Catherine Steward Town Counsellor

When it comes to living a healthy, happy life, it’s not only about how many years you live, but also about the quality of those years. Quality of life is a broad concept that includes subjective evaluations of various aspects of life, including (but not limited to) employment, housing, community, and health. While all of these domains are important, there is one that stands above the rest when it comes to assessing overall quality of life: health. As the saying goes, “health is your greatest wealth” and without it, your ability to fully experience other aspects of your life is hindered. In this article, we’re going to discuss what health-related quality of life is and why it’s so important. Here’s what you need to know. What is Health-Related Quality of Life? Health-related quality of life is about much more than the absence of disease or age. It’s an individual’s perception of their overall physical and mental well-being. Because quality of life is so personal, it can be particu...

Your gut is home to about 100 trillion bacteria , collectively known as the gut microbiome. While it was once believed that these bacteria didn’t have much of an impact on a person’s well-being besides aiding in digestion, recent research is proving otherwise. Multiple studies are finding that the gut microbiome has widespread effects on the body, playing an important role in everything from mental health to immunity. In this article, we’ll be exploring the importance of having a healthy gut, as well as providing some tips for supporting your gut health. First, let’s cover some basics. What is the Gut? The gut, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, includes the parts of the body involved with food intake and output. It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, colon, and rectum. What is Gut Health? When we talk about gut health, however, we’re primarily talking about the community bacteria in your gut called the microbiome. Th...

According to a recent study , what you eat may significantly increase your risk of suffering from arthritis. This collection of over 150 various conditions affects your joints, making it challenging to perform even basic everyday tasks sometimes. Although there is no perfect diet, having an overall healthy diet will help you lose weight and avoid the unwanted symptoms of arthritis. Why Eating Healthy Is Important When You Have Arthritis A healthy diet and weight loss go hand-in-hand. Your body will perform at its peak health when you are providing it with a steady diet of balanced meals. Healthy foods will come loaded with plenty of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that your joints require to be free from discomfort. A balanced diet combined with getting enough fluids will boost your energy levels and improve your weight. You will find yourself feeling better overall, in addition to seeing those unwanted arthritis symptoms reduced. How Weight Affects Arthritis There is a direct ...

According to a recent study , what you eat may significantly increase your risk of suffering from arthritis. This collection of over 150 various conditions affects your joints, making it challenging to perform even basic everyday tasks sometimes. Although there is no perfect diet, having an overall healthy diet will help you lose weight and avoid the unwanted symptoms of arthritis. Why Eating Healthy Is Important When You Have Arthritis A healthy diet and weight loss go hand-in-hand. Your body will perform at its peak health when you are providing it with a steady diet of balanced meals. Healthy foods will come loaded with plenty of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that your joints require to be free from discomfort. A balanced diet combined with getting enough fluids will boost your energy levels and improve your weight. You will find yourself feeling better overall, in addition to seeing those unwanted arthritis symptoms reduced. How Weight Affects Arthritis There is a direct ...

Growing older is inevitable, and as we age, our bodies begin to slow down and many of us will experience cognitive decline. While dementia and Alzheimer’s are the most serious forms of cognitive decline, research has shown that 11.7% of those aged 65 and over will experience some form of memory loss. While it is not possible to prevent cognitive decline or stop the onset of memory loss, it is possible to look after your brain and support its health. One of the best ways of doing this is to ensure you are eating the right foods and following a healthy lifestyle. What is the best food for your brain? When it comes to knowing the best brain food for seniors, it is important to remember that there is no exhaustive list. Our bodies are all different and will require different nutrients. However, there are certain foods that can have a very positive impact on the body and brain. You will want to ensure that your diet is varied and packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, which...

Living with the pain of arthritis can be incredibly tough, but getting active and partaking in regular workouts can be a great way to help reduce that soreness of arthritis. Research has shown that those individuals who regularly exercise notice increased flexibility, better joint function, and a higher range of motion. However, when it comes to exercise and keeping fit, what are the best workouts for arthritis? We have taken a closer look at some of the best activities you can complete at home to help ease the pain and stiffness of the condition. Why is exercise beneficial for arthritis? Before looking at some of the best exercises, it is important to understand how they can help improve your condition. While the first thing that springs to mind might be running or heading to the gym, exercise does not have to be so vigorous, and any kind of physical activity can be beneficial. When you get active, you are improving your blood flow and increasing the strength and flexibility of ...

Living with arthritis can be challenging not only physically but mentally as well. Depression and anxiety are the two most common mental health issues arthritis sufferers face. What can also happen is that poor mental health can make arthritis symptoms even worse. Today, 23% of Americans suffering from some form of arthritis, and 11% of Americans suffer from diagnosed mental health issues. The cross-section between these two groups is large enough to consider mental health among people suffering from arthritis to be an epidemic. It is quite challenging to maintain positive mental health when your physical body is causing you major pain. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to reduce the physical and mental symptoms of both arthritis and emotional states like depression and anxiety. Here are some helpful tips on how you can maintain positive mental health when dealing with lifelong arthritis. Identify Your Triggers What causes your arthritis to flare up? Is it the weather? Wa...