If your family holiday get-togethers are often stressful with personality clashes, try these ideas to help you enjoy the season more and look forward to getting together next year. 1) Begin with the right mind-set---decide that you will detach from slights and snubs, and refuse to allow your "buttons to be pushed." Mentally rehearse new responses to predictable interactions. Commit to a different response so you will remain cool. If Aunt Bernice criticizes your choice of a serving spoon for the…

The third Thursday in November is the American Cancer Society's "Great American Smokeout". Each year, it's an opportunity to give up tobacco for good. If you stop one day, you can do it for two, and then for good---one day at a time. Ironically, the challenge to stop smoking comes at the toughest time of the year for most people because of drinking, socializing, parties, and big meal triggers. You'll find great help at http://www.cancer.org/ (search: "help for cravings"). Tips from this list:…

Start planning upstream to navigate the emotions, expectations, and time constraints of the holiday season. You'll feel more control over events and keep that promise made last year to have a less stressful experience this year: 1) Put the family drama aside. Get over any spat you had with a family member last year, and try to enjoy your time together; 2) Stay home on Black Friday. Did you know most retailers offer the same crazy deals online that they do at the store? Avoid the stressful early…

Research strongly points to the existence of a harmful protein interaction in the brain that may cause Alzheimer's. Research now suggests that sleep is the body's way of doing away with these accumulated proteins. Less sleep equals inadequate disposal of these harmful buildups. When you sleep, your body goes into housekeeping mode, sending "waste" out via the liver. Poor sleep is a known factor for ill health and it may be a contributing risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in later years. A…

Researchers and members of the medical profession have long observed that the holiday season is notorious for heart attacks, heart failures, and newly diagnosed arrhythmias. Don't second guess or hesitate to treat what might be symptoms of a heart attack during this time (or at any time) of year---phone 9-1-1. Many factors may play a role in cardiac events, but one little-publicized phenomenon is called "holiday heart syndrome". The term was coined to describe the sudden onset of cardiac…

One in three people has Type 2 Diabetes  or is it at risk for acquiring the disease---over 100 million people. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause blindness, stroke, and heart disease, and even lead to amputations of toes, feet, or legs. Talk to your doctor and examine family history. Risk of diabetes can be reduced by eating healthier, managing your weight, being active, controlling your blood pressure, and reducing your cholesterol. All five things are strongly aided by exercise! No motivation?…

Fad diets, diet books, television shows, and boot camps will soon confuse you and vie for your attention in 2016. Rather than feel crazy with it all, sort it out now. Empower yourself by visiting the authoritative website of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) at www.eatright.org. AND is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. For starters, you'll discover detailed reviews of pop diets, new diet books, and best tips for holiday eating---and all of it…