Ways to Focus on Health & Nutrition on Earth Day!

April 22, 2026 is Earth Day! Here are 5 ways that focus on your health and nutrition while celebrating the day.

  1. Go to a local farmers market. Purchase fresh produce and enjoy preparing and sharing a healthy, nutritious meal with friends or family.
  2. Purchase or pick fresh flowers for your home or for a loved one. Perusing your options gets you moving and the beauty of the flowers can brighten yours or your loved ones day.
  3. Go on a nature walk! A walk on a favorite trail or even just in your neighborhood is good for your health and can help boost your energy and quality of life. You can even ask a friend or family member to enjoy the exercise and fresh air with you!
  4. Start a garden! This can be in the ground or in a raised garden bed or table, small or large, whatever best fits your needs. Whether it be vegetables or flowers you can enjoy the output all summer long. Don’t overdo it but do something that you can look forward to.
  5. Watch a movie or documentary to learn more about the earth. This is great if the weather isn’t pleasant enough for outdoor activities or if you are unable to get outside due to mobility. This can give you new knowledge on the outdoors and still appreciate it from a far.

Source: PersonalHealthCare.org

 

Successful Morning Routines

Older adults who wake up earlier, stay active in the morning, and maintain a consistent routine report experiencing more happiness and better quality of life than those who tend to wake up later or are less active or consistent with their daily activities.

How can you wake up earlier and set your morning up for success?

  • While there’s no traffic to beat or clocks to punch in retirement, waking up early allows you to soak up that morning sunlight and complete your errands sooner, leaving time for more fun or relaxing activities later in the day.
  • Adults older than 55 need more than 8 hours of sleep per night. Count backward from the time you’d like to wake up: if you would like to wake up at 6am, plan to be in bed by 9pm. For most people, a 9pm bedtime is recommended.
  • The more time you spend in bed in the morning, the sleepier you will be. Try putting your alarm clock on the other side of your bedroom so that you must stand up to turn it off. It can take time to adjust to a new schedule, so try changing your alarm time in smaller increments so that you can adjust to your new schedule.
  • Once you’ve established a routine that works for you, start scheduling day-to-day activities that you enjoy and keep it visible in your living space.

 

10 Fresh Herbs with Great Health Benefits

Some herbs simply boost the flavor of the foods you cook, others can go beyond that to boost your health. Be careful taking herbs in pill form as some are linked to side effects and medication interactions; always speak with your doctor before taking any supplement.

  1. Basil- Sweet basil has been found to help control blood pressure and its fragrance eased stress and relieved anxiety, Holy basil has been found to reduce stress, anxiety, sexual problems, and depression.
  2. Dill- Used for both pickling and cooking for spicing up pickles, flavoring borscht, and complementing fish. A study has shown that dill could lead to both lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
  3. Garlic- A member of the lily family and botanically a vegetable. Has the ability to help fight off the common cold, helps reduce blood pressure, and prevents the hardening of the arteries.
  4. Ginger- Found to ease the pain of knee osteoarthritis, quell queasiness of motion sickness and seasickness, improve muscle recovery, and reduce high cholesterol. Powdered ginger has been found to be as effective as ibuprofen in controlling pain after dental surgery.
  5. Lavender- Although edible, most research focuses on its fragrance. It can relieve anxiety, improve sleep and melt away irritability and stress.
  6. Lemon Balm- Used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, and provide a good night’s sleep. Brings the feeling of calmness and lifts feelings of negativity.
  7. Oregano- Along with bringing out the best in food, it offers more! Rich in carvacrol, proven effective against norovirus. Oregano tea can help boost the immune system and help fight infections.
  8. Rosemary- A rich source of several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that boost the immune system and improve circulation. Contains natural compounds that keep blood sugar in check. Contains carnosic acid that helps protect brain cells from age related changes. Along with other compounds that may contribute to improved memory.
  9. Sage- Sage tea has been customarily used to treat bronchitis, cough, asthma, and more. It can also help memory and elevate mood and alertness and has been known to improve cholesterol and triglycerides among people with type 2 diabetes.
  10. Thyme- Provides earthy flavor to food and eases bronchitis and relieves coughs.

Plant your herb garden today!                   Source: AARP.org