Last Updated on April 1, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Progress, Not Perfection: How Healthy Habits Can Stack Up One Step at a Time

(Feature Impact) Despite the best of intentions, it’s common for plans to build healthier habits to fall flat. Often, the culprit isn’t a lack of motivation or discipline; rather, it’s unrealistic expectations.

Overhauling your lifestyle requires a level of commitment that isn’t always practical. Understanding your personal health needs and the challenges you need to overcome can help give you a more realistic roadmap toward better health.

Tools to Guide You

Every plan needs a starting point and there are many reputable sources that can help guide you toward a plan that addresses your personal health needs.

For example, the American Heart Association introduced My Life Check, a simple, free tool to help individuals understand their heart health and what’s driving it. Users answer simple questions about their daily habits and health factors to get a personalized Heart Health Score in minutes.

The results are private and downloadable, giving you full control of your information. The tool turns big goals into small, specific actions you can start right away. Knowing your numbers relative to your heart health (and where you are in comparison to target ranges for optimal health) can help you decide how to build a better map to get you where you want to be.

While the report is customized to each individual, no personal data is stored and answers are only used to calculate health scores and provide personalized recommendations and practical steps to improve your health, so you can use your results to focus on what matters most to you. Every small step you take, such as moving more, eating smarter, sleeping better or managing stress, can add up over time.

Finding Your Path

Once you’re armed with data and know where you stand on your heart health numbers, small steps become clearer and more manageable. That knowledge makes it easier to choose one area to focus on, such as getting more sleep, taking daily walks or adding more color to your meals.

Healthy changes don’t need to be expensive or complicated. The best habits are ones that fit real life when every action you take moves you closer to your goals.

Staying motivated and on track is also easier when you can check back in, see your progress and realize the steps you’re taking are making an impact. Checking in every few months to see how you can grow gives you the chance to celebrate your progress, learn from challenges and keep building lasting habits that feel good.

To get started with personalized tips to set your own health goals, visit heart.org/mylifecheck.

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Healthy Habits for Everyday Life

Eat Smart
Choose foods that help you feel your best, one meal at a time. Add more color to your plate and focus on balance, not restriction. Simple, affordable swaps can make a real difference.

Smart Tip: Aim for an overall healthy eating pattern that includes whole foods, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds and cooking in non-tropical oils such as olive and canola.

Move More
Find movement that fits your life, such as a walk, a stretch or dancing while you cook. Every bit of activity counts and it all supports your heart and mind. Move for joy, not just for results.

Smart Tip:Adults should get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity) per week. Kids should aim for 60 minutes every day, including play and structured activities.

Sleep Well
Rest is a foundation of good health, not a reward. Protect your bedtime routine and give your body the recovery it deserves. Notice how good sleep makes everything else easier.

Smart Tip: Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Children require more. Adequate sleep promotes healing, improves brain function and reduces the risk for chronic diseases.

Manage Stress
Check in with yourself regularly, both mentally and emotionally. Create simple moments to pause, breathe, laugh or step outside. Connection, kindness and calm all support a healthy heart.

Smart Tip:The first step to stress management is awareness. Step “away from yourself” for a moment. Objectively ask yourself, “Is my stress level too high?” If so, look at what might be causing that stress.

Ideas for Incremental Changes

• Dedicate 15 minutes at the beginning or end of the day to focus on self-care, whether it’s unwinding with some music, writing down your goals or reflecting on the highlights of the day.
• Aim to add an extra serving of fruits or veggies each day, such as creating a savory veggie omelet or exploring new smoothie blends that let you pack in the produce on the go.
• Give your cabinets a quick update and put the smaller plates front and center. When you use a smaller plate, you can fill it while still sticking to recommended serving sizes.
• If you’re not a fan of the gym, think about how your hobbies can play a role in your physical activity. Even gardening counts as physical activity, so get creative to get moving with an activity you truly enjoy.
• Establish a bedtime routine that allows you to ease into sleep more easily. Once you feel the impact of better-quality rest, you may find yourself more motivated to make a regular bedtime a priority.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

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SOURCE:

American Heart Association

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Last Updated on March 31, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Feature Impact) News of a death can spread online in seconds – often before families have notified close family members privately. That’s why grief experts urge people to rethink how they share condolences, tributes and loss-related information on social media, particularly during the winter months when grief can feel especially isolating.

“Grief etiquette is about putting the needs of the grieving family first, not our urge to say something publicly,” said Dr. Camelia L. Clarke, National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) spokesperson, funeral director and grief educator with nearly 30 years of experience. “Just because information can be shared instantly doesn’t mean it should be.”

Social media has become a common place for sharing condolences, tributes and memories. However, grief experts caution that, without thoughtful consideration, online posts can unintentionally cause harm. Knowing when to post, what to say and when to remain silent can make a meaningful difference for families experiencing loss.

