- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’ve celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S., you know all about green eggs and beer. In fact, according to a Nielson survey from 2019, bars and restaurants make more sales on St. Patrick’s Day than any other day of the year. So, what do you do if you don’t drink alcohol? Luckily, there are plenty of ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day while maintaining your sobriety – even during a pandemic. Attend a St. Patrick’s Day parade, festival or run Most cities and towns host an annual St. Patrick’s Day parade or festival. A few popular ones include this parade in Annapolis and the Shamrock Fest in Washington, D.C. There also are several marathons and 5Ks for St. Patrick’s Day if you’re looking to be more active. And even if COVID-19 keeps you from attending a parade in person, you can usually watch them virtually from home. Make a non-alcoholic green drink Who says you have to put alcohol in a green beverage? There are tons of fun recipes for mocktails, green lemonade and punch. It’s also the season for Shamrock shakes. For healthier options, make a green smoothie, green juice or even green tea. Cook an Irish dish There are a lot of options for making tasty Irish dishes, including shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew. Many recipes are meat and potatoes-based, so remember to add a vegetable like carrots or parsnips. There are plenty of kid-friendly options too, including green eggs, green Jell-O and even sweet treats made with Lucky Charms cereal. Learn about Irish heritage Look for a culture club or Irish Heritage Center near you (for example, the Emerald Isle Club in Towson). These centers often have events or other online resources to help you learn more about Ireland. You also can celebrate Irish heritage by listening to Irish music or watching Irish movies. There’s more traditional Irish music, with the fiddle, pipes, flute and harp. But there’s also rock – U2, Flogging Molly, the Dubliners, the Cranberries and many others. For movies, streaming services, like Netflix, have an Irish section. Pick a movie at random to watch. You can also rent movies from the library. There are old and new films, including Oscar-nominated “Belfast,” “Brooklyn,” “Song of the Sea” and many more. Practice Irish step dance Learn a traditional Irish step dance, such as Irish Ceili (“kay-lee”), which involves keeping your upper body still as you move your feet in different patterns. Find a video online and give it a try with your family. Wishing you a healthy and happy St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day began as a Catholic holiday that marked the end of Catholic parishioners fasting for Lent. But today, at least in the U.S., it’s become a widespread holiday for all — and alcohol usually plays a role in the celebration. But it doesn’t have to. If you’re planning to drink or host a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, we encourage you to put a plan in place to keep everyone safe. And if you, or someone you know, needs help with alcohol addiction, our team is here to help. Authors Daniel Watkins is the Sr. Director, Mental Health Operations and Nursing at Luminis Health.0
- Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThat morning cup of joe could be more than a little pick-me-up—it may actually be helping your heart. A study published in the journal Heart finds that people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day are less likely to develop clogged arteries that could lead to heart attacks. The study, led by a team of researchers in Seoul, South Korea, found that people who consume a moderate amount of coffee had the least risk of coronary calcium in their arteries. Coronary artery calcium can cause blood clots that trigger a heart attack or stroke. Researchers say the new study adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests moderate coffee consumption is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. “Over the years the caffeine and coffee benefits story has gone back and forth in terms of health benefits and health risks. For those of us tied to our Starbucks, I think the bottom line is still everything in moderation,” says Jonathan Altschuler, MD, cardiologist. “It’s certainly a provocative study, but we should remember that researchers looked at a patient population in Korea and the method they used to detect the presence of heart disease is probably less accurate in a younger population,” he added. Dr. Altschuler says for some people large amounts of coffee and caffeine can have a negative impact on blood pressure and even cause heart palpitations. As with all new healthcare research, it’s best to consult with your doctor before making lifestyle adjustments. Your doctor will be able to factor in your personal diet, lifestyle and risk factors for heart disease and make a recommendation that’s best for you Originally published March 3, 2015. