Behavioral

The basics of wellness -- eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and practicing healthful habits -- can help you live a longer, healthier life. Adopting even one of the following components of good health and better self-care can improve your well-being. Embracing all of them will yield significant benefits.

No matter where you travel, plan ahead for health care when you're on the road.

For many women, the "baby blues" pass quickly. For others, the feelings of sadness don't ease and may become worse.

Everybody knows smoking is bad for your health. Now here's something you may not know: Smoking is bad for your looks. It's true.

There's evidence that people who respond rigidly to anger-provoking events are likely to wind up with significantly elevated levels of heart-damaging cholesterol.

Alcohol may have some health benefits, including lowering the risk for heart disease, but it may also lead to abusive drinking and other diseases.

If the truth be told, most of us lie to some degree, especially when faced with an alternative like hurting someone's feelings. Some of us, however, lie so often that we stop realizing it.

Besides having trouble with school and relationships, teenagers taking drugs may display emotional extremes with irritability, anger and changes in sleep patterns.

Rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking or cleaning are often performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsessions and the need to perform rituals can take over a person's life. OCD is often a chronic, relapsing illness.

The most important thing that friends and family can do for an alcoholic is to stop enabling the addictive behavior.

Research shows that adolescents who grow up with high self-esteem are far less likely to abuse drugs or drink, compared with children who grow up without much sense of self-worth.

Growing up is a tough challenge for most adolescents, but when their parents are abusing alcohol or drugs, the obstacles can seem overwhelming.

According to researchers at the American Psychological Association, nearly 50 percent of American working women will experience on-the-job sexual harassment at some point in their careers.

The holidays can be enjoyed without drinking alcohol. But if you choose to drink, there are responsible ways to consume alcohol.

Unpredictable, frustrating and, at times, embarrassing memory lapses can be common. So if frequent bouts of forgetfulness are causing you stress and worry, take note: there is most likely a simple explanation.

As you age, your risk for falling increases. More than one-third of people ages 65 and older and half of those ages 75 and older fall each year. And many falls in older adults result in fractures and other severe injuries.

It helps to understand why and when you drink if you are going to successfully reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.

Alcohol is considered a drug because it depresses the central nervous system and can disrupt mental and motor skills, as well as damage internal organs when used excessively.

A routine isn't necessarily bad; it can be comforting because it adds structure to your life and it isn't stressful. But dissatisfaction may start to gnaw at you and erode your self-esteem if you believe you want something more in your life.

More than 22 million Americans are involved in some form of helping elderly family members or friends with their daily routines. If you're part of this group, whether you call yourself a caregiver, or simply a good daughter or son, you know that caring for an aging parent or friend has its rewards and its trials.

Many teenagers still think smoking is cool. Here are some tools to help parents stay diligent in keeping their kids from smoking.

While being a new Mom brings lots of joy, it also brings stress—something a crying baby can make worse. Better understanding why your baby cries can help you deal with this stress in a healthy way and help you avoid the most common form of child abuse: Shaken baby syndrome.

Anxiety can help focus and sharpen performance. For some athletes, however, the pressure of performing well takes its toll in the form of performance anxiety, which causes them to do less than their best.

In general, only about three percent of the elderly living independently in the community will experience depression. That figure increases to around 20 to 30 percent of persons in nursing homes or with chronic illnesses like emphysema, heart disease or diabetes.

Preventing teen turmoil starts at birth. Parents set examples in the way they interact, express anger, and treat substance abuse.

As cold weather settles in for the season and the days grow ever shorter, it's tempting to put off any thoughts of becoming active.

Chances are you know the difference between occasional sadness and depression. But here's a fact you may not know: Hypothyroidism, a common thyroid disorder, can cause depression.

If your brain gets too much or too little of what it needs, vital processes are disrupted. When things are out of sync in your brain, it can play havoc with your thoughts and emotions. Depriving your brain of sleep, for example, will impair your ability to concentrate and make decisions.

Binge drinkers are most likely found on college campuses, where many students consider a big game or fraternity party an excuse to drink all weekend.

Until recently, heroin was not considered a problem among children of middle-class parents. But lately, it has been showing up in new places.

Most people realize that cigarettes can cause lung cancer and heart disease. But many people erroneously believe that cigars aren't harmful.

Although people generally gain weight when they stop smoking, you can reduce your chances of adding extra pounds by taking steps to prevent it.

Excessive drinking can cause potentially fatal conditions, not only high blood pressure, but also damage to the brain, heart or liver; diabetes and stroke.

Amphetamine abuse is a growing problem in the United States. Each year, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration closes down hundreds of illegal laboratories producing these drugs.

