kbarnes 
Continuing last week’s look at common prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are proven to cause memory loss, this week we’re looking at: Hypertension drugs Opioids and narcotic painkillers Sleep aids Incontinence drugs Parkinson’s drugs Here’s a quick rundown and a brief look at natural alternatives: Hypertension drugs, best known as beta blockers, slow the heart … Read more
If you’re like 43% of all Americans, you have trouble sleeping at least one night a week. I have the problem occasionally and I’ve found natural and effective ways to lull myself to sleep or back to sleep when I awaken in the middle of the night. Please! At all costs avoid sleeping pills of … Read more
It seems like a no-brainer (pardon the pun), but sleeping with lights on or –- horror of horrors—the television screen flickering – is bad for your brain and bad for your health. In these times of COVID, it’s important to care for ourselves like never before. We’re all stressed, we’re all concerned about getting sick … Read more
Ya’ll know I’m a contrarian thinker, so bear with me here. Are you one of the millions of us who go to bed, fall asleep and find yourself wide awake at 3 a.m.? What if I told you that in many cultures this is perfectly normal? It is standard in cultures that have long winter … Read more
I have been a devotee of yoga since I was in my 20s and I had a 70-year old yoga teacher named Becky Love. I became a certified Kripalu yoga teacher since the mid-1970s and have kept hand and foot into the practice and infrequently teach yoga since then. My regular readers know that I … Read more
It might seem like looking out for Number 1 means being selfish. That notion couldn’t be farther from the truth. I was recently on a plane trip and before takeoff, the attendants performed the usual spiel about fastening seatbelts and how to use life vests and oxygen makes. I’ve heard it a thousand times and … Read more
We all need hugs every single day. We keep hearing there is a loneliness epidemic with some of us isolated, lonely and, perhaps afraid. Some have only close family, some may be totally alone. As you’ll see from this article, human contact is vital for physical and emotional survival. The Surgeon General’s May 2023 warning … Read more
Have you been feeling a bit draggy lately? Tired? Lightheaded? Vulnerable to colds ? There could be many causes, but one to consider is a vitamin B12 shortfall. B vitamins in general, helping all cells in the body function properly. They help the body convert food into energy, create new blood cells and maintain healthy … Read more
Most of us know that anti-oxidant vitamins like A, C and E are our best defenses against free radicals – the rogue oxygen molecules known to cause wrinkling, sagging, artery damage and even cancer. But where do these free radicals come from in the first place? They are like sparks thrown off from a fire … Read more
Note: This article by Kathleen was published in Natural Awakenings magazine (www.naturalawakeningsmagazine.com). Most of us would like to imagine ourselves as vibrant, energetic, smart and, yes, gorgeous, all the way to the end of our lives. This isn’t a fantasy or beyond our reach. Sadly, poor lifestyle choices have tarnished the Golden Years for many … Read more