IN Penn Hills Winter 2017 | Page 22

HEALTH & WELLNESS S PE C I AL S E C T I O N • Keep electronics out or off. Electronics produce a blue light that sends a signal to your brain to stop the release of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep. On top of wanting to text with friends or check social media, children and teens will give any excuse to stay awake. Electronic devices are best left in the dark at bedtime. BAD HAIR DAYS? SLEEP YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHIER YOU By now, you’ve most likely heard the news on the numerous benefits of sleep on overall health. From improving brain function to assisting in weight loss, getting the recommended hours of sleep fit for your age is essential to staying healthy. The message is loud and clear to adults, who still fight sleep to watch late-night television or finish one more chapter of a good book. You may let children do the same, stay up to finish homework or to play a little while longer. You may think you are making your children happy with the extra time awake, but the effects are ultimately hurting their ability to fully function during the day. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that children between the ages of 6 and 10 get 10-11 hours of sleep per night, while 11 to 17-year-olds should get 8.5 to 9.5 hours. A poll done by the foundation last year found that children were falling short and losing out on the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Research shows that less sleep leads to learning and behavior problems, directly affecting cognitive ability, concentration, and problem- solving skills. Many families have seen the negative effects and often assume they are symptoms of ADHD, when these distracting behaviors could easily be reduced or even eliminated by an earlier bedtime. MAKE SLEEP MATTER • Set bedtimes and wake times. You can start to make sleep a higher priority for your kids by setting a good example and getting enough sleep yourself. Start by setting bedtimes and wake-up times that you can adhere to on weekdays and weekends. Creating a pattern will help your body understand its sleep cycle, allowing for more restful nights. • Create wind-down activities before bed. The half-hour before bed should be free of high-energy activities. Start a bedtime routine that includes calming activities like bathtime or reading. • Make a bed sanctuary. As adults, nothing is better than a comfortable place to sleep at night. Make your children’s beds the same for them. Add extra pillows for comfort and a favorite stuffed animal to keep them company at night. Keep lights down to a dim lamp or nightlight to make the room dark enough for good sleeping. If you seem to be having a stint of bad hair days, maybe your body is trying to tell you something. Poor hair condition could be a sign of physical or psychological issues. KEEPING AN EYE ON YOUR HAIR • Increase water intake. Dehydration becomes evident in many forms, but one lesser known form is brittle hair. Increasing water consumption has many benefits, including improving the look and feel of your hair. • Hair loss may be a sign of bigger issues. It is normal to lose between 80 and 100 hairs per day. Feel like you are losing more than that? Stress and anxiety could be the cause. If you can’t identify specific stressors, talk to your doctor. Excessive hair loss could be a sign of other health problems. • Eat well for luscious locks. Think your diet has nothing to do with the way your hair looks? Think again. Hair quality can change over time with continual consumption of processed foods. Keep a healthy diet full of nutrient-rich foods including healthy fats, dark leafy greens, and fish and you’ll be on your way to radiant hair. HEAR ALL ABOUT IT Although hearing loss is most commonly associated with aging, it could happen at any time and can be caused by environmental conditions like working in a noisy environment, earwax buildup, or inner ear damage. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average person waits six years after the first signs of hearing loss to get checked by a doctor. Hearing problems are considered an undertreated issue for reasons including patient denial, vanity, and less awareness of issues associated with hearing loss. With Baby Boomers starting to enter their 70s, an age at which many individuals start seeking medical attention for hearing ailments, it is important to take charge at the first signs of trouble. A study on the psychological effects of hearing loss was done for the American Psychology Association. The National Council on Aging study found that 2,304 people who suffered from hearing loss but used no form of treatment were 50% more likely to suffer from sadness or depression than individuals who wore hearing aids. It was found that individuals not using hearing aids showed more signs of anger, anxiety, and frustration, causing them to be less involved in social activities than those who Continued on page 23 > 20 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Penn Hills