BALI, Indonesia, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Celebrate Easter and the upcoming school holidays with an unforgettable beachfront getaway at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort. With a refreshed lobby, a vibrant social lounge at &More by Sheraton, and the newly renovated “PlayHouse” kids club, the resort blends premium comfort with family-friendly fun in the heart of Kuta.

Wake up to the gentle sound of waves and breathtaking ocean views from your private balcony, setting the perfect tone for a memorable family escape. The Suite Experience package offers spacious comfort with a sofa bed, kids’ tent amenities, a one-time minibar, VIP perks, and a special family room setup. Begin your day with a lavish buffet breakfast, fueling adventures for the little ones at PlayHouse, where 20+ activities keep them entertained, while parents unwind by the infinity pool or enjoy curated moments with the Side by Side program. Afternoons invite relaxation and indulgence with the Jewelry Box Afternoon Tea, a delightful treat for the whole family. Families can also enjoy 15% off dining, including the famous Sunday Social Brunch, where kids dine free. As the sun sets, the revitalized lobby offers a warm, inviting space for coffee, pastries, and social gatherings, while &More by Sheraton sets the scene for a perfect evening with live music, handcrafted cocktails, and stunning views of Kuta Beach. Savor authentic Italian cuisine at Bene Italian Kitchen, sip signature drinks at &More by Sheraton, or explore diverse culinary delights at Daily Social, all with panoramic ocean vistas. Just steps from Beachwalk Shopping Center, local markets, and the iconic WXYZ Bar at Aloft Bali Kuta, the resort offers the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement. Whether an Easter egg hunt by the beach or a sunset cocktail, every moment is designed for lasting memories. Ashley Lai, Cluster General Manager of Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort & Aloft Bali Kuta at Beachwalk, shares “It’s more than a place to stay, it’s a destination. With refreshed spaces, family-friendly experiences, and unmatched dining, we create moments that last a lifetime.” Enjoy the Marriott Bonvoy Fast Track program, become a member and register by April 14, 2025, to earn 1,000 bonus points and 1 Elite Night Credit per night. For more information visit Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort.   SOURCE Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort

(Family Features) Throughout history, humans’ ability to rely on one another has been crucial to survival. Despite modern developments that help individuals live with minimal human engagement, the human need to connect remains. However, in many parts of America, a trend toward isolation is emerging. Over the past two decades, people are spending more time alone and less time engaging with others in person, according to data from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. One segment of Americans at particular risk of social isolation, loneliness and their negative impacts are select populations who live in rural areas. “There is an urgent need to take action and improve mental health in rural America,” said Jeff Winton, dairy farmer and founder and chairman of Rural Minds, a nonprofit mental health advocacy organization that partnered with Pfizer to raise awareness about the physical and mental risks of social isolation. “Challenges to mental health can be inherent in a rural lifestyle, including a belief in self-reliance as a virtue, fear of judgment and difficulty getting an appointment with a limited number of mental health professionals, among others.” Many Americans are increasingly spending more time alone according to the American Time Use Survey. They are increasingly more likely to take meetings, shop, eat and enjoy entertainment at home, making it easier for them to stay within their own four walls and avoid social interactions. Authentic human connection is a basic but often unacknowledged necessity for health, “as essential to survival as food, water and shelter,” according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Health Effects of Social Connection and Community. Understanding Social Isolation According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one-third of U.S. adults reported feeling lonely and about one-fourth said they don’t have social and emotional support (the basis of social isolation). The concepts of social isolation and loneliness can go hand-in-hand, but the two are actually quite different. Social isolation is defined by an absence of relationships or contact with others. Someone experiencing loneliness may or may not have social connections, but lacks feelings of closeness, support or belonging. Despite the distinction, both can have a negative impact on a person’s mental and even physical health. Several factors can influence a person’s risk for social isolation and loneliness. “Social connection is a dynamic that changes over time,” said Nikki Shaffer, senior director, occupational health and wellness, Pfizer. “Transient feelings of loneliness or solitude may be beneficial because they can serve as motivation to reconnect. However, chronic loneliness (even if someone is not isolated) and isolation (even if someone is not lonely) can represent significant health concerns.” Isolation in Rural America Compared to people who live in urban areas, many rural Americans experience higher rates of depression and suicide but are less likely to access mental health care services, according to the “Health Disparities in Rural America: Current Challenges and Future Solutions” study published in “Clinical Advisor.” What’s more, CDC data shows suicide rates among people living in rural areas can be 64-68% higher than those in large urban areas. Rural areas have 20% fewer primary care providers compared to urban areas, according to a report in JAMA, and the Health Resources and Services Administration reports more than 25 million rural Americans, more than half of rural residents, live in mental health professional shortage areas. Among rural counties, 65% lack a psychiatrist. Nearly 30% of rural Americans don’t have internet access in their homes, which complicates the option for telehealth. These figures from Rural Minds exemplify the challenges facing rural America. “Some people in rural communities still don’t understand or accept that mental illness is a disease,” said Winton, who grew up on a rural farm. “Rather, a mental illness can often be viewed as a personal weakness or character flaw. A lot of the stigma around mental illness results in unwarranted shame, which adds to the burden for someone already suffering from mental illness.” Health Impacts of Social Isolation Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling; it harms both individual and societal health. In fact, loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29%, respectively. Lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day or drinking six alcoholic drinks daily. In addition, poor or insufficient social connection is associated with increased risk of disease, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. Social isolation is also associated with increased risk for anxiety, depression and dementia. Additionally, a lack of social connection may increase susceptibility to viruses and respiratory illness. Learn more about the impact of social isolation, especially on residents of rural areas, and the steps you can take to reduce isolation and loneliness by visiting ruralminds.org.

