 cups cherry tomato sauce (see recipe, page 32, or use your own thin tomato sauce)
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Method:

1. Prepare dough: Combine 40 grams of water, the whole wheat flour, and the starter. Let rise until at least doubled (somewhere between 6 and 10 hours, depending on room temperature and your starter. If you do this before bed, it can be ready when you wake up).

2. Combine the fed starter with 150 grams of water. Stir to combine. Add olive oil and salt, and combine. Stir in durum and bread flours, and mix with hands until well combined. Let rest in covered bowl for 30 minutes.

3. Turn dough out onto lightly damp work surface. Knead using slap-and-fold technique by lifting the dough and smacking the end onto the work surface and folding the opposite side of the dough over top. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and repeat the slapping and folding for 8 minutes (check out Breadtopia’s video of this method). Return dough to bowl, cover, and let rest for about the same time that was required to let your starter double in size in step 1 to allow dough to ferment (6 to 10 hours). This dough is stiff, and you may not notice it grow much.

4. Prepare bread: Preheat oven to 375°F. Rub loaf pan with oil and line with parchment paper on all sides. You can use two pieces, one cut to fit the long way and one the short way.

5. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness on work surface, aiming for an approximately 24-inch square. Don’t worry if you end up with something irregularly shaped; you can fix it as you fold it up. Rub dough with olive oil, and top with a thin layer of tomato sauce; sprinkle with cheese. Then fold dough in half, creating a rectangle. Repeat layering with oil, sauce, and cheese, and fold in half again so you again have a square. Repeat layering and folding two more times, until dough is approximately the length of the loaf pan. (It’s OK if it’s a little bigger.) Transfer dough to prepared pan (the loaf will be delicate at this point, with so many layers of sauce, so transfer with the aid of a large spatula or bench scraper). Top with light layer of remaining sauce (there shouldn’t be too much left) and cheese.

6. Place loaf pan on parchment paper–lined sheet pan, and place in oven. Bake for 1 hour, rotating pan halfway through. If top darkens too quickly, you can cover with foil. It’s hard to tell when it’s done from looking at it, so use an instant-read thermometer. It should read 212°F when inserted into center. Let cool on wire rack until cool enough to handle. Use the parchment paper to lift bread out of loaf pan or turn over to unmold. Cut into slices, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Sound delicious? You can get started on your own journey to better health through eating more by reading Dr. Crupain’s book and trying some of the many recipes in The Power Five: Essential Foods for Optimum Health, available wherever books are sold.

2023-10-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – Article is sponsored and developed by Sanofi. Jenny and Paxton were compensated by Sanofi and received free product through Sanofi’s Patient Support Program.

As a parent, there is no formula for raising a happy and healthy child. For Jenny and her son Paxton, it’s been a balancing act; struggling to find treatment for his hemophilia A while giving him a typical childhood full of happy memories. Yet, the duo navigated his condition as a team so Paxton could live his young life as smoothly as possible.

Their journey started shortly after his birth, when Paxton showed the telltale signs of hemophilia A, a rare, lifelong condition in which the ability of a person’s blood to clot properly is impaired.^1,2 This can lead to excessive bleeds or spontaneous bleeds into joints that can result in joint damage, chronic pain, and potentially impact quality of life.¹ His first few months were smooth sailing and Jenny was hopeful that life with hemophilia A would be manageable for her and Paxton.

However, once Paxton turned seven months old, Jenny noticed a large purple sore under his tongue that would mark the beginning of the next few years of his life in and out of the hospital. His visits ranged from three to four times a month, receiving infusions for his bleeds that could take up to five hours in the hospital.² As he endured the pokes and pain from his treatments, Jenny struggled to cope at first but strived to embody the strength Paxton needed not only from a mother to son, but also as teammates in managing a chronic condition together. And Paxton was the MVP.

“I made it my goal to set a positive example for Paxton and be his fiercest advocate,” Jenny said. “To follow through with my promise to ensure he had a strong, beautiful childhood full of happy memories, hemophilia or no hemophilia.”

Jenny was initially reluctant to switch from on-demand treatment to prophylaxis with recombinant factor VIII due to the number of injections. But after learning how prophylaxis could potentially decrease the number of bleeds and help protect Paxton’s joints, Jenny’s mindset shifted. Now putting prevention first, this team made the switch when Paxton was five years old and he responded well to treatment, seeing a reduction in his bleeds and allowing him to participate in the activities he enjoys.

“Shifting to prophylaxis treatment fit our schedules, but our needs changed again as Paxton got older and more active. With that increased activity, we knew his body could potentially have an issue as his factor levels decreased and reached his trough level,” Jenny said. Trough levels measure factor VIII in the blood, which is essential for evaluating the risk of bleeding.² When trough levels or factor activity levels are low, there is a higher risk of bleeding, so it’s important to maintain factor levels.²

Jenny became interested in learning more about ALTUVIIIO^® [antihemophilic factor (recombinant), Fc-VWF-XTEN fusion protein-ehtl], a first-in-class factor VIII treatment for adults and children with hemophilia A that offers once-weekly dosing.³ With ALTUVIIIO proven to maintain factor activity levels in the normal to near-normal range (over 40%) for most of the week in adults and two to three days in children,³ Jenny considered this a potential option for her son and their team.

Their consultation with Paxton’s other teammate, his hematologist, helped them to learn more about ALTUVIIIO and its most common side effects, including headache, joint pain and back pain, and the possibility to develop inhibitors while taking the treatment. After switching to ALTUVIIIO, Jenny and Paxton both expressed a sense of freedom brought by its once-weekly dosing.³

“ALTUVIIIO gives us peace of mind knowing that Paxton’s factor levels stay higher throughout the week, so he can keep his head in the game and enjoy being a kid,” she said. Paxton’s new dosing schedule allows him to infuse once a week, giving him more time to do the activities he loves.

