Managing Your Health

By the time you reach maturity, the neural networks that govern cognitive control have been well honed. Years of learning and experience have conditioned your brain to discriminate between important information and distractions. In theory, your capacity for focus and concentration should be at its best. But the variables of daily life will inevitably throw obstacles in your path. To stay at the top of your game, it's important to recognize and address the physical and emotional factors that interfere with our focus and concentration. Also remember that your brain is a flesh-and-blood organ. What's happening in your body -- from aging to diseases to lifestyle factors such as sleep and alcohol use -- will play a key role in your ability to pay attention and focus. So will the neurochemical fluctuations that govern your mood. Let's take a closer look at one of the things that can cause you to lose focus. Digital distractions Love it or hate it, we live in the digital a...

Lost your self-confidence? These five strategies can help you find it. As you become older, it's common to lose some confidence as your body changes and you face life-altering events, like retirement, health issues, and loss of loved ones. "Yet many men don't recognize the impact that lack of confidence can have on their lives," says Fred Silverstone, a licensed mental health counselor and founder of the SAGE (Successful Aging through Group Engagement) program at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital. "It can make men more withdrawn, less active, and more fearful about everyday events like driving and handling technology. They begin to believe they can't live like they once did." The bell curve of confidence A person's level of confidence and self-esteem typically follows a bell curve. It gradually rises during the late teen years, peaks during middle age, and tends to decline after age 60, according to a 2010 study of peopl...

A variety of assistive devices can improve balance, provide support, and prevent further disability. If you're recovering from an injury or surgery, struggling with arthritis, or having trouble with your balance, your doctor may recommend one or more assistive devices -- simple tools that have been shown to prevent falls and injuries and preserve your mobility. Don't let pride or vanity keep you from using them. "Maintaining your mobility -- the ability to move easily around your home and neighborhood, stay connected to your loved ones, and remain engaged in the world -- can safeguard your independence," says Dr. Scott Martin, associate professor of orthopedic. Once you begin to shop for an assistive device, you may be surprised at the selection that awaits you. Whichever type is recommended for you, you'll need professional help with "fitting," so that you can use it safely and comfortably. 1. Walking poles Walking poles, which are often used...

For years, experts recommended low-fat diets as a way to lower cholesterol and heart disease risk. Today, we know that low-fat isn't the way to go after all. A healthy diet includes plenty of "good-for-you" fats -- and limits the unhealthy ones. Current dietary guidelines recommend that you get 20% to 35% of your daily calories from fat. Even more may be fine, if you follow these simple guidelines. Favor the "good" fats. The best sources of healthy fats are oily, cold-water fish, such as salmon and tuna; plant sources such as avocados and nuts; and vegetable oils, such as olive, canola, soybean, and cottonseed oils. These fats promote heart health because they lower cholesterol levels - and they may even fight chronic inflammation, which may contribute to heart disease. It's okay to get up to 35% of your daily calories from fat - as long as most of it comes from sources like these. Limit saturated fats Typical sources of saturated fat include anima...

Many people can lower cholesterol levels simply by changing what they eat. For example, if you are a fan of cheeseburgers, eating less meat (and leaner cuts) and more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can lower your total cholesterol by 25% or more. Cutting back on saturated fat (found in meat and dairy products) and trans fat (partially hydrogenated oils) can reduce cholesterol by 5% to 10%. Here are four steps for using your diet to lower cholesterol. 1. Stick with unsaturated fats and avoid saturated and trans fats. Most vegetable fats (oils) are made up of unsaturated fats that are healthy for your heart. Food that contain healthy fats include oil fish, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables. At the same time, limit your intake of foods high in saturated fat, which is found many meat and dairy products, and stay away from trans fats. These include any foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. 2. Get more soluble fiber. Eat more soluble fiber, such as that found ...