Your Health

Megan V. Winslow/Town Crier
Landscaping begins at El Camino Hospital’s new Taube Pavilion Oct. 17. The 56,000-square-foot facility, which will house the hospital’s Scrivner Center for Mental Health and Addiction Services, will be open to the public Saturday afternoon.

 

Please note: additional information about philanthropists who made this project possible has been added to the story since its original publication.

 

Michael Fitzgerald’s patience has paid off – much to the benefit of his El Camino Hospital department’s patients.

Fitzgerald, executive director of Mental Health and Addiction Services, walked into his office on his first day on the job Dec. 9, 2002, and was handed a set of blueprints for the new hospital, set for completion in 2011. It was likely at that time that his department would move to the new facility, but he and his staff remained at the old hospital after determining the new space didn’t meet their patients’ needs for a multitude of reasons.

Before I even take a pregnancy test, I know by my sleep patterns that I’m pregnant. I’m an Olympic-level sleeper – when my head hits the pillow, I’m gone – so insomnia was a really frustrating companion to my pregnancies.

In early pregnancy you may feel like nodding off at 6 p.m., and then you’re lying awake enjoying the company of Facebook at 3 a.m. Pregnancy hormones impact every system in the body, causing frequent bathroom trips, leg cramps and those 20-point turns in the third trimester when your hips ache from lying in one position. Insomnia also can get worse with anxiety and the emotional roller coaster of becoming a parent.

Courtesy of Reena Vokoun
Passion Fit owner Reena Vokoun, right, and her husband, Matt, created a Couples Bootcamp Workout video series on her company’s YouTube channel to motivate pairs to work out together anytime and anywhere.

According to a research study conducted by University College London, of 3,700 couples surveyed who worked out together, 70% were still exercising at the gym at least once a week two years later. The study reinforces the many benefits for couples who exercise together.

Bonding over a shared activity

While many couples may have activities they already do together, as time goes on and after many have kids, their interests and activities may drift in different directions. Therefore, finding fun workouts and exercises to do together can really allow them to bond or potentially reconnect with one another over a shared activity. Whether it be runs or walks, cycling classes, bootcamp classes or even ballroom dance lessons, the sky’s the limit in terms of the types of workouts couples can do to create or re-create that spark in their relationship.

 

Let’s face it: Because we’re human, the possibilities for screwing up are infinite. These range from everyday hurts to big betrayals. How these mistakes impact you and your important relationships depends on what happens next.

Courtesy of Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center
Adult day program participants Lai Chun, left, and Tom Dayharsh explore a group activity for cognitive stimulation.

It’s no secret that older adults overwhelmingly want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Due to high housing costs and other considerations, more families than ever are living in multigenerational homes. While this can be beneficial to all involved, adult children work outside the home and grandchildren are at school, often resulting in the older adult being left alone during the day.

In the Bay Area, we are fortunate to have a plethora of social, cultural and engaging activities for all ages. However, because of physical decline or cognitive loss, many older Bay Area adults are no longer able to participate in the activities they previously enjoyed. For those who have lost their ability to drive or are at risk if left alone, there are many benefits from the structured and supportive environment of an adult day program or an adult day health program.

Here’s a pre-emptive warning for teens: Supplements taken to boost brain health show no benefit, so be aware as you age.

According to Statistica, the health and wellness industry is booming, with annual revenue exceeding $300 billion, and the supplement industry is projected to reach to $31 billion in sales by the end of 2019.