Some health experts say that travel can actually have big benefits for your health.

A nurse practitioner explains how in this week's "Ask the Expert" in partnership with Bon Secours Saint Francis.

"Travel is certainly good for your brain"

Karen Cooper, Nurse Practitioner, Bon Secours Saint Francis

Whether you're leaving by train, plane, or automobile, time away from home, nurse practitioner Karen Cooper says has its perks.

"Your brain is actually being pushed out of its comfort zone. And this is how travel is good for your brain. It grows. Also, I just want to mention, that travel has been shown in many studies to increase productivity, creativity, and life satisfaction, overall," said Cooper.

Cooper says you don't have to travel far to reap the benefits.

She says, "Research has shown that short or long, whether it's a vacation or a staycation, the benefits to our mental health are many. So, no matter what, whether it's your three-day weekend, as you said, or an extended three-week international trip, decreased stress levels, increased productivity once we get back to work, and increased life satisfaction overall has shown to happen with any and all."

When planning to get away, Cooper says consider these things to make it a stress-free, enjoyable experience.

She says, "Always, always allow extra time when you're traveling, way more than you think you're going to need". Cooper goes on to say, "Secondly, one thing that is recommended is that you bring something with you on your travels. That brings you some kind of relaxation, happiness, and joy. Maybe it's your favorite book that you've been meaning to read. Maybe it's this podcast that you really want to hear." Finally, she recommends you "Drink plenty of water. Be mindful of too much alcohol and too much caffeine."

If you don't have the time off from work, or the finances to take a trip right now, Cooper recommends trying something new as a way to break out of your day-to-day rut.

"Some people will take a different route to work. Other people will listen to a different kind of music or a different podcast, they will sit somewhere else for lunch, or go somewhere else for lunch. Take up a new hobby on the weekend. They will make a point to do something completely different instead of what they usually did," said Cooper.

Cooper says that if you can unplug from your electronic devices while traveling or trying something new, then do it. She says you'll reap the most benefits when you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without distractions.

To submit a health topic for our ‘Ask the Expert’ series, click here.

As many plan to gather with loved ones, health experts recommend a bit of extra vigilance to protect yourself and those close to you.

In this week's "Ask the Expert", in partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis. we spoke with a physician assistant about staying healthy this holiday season.

The holiday season is a joyous time to reconnect with family and loved ones, but it also brings unique health and safety risks.

Physician Assistant Casey Roche says some common illnesses are spread this time of year.

"Definitely the respiratory viruses that include flu A and B, COVID, RSV. We also see a lot of strep throat and some stomach bugs," said Roche.

Roche says the number one way to prevent the spread of these illnesses is handwashing.

She says, "Hand sanitizer is really tempting as a quick fix, but the best thing to do is warm water and soap for 20 seconds at a time."

Here are some other good tips…

"If you do sneeze or cough, sneeze or cough into your elbow and not into your hands and still wash your hands afterward. And, clean really highly trafficked areas in your home and common objects that you touch such as door handles frequently."

Casey Roche, Physician Assistant, Bon Secours St. Francis

Whether you plan to reach your loved ones by plane, train, or automobile, Roche says travel increases your risk of getting sick.

She says "First of all, if you're traveling through an airport or another crowded space, that's just that many more exposures to other viruses that other travelers might be carrying. Another reason is that you get dehydrated, you get stressed, you're out of your normal routine, and that lowers your immune system which makes you more susceptible. So again, going back to hand washing, hand washing is you know the number one way to prevent it. The other one is to really hydrate, to focus on your health and well-being, and to avoid travel if you're sick."

Roche recommends getting preventative vaccines for added protection.

She says "COVID vaccines and flu vaccines for everybody".

"If you're over 60 years old, please talk to your primary care provider about the RSV vaccine."

Casey Roche, Physician Assistant, Bon Secours St. Francis

Roche says food safety is also important to keep you from getting sick during the holidays. She says to make sure cold things are kept cold, hot things are kept hot, and do not leave perishable items out for more than two hours at a time.

To submit a health topic for our ‘Ask the Expert’ series, click here.

In this week's "Ask the Expert" series, in partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis, we spoke to an athletic trainer about a hot topic in the world of sports, concussions, and keeping student athletes safe year-round.

There’s been an increase in concussions and injuries requiring surgery for high school athletes.

It’s all part of a study presented this year at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Michael Swanson, an athletic trainer, says concussions can happen often and vary in severity.

He says, "Most of the time we see mild concussions, but every once in a while they can be severe."

Swanson says concussions are one of the most common injuries that he sees and it's important for athletes and coaches to take them seriously.

"It is definitely recommended to go to a doctor that has some experience with concussions, so they can give their professional assessment."

Michael Swanson, Athletic Trainer, Bon Secours St. Francis

To diagnose a concussion, Swanson says a doctor will ask the patient about their symptoms, and test their balance and memory.

He says, "Treatment for concussions is relatively straightforward. It's pretty much just rest at home."

But if you experience symptoms like vomiting, failure to stay awake, and extreme confusion-- Go to the emergency room.

Swanson recommends all student-athletes get sports physicals before they play, and it’s required by most schools.

"They'll do a complete body physical where they examine your bones, your heart, and different systems in your body. It's usually an annual thing," said Swanson.

A sports physical can help prevent serious injuries and potentially deadly outcomes by catching health conditions sooner rather than later.

"You know, there could be a pre-existing condition that could eventually get worse if you don't detect it. So, catching it early is extremely important to not let a small issue turn into a big issue."

Michael Swanson, Athletic Trainer, Bon Secours St. Francis

Swanson says some best practices for student-athletes include cross-training, getting proper sleep, a good diet, and staying hydrated.

To submit a health topic for our ‘Ask the Expert’ series, click here.

We spoke with a nurse about preventing prediabetes and its progression to type 2 diabetes, in this week's "Ask the Expert" report, in partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis.

When a person has prediabetes, their blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.

According to the CDC, 96 million, or more than one in three adults in the U.S., have a diagnosis of prediabetes.

Allison Harrold, a wellness outreach nurse, said "About 80% of those people are unaware," that they have prediabetes.

She said it's pretty common for someone to be prediabetic and have no idea because typically there are no symptoms.

She said that's why it's important to be aware of the risk factors.

"The main risk factors for prediabetes are considered to be overweight and physical inactivity. Both of those things are linked to insulin resistance. That's when our body can't respond or use insulin as well. Then, other risk factors for prediabetes include being over the age of 45, having a family member like a parent or sibling with a diagnosis of prediabetes, having hypertension, smoking, sleep apnea, having gestational diabetes or diabetes when you are pregnant, or having a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS."

Allison Harrold, Wellness Outreach Nurse, Bon Secours St. Francis

If you have any of these risk factors, nurse Harrold said to consider regular visits with your doctor to screen for prediabetes.

Left untreated, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes but also increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Harrold said lifestyle changes are the number one treatment for someone who is prediabetic.

"So that's healthy eating, physical activity, and losing weight if you are overweight. There are certain medications that may also be prescribed to reduce the risk of developing diabetes," said Harrold.

She said to make sure your diet includes lean proteins, healthy carbs, rich in fruits, vegetables and nuts, and exercise for 150 minutes, at moderate intensity, every week.

The CDC offers a 1-minute online test for you to learn your risk of prediabetes. People with high scores are directed to their doctor to confirm the result. Click here to access that test.

To submit a health topic for our ‘Ask the Expert’ series, click here.