HOPE

 A sign on the South Omaha Bridge providing hope.  988 is now the national hotline.  

Magazine Artivle Review: Find Freedom from Stress

 Find Freedom from Stress by Stacey Colino, Prevention Magazine, Prevention.com, December 2025, pp 64-75.

High stress reactivity is when you have been overstressed for too long.  It results in being too vigilent and too quick to react and reactions are too intense and prolonged.  Over time this can lead to a heightened fight or flight response.  Being on high alert can lead to relationship issues and snapping at others.  People with PTSD or early exposure to stress are at greater risk.  Unless you find a way to get to a normal baseline stress can become accumulative.  this can up your risk for many health issues: sleep disturbances, chronic pain issues, heart disease, diabetes and cancer and it can exacerbate asthma and arthritis.  It can lead to wear and tear on the body which can accelerate the aging process.  

Tools to bring stress reactivity down include a healthy diet, plenty of sleep and a social network of support.  Consistent aerobic exercise can bring stress levels down.  Slow breathing exercises can be of great benefit.  As can calming your mid through meditation.  Accepting that stress is inevitable can help you bounce back quicker.  Ruminating on a stressful event is not helpful.  Lastly the author suggests the Healthy Minds App developed by Richard J. Davidson can be helpful in building resilience and connectivity.

Magazine Article Review: The Most Important Health Metric You're Not Tracking

The Most Important Health Metric You're Not Tracking by Ginny Graves, Men's Health Magazine, Hearst Magazines International, Spring, 2026, pp 18-19.

The MVP of health metrics is blood pressure.  High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure and coronary artery disease.  It can also lead to kidney and brain issues.  There is also a link with dementia.  A blood pressure cuff is the most accurate way to track blood pressure.  Watches are fun but not accurate.  People with a high risk, sleep apnea, obesity, diabetes, family history, kidney disease or poor diet should track their blood pressure.  Track initially at the same time every morning and every evening.  Good blood pressure is less than 120/80.  If high exercise, losing weight, increased potassium an lower sodium and abstain from alcohol can help lower blood pressure, 

Project Semi-colon: Suicide and Depression Awareness

Project semi colon as in ; and not what needs a colonoscopy.  It is a program for helping people pause when they are depressed, before attempting suicide.  "Whether you are trying to understand your own mental health, support someone you love, or help a child who is struggling, Project Semicolon helps you find a clear next step."  It is a site with links to many articles dealing with depression and suicide from the perspective of yourself or a friend or a child.  

The Amazing Power of Healing

I burnt myself a few years ago just before Christmas.  It is now totally healed.  Look at the amazing difference between these pictures.  The first is Saturday after wound therapy.  The wound clinic worker removed a lot of the dead skin, and everything is red and sore.  The next picture, the following evening shows some healing already.  However the third picture which was taken yesterday at my wound clinic appointment, shows great strides.  There are a few places where the new skin is still weak, but I am healing.  The light spots don't need the antibiotic stuff any more.  The pain is pretty much gone; however there is an itchy phase to healing.  For over a week I couldn't stand putting pressure on my back.  Now I welcome it as it helps to soothe the itching.  I use my pillow to add pressure to my back.  Last night I slept on my back for the first time in two weeks.
In like fashion, Jesus heals.  I can warrant much of the healing to Caleb's priesthood blessing, which comes from Jesus.  However in life, we all receive little knocks from time to time.  We make little mistakes, and they begin to add up.  I want you to know that Jesus heals.  Just as he healed physical pain through His miracles, He also heals spiritual pain.  More than once he said, "Thy sins are forgiven thee, go and sin no more."  He has gone below all things.  He has carried our sorrows.  He can heal.  He will will.  We just need to reach out to Him. 

Magazine Article Review: Not Too Bright by Meryl Davids Landau

 Not Too Bright by Meryl Davids Landau, Prevention Magazine, January 2026, pp 48-54.

Can too much light be bad for you?  Historically when it was night it was dark, when it was day it was bright.  This is no longer reality as we can have light during the night, and poor light during the day as we are indoors.  Light effect melatonin.  Melatonin is the sleep hormone, but more than that it attaches to every cell in the body influencing health.  Disruption to melatonin can have health repercussions.  Today's artificial light tends to be blue light, which effects the secretion of melatonin.  A lack of darkness can lead to diabetes and cancer and cardiovascular issues.  

You can do things to make sure your melatonin is effective.  Be in the sun during the day so the contrast between light and dark is greater, avoid screens before bed.  Make sure there is no light in your sleeping area, switch out blue light, don't leave light on, don't turn on lights when you go to the restroom at night.  A night light that reacts to movement is better.

Magazine Article Review: Doctor's Orders: For a Long Healthy Life

 Doctor's Orders: Do as the Say!  Experts in all sorts of specialties give their absolute best advice for a long, healthy life by Caitlin Carlson, photographs by Ted Cavanaugh, Real Simple Magazime, RealSimple.com, February March 2026, pp 54-58,

Here are expert ideas for healthier and longer life

Strength train at least two days a week.  Muscles act as a metabolic organ.  More muscle improves insulin control, burning fat, releasing hormones that reduce inflammation and boost brain function.  Strength training preserves bone density, enhances hormones and proteins and can even improve cognitive function.

Slather on the SPF.  Even indoors, suns rays can get to you so you should use SPF product daily as a skin cream.

Reach out to Loved Ones.  Connection is important.  Make effort to maintain strong positive social connections.  Face to face is best but ZOOM or Facetime also works.

Floss! Floss! Floss!  Cleaning between your teeth can help prevent periodontal disease which causes gum issues.  Reportedly the daily floser lives six and a half years longer than the non-flosser.

Wear comfortable shoes.  Wear shoes approved by the American Podiatric Association.  These are usually sneakers.  I wear New Balance which are approved.  Have a firm base can prevent many health ussues.

Jump around.  New bone tissue replaces old under stress.  Jumping does this better than walking or running.

Keep a consistent bedtime and wake time.  Inconsistent sleep schedules can lead to many problems.  A random schedule messes with you circadian schedule and hormones.  Sleep irregularity is a risk for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular issues.  

Eat More Fiber.  This is important for stomach health.  25 to 34 grams per day.

Pick up a new hobby.  Working through unfamiliar tasks helps build up new neural connections and strengthens old ones.  

Get your eyes checked.  Recommended at age 40 an every two to four years after.  Having diabetes I do yearly exams.

Try to eat less meat.  A small change can make a big difference.  The Mediterranean diet can be a guide.  Olive oil, fruits, nuts, vegetables and whole grains.