Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DURING A PANDEMICBY ASHTON SULLIVAN
There’s a crisis occurring, and it’s not just the virus that threatens our physical health. As a mental health provider, I’m on the frontlines of what some are declaring the “secondary pandemic,” or the “mental health pandemic.” While there still exists a stigma around the topic of mental health, it must be addressed. Millions of people are suffering from the emotional effects of COVID-19.
TIPS FOR A HEALTHY WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT
Losing weight. It tops the 2021 to-do list for millions of Americans. While fitting into those old jeans may be a motivating factor for some, a growing number of people are being inspired to drop those extra pounds to improve their health.
And with the pandemic still raging, it’s more important than ever. Along with an increased risk of developing serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and certain cancers, overweight adults are much more likely to become severely ill from COVID- 19. Studies have found the likelihood of being hospitalized doubles if you are obese, and the likelihood of dying increases by nearly 50 percent.
STAYING ACTIVE HELPS REDUCE STRESS, PROVIDES MENTAL BOOST
A “new you” in the new year is about truly taking time for you. As we envision a more hopeful 2021, there are ways you can give yourselves a boost.
Exercising can be a grind, but it’s important to stay active to help you not only physically, but mentally.
Good news! 2020 is over. Normally, the turn of the calendar feels like it crept up, aided by too many rushed and regretted cookies or cocktails. This year, we hope it can offer a welcome chance to finally wipe our slates clean from some of last year’s chaos. Paying attention to our health is more important than ever. Even so, major New Year’s resolution lifestyle overhauls feel like a lot in the current atmosphere.
A holistic approach to health can be invigorating — and intimidating. If you are looking for a new approach to health in 2021, yoga is good place to start. Yoga, which combines breathing, meditation and body poses, improves flexibility, strength and helps relieve stress. If you are uncertain about the intricacies of yoga, here are some poses to get going.
Oh, December. The time to balance joy with stress, vegetables with cookies, and calendar overload with wellness routines. This year, COVID-19 has thrown an extra curve ball in the mix. How do we keep the spirit of the season alive when things feel extra dark? We made a list.
WITH THE HOLIDAYS APPROACHING, TAKE A FEW MOMENTS FOR ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE ON YOUR SHOPPING LIST. YOU.
The holidays can be a little bit hectic. Every year, there’s the shopping, the cooking, and the entertaining to contend with, but in 2020 you can add the pressures of, well, 2020. After a year like this, the extra baggage of making this holiday special as a tonic against the rest of the year adds just that much stress to an already stressful season.
WHY MAKING TIME TO GET THE FLU VACCINE IS MORE PRESSING THAN EVER
Many people may have thought they were battling an aggressive flu when the COVID-19 pandemic began, but the viruses have often proven to show similar early symptoms.
As the true flu season rapidly approaches, and with the coronavirus pandemic still a worldwide crisis, doctors are reminding patients that getting that dreaded flu shot is easier and more important than ever.
BREAST CANCER RISKS, SYMPTOMS, AND NEW REVELATIONS ON EARLY DETECTION
“There can be life after breast cancer. The prerequisite is early detection.” — Ann Jillian
Twelve percent of women today will develop invasive breast cancer, and more than 40,000 will die from it this year alone, reports BreastCancer.org. That's why a refresher course on early detection and staying up-to-date on the latest studies is essential and the reason for October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Wearing a mask or facial covering during the coronavirus pandemic is essential to keeping you and others safe, but it might irritate your skin. There are steps you can take to keep your skin healthy while adhering to the safest guidelines.
First, always wash your hands before applying any products to your skin. Wash your hands before you wash your face. You don't want bacteria from your hands rubbing all over your face and causing more problems. Next, wash your hands before and after touching, removing, or putting on your mask.