Consider this advice from the experts at the NFDA.

Grief Etiquette in the Digital Age

Grief etiquette refers to the unspoken guidelines for how individuals acknowledge death, loss and mourning, particularly online.

According to Clarke, one of the most important principles is restraint.

“When a death is shared online too quickly, families can feel exposed and overwhelmed at a moment when they’re still processing the loss themselves,” she said. “Waiting is an act of compassion.”

Best Practices for Posting About Loss Online

As social media continues to play a role in modern mourning, grief professionals encourage users to pause before posting and consider a few key guidelines:

• Let the family lead. Don’t post about a death until the immediate family has made it public.
• Ask permission. Obtain consent before sharing photos, stories or tributes.
• Reach out privately first. A direct message, call or handwritten note can be more meaningful than a public comment.
• Avoid speculation. Don’t ask about or share details regarding the cause of death.
• Offer ongoing support. Grief extends far beyond the first days or weeks after a loss.

What to Say (and Avoid)

When expressing condolences online, experts recommend simplicity, sincerity and sensitivity. Messages that acknowledge loss without attempting to explain or minimize it are often the most supportive.

Helpful phrases include:

• “I’m sorry for your loss.”
• “Thinking of you and your family.”
• “I’m here if you want to talk or need anything.”

By contrast, well-meaning cliches can unintentionally cause harm. Phrases such as “They’re in a better place” or “Everything happens for a reason” may reflect the speaker’s beliefs, but they can feel dismissive to someone grieving.

“Grieving people don’t need answers – they need presence,” Clarke said. “Listening matters more than saying the perfect thing.”

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Resources for Families and Friends

As digital spaces continue to shape how people communicate during life’s most difficult moments, experts agree empathy, patience and respect remain timeless.

“Grief is deeply personal,” Clarke said. “When we slow down and lead with compassion, we honor both the person who has died and those who are left to grieve.”

To learn more about how to support a grieving person and access free, expert-reviewed resources for navigating grief, expressing condolences and supporting loved ones before, during and after a loss, visit RememberingALife.com, an initiative of the NFDA.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

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SOURCE:

National Funeral Directors Association

Last Updated on March 30, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Traveling to Mexico this spring? Here’s what to know about current advisories

(Tiffany Miller for ALG Vacations) For some travelers counting down to spring break, recent headlines about violence in parts of Mexico have sparked a new question: Should I cancel my trip? Travel advisors say they are seeing a surge in calls and emails from clients trying to determine whether developments in one region affect major resort areas elsewhere.

The questions follow several days of unrest in parts of Mexico after security operations targeting organized crime leaders prompted temporary flight disruptions and shelter-in-place guidance for U.S. government personnel in areas including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. In this article, ALG Vacations explains what current travel advisories mean for spring break travelers heading to Mexico.

The U.S. State Department evaluates Mexico state by state, not as a single destination, and advisory levels vary by region. Many major beach destinations, including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum and Los Cabos, are currently under a Level 2 advisory, which encourages travelers to exercise increased caution. It does not discourage travel.

Part of the confusion stems from geography. Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific coast, is roughly 1,300 miles from Cancun and the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean side, about the distance between New York and Miami. Because advisories are assigned state by state, developments in one region do not automatically alter another.

In recent days, that uncertainty has translated into additional inquiries about whether specific resort areas are experiencing disruptions. U.S. Embassy security alerts issued this week indicate that temporary shelter-in-place guidance affecting Puerto Vallarta was lifted and that flight operations resumed. The advisory level for the Mexican state of Quintana Roo remains unchanged.

Some clients are asking about alternatives, advisors say, but many are continuing with their plans after reviewing official updates. Travel patterns often shift in response to breaking headlines, they add, before stabilizing as clearer information becomes available.

The State Department assigns travel advisories on a four-tier scale ranging from Level 1, exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, do not travel. While Level 2 encourages increased awareness, Level 3 and Level 4 carry stronger language discouraging or restricting travel.

Advisories are reviewed regularly and can be updated as conditions evolve. The State Department’s Mexico advisory page breaks down conditions by state, reflecting the country’s federal structure rather than issuing a single national designation. Travelers can also enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which provides real-time security updates and allows U.S. officials to contact citizens in an emergency.

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Embassy notices state that airports, hotels and tourism services in Quintana Roo are operating normally. Security conditions across Mexico vary widely by state, with some regions carrying higher advisories and others designated Level 1. Most destinations popular with U.S. travelers are currently classified as Level 2.

As spring break approaches, advisors say informed decision-making depends on reviewing the advisories assigned to a specific destination and monitoring official updates, rather than reacting to national headlines alone. Travel decisions ultimately depend on individual comfort levels, they add, but advisory levels are assigned regionally and should be evaluated accordingly.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

ALG Vacations

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