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Do You Know Your Family Health History?
Just how well do you know your family health history? I suspect many of us know bits and pieces but not the full picture of our genetic history. I strongly suggest you research and record your family health history during this holiday season. Since we celebrate with our families during the holiday season, it’s an excellent time to get your family health history. Grab the video camera, your smartphone, or an old school tape recorder and pose the following questions- “Does anyone in the family have a history of Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease, or any other chronic disease?” Did you know that with any of these diseases you have an increased risk for developing memory problems and other cognitive deficits?
By doing a little research into your genes, you have the ability to map out a healthier lifestyle. It’s never too late to make positive lifestyle changes whether you’re a senior, a baby boomer, in your 40’s or 30’s, or in college. I challenge you to do some research and discover the age of your oldest living blood relative. By the way, mine was 115 or 116. I find that truly amazing! Try to brainstorm as a family what this relative did to achieve such healthy aging and longevity. Don’t be surprised to discover that these relatives probably have some things in common. They were active and kept moving, stayed engaged and connected with people, and consumed a healthy diet. No junk food or fast food on a regular basis. Strive for that kind of lifestyle to achieve optimal health. Don’t forget to include regular exercise as a part of a healthy lifestyle! Why not take advantage of every possibility to lessen your chances of developing memory loss or suffering a cognitive decline? Remember, memory loss does not have to be a part of the normal aging process! Be in command of your health and your life!
So, take charge of your health! Engage your brain with challenging and fun brain fitness activities. Let’s build your cognitive reserve through some mentally stimulating activities. Learn a new game, learn a new language, enroll in a class, participate in a social group, and EXERCISE! Try some BrainMasters’ Brain Boosters! One of the secrets to longevity is to achieve a healthy balance between a healthy mind, body, and spirit!
Let us know the age of your oldest relative, too! Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza and Happy New Year! Now is the time for YOU commit to your health!
Do You Know Your Family Health History?
It is so vitally important to know and be familiar with your family health history. Not only should we all know our family health history, but it is crucial to share this information with your doctor and health care professionals. Think of it as filling in all the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When the puzzle is complete, then you have the whole picture. The same applies to your health-if you have all the available
information, then it’s like having all the pieces of the puzzle! So, if you didn’t interview your relatives and obtain your family health history during 2010 then don’t panic-just DO IT NOW! While you are gathering all the health information, why not get a video camera and record an oral history with a family tree and lineage at the same time?
Can you believe that in only 11 days it is New Year’s Day 2011? With that in mind, I have an important task for all of you. Since we gather together with our families during the holiday season, now is an excellent time to get your family health history. Make it a fun family activity on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year‘s Eve, or New Year’s Day! That is 4 separate occasions to complete the assignment. I honestly can’t think of a more important New Year’s Resolution that can affect your new year and your life! We are all well aware that we should eat better, exercise more, exercise our brains, and make time just for us. But in order to maximize the benefits of all our good habits, we must know our family histories!
Do you have a family history of Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, cancer, thyroid disease, or any other chronic disease? Did you know that with many of these diseases you have an increased risk for developing memory problems, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and other cognitive deficits?
By doing a little research into your genetic heritage, you have the ability to map out a more healthy lifestyle and make positive changes. It’s never too late to begin positive lifestyle choices whether you’re a senior, a baby boomer, in your 40’s or 30’s, 20’s in college, or even in high school. Just for fun, find out the age of your oldest living blood relative. By the way, mine was either 114, 115, or 116. We can’t pin down her exact birth year but are within just a couple. I find that truly amazing! She was living during the Civil War and arrived in America a few years later with her husband. My great-great grandmother was still living and cognitively intact when I was born! My poor great-great grandfather unfortunately only lived to be 98! Definitely hope those genes are dominant for me! Anyway, try to brainstorm as a family as to what this relative did to achieve such healthy aging and longevity. Don’t be surprised to discover that these people probably have something in common. They were active and always moving and ate healthy foods-fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs and spices, and lots of tea. They didn’t consume fast food, processed foods, soda, or junk! Strive for that kind of senior aging, health, and fitness! Why not take advantage of every possibility to lessen your chances of developing a memory loss or suffering a cognitive decline? Remember, memory loss does not have to be a part of the normal aging process! Take charge of your health and your life!
Be the master of your health! Engage your brain with challenging brain fitness activities. Build your cognitive reserve through some mentally stimulating activities. Learn a new game, learn a new language, participate in a social group, and EXERCISE! Try our Brain Boosters! One of the secrets to longevity is to achieve a healthy balance between a healthy mind, body, and spirit!
Happy New Year, and make 2011 the year YOU commit to your health!
Do You Know Your Family Health History?
Image via Wikipedia
This topic is so important that I felt it was worth discussing again. So, if you didn’t gather your family health history during Thanksgiving then don’t worry but do it before 2011. You have 4 weeks to complete this assignment!
We are now in the holiday season, and I can’t believe that 4 weeks from today is New Year’s Day 2011! With that in mind, I have an important task for all of you. Since we gather together with our families during the holiday season, it’s an excellent time to get your family health history. Do you have a family history of Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease, or any other chronic disease? Did you know that with any of these diseases you have an increased risk for developing memory problems and other cognitive deficits?
By doing a little research into your genes, you have the ability to map out a more healthy lifestyle. It’s never too late to make positive lifestyle choices whether you’re a senior, a baby boomer, in your 40’s or 30’s, or in college. Find out the age of your oldest living blood relative. By the way, mine was 114, 115, or 116. I find that truly amazing! Try to brainstorm as a family what this relative did to achieve such healthy aging and longevity. Don’t be surprised to discover that these people probably have some things in common. They were active and kept moving, stayed engaged and connected with people, and consumed a healthy diet. No junk food or fast food on a regular basis. Strive for that kind of senior aging, health, and fitness! Why not take advantage of every possibility to lessen your chances of developing memory loss or suffering a cognitive decline? Remember, memory loss does not have to be a part of the normal aging process! Be in command of your health and your life!
So, take charge of your health! Engage your brain with challenging brain fitness activities. Let’s build your cognitive reserve through some mentally stimulating activities. Learn a new game, learn a new language, participate in a social group, and EXERCISE! Try our Brain Boosters! One of the secrets to longevity is to achieve a healthy balance between a healthy mind, body, and spirit!
Let us know the age of your oldest relative, too! Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year! Make 2011 the year YOU commit to your health!
BrainMasters 