Take advantage of tools to help stroke patients.
The weakness and paralysis that may occur with your muscles can make it difficult to do your own shopping, prepare and cook your own food, or hold plates, glasses, and utensils. In this instance, it is essential to ask for help, from loved ones or medical professionals, in getting and making healthy meals. It can be not only difficult to feed yourself, but embarrassing when things do not go the way you’re used to.
Luckily, there are items specifically made to help those recovering from a stroke manage better. For example, some stroke-friendly utensils have larger handles or straps so that you can get a grip on them more easily. If you’re struggling from paralysis of one side of the body, special knives are made with a curve in them to make cutting food easier, and you can attach special guards around your plate to keep your food stabilized. There are also special rubber mats to keep plates still, although it may be cheaper to look for simple place mats or cupboard liners for those with financial difficulties.
Did you know...
- There are many factors that contribute to your body odor, but one of the strongest links is our diet. This may be some bad news for meat-lovers because many studies have shown that those who refrained from or ate less red meat were judged as being more pleasant smelling. The meat sweats are real, and they don’t smell great!
- Are you currently or often tired? As contradictory as it may sound, one of the best things you can do is exercise! It gives you more energy by improving your blood flow and increasing your oxygen throughout your body. You don't need to do much; a brisk walk is all it takes!
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Do you know what the strongest muscle in your body is? No, it’s not your biceps or your thighs. It’s actually in your head. The masseter is a muscle in the jaw that is used when chewing. When all of the muscles of the jaw work together, they can exert a force as strong as 200 pounds on the molars. That’s some serious pressure.
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!