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith school back in session, your child’s stress and anxiety may be increasing due to homework, exams and after school activities. Add to that the constant stimulation of electronics, which creates social pressure and in some cases, cyberbullying. All of this can make your child feel like they’re being pulled in many different directions and manifest as stress and anxiety. The good news is that you have the power to help. How do I know if my child is feeling stressed or anxious? Elementary-aged children might experience regression. This means they might lose the ability to perform a skill they previously mastered. This can include children having episodes of bed-wetting, nightmares or night terrors. Children in middle or high school might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or they start waking up very early. You might also notice a difference in their eating habits, whether they’re eating a lot of junk food, not eating as much as usual or not eating at all. Moodiness, irritability, isolation and drastic changes with school grades are other signs that could indicate your child is experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety. WATCH: How to help your child develop coping skills How do I know if my child is just having a bad day or if it’s something else? The best rule of thumb to follow is if you start noticing things and behaviors that raise a red flag for you as a parent, something’s probably off. Trust your intuition. You can and should reach out to your child’s school because, during the school year, teachers and school staff spend more time with your child than you do. If they’re also noticing something is different, you may need to take action. How can I help my child? Think of coping skills as a toolbox. You might pull out the hammer often, but that’s not going to work for every job. You’ll need other tools. Coping skills are similar. Maybe your child loves a particular sport but at night or during school hours, that coping skill is not accessible to them. Encourage them to think of other ways that they can cope. Below are a few tips: Encourage communication. Help your child to identify his or her feelings and name them by asking, “I’m noticing that you’re more tired than usual, can you help me understand?” Kids usually like to use simplistic words, like ‘mad’ or ‘sad.’ You can ask, “Help me understand a little more,” or, “What do you think you need right now?” and encourage them to be the problem solvers. Help your child unplug. Whether it’s dancing, listening to music or going out for a walk, movement is always great for stress or anxiety and boosting mood. Look for grounding techniques to get out of the head and into the body. For example, when you go out for a walk, help them notice what they see, hear, feel, etc. This approach is adaptable for all ages. Talk to your child after a traumatic event. When hearing about violence in the news, reassure children that they are safe. This can help validate your child’s feelings and comfort them during a period of confusion and fear. Reach out to someone your child looks up to. Sometimes, your child won’t be ready to talk to you about something right away. You can reach out to a teacher, school counselor, coach or a mentor in their lives that they connect well with and talk to them. Adopt an attitude of curiosity. Get curious about what your child is feeling and listen without judgement. Ask them open-ended questions like, “What can you tell me about your day?” Don’t forget to take some time to unplug and practice good self-care or ask for help if you need to – it’s OK. Your child needs you, but taking care of others can also take a toll on you. Remind your child that you’re there to support them, but they’re driving the ship and you’re next to them in the passenger’s seat. Patients must be referred into the AAMC Psychiatric Day Hospital by a physician. If you think you or a loved one may be a candidate for these services, please speak with your doctor. If you need a doctor who specializes in mental health, please contact AAMG Mental Health Specialists at 410-573-9000. Author Jennifer Evans is a mental health clinician with Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Psychiatric Day Hospital.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou may have seen people walking around toting a gallon of water that they sip from all day long, in hopes of staying properly hydrated. Others believe they need to drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day. Have you ever wondered if all that water is necessary for your body? It depends. Hydration is important. According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 60 to 70 percent of your body weight is made up of water, which is necessary for good kidney health. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration. This can make you feel tired, cause headaches and lead to other health problems, including kidney damage. Water also helps prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections, the Kidney Foundation says. Drinking enough water helps flush out bacteria that causes infections. The National Academy of Medicine recommends that men drink about 13 cups, or three liters, of fluids daily. Women should drink about nine cups, or 2.2 liters, each day. Doctors recommend more water when exercising. An extra 1.5 to 2.5 cups of water is fine for shorter rounds of exercise, though you’ll need more for exercise that lasts longer than an hour. You’ll also need to drink more water if you’re in a hot, humid environment, or if you’re experiencing fever, diarrhea or vomiting. Pregnant or breast-feeding women also need additional fluids, according to the National Academy of Medicine. Pregnant women should drink about 10 cups, or 2.3 liters, of water every day. Women who are breast-feeding need about 13 cups each day. You don’t have to drink only water – unsweetened juice or low-fat milk are other healthier options. But water is your best choice because it has no calories. If you’re in doubt about whether you are drinking enough water, look at your urine. Urine that is light yellow or clear indicates that you are properly hydrated. Dark yellow urine signals dehydration. Author By Lauren Parmer, DO, a primary care physician at AAMG Pasadena Primary Care. She can be reached at 443-270-8600. Originally published July 11, 2017. Last updated July 17, 2020.0
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