well into the first year of life. When a baby is held, cuddled, and breast-fed, she's getting crucial stimulation

 to build neural connections between her skin and her brain that will ultimately last her entire lifetime.

Study after study has shown that touch is not only important for development, but is crucial to survival.

 James H.M. Knox of Johns Hopkins Hospital reported in 1915 that babies left in orphanages and given proper

nutrition died at a rate of about 90 percent. Other studies of the same era confirmed these findings and showed

that those babies who did survive were often mentally handicapped and stunted in their growth. These valuable

 studies helped institutions understand the importance of touch. When staff was added to provide enough time for each child to be held, handled, and touched, mortality rates dropped dramatically.

Massage for Adults Ongoing research by the Touch Research Institute continues to prove that massage is an important

therapy for many conditions. After a massage, levels of the stress hormone cortisol drop in saliva tests, examinations show

 an improvement in alertness and relaxation, depression scores decrease, and mental focus improves.  The exponential growth

of the bodywork field is a testament to the value of safe, therapeutic touch. Of course bodywork can play an essential role in the

 healing of specific chronic or acute orthopedic conditions, but it also serves as a powerful aide in improving the quality of life

for adults.

Massage for Seniors:  People confined to nursing homes rarely get more than daily hygienic care in terms of touch. Yet

elders need touch as much as infants, studies show that when they receive regular massage, the elderly have less depression

and anxiety, experience better physical coordination, and show a decrease of stress hormone in their saliva.

Contact for All Ages   Before babies learn about their hands and feet, they need the touch of loved ones and caregivers.

We retain that need our entire lives. Remember to savor touch the next time you're laying on a massage table. Your therapist

is not only working out tight muscles, she's contacting your entire nervous system, calming you through pathways that were

 put in place before you were born.                       

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Studies done at Ohio State University have shown that even minor psychological stress can compromise the immune system. 

When the body fights a virus or heals a wound, it releases cytokines cells, chemical messengers that call in immune agents. 

Stress distracts these cells from doing their work, instead sending them ranging wildly through the bloodstream.  They then

 produce a prolonged inflammatory response that far exceeds what is needed with infection.

Thoughts can also help us to heal.  Growing clinical research suggest that imagery is beneficial in treating skin disease, diabetes,

 arthritis, headaches, and other conditions.  Imagery also has been helpful in managing pain.  The mind is our most potent

weapon in the battle for health. 

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Laugh, because when you do, you pump more oxygen into your lungs, improve blood flow and boost your immune system.

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Foods to help you lose weight:

Walnuts:  Though high in calories, walnuts contain protein, healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids to help you feel full. 

A small handful (10-12) as a midafternoon snack or in your salad at lunch may do the trick.

Watermelon or other high water content fruits and vegetables fill you up with calories.  As a bonus, the vitamins and

antioxidants will boost your immune system.

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The number of Americans suffering from back-and-neck problems increased almost 5 percent from 1997 to 2005.

According to a Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) abstract, the study estimated the costs related

to back-and-neck problems, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, and pharmacy expenditures, from 1997

through 2005.

Among the findings: 

 In 1997 medical cost for patients with spine problems was $4,695; for patients without spine problems, cost was $2,731 (figures

have been inflation-adjusted to 2005 dollars).

In 2005 medical cost for patients with spine problems was $6,096; for patients without spine problems, cost was $$3,516.

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                A smile is a light in the window of the soul indicating that the heart is at home.  - Anonymous

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Comfort Recipe:  Cranberry Turkey Salad 

       2 cups cooked turkey breast, cubed

       4 cups romaine lettuce, torn into small pieces

       1 large red apple, cored and cut into small pieces

       1 orange peeled and segmented (or use a small can of mandarin oranges)

       1/4 cup dried cranberries

       3 tablespoons walnuts, coarsely  chopped