A HEALTHY 2024
THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF
CADILLAC NEWS -- JANUARY 13, 2024
This is the time of year for resolutions. One hope everyone shares is for good health in the coming year. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help achieve that goal.
A starting point could be contained in a rather extensive article on Self.com: “How to Feel a Little Better in 2024.” The piece emphasizes simplicity and the “less is more” approach.
“The vast majority of our advice is about doing less: eating less bland diet food, making workouts less intense, spending less time with people who make you feel crappy, and experiencing less guilt about not being productive. Removing the things that aren’t serving you ultimately makes space for more: More rest, more time spent on the folks and activities that energize you, more self-confidence, more joy.” (https://www.self.com/story/how-to-feel-better-2024)
Simplicity is the key. On the physical side, they suggest: 'Ditch the heavy tote bag, take a shower, and find a workout that makes exercising feel like a treat.' On the mental side: 'Embrace the informal, schedule moments of rest, and stop hurting your own feelings.'
Another easy life improvement message comes from Johns Hopkins Medical. “If you want to firm up your body, head to the gym. If you want to exercise your brain, listen to music. If you want to keep your brain engaged throughout the aging process, listening to or playing music is a great tool. It provides a total brain workout. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.”
Added to that is a twist. “Listening to new music will change your life for the better. Just as lifting the same amount of weight the same number of times can create diminishing returns in the fitness department, listening to the same music again and again won’t work the same wonders for your mental acuity.”
Fortunately, you can now discover new music with an assist from an online tool called “One Album a Day: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.” With this free service you don't need to enter a password (or even give an email address if you do not want that option). To see how this works, go to: https://www.insidehook.com/wellness/mental-health-benefits-new-music.
Another way to enhance your well-being during the winter is to make sure you get enough Vitamin D. “Vitamin D is a very important vitamin. You need this vitamin all year long—not just when it's warm and sunny and nice to be outside.”
Why? “Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium. Calcium is important for healthy bones. Vitamin D also helps your muscles and nerves stay healthy and work like they should. Without vitamin D, your nerves could not tell your muscles when to move. Vitamin D also helps your body’s immune system fight off infections from germs.”
There are several strategies for accomplishing the correct intake of Vitamin D. HealthGrades details these at: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/food-nutrition-and-diet/how-to-get-vitamin-d-in-the-winter.
Breathing clean air is also essential for improved health maintenance. Science comes into play here. “Your next phone may double as an air quality monitor.”
This is how it will work. “Mobile Physics says it can transform any cellphone into a personal 'envirometer' and weather station. It uses a phone's existing sensors to measure air quality, smoke levels, temperature and UV exposure. If the technology detects something worrisome, it alerts the user in real time — effectively functioning as a smoke detector or fire alarm that's constantly running in the background.”
This is not only cool but also important. “Air pollution causes nearly seven million premature deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization. The most serious source is inside the home, coming from such sources as cooking, vacuuming and hair drying. Now we are really able to give anyone the understanding of what is happening around them, and really help them guard their health.” (https://www.axios.com/2024/01/08/environment-air-quality-wildfires-cellphone-mobile-physics)
Science aside, if you do experience some illness in 2024, there is a Michigan remedy that some swear by. “Maybe an apple a day keeps the doctor away in some states. But in Michigan, when in doubt, try Vernors out.”
The debate is whether or not a Vernors Ginger Ale treatment is medically valid. “For more than 150 years, Vernors has provided a delicious fizzy ginger-flavored treat to Detroiters and many others the world over. But for potentially as long, Michigan moms and dads offered the local beverage to their kids at the hint of a stomach ache, sore throat, cold and any other number of maladies.”
According to doctors, Vernors has no medicinal value. “There’s certainly a chance ginger is included among other flavors but doctors agreed the drink almost assuredly does not contain enough of the spice to provide any meaningful positive health impact.”
On the other hand: “Adults drinking Vernors might simply feel better due to a placebo effect. In theory carbonation could help someone burp or otherwise alleviate stomach issues.”
The bottom line for doctors? “Vernors is not an actual alternative to seeing a doctor or looking for more traditional medicine. If anyone feels worse after drinking Vernors, it’s not a great idea to continue using it. If your standby of Vernors doesn’t do the trick, it could be time to consult your doctor.” (https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/12/10/does-vernors-make-you-feel-better/71517031007/)
Well, in this realm I semi-disagree with the science. My grandmother and mother believed I Vernors. I will continue the tradition. Besides, doctors are missing a side benefit – the Boston Cooler. (https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/12/10/does-vernors-make-you-feel-better/71517031007/)
See, when you recover there may be Vernors left. You combine this with vanilla ice cream and whip it in a blender. For the recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-a-boston-cooler/. The Boston Cooler is an odd name for a distinctly Michigan drink, but it's a sure way to lift your spirits.
Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.