Does something about your body bug you? Maybe you believe you'd be happier if only you were thinner, taller, shorter, more muscular -- whatever.

What's the difference between a can-do and a won't-try person? It's usually a matter of bravery.

For many smokers, nicotine substitutes can ease withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and restlessness.

Saying good-bye to cigarettes for good can be difficult. To succeed, you need to make changes to your daily life. But, like the many others who have quit, you too can triumph.

Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. But we all face changes in life that can challenge our emotional well being.

Child abuse can happen in any family and in any neighborhood. Studies have shown that child abuse crosses all boundaries of income, race, ethnic heritage and religious faith.

No matter what you like to do, now is a great time to sign up for a class so that you can explore your interests. Many colleges and other educational organizations offer special discounts to older adults. Here are some ideas about how to get started.

Compulsive shoppers generally are people prone toward low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, as well as fantasizing, perfectionism and lack of sufficient social contacts, one expert says.

It's normal to feel stressed or anxious now and then. But it's time to call for help if emotional issues interfere with your life, your job or your personal relationships.

More than 70 percent of teens who attempt or commit suicide do so in a state of crisis, responding to some acute conflict with peers, parents, or other authorities.

Just about everybody loves a party. But if your party menu includes alcohol, be a smart host and insist that your guests to play it safe on the way home.

Learning about grief and how it affects your family can help you get through the difficult times together. It may even help your family grow stronger.

More than a million people have pulled up roots and hit the road full time in recreational vehicles (RVs). If you're thinking of joining them, be sure to consider your health.

Moderately intense activities such as walking briskly from your parked car to the mall entrance, won't help you train for a sport. But they can help you achieve and maintain a healthful weight and improve your overall fitness level.

Like cancer or heart disease, alcoholism is a primary chronic disease with its own symptoms and causes. The disease is progressive and often fatal if not treated.

When someone gets a raise or a special perk, can you say congratulations and mean it? Or do you seethe inside and think, "That really should have been mine?"

How you view any situation has a lot to do with how you feel.

Setting goals gives direction to your life. Without goals, you can drift and go nowhere.

Too many young people are participating in a dangerous practice called binge drinking, or drinking to intoxication. It's defined as having five or more drinks in a row for men; for women, it’s four-plus drinks in a row.

Knowing about marijuana can help you recognize its use in children and others and help a user seek treatment.

Before assuming your child is taking drugs, find out if something else may be causing him or her to behave unusually.

People who are thinking about getting a tattoo should slow down and think twice.

Caregivers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be adult children, spouses, siblings, friends or neighbors, who help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding and clothing.

If you've been thinking about adding a cuddly new cat or dog to your household, take some time to think about what type of pet will best suit you, your family and your lifestyle.

If you drink, you most likely want to drink reasonably and responsibly. But what are the factors that can help you keep a check on your blood-alcohol content so you don't embarrass yourself or, worse, hurt yourself or others?

The unrealistic expectations of the season, time and financial pressures, missing loved ones and reflecting on past events as the year comes to an end all contribute to the blues.

Over the long term, your quality of life is tied to how severe your heart attack was and how it was treated. Beyond that, any change will depend largely on you.

Ecstasy, or MDMA -- also called "Adam," "E," or "XTC" on the street -- is a synthetic, mind-altering drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties.

Fewer than a quarter of those who attempt to quit are able to make it beyond three months before resuming smoking. Women usually find it harder to quit than do men, even though women have a higher risk of smoking-related diseases. The following suggestions can help you kick the habit, again, for good.

Although the most common form of abuse is males abusing female partners, females can abuse male partners, and abuse also takes place in same-sex relationships.

Every day, about 3,000 U.S. teenagers start smoking. If you're a parent of a young smoker, you can take steps to help the child quit. But first, it helps to understand why teens light up.

The medical community once thought depression affected only adults. The risk for the condition begins in the early teens, however, and increases steadily through the mid-20s.

When a friend shows signs of abusing alcohol or other drugs, it's hard to know what to do or say.

Don't argue about cost. Do talk with your children about money management and media messages.

Although anyone can suffer from depression, it is particularly common among older adults. Depression affects 15 out of every 100 adults older than 65.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines intimate partner violence as actual or threatened physical or sexual violence, or psychological and emotional abuse, directed at a spouse, former spouse, current or former boyfriend or girlfriend, or dating partner.

If you have more than two medications to manage, consider getting a pill organizer -- a special container marked with the days of the week. Besides housing multiple medications, a compartmentalized organizer can be useful for keeping track of the medications you've taken.