Now in the 8th grade, Paxton and his mother encourage others affected by hemophilia to build a supportive team that helps them focus on their life goals. “As a parent, there is no greater reward than watching my son chase life with so much passion,” Jenny said.

Patient experiences on ALTUVIIIO may vary so please talk to your doctor when making treatment decisions. To learn more, visit ALTUVIIIO.com.

INDICATION

ALTUVIIIO^® [antihemophilic factor (recombinant), Fc-VWF-XTEN fusion protein-ehtl] is an injectable medicine that is used to control and reduce the number of bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A (congenital Factor VIII deficiency).

Your healthcare provider may give you ALTUVIIIO when you have surgery.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I need to know about ALTUVIIIO?

Do not attempt to give yourself an injection unless you have been taught how by your healthcare provider or hemophilia center. You must carefully follow your healthcare provider’s instructions regarding the dose and schedule for injecting ALTUVIIIO so that your treatment will work best for you.

Who should not use ALTUVIIIO?

You should not use ALTUVIIIO if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ALTUVIIIO?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have had any medical problems, take any medications, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements, or herbal medicines, are breastfeeding, or are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

What are the possible side effects of ALTUVIIIO?

You can have an allergic reaction to ALTUVIIIO. Call your healthcare provider or emergency department right away if you have any of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the face, rash, or hives.

Your body can also make antibodies called “inhibitors” against ALTUVIIIO. This can stop ALTUVIIIO from working properly. Your healthcare provider may give you blood tests to check for inhibitors.

The common side effects of ALTUVIIIO are headache, joint pain, and back pain.

These are not the only possible side effects of ALTUVIIIO. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

References

1. What is hemophilia? Centers for Disease Control. July 17, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemophilia/facts.html. Accessed September 26, 2023.
2. Srivastava A, et al. WHF Guidelines for the Management of Hemophilia Third Edition. Haemophilia. 2020; 26 (Suppl. 6): 1-158. doi: 10.1111/hae.14046.
3. ALTUVIIIO [antihemophilic factor (recombinant), Fc-VWF-XTEN fusion protein-ehtl] prescribing information. Bioverativ Therapeutics, Inc. March 2023.

MAT-US-2308462-v1.0-10/2023

© 2023 Genzyme Corporation. All rights reserved.

ALTUVIIIO and Sanofi are registered trademarks of Sanofi or an affiliate.

2023-10-18T06:01:00

(BPT) – Although it may seem normal to want to hunker down indoors when the temps start dropping, there’s still a lot of fun to be had outdoors, even when it’s snowy and a little chilly. The key to having a great time during the colder months of the year is to be prepared, so you and your family can make the most of all the great opportunities winter has to offer.

Here are some tips to make sure everyone has a blast outside this winter, whatever you choose to do.

1. Check the forecast

Before heading outdoors for an excursion or even just a little playtime, ensure that it’s safe to do so by checking not just the temperature, but for windchill or icy conditions that might be unsafe. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, children can play outside even when it’s really cold outside, as long as they come indoors occasionally to warm up, but you should keep an eye on the windchill. If the windchill is below zero degrees Fahrenheit, frostbite can occur in a matter of minutes.

As long as you dress everyone appropriately, you can enjoy outdoor fun throughout the winter.

2. Dress for warmth

To be able to play happily outdoors in winter weather, you’ll want to make sure your child’s hands, neck and head are well covered. Gloves or mittens work best when they’re waterproof, and for little ones who enjoy rolling around in the snow, a snowsuit is your best bet. Staying active will also help you feel toasty, so make sure to keep moving!

Cold-weather comfort starts with your feet, and quality footwear is crucial to help keep your feet dry, safe and comfortable while you’re outdoors. You should choose durable, quality boots designed for families from companies such as Kamik, a leading Canadian footwear company celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Their durable boots are created to provide protection from the elements to help your entire family embrace being outdoors in any weather.

Even better, every Kamik product is made with sustainability in mind, making everyone in your family look good and feel protected, while also empowering you to feel good about your footwear choices. Kamik.com offers a wide selection of fall and winter boots for everyone in the family to choose from.

3. Let your imagination be your guide

Sometimes the simplest, tried-and-true activities like going sledding or making snow people or a snow fort in your yard are the most fun for kids of all ages. But you don’t have to stop there — you could create an outdoor scavenger hunt, make a target for a snowball throwing contest or bury a few prizes in your snowy backyard for kids to find.

And even though the days are shorter, you can stay out past sunset and brighten a winter night by enjoying s’mores and drinking hot cocoa or cider around a fire pit.

4. Encourage your child’s interests

Use your child’s fascinations to develop activities that will make being outside even more fun. For example, if your child loves art, use household containers or molds to make ice sculptures using water and food coloring, freeze overnight, then decorate the yard with their creations. Budding scientist in your house? Blow bubbles outside in the cold to see how quickly they freeze, or gather snowflakes on a piece of black construction paper (first put paper in the freezer or outside) to examine each snowflake’s unique beauty under a magnifying glass.

5. Play ‘winter tourist’ in your own hometown

Sometimes you need to be a tourist to find the best events and adventures in a new area, so why not pretend you’re a visitor and search for winter activities right where you live? You may discover all kinds of wonderful things to do not far from home that you didn’t even know existed, from sleigh rides, nature walks and zoo events to ice carving or winter lights you can all visit together.

Don’t let the cold weather hold you back from enjoying the outdoors this year. By embracing winter and with a good pair of boots on your feet, you can make lasting memories with your family all season long.