By Natalie Laubach RD, LDN, CDCES, Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Signature Healthcare With the transition to work-from-home culture post-pandemic, only getting up from the desk for a snack during the workday has become the new normal. Even for those of us who don’t work from home, most jobs require work on the computer … More The Dangers of Sitting All Day and How to Reverse Them
By: Nicole Long, MSW, LICSW, CEO of Old Colony Elder Services March is Social Work Month. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the theme for Social Work Month 2023 is “Social Work Breaks Barriers.” In short, social Workers help break down barriers that prevent people from living more fulfilling, enriched lives. Did … More March is Social Work Month
Mental Health Mental Illness Depression Anxiety Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia PTSD By: Marsha Weiner, LICSW, Manager of Behavioral Health Services, Signature Healthcare How many times have you heard these terms (above) perhaps related to something you have seen on the news? Your first thought might be, “Oh that person must have a mental illness or … More Letting Go of Stigma Surrounding Mental Health
By: Tina Cardoso, Executive Director at Cape Verdean Women United, Inc. Cape Verdean Women United is a non-profit 501c(3) organization based in Brockton. Our mission is to unite, educate, and empower families of all cultures with the aim of creating thriving communities. At Cape Verdean Women United (CVWU), we are steadfast in our approach of providing … More Who Is CVWU? Meet Cape Verdean Women United
Post by Emily Ann Richmond, BAMSI There are times when you just need to vent to someone. Having a conversation can help you better understand your own thoughts and feelings. When times get tough, a friend can be a reliable source of emotional support. Furthermore, getting an outside perspective can help you figure out what’s … More Mental Health – Talking with People Can Help
This post is authored by Dennis P. Carman, MSW, President & CEO of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County. Did you ever have someone share some piece of information with you that really surprised you, so that you said, “Wow, if I only knew!” Well, a number of years ago, our organization was asked … More Making Prescription Medications More Affordable
This post is by Meaghan Avery, Healthy Living Program Director for the Old Colony YMCA. As January 1st arrives, we are often bombarded with images and messages to create large changes in ourselves and in our lives. Making your way into the New Year can be an exciting fresh start but it can also be … More A Healthy Perspective for the New Year
Natalie is a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Diabetes Educator. She works in the Department of Endocrinology at Signature Healthcare. She loves to share her knowledge of healthy eating, healthy cooking, and making healthy foods taste good. Natalie has experience working with people who have chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease as … More Meet Natalie Laubach, RD, CDE – Community Voices for Health Blogger
As a physical therapist, I always educate patients on sleep hygiene. It is immensely important not only for weight management but also for other hormonal and pain conditions throughout the body. … More Thinking Weight Loss? Rethink Sleep!
Marsha Weiner is one of our contributors to the Community Voices for Health blog. We’re so excited about the knowledge and experience she brings to this conversation. She has been a social worker for 38 years. It has been quite a journey as she has worked in schools, early intervention, and outpatient mental health, as well as with pregnant and parenting teens. Marsha has been at Signature Healthcare for 20 years. … More Meet Marsha Weiner, LICSW – Contributor to the Community Voices for Health Blog
Welcome to the Community Voices for Health Blog! This blog started more than a decade ago as the Signature Moms blog! That blog was originally developed to be a resource for families in Southeastern Massachusetts. Today, we are transforming the Signature Moms Blog into the Community Voices for Health Blog. What we found over the … More Your New Community Health & Wellness Resource
By: Sandy Churchill We’ve all been there… the stress of a meltdown, the jar that falls from the fridge and shatters, the tailgater spreading toxic road rage, the colicky baby crying nonstop, the snippy comments from your partner, the lousy news from your insurance company, the frustration of a financial squeeze, the crabby mood of … More Seize the Moment with Gratitude
By: Cheryl Maguire I love reward programs. I always sign up for a program any time it’s offered at a restaurant, grocery, or retail store. Most of the time the rewards programs are free and separate from credit card reward programs. If you also have credit card rewards, you can often earn points simultaneously from … More Should I Save or Redeem My Reward Points?
By: Sandy Churchill Teachers are heading back for orientation, parents are shopping for school supplies, and students are either moving in on campus or scrambling to savor the last few days of summer before school is back in session. While the days are still steamy-hot, it’s hard to imagine the coming cooler days of fall, … More Back to School Spirit Is Not Just for Kids
By: Sandy Churchill “Put your blueberries in your bucket, Owen,” chimed a gentle mom to her sweet toddler. But Owen wasn’t convinced the bucket was the best place for his berries, as evidenced by his garbled response. Somehow he managed to contain the purple juice from spilling down his chin while his mother continued filling … More Conversations in a Blueberry Patch
By: Sandy Churchill People say grandparenthood holds a joy like no other experience—brimming with all the blessings of Mamahood but without the degree of worry and responsibility. Sure, we Mimis/Nanas/Grammys worry about our grandkids and want the best for them, but we get to embrace the fun, adventure, and memory-making moments without the all-nighters with … More Feeling Claimed as a Sign of Love
By: Sandy Churchill Baby and toddler education can be a hazy and even controversial topic for moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, and other folks navigating the tricky terrain of parenting and raising small people in stressed-out times. Between pandemics and politics, an economy in recession, and global unrest fill many of us with so much worry … More The Glory of Flashcards!
