LAWRENCE, N.Y., June 23 (UPI) -- U.S. family caregivers, who have a 20-percent higher risk of mortality than the rest of the population, have a physical workout book targeted just for them.
Author Debbie Mandel created a stress-management/strength training program, "Changing Habits: The Caregivers' Total Workout" specifically for caregivers to alleviate stress, stimulate the mind and improve the immune system.
The program was tested in a Dominican convent.
"Yes, nuns are stressed, overweight and overworked," according to Mandel. "But they don't smoke."
Her triple A program -- activity, alleviates and anxiety -- uses strength training and cardiopulmonary exercise, a rainbow diet of fruits and vegetables along with lean protein and complex carbohydrates as well as a series of stress-management sessions.
The nuns, ages 55-90, said they liked the exercise, felt happier and stimulated, ate more consciously and experienced improvements in daily living.
The nuns, many in the early-middle stages of Alzheimer's disease, improved in both coordination and speech, according to Mandel.
More information on the book is available at turnonyourinnerlight.com.
