Healthy Horizons

Healthy Horizons

Surviving Hot Weather

The best way to avoid a heat-related illness is to limit exposure outdoors during hot days. Air conditioning is the best way to cool off, according to the CDC. Also:

  • Drink more liquid than you think you need and avoid alcohol
  • Wear loose, lightweight clothing and a hat
  • Replace salt lost from sweating by drinking fruit juice or sports drinks
  • Avoid spending time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Wear sunscreen; sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool itself
  • Pace yourself when you run or otherwise exert your body

Heat Exhaustion

When the body loses an excessive amount of salt and water, heat exhaustion can set in. People who work outdoors and athletes are particularly susceptible.

Symptoms are similar to those of the flu and can include severe thirst, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes, diarrhea. Other symptoms include profuse sweating, clammy or pale skin, dizziness, rapid pulse and normal or slightly elevated body temperature.

Uncontrolled heat exhaustion can evolve into heatstroke, so make sure to treat the victim quickly.

  • Move them to a shaded or air-conditioned area
  • Give them water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages
  • Apply wet towels or having them take a cool shower

Heat cramps

Heat cramps are muscle spasms that usually affect the legs or abdominal muscles, often after physical activity. Excessive sweating reduces salt levels in the body, which can result in heat cramps.

Workers or athletes with pain or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs should not return to work for a few hours. Instead:

  • Sit or lie down in the shade.
  • Drink cool water or a sports drink.
  • Stretch affected muscles.
  • Seek medical attention if you have heart problems or if the cramps don’t get better in an hour.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke can occur when the ability to sweat fails and body temperature rises quickly. The brain and vital organs are effectively “cooked” as body temperature rises to a dangerous level in a matter of minutes. Heatstroke is often fatal, and those who do survive may have permanent damage to their organs.

Someone experiencing heatstroke will have extremely hot skin, and an altered mental state, ranging from slight confusion to coma. Seizures also can result. Ridding the body of excess heat is crucial for survival.

  • Move the person into a half-sitting position in the shade
  • Call for emergency medical help immediately
  • If humidity is below 75%, spray the victim with water and fan them vigorously; if humidity is above 75%, apply ice to neck, armpits or groin
  • Do not give aspirin or acetaminophen
  • Do not give the victim anything to drink

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/heat

Swim Safety

SWIMMING

Be safe when swimming - know the tips!Here you’ll find everything you need to know about swimming safety. Whether it’s a trip to the beach or a dip in the community or backyard pool, you can ensure that swimming is as safe as it is fun by following a few basic safety tips.

Hard Facts about Swimming Safety

  • Among preventable injuries, drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 – 4 years old.
  • Children 1 – 4 years old are more likely to drown in a pool.
  • Children 5 years and older are more likely to drown in natural water, such as ponds, lakes and rivers.
  • The risk of drowning in open water increases with age: The average 10-year-old, for example, is three times more likely to drown in open water than in a pool.

Top Tips about Swimming Safety

  1. Watch kids when they are in or around water, without being distracted. Keep young children within arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure older children swim with a partner every time.
  2. Teach children how to swim. Every child is different, so enroll children in swim lessons when they are ready. Consider their age, development and how often they are around water when deciding if they are ready for swim lessons.
  3. Make sure kids learn these five water survival skills and that they are able to:
    • step or jump into water over their heads and return to the surface;
    • float or tread water for one minute;
    • turn around in a full circle and find an exit;
    • swim 25 yards to exit the water; and
    • exit the water. If in a pool, be able to exit without using the ladder
  4. Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool. They need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.
  5. Know what to do in an emergency. Learning CPR and basic water rescue skills may help you save a child’s life.

Learn More

Don’t worry – you’re not in over your head in terms of swimming safety. But if you’re interested, here’s some more information on how to keep your family safe in and around water.

Last 10/40 of Ways to Relax and Destress

30. Go Barefoot

This is one of the many ways to get in touch with nature as previously mentioned, BUT it has unique properties of its own. Walking barefoot outside might make you a hippie, but it’ll also helps you absorb free electrons from the Earth and has a surprisingly powerful antioxidant effect on the body, as explained here. If anything, however, going barefoot gives you a natural, spiritual connection with the Earth on which we live. Deep.

31. Sing

Bring out your inner Beyoncé. Pair this up with “dance like nobody’s watching” (see #15), and you’re set as a backup singer/dancer.

32. Treat Yourself

Go out for some froyo, splurge in that clutch bag, give in to a guilty pleasure. Treating yourself is just a reminder that life is good, and that you deserve to have a good time.

33. Scents Make Sense

Try out aromatherapy. Some scents, like lavender and jasmine. Check out this page for a more detailed list.

34. Do Your Research

It’s important to relax, but it’s equally important to understand what caused you to stress in the first place. Acknowledge whatever it is, as it may just be right under your nose.

35. Chew Gum

Chewing gum can actually lower stress! Pop one in your mouth, and you’re set.

36. Find a Relaxation Mentor

AKA, a positive role model who excels specifically in the field of staying relaxed. Find that one dude whose catch phrase is “take a chill pill!” (Not limited to people who grew up in the 90’s…) By looking to others who are good at being calm, you can also learn their tricks.

37. Be Spontaneous

Take an alternate route to work, spice up your morning routine, or take an impromptu trip to your favorite store. We’re so entrenched in routine, but a bit of spontaneity once in a while is good for you.

38.Forgive Yourself

Any weird emotional tension? Let it go by forgiving others and yourself. Staying in the past is not worth missing the future.

39. Breathe

Probably the easiest thing you can do, and it takes only a few seconds. No matter where you are or however difficult the situation at hand may be, taking a deep breath can calm you down.

