Why Spring is A Good Time to Rebuild Healthy Routines

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes warm weather, blooming flowers and trees, and longer days. It is a time for renewal and rejuvenation, and as we thaw out from winter, we may realize that spending most of our time indoors has caused us to fall into sedentary habits, such as binging comfort foods, not exercising, and other sluggish routines.

However, spring is the perfect time to refresh your health goals, rebuild healthy routines, and establish new habits. Here are some ways you can reset for the season:

Spring cleaning usually relates to deep cleaning our homes and decluttering our closets. However, it can also be a great way to reset your mindset. A clutter-free environment can help encourage mental clarity, productivity, and relaxation. You can start spring cleaning by organizing your workspaces, donating unused clothes and items, and deep-cleaning busy areas to create a space that feels new and cheerful. You can also declutter any digital spaces, such as emails, phone apps, and limit screen time, which can promote a more mindful relationship with technology.

Warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours make springtime the perfect time to take advantage of the sun. It allows us to enjoy its benefits, as it can boost our mood and energy. The spring sun recharges us with the vitamin D we were lacking after a cold and dreary winter. The sun also helps regulate circadian rhythms, which improves sleep and overall well-being. Even taking a short daily walk during the daytime can increase mental clarity and reduce stress. It is important to note that you should put on sunscreen, wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and garments with long sleeves and pants while outside to help prevent skin cancer.

Spring is a great time to assess your work-life balance and make the necessary adjustments that support your well-being. If you suffered from seasonal affective disorder or felt burnt out during winter, spring is an opportunity to rebalance work and life for less stress. Prioritize self-care and set boundaries. Make time for activities that bring you joy and happiness, such as engaging in your favorite hobbies, socializing with friends, or spending time with family. It is also important to schedule breaks, time outdoors, and moments of relaxation. A healthy work-life balance can increase mental clarity, motivation, and happiness, which can help you enter spring with restored energy and focus.

Warm spring weather provides the perfect temperature to move your workout outdoors. The standard minimum recommended time for moderate-intensity physical activity is 150 minutes per week. Whether it’s a morning jog, yoga in the park, evening walks, or gardening, it will do as long as your muscles are activated, and you do it consistently. Exercising in the sunshine adds a mood-enhancing benefit, as being amongst nature helps reduce cortisol levels, which improves heart health.

The longer days of spring may also benefit sleep health. The natural light of the sun during the day helps regulate the body’s melatonin production and improve your sleep quality and energy levels. Create a relaxing evening routine by winding down with calming activities such as reading, meditating, or gentle stretching. Try to avoid consuming caffeine or heavy meals late in the evening, as they can disrupt restfulness.

Spring is the time for new beginnings, which makes it an excellent time to focus on mental wellness. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling, can help decrease stress and gain clarity. Take a few minutes each day to practice gratitude, as it can change your mindset and improve your emotional well-being. Think about establishing seasonal goals that fit your values, whether it is improving your fitness, learning a new skill or language, or creating more balance in your life. Connecting with nature, practicing self-reflection, and letting go of old habits can refresh your outlook, which can help you feel more grounded and at peace.

This season of renewal is a great time to make dietary changes. Trade in heavy, processed foods for seasonal fruits, vegetables, and lighter meals that support digestion and energy. Focus on eating foods that are rich in nutrients, such as berries, leafy greens, citrus fruits, and lean proteins. It is also important to hydrate. Increase your water intake and try drinking herbal teas or lemon water to support natural detoxification. Evaluate your eating habits and identify areas where there can be improvement. Decrease your consumption of excess sugar, refined carbs, and artificial additives. Replace them with foods that are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Add more fermented foods such as yogurt and kimchi, as they can also promote gut health, boost digestion, and immunity.