Learning where your anger comes from and how to deal with it can help lead to a happier, more productive life.

When tragedy strikes with the death of a loved one, a serious illness or a job loss, some people fall apart, while others adapt to such life-changing events more easily. Being resilient is what makes the difference.

As a woman, your body is much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and more easily damaged than a man’s body. Because women have less water in their body than men, alcohol doesn't dilute as much and more of it gets absorbed into the blood. That’s why women suffer greater physical damage and often become more intoxicated than men when they drink identical amounts of alcohol.

That hobby you've been toying with could be your prescription for a healthier, more satisfying life.

There are a number health myths where knowing the facts can make a world of difference to your health.

Domestic violence is behavior someone uses to control a spouse, partner, date or elderly relative through fear and intimidation.

The symptoms of OCD vary widely from person to person. Without treatment, OCD can last for a lifetime.

Even though boomers are rewriting the script for aging, they can't stop the clock. Age brings many changes, and boomers must change with it.

You don't have to wait for someone to hit rock bottom to act. Here are steps to help an alcoholic get treatment.

LSD, also called acid, is one of the most commonly used hallucinogens or psychedelic drugs.

Some treatment programs teach problem drinkers to reduce their drinking, an approach that appeals to people who otherwise might not seek treatment.

If a grandchild is special to you, put your heart into showing it by creating a scrapbook.

Whether your credit card balances are soaring, or you and your partner are arguing constantly over nickels and dimes, there are things you can do to relieve financial stress.

How do you know when your emotions are of the everyday sort, or when you could benefit from seeing a therapist?

Talk therapy helps people gain insight into and resolve their problems through verbal exchanges with the therapist.

Now that you've retired, what are you going to do with all that spare time?

You can now add bullying to the list of things made easier by technology. Bullies use e-mail, instant messaging, and text messaging on cell phones to reach victims.

Preventing a tantrum is much easier than stopping one. Here are ideas on how to do that.

The extent of alcohol's effect on the central nervous system depends upon how much is in your blood and how much blood you have.

Keeping your primary relationship healthy, positive, supportive and together isn’t easy. But it can be done.

It's tough to enjoy the golden years among bundles of old newspapers, stacks of store receipts and collections of used margarine tubs. You're also at higher risk for falls and fires.

In the United States, 78 percent of all mothers with kids ages 6 to 17 work in paid jobs. Most—including married working moms—also are responsible for child care and housework.

The Internet is a great way to stay connected. Older adults can use it to send messages, keep in touch with family, learn new things or be entertained.

When you lapse from your goals, remind yourself of all you've learned and how much you've accomplished.

Many people think using smokeless tobacco is safer than smoking. Just because there's no smoke, doesn't mean it's safe.

When addicted, the drug user will do just about anything to obtain the drug.

As medical progress prolongs our lives, the end can linger. So, more and more people are turning to hospice care.

Most of us worry or get nervous every now and then. But, for people with anxiety disorders, these feelings occur all too often, and they may be overwhelming.

Whatever the nature of your loss, active grieving can help you get through the following months and years.

Parents need to realize the rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until he or she is 25 years old or so.

For many people, end-of-life planning brings peace of mind and a sense of control. It also takes the burden off loved ones, because they don’t have to guess what you would want.

People who become addicted to drugs or alcohol typically go through predictable stages of abuse. Understanding these stages can help you recognize a problem and seek help before substance use becomes an addiction.

Methamphetamine is related to the legal stimulant amphetamine, but has stronger effects.

Active thinking pumps extra blood into your brain. Getting more blood to the brain is an important way to counteract the effects of aging.

Each year, two out of every three deaths in the United States are caused by cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. That figure could be significantly reduced if Americans made healthier food choices, got more exercise, and stopped smoking.

Although it’s dangerous to take a prescription medication without a prescription, abusing such medications is the fastest growing type of drug abuse in the United States, outpacing marijuana abuse by a factor of two, according to some studies.

Children who have ADHD are often given medication as part of their treatment plan. The type of medication most often chosen is a psychostimulant.

Mental health support groups offer support, understanding, and helpful information to people struggling with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.

To keep the scales of work and life balanced, you must be organized. This means you must not only organize your stuff, but also your time.

Many older adults enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game on TV. In fact, half of Americans ages 65 and older drink alcohol. Having a drink now and then is fine—as long as you don’t overdo it.

When you smoke, toxins are carried by your blood to every organ in your body. At the same time, the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke keeps red blood cells from carrying as much oxygen as normal.

Three kinds of prescription drugs are potentially addictive: opioids, tranquilizers, and stimulants.

