You are very astute about the food you eat. You want to avoid chemicals. You want to avoid metals. And, you want to avoid drugs. Fish can be contaminated with drugs, even cocaine. What would you do if you knew your shrimp contained antibiotics as well as pesticides that have been banned. Our knowledge informs our decisions about what to eat. Here is an article to increase your knowledge. We love science, right? Here is a scientist and I am sure you will enjoy her interview. She is obviously very smart. She has worked with many retroviruses, including HIV, which can become AIDS. I will let her do the talking for this health tip. ENJOY! “It’s summertime, and the living is easy!” Right? Well, we want it to be. But it might not feel like living is easy. That might be because you don’t get enough sleep. There are many factors that keep people from getting the proper sleep and keeps them from recuperating and feeling refreshed in the morning. Top of the list is: how old is your mattress? And how comfortable is your mattress? The internet says a mattress should last between 7 to 10 years. I say it can last as long as you are comfortable and get a good night’s sleep. If you buy a good mattress, it can last longer than 10 years. Just like shoes, at some point, it needs to be replaced. I’ve had patients say it made a world of difference for them in terms of sleep and feeling rested. But don’t be too quick to throw out the mattress. It might be your pillow that is causing you to feel tired when you get up in the morning. And, certainly, a pillow is less expensive than a mattress. It makes sense that you need to change a pillow. After you put your weight on a shoe for so long, it loses some of its padding. So does a pillow. If you have used a pillow for two years, it is time to get a new one. Not only has the pillow lost its fluffiness, but it has collected the saliva from your mouth. Yep, you might need a new pillow!! For the most part, people tend to be healthier in the summer months. The weather is warm, so people walk and exercise more. It feels good to get in the sun for a short period of time. Our body likes the vitamin D.I’ve noticed over the years that patients are healthier in the summer. Are you? We don’t have to keep our necks wrapped up to avoid the cold, there are more fruits and vegetables to enjoy and typically we eat lighter meals. There is a lot to like about summer and how it pertains to your health! A bad cold was going around the neighborhood. If you are still suffering, come see me. I know you want to enjoy your summer! Summer seems short so let’s enjoy as much of it as possible! Often, you race through life. That makes it hard to be present? It is impossible to smell the roses. Then, something makes you stop in your tracks. Maybe it is the birth of a new baby. Or maybe it is the death of a friend or loved one. Either experience gives us the opportunity to slow down. Experience the real in life. Recognize what is most important, and that usually has to do with the people we love. Notice what is going on with you emotionally and physically. You might not be aware of the stress you are living with on a day to day basis until you stop. When you stop, you realize how fast you have been going. It is ok to slow down. It is ok to feel yourself, really feel yourself. Your fast-paced life is a ticket to self-forgetting. You forget your needs are important. Your needs are necessary. It is easier when you remember that you can’t be there for your children, your spouse or anyone else, in the way you want, if you haven’t had your own cup filled. This is all part of loving yourself!