Spring can be a seasonal reset, as it allows you to feel more energized, balanced, and refreshed. Incremental changes such as spending more time outdoors, improving your diet, prioritizing rest, and tidying up your space can make a major impact on both your physical and mental well-being. Embracing renewal and positive habits can help you enter spring rejuvenated, filled with happiness, vitality, and personal growth.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Athlete’s Foot

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a skin infection caused by dermatophytes, which are the same fungi that cause jock itch and ringworm. However, unlike jock itch and ringworm, athlete’s foot can often come back.

The fungi that cause athlete’s foot thrive in warm, damp places, which can occur when feet get hot and sweaty inside closed shoes, creating sweaty socks. They can also live on wet towels.

The fungi that cause athlete’s foot can spread easily to other people because they can travel on hands, towels, and other surfaces. A person can get athlete’s foot through contact with someone who has it and by touching surfaces where fungi are present. It can also spread from the feet to other parts of the body and may happen when a person uses a towel to dry their feet and then uses the same towel to dry the rest of their body, such as the groin area, which causes jock itch.

Athlete’s foot can affect one or both feet, usually starting between the toes. It causes common symptoms that include:

Dry, scaly skin on the bottom and sides of the feet

Itchy skin, occurring especially right after taking off shoes and socks

Swollen skin that may look red, purple, or gray, depending on skin color

A burning or stinging sensation

Blisters

Scaly, peeling, or cracked skin between the toes

A person has a higher risk of developing athlete’s foot if they:

Sweat a lot

Often wear closed shoes

Walk barefoot in public showers, pools, or locker rooms

Share towels, shoes, rugs, or bed linens with someone who has athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot can cause complications for people with weakened immune systems, such as those with diabetes, leading to a bacterial skin infection called cellulitis.

A healthcare provider may be able to diagnose athlete’s foot after an examination. Some types of athlete’s foot can look similar to dry skin or dermatitis. To help rule out other conditions, your provider may take a small skin sample of the affected area for lab testing.

Treatment for athlete’s foot may involve self-care and over-the-counter products such as antifungal cream, spray, or powder. If these over-the-counter products do not work, a healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger antifungal medicine to apply to the affected area.

Several tips can help ease the symptoms of athlete’s foot and lower the risk of it coming back. They include:

Keeping your feet clean and dry

Wearing different shoes every day

Changing socks regularly

Wearing breathable and lightweight footwear

Using an antifungal product

Wearing waterproof shoes or sandals around public pools, showers, and locker rooms

Not scratching the rash in the affected area

Not sharing shoes

If you are experiencing symptoms of athlete’s foot or another fungal infection, you can call (718) 206- 6742 or (718) 206-7001 to make an appointment.

The Importance of Handwashing During Cold and Flu Season

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that only 31% of men and 65% of women wash their hands after using a public restroom.

Not washing our hands can lead to the spread of germs and increase the risk of getting illnesses that affect our health.

Personal hygiene begins and ends with our hands. Frequent handwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay healthy and reduce the spread of germs.

Germs can spread easily when we touch our faces, prepare food, or handle shared objects. You can pick up and pass along germs when you:

Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Prepare or eat food with unwashed hands

Touch contaminated surfaces or objects

Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into your hands and then touch others or shared items

Therefore, it is extremely important to keep you and your loved ones healthy by washing your hands often. There are several instances when it is important to wash your hands, including:

Before, during, and after preparing food

Before eating

Before and after caring for someone who’s sick

Before and after treating a wound

After using the bathroom

After changing diapers or cleaning a child who has used the bathroom

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After touching animals or handling pet food

After touching garbage

Some other facts that highlight the importance of handwashing include:

80% of spreadable diseases can be transferred by touch

Washing your hands a few times a day can reduce diarrhea rates by 40%

Touching your face with dirty hands can spread sicknesses such as pneumonia, the common cold, and the flu

Pneumonia is the number one cause of childhood death, and is preventable by regular handwashing

When you flush a toilet with the seat up, a bacteria-filled mist is spread over about 6 square meters, and worse, 90% of these bacteria cover the sinks in public bathrooms.

