Tag: Dr. Barbara Princeton

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How the Weather May Impact your Mental Health

In the Northeast, we run the gamut of weather events. Between hurricanes and blizzards, extreme heat and floods—we experience it all between each of the four seasons. As the weather here can be extreme, you can expect to experience some mood changes related to the weather. Read on for ways the weather affects your mental health.

Stress

If you find yourself stressed when extreme weather is predicted, this is not an abnormal feeling. Many people find these situations stress triggers, and chronic stress goes hand in hand with mental illness. These trigger anxiety and depressive symptoms which is why you find yourself in a worse mood during months of extreme weather like the cold.

Weather Phobia

There are instances where you are not just stressed out about the weather, but feel intense fear regarding it. Having a weather phobia is rare, but is extremely possible. It’s normal to have fear about things we cannot control, and being worried about how weather could affect your day negatively could cause some anxiety. If you find your fear of impending weather is having an impact on your ability to live your daily life, try talking to your doctor or a therapist who can help you learn coping mechanisms.

Heat vs Cold

When it comes to humidity and the hotter months, people tend to be easily irritable. Research has shown that when there is more humidity, aggression and conflict happen at a higher rate than during the colder months. Still, during colder months, you may find yourself feeling grumpier and less motivated to leave your home to do the things you normally love to do.

While we’ve all experienced how the weather can have a small influence on mood, some people experience this on a deeper level. Seasonal Affective Disorder happens when the seasons change. Be aware of how the weather can impact your mood in both positive and negative ways and seek help if you feel as though coping mechanisms could help you regain a sense of control of your emotions when the weather seems to always rain on your parade.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

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Places to Travel to Volunteer

Volunteer work can become a lifelong commitment for those who have discovered a passion for giving back. It is an opportunity to meet new people, have a new perspective on different places, and to help those who are less fortunate. There are hundreds if not thousands of organizations to volunteer with in locations worldwide, but where should one go? Keep in mind that some places may have different kinds of services and organizations available. Here are a few places to travel for volunteer work:

India

Despite a continued increase in economic growth and being a beautiful country, communities in India are still struggling with certain aspects of daily life. Some of these include proper housing, medical care, and access to clean water. Many hospitals and clinics need volunteers pertaining to dental and medical assistance as well as basic health, disease, and, of course, the pandemic.

South Africa

South Africa is not only known for its tourism, history and wildlife. It’s also known for its volunteer work concerning education, development, and conservation. This country is wonderful to both explore and work in to help the less fortunate. Volunteers can help with things like building construction and educational projects and activities for the youth.

Peru

Peru is very notable for its tourism spots like Machu Picchu and other ancient areas with gorgeous landmarks such as its mountains, beaches, and valleys. The country hosts an assortment of charity work and associations that help with water sanitation, farming, and healthcare.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, Princeton Internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. She is also the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

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How to Work on Having a Positive Mindset

It’s not uncommon to find yourself feeling down or doubtful about yourself or certain things in your life. You’re not alone in this, and lots of things in life can get you down or lead you to carrying a negative mindset. Adopting a positive mindset can help improve not only your day, but your entire life. Thinking positively can lead a person to make better decisions in their life to set them on the right track for success. Keep on reading to see what steps you can take today to guarantee positivity!

Be more conscious of your gratitude

Having a sense of gratefulness can truly elevate your life. Being grateful helps a person to become an optimist instead of a pessimist, as you can appreciate all of the things in your life that mean something to you. This can range from telling a friend or family member that you love and appreciate them, to just being happy that the sun is shining and the clouds are gone. Being more grateful day-to-day can help get your mind into the habit of seeing the best in things, which will help if you’re feeling down!

Work on that voice in your head

We all have one of those voices in our heads that acts as an inner narration of our  thoughts. Do you realize that you can engage with this part of yourself and rework a bad mindset into a good one? That’s right, you can literally talk yourself up and out of a negative mindset. Work through negative or pessimistic thoughts in your head and reset that mindset!

