The state of your mouth can offer valuable insights into your dental, oral and overall health. Any bleeding when you brush your gums is a sign that you should see your dentist. Unhealthy gums can affect your overall health. Atherosclerosis, clogging of the arteries, has a strong link to gum disease. Pain on biting might mean a cracked tooth. Sugar sensitivity usually indicates a cavity. Tenderness to cold might just need a change of toothpaste. Tenderness to hot is likely to be more serious. The only way to find out, for sure, what’s going on is to see your dentist.

Research has found that people who practice gratitude consistently sleep better, have lower blood pressure, exercise more, have fewer aches and pains, and feel more alert, optimistic and alive. Socially speaking, grateful people are more outgoing, and they’re less likely to feel lonely or isolated. Feeling grateful, especially when you’re dealing with life’s challenges, takes effort. Here are some ways to cultivate your sense of gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal, write thank-you notes, live more mindfully and practice meditation. Cultivating gratitude takes time and practice, but the longer you do it, the more physical and psychological benefits you may see.

One of the biggest issues for seniors is that their social circles begin to shrink as the years go by. Friends, significant others and family members move or pass away. Even those who still live close may be inaccessible due to limited mobility, especially once a senior can no longer drive safely. Age-related changes in one’s physical condition, such as hearing loss, can make it so difficult to communicate that it doesn’t seem worth the effort anymore. Local senior centers or agencies are great resources providing home-visitation services as well as community transportation and outings. Do you have a loved one who may be lonely? Try to put in more effort to spend time with them.

Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith. by Henri J. M. Nouwen. Beloved author, priest, and internationally recognized spiritual master, counselor, and guide—offers gentle wisdom for universal questions of the spiritual life: Who am I? Where have I been and where am I going? Who is God for me? Where do I belong? How can I be of service? As a priest, pastor, and professor of spirituality Nouwen offers spiritual direction in a book of profound wisdom for living a deep spiritual life.

Grieving the loss of a family member or a close friend is among the most painful of human experiences. The passage of time can ease these feelings, but grief can persist indefinitely. People who are grieving may find these coping strategies helpful: Write about your feelings in a journal. Talk to others who are grieving and share stories about your loved one. Also, you may want to finish a project they started, or volunteer for a cause they cared about. Spend time with family and friends to avoid isolating yourself. Ask for what you need, whether it’s practical help or emotional support and remember to accept help when it’s offered.