The Dangers of Sitting All Day and How to Reverse Them

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

Letting Go of Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

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

Who Is CVWU? Meet Cape Verdean Women United

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

Mental Health – Talking with People Can Help

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

Meet Natalie Laubach, RD, CDE – Community Voices for Health Blogger

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

Meet Marsha Weiner, LICSW – Contributor to the Community Voices for Health Blog

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

Your New Community Health & Wellness Resource

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

Feeling Claimed as a Sign of Love

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

The Grateful Game

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

Fires, Flowers, Food, Oh My! Incorporate Your Favorite Scents into Your Life

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

Women in High Places: Redefining the Zeitgeist

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

Should Your Child Return to Sports After Multiple Concussions?

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?

The Winter Blues: Strategies for Fighting S.A.D.

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.

4’7’8′ YOUR WAY THROUGH 2022

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

A Resolution to Be Mindful of Others in the Small Things

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

The Joy of Singing

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

Setting Lower Expectations for Holiday Peace

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

What a Wonder at the Window: Santa’s Gift to the Nature Lover

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

Traditions Change … But Happy Everything!

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!

This Hack Could Save You Money on Your Water Bill

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

Pain Awareness Month with the American Chronic Pain Association

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

Let Your Child’s Latest Passion Prompt Time Together 

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 

Surviving Divorce: How to Prepare For The Road Ahead

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