By: Cheryl Maguire I had been holed up in my house for three months like an apocalypse survivor, scared to venture into the world. Giving birth to twins will have that effect on you. My fear of leaving the house was mostly centered on the increased odds of at least one of them letting out … More Double Take: A Twin Story
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja, PT DPT As a mom, I find myself constantly on the go. Life happens to all of us, but we women tend to take on more than our fair share of stress. Thankfully, there are some relaxation exercises, known as restorative exercises that help ease stress and tension. Our body loves movement. Our … More Stretching & Relaxing for Better Health
By: Sandy Churchill I love going to the dump—er, transfer station, as I am often corrected with a wink by my father-in-law. You’re probably thinking, what? Did I read that right? What’s the deal with that? I know, a place of trash drop-off, cardboard and plastic recyclables, a stream of cars heading in and out, … More The Joys of a Dump Run, and Other Errands
By: Sandy Churchill Gratitude is not reserved for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday alone. A thankful heart is a gift that acknowledges, celebrates, and shares joy. Gratitude has a way of noticing the good, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, and has a magical quality of replicating and growing positivity. Especially when things seem … More The Grateful Game
By: Martianne Stanger Last fall, upon the request of one of my children, I set up a survival challenge – and what fun it was! I purposely chose criteria for the challenge that would tie into knowledge that my children already had, stretch them a bit further, and be more than they could do in … More Initiate a Survival Challenge!
By: Cheryl Maguire I love to travel, but costs can add up quickly. So here are some tips to help you save money when you travel and how I applied those tips when we went to Storyland, an amusement park in New Hampshire for a few days. MONEY SAVING TIP: Ask Friends and Family Before … More Money Savings Travel Tips and How I Saved
By: Sandy Churchill Smoky hearth fires, pine-scented freshly-fallen snow, newly-cut pink roses, sea-salt breezes, sautéed peppers and onions, or steaming garlicky pizza… All of these pleasures share a pronounced quality that stirs a response in each of us immediately: the gift of scent. One of the most special gifts of the human experience is the … More Fires, Flowers, Food, Oh My! Incorporate Your Favorite Scents into Your Life
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja PT, DPT March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, and for good reason. Ovarian cancer is known as the “Silent Killer,” and according to the American Cancer Society, of the nearly 20,000 women who get diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the US each year, about 12,800 women die of this cancer. On the bright side, … More March: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
By: Sandy Churchill As a self-proclaimed sufferer of seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.), I can share that winter is a tough season for me. The lack of light, freezing temperatures, and bleak monochrome days can dampen my spirits from the moment I rise in the morning. As a “Gemini girl” and typical optimist, I prefer the … More Seeking and Savoring Winter Joy!
By: Cheryl Maguire Being pregnant with a new baby is exciting and a little scary. Before your baby is born you may feel overwhelmed with information and decisions that you need to make regarding their care. Figuring out who will be your child’s doctor is one of the most important decisions you need to make … More Tips on Selecting a Pediatrician
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja PT, DPT, OCS Last year I had the pleasure and privilege of attending the International Continence Society annual conference. Although the conference was in Melbourne, the whole affair was online due to Covid. I learned new and exciting things about the world of pelvic health every minute I was there, but … More Women in High Places: Redefining the Zeitgeist
By: Cheryl Maguire Christopher Adams’ sixteen-year-old son has always loved playing hockey. But two years ago, he received his first concussion when he slammed his head against the rink glass even though he wore a helmet. Adams, 52, owner of ModestFish in Florida says, “My son started playing hockey when he was just seven, so … More Should Your Child Return to Sports After Multiple Concussions?
By: Sandy Churchill Freezing weather is upon us, the earth quiets, and our windows look out on a nearly-monochrome world. While winter has its share of seasonal gifts to be savored, many of us struggle with the shorter days, grey skies, and diminished sunlight. Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) is gaining understanding as an area related … More The Winter Blues: Strategies for Fighting S.A.D.
