• By Laurel Kelly

Housecall: Why you should drink water before you’re thirsty

November 4, 2019
a smiling woman holding out a glass of water

Want to stay hydrated? Drink before you're thirsty
Did you know you're already dehydrated when you start to feel thirsty? And that how much water you need per day depends on a number of factors, such as what you eat and the way you move your body? The climate and the weather on any given day can influence your hydration needs, as well. Here's what you need to know about staying hydrated.

Integrative medicine: Find out what works
Integrative medicine, the combination of complementary and alternative medicine treatments with conventional treatments, takes advantage of evidence-based conventional and alternative medicine practices to improve health and treat illness. While nonconventional approaches such as acupuncture, music therapy and animal-assisted therapy have been found to be effective, others haven't been studied well enough to determine whether they're safe and effective. And the web and social media are full of information about integrative health techniques, but not all of it is accurate. Here are some tips for finding integrative techniques that may work for you.

Is honey an effective cough remedy?
Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too. Learn more from Dr. James Steckelberg, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist.

Can depression and anxiety occur together?
Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but they commonly occur together. They also have similar treatments. Anxiety may occur as a symptom of clinical depression. It's also common to have depression that's triggered by an anxiety disorder. Many people have a diagnosis of both an anxiety disorder and clinical depression. Learn more from Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist and co-chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Integrated Behavioral Health.

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Salad greens with squash
Cracked wheat chili
Baked macaroni with red sauce
Quinoa cakes

The power of positive thinking
Negative thoughts can feed pessimism and create unnecessary stress. You can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. The process is simple, but it takes time and practice. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Throughout the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.


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