Children with ODD may refuse to follow commands or requests made by parents, teachers, or other adults.

In a mutual support group, people just like you face similar ordeals and challenges.

Codependency is an emotional and behavioral condition. It affects a person’s ability to have healthy, mutually satisfying relationships.

The disorder may develop when others make repeated negative comments about a person's weight.

A pregnancy ended by miscarriage can be a traumatic loss. Unfortunately, it’s one that many women experience. Knowing how to deal with your feelings and find support can help you cope during this difficult time.

As you probably already know, quitting smoking isn't easy. But, millions of other people have done it, and you can, too.

When people consider the cost of smoking, they usually focus on the cost of the cigarettes alone. But that's only the first step.

It's important to understand how alcohol and drugs can affect your health and well being.

How you deal with money depends a lot on your upbringing and cultural influences, which may leave you unhappy with the way you handle it.

No matter how energetic you may be, stretching yourself to the limit every day puts your health and happiness at risk.

Know your triggers for wanting a cigarette and figure out a plan to deal with them.

Men are missing opportunities to detect and address medical problems in their early stages, when many conditions are more treatable and less threatening to overall health.

The way we gauge the peril a given disorder poses is called risk perception.

People with generalized anxiety disorder worry about their finances, their health, their jobs, world events, and the future. Their worry is often out of proportion to reality.

The leading substance-abuse threat to children may be as close as your refrigerator. About 10 million adolescents drink alcohol. In fact, minors drink 19 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States.

A chronic, or long-lasting, illness can be difficult for anyone to deal with. But for a young child diagnosed with a chronic health condition, there are challenges for both child and parent.

Bullying is intentional tormenting that can be physical, social, or psychological. Hitting, shoving, threatening, shunning, and spreading rumors can all be forms of bullying. Kids who experience bullying can become depressed, develop low self-esteem, avoid school, feel physically ill, and even think about killing themselves.

How you choose to live out and prepare for the end of your life, are choices that you are able to make, to make this time as meaningful as possible.

At least some anger is necessary for survival. Frequent or intense episodes of anger, however, aren’t good for you or the people around you. If you find yourself boiling mad more often than not, try some of these tips to keep your temper in check.

Drug addiction and alcohol addiction are chronic diseases that can be treated as successfully as many other chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, asthma, and diabetes.

Being a caregiver for a spouse who has cancer may be the toughest job you’ll ever have. It may also be the most vital and the most rewarding. As the spouse, you become part of the cancer treatment team.

Tai chi is called a mind-body type of exercise because it combines meditation, focused breathing, and physical movement. Because it’s also a low-impact exercise, it may be particularly well suited for older adults, but it’s a beneficial exercise for people of all ages.

A growing number of scientific studies indicate that optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people.

Organized sports for children offer obvious benefits such as physical fitness and sportsmanship, but did you know that a musical education program has many of the same benefits? Music education and participation in sports are both great ways to prepare your child for future success.

Research has shown that social interaction offers older adults many benefits. Staying socially active and maintaining interpersonal relationships can help you maintain good physical and emotional health and cognitive function.

If you feel depressed during fall and winter months, you may have a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Emotional eating affects most everyone from time to time, but regularly letting your feelings guide your food intake can affect your health.

Aging can make it harder to remember some things. But by focusing on your potential and continuing to exercise your mind, you may be able to boost your memory power. Here are some strategies.

Good sportsmanship is one of the life lessons that children can learn from sports. Its hallmarks include being able to win without gloating, respecting one’s opponents, and being able to lose gracefully.

Studies show that long-term stress can damage brain cells, leading to depression. Depression is one of the most dangerous effects of stress in older people.

Laughter can do more than just put you in a good mood. It may buffer you against depression, reduce your stress, and improve your quality of life.

Whether it’s a minor habit like biting your nails or a more serious one, like habitual drinking stopping a troublesome behavior is difficult. With a little hard work and strategy, however, it’s possible to break a bad habit.

Keep this in mind: if you can make it through this first day and this first week when nicotine withdrawal symptoms are at their worst, you will be on your way to success.

Teaching yourself ways to relax can help settle anxiety before it starts to overwhelm you. Simple lifestyle habits can help you stay calm and in control when you feel the effects of stress.

Gay and lesbian teens are often targets of bullying, harassment, and aggression. Anti-gay bullying can range from verbal abuse, such as name-calling, to life-threatening physical assault.

Mental illness can cause different symptoms in men than in women, so some disorders in men may be harder to recognize. Men who are depressed, for example, may appear angry and irritable rather than sad and withdrawn.