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja, PT DPT OCS Wrinkles, traffic, masks, work, social life, doctors’ appointments, politics, childcare arrangements, the weighing scale, health scares… the list goes on. Our lives have somehow turned into a long list of stressors. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Stress has become as interwoven in our lives as snacks with Netflix. … More 4’7’8′ YOUR WAY THROUGH 2022
By: Cheryl Maguire *Please note that milk prices are always changing and can vary by town If you asked me the price of milk years ago, I would’ve had no clue. But three kids later, I now possess the incredible ability to tell you the exact price variance between each store within a 10 mile … More Milk It For All It’s Worth
By: Sandy Churchill Chaos and frenzy abound these days, whether it’s the holiday rush, the ever-evolving COVID-19 crisis, or the frantic pace of traffic and work and school. Thus, it is no surprise that we are often so steeped in our own “to-do” list, that we can be unintentionally oblivious to the needs of others … More A Resolution to Be Mindful of Others in the Small Things
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja As we draw 2021 to a close and are ready to open the doors to 2022, braced for all its surprises (hopefully only the pleasant kinds!) and welcome all the joyous tidings we hope it will bring, I want to share a song from my native tongue, Gujarati, that is very … More The Sun, the Stars, and a Rainbow
By: Sandy Churchill Deck the Halls, Jingle Bells, Feliz Navidad, Breath of Heaven, Grown-up Christmas List… Whatever your taste in music for Christmas, Hanukkah, and throughout the winter season, there can be an undeniable spirit lift in music. An extra boost happens magically when we sing along. I cannot count how many times a dreary … More The Joy of Singing
By: Sandy Churchill As a type-A, anxiety-prone, over-the-top celebrator who embraces FOMO (fear-of-missing-out) like a mantra, I need my calm friends and family to keep me grounded. My partner in crime is a type-B, go-with-the-flow, even-keel spouse who rides the middle of the emotional highway without much veering into the highs and lows of my … More Setting Lower Expectations for Holiday Peace
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja As the year comes to an end, the spirit of Christmas envelopes me like one of those foggy, shimmery winter mornings. I remain utterly enchanted and enthralled by the beauty of this season, and this festival in particular. Even in my forties, I cannot help but gaze wide-eyed as a child … More The Beauty of Giving
By: Cheryl Maguire I realized I may sound like a person who was born in the 1900s with tales of walking 1,000 miles to school, but I am going to babble away anyway, despite my dated references and occasional senility. When I was growing up the only way we received a snow day is if … More There’s Snow Easy Way to Say it—Schools On!
By: Cheryl Maguire Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the word gratitude gets tossed around a lot. You see it on signs in stores or central themes in TV shows. Whenever I see a word used a lot, I like to look up the definition. This is what I found: The quality or feeling of … More Are You Making These Gratitude Mistakes?
By: Martianne Stanger “Come! Come!” called the excited cries of a child, beckoning us to the window where feathered friends had finally found and started to use the Wild Birds of Joy window birdfeeder that one of my children got for Christmas. Thereupon, so many giggles and grins ensued as we witnessed what we imagined … More What a Wonder at the Window: Santa’s Gift to the Nature Lover
By: Sandy Churchill I love Halloween! I love Thanksgiving! I love Christmas! I love Easter! I love the Fourth of July! As you can surmise, I am one of those folks who gets excited about any reason to celebrate—to get together with family and friends, craft, cook, converse, and do myriad seasonal things that comprise … More Traditions Change … But Happy Everything!
By: Martianne Stanger It’s no secret that I love getting myself and my family outside and that the woods is one of my favorite places to be. What seems to be a secret to some, though, is just how to get a family outside and enjoying the woods. Yep. For I have had people ask … More 10 + Secrets to Enjoying Time in the Woods
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja PT, DPT The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) celebrates the month of October every year as the National Physical Therapy Month (NPTM). This is a great reminder of the role of the profession of physical therapy in everyday lives, and the contribution of all PT’s, PTA’s, and student PT’s and PTA’s to the … More National Physical Therapy Month
By: Cheryl Maguire “Are you kidding me??” That was my reaction after opening our water bill. The amount was $700 MORE than the normal average amount. My first call was to the town water company assuming it must be some sort of mistake. “What is your address?” I rattled off my address, including the town, … More This Hack Could Save You Money on Your Water Bill
By: Dr. Tanvi Maharaja, PT DPT OCS PCES, Pelvic Health PT Chronic pain is one of those complex experiences that science still has to completely unravel. The perception and treatment of chronic pain has changed dramatically over the past few decades. This paradigm shift occurred when neuroscientists, and subsequently health care practitioners, began to see and treat … More Pain Awareness Month with the American Chronic Pain Association
By: Martianne Stanger As I write this, I am sitting on the couch sick. I can get up and do some things, but, each time I do, I am beset with a coughing fit. So, I am pacing myself. Meanwhile, my household is still humming. The laundry machine and dryer are turning. The dishwasher is … More Not for a Bygone Era: Saturday Morning Chores
By: Martianne Stanger Helmet on. Excitement stoked. New obstacles ready to be conquered. Love, caution, yet encouragement pouring out. This has been my husband. “You did it!” This has been me shouting out about my son’s victory while snapping photos of his bike and skateboard exploits. Honestly, I never thought I’d be one to hang at skate … More Let Your Child’s Latest Passion Prompt Time Together
By: Cheryl Maguire When PeggySue Wells’ husband walked out on her, she looked at her six children’s face’s and wondered, How did this happen? So many other questions ran through her mind. Could I ease their pain? What do I do now? Will my children be permanently damaged? Can I provide all that my family needs? Wells was able to move … More Surviving Divorce: How to Prepare For The Road Ahead
Community Voices for Health 