Boost Your Social Connections

Take a proactive approach to combatting social isolation and loneliness with these everyday actions that can promote stronger social ties.

• Invest time in nurturing your relationships through consistent, frequent and high-quality engagement with others. Take time each day to reach out to a friend or family member.

• Minimize distractions during conversation to increase the quality of the time you spend with others. For instance, don’t check your phone during meals with friends, important conversations and family time.

• Seek out opportunities to serve and support others, either by helping your family, co-workers, friends or people in your community or by participating in community service.

• Be responsive, supportive and practice gratitude. As you practice these behaviors, others are more likely to reciprocate, strengthening social bonds, improving relationship satisfaction and building social capital.

• Participate in social and community groups such as religious, hobby, fitness, professional and community service organizations to help foster a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose.

• Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, friend, counselor, health care provider or the 988 crisis line.

  Photos courtesy of Shutterstock   SOURCE: Rural Minds and Pfizer

(Family Features) Many people don’t think much about whether their blood is clotting properly. However, when you have a bleeding disorder, a condition that affects the way your body controls clots, it’s no small matter.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, abnormal clotting can lead to a host of problems, including excessive bleeding after an injury or during surgery.

About 3 million people in the U.S. have bleeding disorders. Some types, such as hemophilia, are inherited, meaning a person who has it is born with it. Inherited bleeding disorders are caused by certain genes passed down from parents to children. These genes contain instructions for how to make proteins in the blood called clotting factors, which help blood clot. If there is a problem with one of these genes, such as a mutation – a change in the gene’s instructions – the body may make a clotting factor incorrectly or not make it at all.

You can also have what’s called an acquired bleeding disorder, meaning you develop it during your lifetime. Acquired bleeding disorders can be caused by medical conditions, medicines or something unknown. Your risk of developing a bleeding disorder depends on your age, family history, genes, sex, or other medical conditions. If bleeding disorders run in your family, you may have a higher risk of developing or inheriting one.

Symptoms of a bleeding disorder may appear soon after birth or develop later in life and can include:

• Excessive bleeding or bruising, such as frequent or long nose bleeds (longer than 15 minutes) or frequent or long menstrual periods
• Petechiae, which are tiny purple, red, or brown spots caused by bleeding under the skin
• Redness, swelling, stiffness, or pain from bleeding into muscles or joints
• Blood in urine or stool
• Excessive umbilical stump bleeding
• Excessive bleeding during surgery or after trauma

If you believe you, or someone you care for, may have a bleeding disorder, talk to a health care provider. Your provider may make a diagnosis based on symptoms, risk factors, family history, a physical exam, and diagnostic tests. Health care providers typically screen for bleeding disorders only if you have known risk factors or before certain surgeries.

How your bleeding disorder is treated depends on its type. If your disorder causes few or no symptoms, you may not need treatment. If you have symptoms, you may need daily treatment to prevent bleeding episodes, or you may need it only on certain occasions, such as when you have an accident or before a planned surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, it’s important to be proactive about your health and follow your treatment plan. To lower your risk of complications:

• Receive follow-up care
• Monitor your condition
• Adopt healthy lifestyle changes

To learn more about bleeding disorders, visit nhlbi.nih.gov/health/bleeding-disorders.

A Story of Bravery, Balance, and a Bleeding Disorder

There are lots of things that make Mikey White Jr. special. He’s a dedicated athlete. He’s determined, disciplined, and optimistic. He’s also living with hemophilia, a type of bleeding disorder.

White was diagnosed with hemophilia at age 3 after experiencing several severe bleeding episodes. He had to give up baseball and basketball, his passions, because of the high risk of injuries, but he found competitive swimming – and he’s been breaking records ever since.

“Competitive swimming is a noncontact sport, so it complements my hemophilia while still being an intense and rigorous sport,” White said.

Being an athlete with hemophilia requires support, White admits. He works with his healthcare team and coaching staff to make sure he safely manages his condition and balances it with his training. He hopes his story encourages others living with bleeding disorders to accept and appreciate their bodies the way they are.

“It doesn’t have to be a limitation,” White said.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute