The Health Benefits of Celebrating the Holidays

Celebrating yourself and those around you can be fun, but did you know there are also some health benefits? It's true - both big and small celebrations can reduce stress, leading to a boost to your overall health. The social aspect of the holidays is a huge wellness plus. People who interact with others are happier and healthier than those who are less social, and those who are sociable tend to live longer. The holidays are a time to celebrate what you're grateful for. Many studies have shown that feeling grateful is linked to better sleep quality, a better mood, and more feelings of optimism.

New studies show when you get festive, your brain and body reap a cascade of health perks. The positive vibes in the air this time of year have confirmed, powerful effects on mental and physical health. Celebrating sets off a cocktail of brain chemicals that is like a natural high:

• Oxytocin-a natural hormone that can induce anti-stress-like effects which are associated with a reduction in blood pressure, increases pain thresholds, bonding, and happiness, stimulates positive social interaction, and promotes growth and healing. Oxytocin is released when you're around other people.
• Noradrenaline is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter. In the brain, it increases alertness, promotes vigilance, enhances the formation and retrieval of memory, and focuses attention.
• Endorphins-Substances made in the body that can relieve pain and gives the feeling of well-being.
• Dopamine-a neurotransmitter manufactured by the body. Used by the nervous system to send messages between nerve cells. 

Caroling is good for your heart, and singing is an effective stress reliever. Singing with a group takes the benefits even further. A 2013 study monitored the vital signs of singers and found that choral singing increased the amount by which a person's heart rate varied. And that's good news, since low variability in heart rate may be linked to high blood pressure.

Christmas decorating will spike dopamine, a feel-good hormone. Your Christmas tree can destress a person. Research has proven time after time that being surrounded by nature can help boost well-being. A fresh festive fir will have similar effects. Smelling and touching indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress. In addition. Trees purify the air, and having a real tree in the house can help stop people from getting a cold or the flu. The Agricultural University of Norway found, in a 2000 study, sickness rates fell by up to 25 percent in offices and school settings where plants were present.

Giving (today November 29^th is giving Tuesday, by the way.) There are many reasons that people donate to a cause whether it is giving of themselves or monetarily:

• Personal connection
• To make a difference
• To make the world a better place
• Spiritual or religious beliefs
• Tax breaks

There is another personal benefit to a person’s philanthropy. Generosity doesn’t just give a person that “warm and fuzzy” feeling. Giving can reduce anxiety and stress, counter depression, lowers blood pressure, better sleep, less pain, and improve moods.

Bonding over family holiday traditions boosts self-esteem, helps to maintain close relationships over generations, and instills a sense of belonging.

So find the jolly, stop being Grinchy. Negative feelings and attitudes can create chronic stress, depletes the brain chemicals required for happiness, and damages the immune system. Lean into the holiday hype your body mind and soul will thank you as well as those around you.

Check out the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale dates here: PCC-SoundsoftheSeason-Poster2

 Sources:

www.beaumont.org

www.shape.com

www.bestlifeonline.com

 

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Thanksgiving Quiz

1.       Where did the first U.S. harvest feast of Thanksgiving take place?

A.      Popham Colony

B.      Virginia Colony

C.      Roanoke Island

D.      Plymouth Colony

2.       What Native American was honored at the first Thanksgiving Feast?

A.      Squanto

B.      Geronimo

C.      Sacagawea

D.      Tonto

3.       What was the first department store to hold a Thanksgiving parade?

A.      Sears, Roebuck and Co.

B.      Macy’s

C.      Gimbles

D.      J.C. Penney

4.       What product owes its existence to Thanksgiving?

A.      Hula Hoop

B.      TV Dinner

C.      Recliner

D.      Butter

5.       The cranberry is the official fruit of what U.S. state?

A.      Maine

B.      Massachusetts

C.      Wyoming

D.      Wisconsin

For the Answers to this morning’s quiz  go to  https://www.eyegotcha.net/thanksgiving-quiz-answers/

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America Recycles Day

 

On America Recycles Day (November 15th) the EPA recognizes the importance and impact of recycling. The recycling rate has increased from less than 7% in 1960 to the current rate of 32%. Recycling and reuse activity in the US accounts for 681,000 jobs, $37.8 billion in wages, and 5.5 billion in tax revenues.

Benefits of recycling:

• Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators
• Conserves natural resources
• Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials
• Prevents pollution
• Saves energy
• Conserve valuable resources
• Create new jobs
• Protects habitats

How can we help, when vision correction devices are so important to the quality of life for many?

The materials used to make eyeglasses often do not decompose or would take millions of years to do so in a landfill. Up to 3.6 billion contact lenses are being flushed each year, which translates into 23 metric tons of plastic trash winding up in wastewater. As the lenses break into smaller fragments – micro plastics. The small plastics "escape" our wastewater treatment plants and enter the water stream. Marine life is then mistaking this as food thus introducing micro plastic into the food chain.

One way to help is to donate eyeglasses you no longer need. According to the world health organization, there are over 2 billion people around the world who need glasses but don't have access to them.

Places to donate old glasses are:

• Lions club-they also accept sunglasses and reading glasses
• Respectable
• One sight
• Eyes of Hope – launched by VSP
• The Lighthouse – they accept all types of glasses and hearing aids also.
• Goodwill
• Many retailers and vision centers have drop boxes or trade-in programs
• Salvation Army

Donating and recycling contact lenses and blister packs. You can donate unused, unexpired, and unopen boxes of contact lenses to organizations:

• Goodwill-also unopened and unexpired solutions for contacts

• Donatecontacts.com

• One-by-one -is a Bausch & Lomb program

• Depending on the recycling rules of your community, you can recycle the blister packs by placing the small blister packs inside a larger recyclable container of the same recycling code number as the small blister packs .

Starting with these small steps we can help reduce waste as more eyeglass manufacturers are making green choices for eyeglass and contact lens wearers. Boxes and solution bottles may also be recyclable.

We do have an eyeglass donation box in our office for those that wish to donate.

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Sources:

www.epa.gov

www.allaboutvision.com

www.reynoldsopticians.com

www.scare.org

Look at the Lids” Campaign

The campaign was unveiled at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2022 Annual Meetings in Chicago and San Diego. The “Look at the Lids” is a campaign to encourage eyecare professionals to identify and diagnose Demodex blepharitis in all eyecare patients.

Blepharitis is an eyelid inflammation affecting eyelashes or tears production.

The Demodex mite lives mainly within the hair follicles on the face and the eyes. Demodex is usually found on the eyelids and lashes. These mites naturally occur on the skin in small amounts and can benefit the skin as they remove dead skin cells.

If they do reproduce in large numbers they can cause significant damage to the skin and eyes, severe inflammation of the eyelids, and damage to the oil glands in the eyelid margins and eyelashes.

Demodex blepharitis is a common but underdiagnosed condition. Common symptoms of Demodex blepharitis:

• Dry eyes
• Redness
• Tearing
• White flakes in your eyelashes
• Burning or stinging eyes or eyelid irritation
• Foreign body sensation
• Intermittent blurry vision
• Light sensitivity
• Brittle or loss of eyelashes
• Misdirected eyelashes
• Eye or eyelid infections

There is currently no FDA-approved treatment for Demodex blepharitis. The American Academy of Ophthalmology's recommended treatment plan consists of a combination of antibiotics, topical anti-inflammatory agents, and a daily lid hygiene approach using scrubs, wipes, or gels containing tea tree oil.

Sources:

www.ophthalmologytimes.com

www.eyesoneyecare.com

www.nei.nih.gov

www.ophthalmologist.com

 

Image:

www.LookattheLids.com

 

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Is Vertigo a Visual Condition?

 

The Medical definition for vertigo is dizziness and feeling as if you're spinning when you are not, or things are dizzily turning about you. Vertigo in itself can be a symptom of other conditions. There are several causes of vertigo:

• The most benign cause of vertigo occurs when tiny crystals break off from the inner ear canal and overstimulate cells that are sensitive to movement.
• Certain head movements can trigger vertigo that only last a few minutes
• An infection in the inner ear
• Hormonal changes
• Travel may cause vertigo when you go from a state of movement to standing on static ground can cause dizziness
• Some people experience vertigo after spending an extended time lying down like being sick or injured
• Cervical vertigo can occur due to poor neck posture, neck disorders, or trauma to the cervical spine cause this condition. Cervical vertigo often results from a head injury that disrupts head and neck alignment, or whiplash.
• Genetic factors
• When vertigo is induced by visual triggers such as patterns on fabrics or wallpaper this is called visual vertigo

Yes, eye problems can cause vertigo. Diagnosis always starts with understanding the patient's situation. This is because any issue between the eyes and brain can create dizziness when the eye muscles are repeatedly working to align and correct themselves. A comprehensive eye exam will determine if there is eyestrain or incorrect eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions.

Treatment then starts with that underlying cause. Many who suffer from visual vertigo are post-concussion patients or some other TBI (traumatic brain injury).

In many cases, dizziness can be caused by binocular vision problems. When the eyes are misaligned, they receive conflicting signals from the brain and can deviate from their correct position. The eyes, therefore, strain to put the images back together for a unified and clear view of their surroundings. The extra stress on the eye muscles can cause them to quiver, leading to light-headedness or dizziness.

There is no pharmaceutical therapy to treat Vision-Related Vertigo, if it is determined to be a visual problem at the root of the vertigo. However, a neuro-optometric therapist can offer rehabilitation help.



Sources:

www.Clevelandclinic.org

www.medicinenet.com

www.eyewiki.ago.org



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