Deciding to step up your physical activity is a great move for your health. It will take you to exciting destinations — like elevating your mood, increasing your energy, improving your sleep, and helping you manage stress.

Celebrate National Humor Month with a smile! April being National Humor Month, it's a pretty good month to remember one of your Illinois neighbors, Hunter Doherty Adams. Never heard of Hunter Doherty Adams who lives in Urbana these days? Of course you have.

Dear Nurse Chris: After a heart attack two years ago, I took all the medicines my physician asked, but he also wanted me to commit to a long period of rehab. It seemed way too strenuous for me, and I was scared it might cause another attack so I didn’t go. I am 56 now. Was I right or wrong to skip the rehab?

5 Steps to a Happy Life with Positive Attitude

Let the tears roll, for crying out loud!

Dear Chris: The holidays always leave me an emotional wreck. I'm the one in the family who prepares all the food, gets the decorations ready, handles the Christmas tree and deals with the kids and their gifts. But instead of it making me happier, I find myself crying for no particular reason. Is that normal? Any tips so I don't always feel like a mess?

Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.

Ask the Nurse: Christine Hammerlund, President of Assured Healthcare Staffing and Nurse
The cure is close but not close enough

The most useful suggestion for activity or exercise is the one that matches up to your life most naturally.

Ask the Nurse: Christine Hammerlund, President of Assured Healthcare Staffing and Nurse

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, it is smart to be aware of changing roles with aging parents.

Afraid of illness? Wash your hands ALREADY!

Ask the Nurse: Christine Hammerlund
President of Assured Healthcare Staffing and Nurse

Go for a walk even when the weather is really cold – your body has to work overtime to get warm and you may burn up to 50% more calories than you would on the same walk in summer!

Dear Chris, I seem to get migraine headaches on the weekends, but I can’t tell why that would happen to me so regularly? What do you say? - Lisa in Libertyville,

Dear Lisa, Depending on which research you believe (I always believe the research that supports what I always thought and ignore the rest), some people do experience weekend migraines. Experts theorize this might be due in part to changes in sleep and diet patterns, stress levels, and caffeine.

You don't have to be a cynic about health risks to doubt the value of lots of chemicals attached to almost everything you use.

A dose of health skepticism is healthy.

Ask the Nurse: Things you should know about Advair

Ask the Nurse: Christine Hammerlund, President of Assured Healthcare Staffing and Nurse

Dear Chris: I am an asthmatic and I take Advair. But I keep reading about issues related to the drug. What should I know to be smarter about the drug? Ellen in Des Plaines.

Eating fruits and vegetables has many health benefits.

Fewer than 1 in 7 adults eat the recommended amount of fruits every day.
Fewer than 1 in 10 adults eat the recommended amount of vegetables every day.

They're losing enough; don't take their dignity too.
by Christine Hammerlund, President of Assured Healthcare and "Mother"