Most bacteria on our hands are under our fingernails, so it is important to scrub under them when washing our hands

Damp hands are 1,000 times more likely to spread bacteria than dry hands, yet only 20% of people dry their hands after washing them

Reusable cloth towels have millions of bacteria in their fibers. Using disposable paper towels is the cleanest way to dry our hands

Studies show that people who wash their hands have 24% fewer sick days because of respiratory illness, and 51% fewer sick days due to a sick stomach

It is important to wash your hands after being in public places where you may touch shared surfaces such as door handles, shopping carts, or checkout screens, and before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Clean hands prevent infections and sickness, so it is important to learn the basics of hand hygiene. Here are five steps to wash your hands the right way:

Wet your hands with clean, warm, or cold running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap

Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails

Scrub for at least 20 seconds. You can hum or sing the “Happy Birthday” song to time yourself

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water

Dry your hands with a clean towel or dry air

If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Making a habit of good hand hygiene is an easy, effective way to prevent infections and sickness.

If you are sick and would like to be seen by a physician, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

How to Prepare for Cold and Flu Season

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

As we progress through the fall season and approach winter, it is essential to take proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from seasonal illnesses.

Here are some steps you can take to prepare for the upcoming cold and flu season:

Getting vaccines, such as the flu shot, can help your body’s immune system recognize and defend against a variety of viruses before you get infected. They can also reduce the severity of symptoms if you do fall ill.
Avoiding and preventing the spread of illnesses by practicing good hygiene habits can help reduce your exposure to germs and viruses. Some good hygiene habits you can practice include:
- Washing your hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the restroom
- Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, even if it is just seasonal allergies
- Wiping down commonly used surfaces in your home, such as door handles, toilets, faucets, remotes, and other areas you and your loved ones may touch regularly
- Avoiding sharing personal products and utensils with others
- Wearing a mask to help reduce your exposure to respiratory illnesses
- Limiting time in shared spaces, when you can, to help stop germs from spreading around your home
Taking care of yourself by protecting your immune system. Some ways you can protect your immune system include:
- Getting a good night’s rest can help strengthen your body and immune system against illnesses
- Adding vitamin-dense fruits and vegetables to your meals can help you maintain your energy and ward off viral and bacterial infections.
- Staying hydrated, which can help loosen mucus and increase blood flow
- Staying physically active can help your body build resistance and resilience against infectious diseases
- Taking time to relax and manage stress is important to keep your immune system running at full capacity. Experiencing stress may affect self-care routines and lower the body’s resistance to infections

If you do start to feel under the weather, it is important to take quick action to protect your health and prevent the spread of illness to others. By following these simple steps, you can recover more comfortably and help keep you and your loved ones safe.

If you are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

Are Allergy Symptoms Worsening?

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

As we enter the height of spring, seasonal allergy symptoms may seem to be getting worse for those who suffer from them.

Seasonal allergy symptoms can include:

Sneezing
A runny or stuffy nose
Watery, itchy eyes
Itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
Ear congestion
Postnasal drainage

Public health and research organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America point to climate change as a possible contributing factor to worsening allergy seasons.

Due to the warmer temperatures, pollinating plants experience earlier and longer growing seasons, which allows them to produce more pollen.

“Climate change impacts allergy season because the consistent rhythm of, in this case of pollen, for example, new flowers being generated through spring is all off kilter. Areas that were not pollinating at a given time are pollinating earlier, while other areas are pollinating later”, says Frederic Bertley, PhD, president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry.

More than a quarter of adults and about 1 in 5 children experience seasonal allergies in the United States.

However, despite the increasing severity of allergy season, there are ways to decrease exposure to pollen and reduce symptoms, including:

Keeping pollen out of your home by closing doors and windows
Installing HEPA filters
Giving your home a deep clean
Washing your hands often
Tracking pollen levels before you go outdoors
Showering after being outdoors
Staying indoors if pollen levels are high

In addition to decreasing exposure, there are over-the-counter allergy medications that you can take to relieve symptoms, including:

Antihistamines
Decongestants
Nasal and oral corticosteroids

You can receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for seasonal allergies at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.

Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Service Wants to Educate the Public on How to “Stop the Bleed”

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

What would you if you encountered a traumatic event where someone was bleeding and no medical professional was immediately available? Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Division wants to make you aware of a national campaign called “Stop the Bleed” that can help in these types of situations.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign that was initiated by the White House in 2015 to bring attention to this very serious situation. It is a collaboration of a number of Federal agencies, non- profit organizations and corporations. The purpose of this campaign is to teach as many people as possible what to do when faced with a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. When an emergency arises often the first people on the scene will be non-medical professionals without much training in first aid. This campaign serves to train as many people as possible on what to do until help arrives.

These are the ABC’s to follow when someone is bleeding: :

A – Alert
Either call 9-1-1 or have another bystander make the call
B – Bleeding
Find the source of the bleed
C – Compress
Apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Cover the wound with a clean cloth and apply pressure with both hands, apply a tourniquet when possible, or pack the wound with gauze or a clean cloth

In addition it is important to assess the situation so that you can ensure your own safety. When it is possible, you should protect yourself from blood and blood products by using gloves and other protective gear when available.

If you would like to obtain more information on learning how to Stop the Bleeding, please visit the website

Home Remedy for an Upset Tummy…

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Joann Ariola

The Chinese have used ginger to treat nausea and digestive issues for over 2,000 years. While research has debated the extent of its effectiveness as a natural remedy, it’s thought that active components, such as gingerol, directly affect the digestive and central nervous systems.

Most doctors and herbal medicine practitioners agree that using fresh ginger in teas and water or natural ginger candies will help relieve nausea, especially during pregnancy. Some studies suggest it is an effective treatment for post-operative and chemotherapy-related nausea, as well.

Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help boost immunity. Bottom line, there are no disadvantages to ingesting a little ginger to help ease nausea and digestive issues.

Home Remedy for and Upset Tummy

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Joann Ariola

Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties that may help boost immunity. Bottom line, there are no disadvantages to ingesting a little ginger to help ease nausea and digestive issues.

Treating a Sore Throat

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Andrew Rubin

One of the most common causes of a sore throat is a viral infection, such as from a cold. A sore throat can also be due to a bacterial infection such as strep throat, or irritation from pollutants including smoke, allergies, and dryness.

Once a diagnosis is made, the symptoms of a sore throat can be treated. Over the counter medication can be used to relieve some of the symptoms. When the cause of the sore throat is bacterial, an antibiotic may have to be prescribed by a physician. If the sore throat is being caused by exposure to an irritant it is a good idea to stay away from the substance that is causing the problem.

Home remedies for the symptoms of a sore throat include:

Rest
Drinking fluids
Warm liquids
Gargling with warm salt water
Lozenges

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital, please call

What’s Bugging You?

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Joann Ariola

Summer usually means picnics and family reunions, but it also means a reunion with insects that can wreak havoc on outdoor activities. Follow these tips to minimize the potential for bug bites and bee stings.

When outdoors – especially in wooded areas – wear long sleeves, pants, and socks to help protect your skin from insect bites. Be aware that insects may be drawn to scented soaps and perfumes. Also, cover food and drain or dump standing water, which attracts most insects.

Mosquito bites can be more than just annoying and itchy, they can also make you really sick. Using insect repellent is the best way to protect yourself and your family, especially when traveling overseas. Repellent is the best way to prevent diseases like Zika that are primarily spread by mosquitoes.

Treating Bites and Bee Stings

If a sting occurs, remove the stinger as soon as possible by scraping the area with your fingernail or something with a flat surface, such as a credit card. For bee and wasp stings and non-poisonous spider bites, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and apply ice to reduce swelling. Continue to wash two or three times daily until the skin has healed.

Severe Reactions

If you are stung in the mouth, seek medical attention immediately. Severe swelling occurs quickly in oral mucous membranes and can block airways, making breathing difficult or impossible.

If you have a severe reaction to a bug bite, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Room or call 911. Otherwise Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center is available to help, to schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.

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