Heidi Godman

Lap swimming is a very effective workout: aerobics, strengthening, and stretching in one activity. Make sure you’re reasonably healthy before diving in, but even if you’re not, or if you don’t know how to swim, aquatic exercises are beneficial, too.

Trouble reading may stem from physical challenges, difficulty concentrating, traumatic brain injury, or mild cognitive impairment. After an evaluation, try these workaround strategies.

Shoes with a tight toe box or too-high heels can contribute to big toe joint problems like bunions and osteoarthritis. Surgery may be needed, or simple steps could help ease pain and keep you moving.

When it’s time for a treat, ice cream is one of the most popular choices. There are now many more “frozen dessert” options besides frozen yogurt, like non-dairy products. Are any of them better for you than ice cream, or worse?

Looking for a way to add variety to your workouts? Consider kettlebells. Kettlebell exercises work several muscle groups at a time, and can help improve posture and balance as well.

The emotional weight of grief affects the body in the form of stress, which can make existing conditions worse or cause new ones, and can also lead to depression. Maintaining health may seem difficult while grieving, but doing so can help rebuild mental strength.

That playground you like to visit with your kids or grandkids may be morphing into a space that is “fun for the whole family” — fitness parks with exercise equipment suitable for people of all ages alongside the more typical child-focused play structures.

If you find that you’re eating the same meals too frequently, or relying too much on frozen dinners or takeout, here are some suggestions to perk up your meals and break out of that dietary rut.

A digestive enzyme supplement can be helpful for people who have difficulty digesting certain foods, but taking one to treat a condition such as heartburn may or may not provide any relief.

A newly available test offers to provide information about your telomeres, parts of your DNA that are considered markers of aging, but on its own this information is of little value, and you can make beneficial lifestyle changes without paying for a test.