SANITY SAVERS: Tips for Women to Live A Balanced Life is in bookstores and is filled with suggestions to save your sanity every day of the year.

A must for any woman seeking to find her balance!

Public attitudes about fat tend to be judgmental. Worse, stigmatizing people who are obese is commonplace, potentially inflicting psychological, emotional, and even economic harm. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, an advocacy organization established in 1969, maintains archives of stories from people who charge job loss or lack of promotions to negative attitudes about obesity.

Stigmatization facilitates the belief that something is inherently wrong with people who are large. Negative attitudes and judgment increase the likelihood that people who are obese will be ostracized. Additionally, many people attribute negative personality characteristics to those who are obese. Such attitudes are not based in fact, and do considerable harm. Judgmental, prejudicial attitudes are ineffective in promoting change and, more importantly, are disrespectful to the person. Instead of targeting people who are obese, our focus needs to be on connecting with one another as human beings, encouraging overall health and wellness for everyone.

TODAY Show (NBC)

Please check my website, www.drdaleatkins.com, for the most current updates.

Bloom Talk Radio
May 6th: 3:00PM: Topic: Keeping Your Life Interesting, with Barbara Scala.
www.bloomonline.com.

The 6th New York Spa Alliance Symposium
May 10th: 3 - 3:40PM: Speaker, Living Life to its Fullest.
The Hilton at Rye Town, Rye Brook, NY.

WKTU-FM Radio Interview on KTU Cares
May 16th: 9-9:30AM: Jumpstart's Playdate with a Purpose and the Issue of Early Childhood Literacy.
KTU airs on Sunday mornings and focuses specifically on issues impacting the NY community. Please see www.KTU.com for more details.

Moffly Media's Women In Business
May 20th: 5:30 -8:30PM: Finding The Balance. Panelist.
The Dolce Norwalk Conference Center.
For tickets, go to www.mofflymedia.com or contact Caroline Coursen at 203-571-1631.

Read Dr. Atkins' article for Glamour Magazine online, April/May: Easy Ways to Take 'Me' Time.

Read Dr. Atkins' chapter, "Therapeutic Issues with Recipients of Cochlear Implants," in the new text, Psychotherapy With Deaf Clients From Diverse Groups, Second Edition.
Edited by Irene Leigh, and published by Gallaudet University Press.

Read Dr. Atkins' chapter, "Family Involvement and Counseling in Serving Children Who Possess Impaired Hearing," in the new text, Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation.
Edited by Raymond H. Hull, and published by Plural Publishing.

See Making the Case for Family Dinners, at iVillage.com: http://www.ivillage.com/making-case- family-dinner/3-a-62563

Also see Googling Patients: Should Psychiatrists Research Cases Online? at http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/04/18/googling-patients-should-psychiatrists-research-cases-online/

Leave Your Shoes at the Front Door

Why not consider removing your shoes at the front door every time you come home? An obvious benefit is that you will avoid tracking in dust and dirt into your home. A less obvious benefit, however, is marking the transition from the outside world into your home and refuge. As you get into the habit of leaving your shoes at the door, you can transition from leaving the chaos of the day and entering what will hopefully be the sanctuary in your home.

We do not age overnight. We get older over time, and this allows us to plan for later years. Even if you are a young 80, there are still certain things to plan for, so why not begin when you still have some control over what happens to you?

Here are some tips to get you started:

Decide Where You Want To Be - Would you like to stay in your home, or move elsewhere? What kind of help (and living arrangements) do you need to consider? Weigh the options, consult with family and friends, and do research. If staying in home, what will you need to do to adapt your house for future needs? Begin to plan accordingly.

Identify People To Help You - Who will you enlist to care about you and look after you regarding health, finance, transportation, nutrition, and housekeeping as you get older? Discuss scenarios with family members, friends, neighbors, and professionals in the aging field to form a plan and structure.

Protect Against Loneliness - Think about ways to keep from feeling lonely, isolated, and cut off. Investigate programs at senior centers, community organizations, local adult education programs, exercise facilities, churches, synagogues and temples. Are they nearby? Engage with peers and others who can offer emotional and practical support.

Maintain an Active Mind - Consider ways to participate in activities that are intellectually engaging. Look for concerts, art classes, reading groups, or community center events in your area.

Have Backup Plans - What is your emergency plan if something catastrophic happens to your partner? Have you cleared out the extra room in back in the event that you need a caregiver to move in within a few days' notice? Do you have information a home food delivery service in case you are unable to go shopping? Do you understand what your insurance will cover regarding care and/or lifestyle changes?

Maintaining your independence and doing it your way is the key to graceful aging and managing through unexpected crisis.

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

Mark Twain