Wellness

When COVID-19 prevailed and I thought Kayak Pittsburgh might not open, I decided to buy a kayak — something I’ve always put off with the fear of getting it on my car.

Food shortages, tedium and the desire to become more self-sufficient have ignited a major interest in home gardening across the world.

As communities feel stress over health, as well as financial pain, during the COVID-19 pandemic, women and people of color are especially impacted by the virus and its socioeconomic effects.

It has never been more apparent than now that although medicine has advanced immensely in recent history, there is still work to be done — infectious diseases remain a leading cause of deaths worldwide.

COVID-19 or coronavirus? If you’ve ever wondered what name you should be using for the current pandemic, you’re not alone.

Adhering to self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t mean sacrificing your health or connection to the community.

Self-isolation is beneficial in stopping the spread of COVID-19, but for the millions working through mental health concerns, limited resources have only amplified the daily stress and fear that they already are feeling.

Studies show that the psychological effects of news can have a negative impact on our health – whether that’s through increased stress, anxiety or fear.

Developing strong, loving relationships helps all of us better deal with the stress in our lives.

Love them or hate them, New Year’s resolutions have the potential to set you up for success in the new year, as long as you can keep them.

It happens annually – temperatures start to drop, and suddenly everyone is getting sick. According to the NIH, this is partly due to the fact that colder winter air allows cold and flu viruses to survive longer and transmit more easily.

Many Americans find that their physical and mental health is adversely affected by a sedentary lifestyle. Fortunately, there are ways you can remain physically active and maintain your mental health during the workday.

Bug-borne illnesses have increased significantly over the past decade, with most cases relating to flea-and-tick-borne lyme. Southwestern Pennsylvania actually had the most cases statewide in 2018.

We’ve said it once, we’ll say it again – shots aren’t just for kids.

Research shows living liver donor transplants have improved three-year survival rates for recipients over deceased liver transplants, as well as lower hospital costs. Yet, too few people donate.

It’s the topic no one wants to talk about, yet it happens – often: head lice.

As you prepare your children to go back to school, now is the perfect time to renew your commitment to protecting the environment and to encouraging healthier lunchtime habits.

While the summer sun and heat can be fun, it has proven to be dangerous. Studies show that seniors are more prone to heat stress and make up 36 percent of fatal heat stress-related cases.

Summer travel is stressful enough without the added strain of traveling with a backseat driver.

As the weather keeps heating up, it calls for protection of all sorts like hydration and sunscreen, but there’s one thing you’re probably forgetting – your eyes.

In this day and age, one thing is clear: We’re surrounded by plastic. While recycling can help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and waterways, there are many other options for making the switch to more sustainable items and reducing plastic use in your life.

Been to the doctor lately? If you are a man, probably not – studies show that men are 24 percent less likely to have regular checkups than women.

While a cloudy eye may seem benign, it could be more dangerous than you think – cataracts are the leading cause of blindness for Americans over 40.

Juggling multiple responsibilities is hard, and maintaining your mental health through it all is even harder. With so much on our plates, it’s easy to neglect ourselves and forget to set aside time to breathe. Here are some tips to implement self-care tactics into your everyday life.

Trying to improve your health? Easy: get some z’s. That’s right – proper sleep habits have been linked to improved mental, physical and emotional health. At PA Health & Wellness, we know that a good night’s rest is key to great health.

Many in our society are focusing on making their lives greener. But for some, the concept seems so vast that it’s hard to understand the lingo.

The skill of caregiving is one that not many have. Sure, tending to a sick loved one every so often is doable for most. But prolonged caregiving, where you help people heal over time and live their lives, requires intense patience.

Did you know pets are more likely than people to be overweight? A recent study found 60% of cats and 56% of dogs are obese – compared to a third of people.

If you feel stressed, you’re not alone. For better or worse, stress affects 70 percent of Americans on a daily basis. People take the effects of stress for granted, but studies link stress to weight gain, mental health issues and long-term disability.

The FDA recently announced breast implants could be tied to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer affecting the immune system. Since monitoring the situation in 2011, 457 women developed lymphoma, including nine who lost their battle to cancer.