Be mindful

Being mindful means to live in the moment and have awareness of what is going on. Doing so with an open and kind attitude can really help rearrange your attitude and outlook on life! For many, the mind can wander and be stuck on things like the past, or anxious worries about the future. Throw these thoughts aside and be able to pull your mind back down to reality and focus on the here and now. This in-the-moment attitude helps to build focus and can help guide you to your goals.

Define your success

Everybody’s definition of success will be different, but one thing is consistent: this definition of success will help support a positive mindset and will guide you along the road of achieving well-being. If you have a clear goal in mind of where you want to be in life, and carry lots of confidence about it, you can use that momentum to propel you forward.

Reworking your attitude and outlook on life can help you immensely. It’s been proven that keeping a positive mindset allows a person to be happier. Make your switch today!

Dr. Barbara Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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Developing Healthier Eating Habits

Woman eating a salad

We all know that we need to maintain a healthy diet to live a balanced, vital life, but a “healthy” diet can be hard to achieve when we are bombarded with messages about dieting simply to lose weight. While weight loss can be a side effect of a diet packed with nutrients and foods that are good for your health, the goal is to develop habits that keep you eating those healthy, whole foods. Here is a list of methods to keep in mind to stay on the right track towards developing healthier habits around food.

Self-Reflect

You won’t be able to notice unhealthy habits if you don’t allow yourself to take note. Reflection and self-awareness are key to implementing healthier habits. For instance, try keeping a food and drink diary to understand what you frequently reach for that leaves you feeling sluggish. Using this info, you can sketch out your food habits, good and bad. Knowing these habits is beneficial to you, as you can highlight which ones you would like to work on, and which you can keep.

Change Routine if Needed

If your daily routine is enabling your unhealthy behavior, it’s okay to change it! For most people who may have unhealthy eating habits, breakfast is not an essential meal. This may not seem that important to some, but in order to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, the age-old phrase “the most important meal of the day” really does reign true. Breakfast is so important because it provides energy for you to begin your day. If you haven’t eaten earlier in the morning, you may find yourself fatigued and too tired to get certain important tasks done. Skipping meals is another bad habit to watch for, as the inconsistency of when you eat can have negative effects on health. To enforce a healthy routine, make sure that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are consistently being eaten.

Eat Foods You Can Pronounce

Reaching for packaged foods as you sit down to watch a movie or to snack on quickly before a zoom call at work add up at the end of a week. As you track your eating habits, you may notice how large a percentage of your caloric intake is coming from processed foods with ingredients you can’t pronounce. Instead, try reaching for more whole foods that are grown on farms, rather than produced in factories. Food should bring you fulfillment and satisfaction – take the time to slow down to enjoy full meals rather than quick snacks.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.

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Three Delicious Keto Holiday Meal Recipes

The holidays can be such a stressful time with all the gifts to buy (and receive on time), decisions about who will host and who will travel, and all the other stressors that go into holiday planning. However, maintaining a healthy keto diet doesn’t have to be part of that stress this year. Here are three recipes that can satisfy cravings this holiday season. 

Cauliflower Stuffing 

Cauliflower Stuffing is a great way to stay aligned with the keto diet and enjoy a classic holiday meal. It’s a great way to pack all those amazing flavors you want during the holiday season. Similar to bread in usual stuffing, cauliflower soaks in all the flavors like a sponge. 

Baked Fresh Ham with Herbs de Provence

Ham is a great source of protein that’s key to the keto diet. When is a better time to try Baked Fresh Ham with Herbs de Provence than during the holidays? This recipe is a great way to get the protein you need and still follow your diet during your holiday dinner. 

Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps 

Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps aren’t the usual holiday meal, but why can’t they be? Shrimp is another food that is high in protein but also a great source of nutrients. Creating lettuce wraps is giving your body the nutrients it needs without giving it unnecessary calories. This might not be the most common holiday meal, but it’s a great meal idea if you want something tasty and different tasting while sticking to your keto diet. 

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards, a Princeton MD is the Academic Director for the Ambulatory Residency Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, providing quality care to uninsured and under-insured New Jersey residents in Mercer and Middlesex counties.