40. Remember You’re Human

It starts with awareness. We all make mistakes. Let go of any perfectionist tendencies that may be dragging you down, and let go of any unrealistic standards that you set for yourself and fail to reach. So… Relax, remember you’re human, and go reap the harvests of life.

To find the other tips check out: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/40-simple-and-brilliant-ways-relax-and-stress.html?utm_content=buffer917eb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Avo-Fredo Zoodles

Ingredients

4 Servings

Directions

Tip:  Click on step to mark as complete.

https://recipes.heart.org/Recipes/2123/Avo-Fredo-Avocado-Alfredo-Zoodles-Noodles

Help for “Bat Wings”

Summer is fast approaching. The season brings arm-baring tank tops and bathing suits. When it comes to weight gain, it’s common to carry excess weight in different parts of the body, including the thighs, abdomen, and arms.

Excess weight in the arms and back can cause the dreaded bat wing appearance and may lead to poor body image and self-esteem.

You can’t spot-treat fat loss, but improving muscle tone in the upper body can help create a tight and toned appearance. Combined with proper diet and regular exercise, these seven exercises are a great start to getting the tank top arms you desire.

If you’re looking to tone your arms, aim for lower weights and higher repetitions. Include cardiovascular exercise like brisk walking or high-intensity training to help decrease fat around the muscles.

https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/how-to-get-rid-of-bat-wings#1

Start with Small Changes

Create an eating style that can improve your health now and in the future by making small changes over time. Consider changes that reflect your personal preferences, culture and traditions. Think of each change as a “win” as you build positive habits and find solutions that reflect your healthy eating style. Use the tips and links below to find little victories that work for you.

 MAKE HALF YOUR PLATE FRUITS AND VEGETABLESMyPlate MyWins button

MyPlate, MyWins:

Focus on whole fruits

  • Focus on whole fruits more often than drinking 100% juice.
  • Snack on fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits instead of cookies, brownies or other sugar-sweetened treats.
  • Offer whole fruits without saturated fat, sodium, or added sugars as dessert.

Vary your veggies

  • Vary your veggies to include green, red, and orange choices.
  • Add fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables to salads, side dishes, and recipes.
  • Prepare your vegetables without sauces, gravies, or glazes to lower the amount of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.

Tip Sheets:

Grains Group iconMAKE HALF YOUR GRAINS WHOLE GRAINS

MyPlate, MyWins:

  • Choose whole-grain foods more often than refined grains. Make at least half the amount of grains you eat each day whole grains.
  • Find high fiber, whole-grain foods by reading the Nutrition Facts label and ingredients list.
  • Some common whole grains include oatmeal, whole wheat flour, and popcorn.

Tip Sheets:

MOVE TO LOW-FAT AND FAT-FREE DAIRY

MyPlate, MyWins:Dairy Group icon

  • Choose low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt.
  • Buy low-fat or fat-free cheese more often than regular cheese.
  • Regular cream cheese, butter, and cream are not in the dairy food group because they have little or no calcium. They are also high in saturated fat.

Tip Sheet:

Protein Foods Group iconVARY YOUR PROTEIN ROUTINE

MyPlate, MyWins:

  • Mix up your protein foods to include seafood, beans, nuts, seeds, soy, eggs, lean meats, and poultry.
  • Select seafood twice a week, including fish and shellfish.
  • Add beans or peas, unsalted nuts and seeds, and soy in main dishes and snacks.

Tip Sheet:

Limit iconCOMPARE THE SATURATED FAT, SODIUM, AND ADDED SUGARS IN YOUR FOODS AND BEVERAGES

MyPlate, MyWins:

  • Read the Nutrition Facts labels to find products with less saturated fat and sodium.
  • Use the ingredient list to find choices with less added sugars.
  • Cut back on sugary beverages such as fruit drinks and soda.

https://www.choosemyplate.gov/start-small-changes

Relaxing Free Entertainment

Relax and revive with a free evening of musical entertainment.

A popular event is returning to Thursday nights this summer—and it is only getting better. From June 7 through July 26, the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is bringing back its Concerts on the Canal series and Free Admission Thursdays, which includes extended hours on concert dates. The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, is located at 450 W. Ohio St., downtown along the canal.

The musical entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. on concert Thursdays and will feature a variety of styles, from jazz, blues and swing to rock, R&B and pop favorites.

2018 Concerts on the Canal Lineup 

June 7
Concert: The Cool City Band
Rotating Exhibit: Auto Indiana

June 14
Concert:  Midtown Mad Men
Rotating Exhibit: The Golden Age: Indiana Literature (1880-1920)

June 21
Concert: Tad Robinson
Rotating Exhibit: Indiana Through the Mapmaker’s Eye

June 28
Concert: Everett Greene
Rotating Exhibit: 

June 28
Concert: Everett Greene
Rotating Exhibit: Steamboat A Comin’: The Legacy of New Orleans

July 5
Concert: LemonWheel
Rotating Exhibit: Who is a Hoosier?

July 12
Concert: Brenda Williams
Rotating Exhibit: From Pencils to Pixels: Hoosier Cartoons and Comics

July 19
Concert: My Yellow Rickshaw
Rotating Exhibit: A Visual Journey: From Aids to Marriage Equality

July 26
Concert: Tastes like Chicken
Rotating Exhibit: Hoosiers and Their Hooch: Perspectives on Prohibition


The musical entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. on concert Thursdays and will feature a variety of styles, from jazz, blues and swing to rock, R&B and pop favorites.

concerts on the canal

Free seating available immediately across the canal on the lawn.