In hopes of introducing more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry, every April, the Academy of American Poets presents a month-long national celebration of poetry.

Celebrating National Poetry Month might be a way to enjoy a lifelong pleasure, or a way to discover something new. Here are just a few ways to celebrate National Poetry Month. The Academy of American Poets has listed more ideas here.

- Select a poem you love and carry it with you. Share it with the people you encounter.
- Play a game with a group of friends, where each player adds another line or word, until you’ve made a poem.
- Put a poem in a letter. April is also National Card and Letter Writing Month! Receiving and sending mail is always lovely, and the experience is made even more special by including a poem.
- Visit your local library and select a book of poetry to read. It can be by a poet you already know and love, or a poet you’ve never even heard of before.
- Write a poem yourself!

Poetry is a companion for every occasion, from joy to grief and everywhere between. America has a rich and complex history of poetry, but literally every country and culture in the world has poetry to offer.

Seniors, in particular, have much to offer to the realm of poetry. Poetry is an excellent way to share experience and memory. Many famous poets didn’t begin writing until late in life. Wallace Stevens, a famous American poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1955, for instance, didn’t publish his canonical works until he was well into his 50s. Many poets continue writing through their 80s and beyond, and several states name Senior Poet Laureates.

Enjoy this year’s National Poetry Month, try writing your own poems, and read some good poetry, whether it’s an old favorite or brand new to you.

Spring brings lovely weather and the opportunity to go outdoors more often. However, many people suffer from allergies, which get worse in the spring thanks to the pollen and ragweed season. Pollen and pollutants can cause anyone to have difficulty breathing, but they can be particularly problematic for those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Breathing problems are common among the elderly, and allergies can aggravate preexisting issues.

Take a few steps to help you or your loved on get some relief from spring allergies. Find your triggers. Do certain budding trees or flowers make your allergies worse? Maybe hot, windy days are more problematic than cooler, breezy days. Pay attention to what aggravates your allergies and avoid triggers. Also, try to stay inside during the mornings. Between 5 and 10 a.m., pollen counts are higher than during any other time of day.

Allergies aren’t just an outdoor problem, however. Studies show that the levels of indoor pollution in U.S. homes exceed the levels of outdoor pollution by 2 to 100 times. Make sure your air conditioning systems have the proper air filters. Regularly dusting and cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture can help rid your living environment of pollutants. Leaving windows open allows pollen to drift in on the breeze. If you go outside and come back in, you’re bringing in allergens with you. If you’re sensitive to pollen, changing clothes or taking a shower after being outside can help cut allergies short.

Remember, there’s no reason to suffer from allergies. Check with your doctor to see if over-the-counter remedies like nasal sprays or antihistamines are safe for you to use. If your allergies are more severe, your primary care doctor should be able to administer a simple allergy test to see what’s causing the problem.

Don’t let allergies keep you or your loved ones from enjoying the spring weather. Get outside and take advantage of the sunshine!

April brings a series of holidays, from Easter to Arbor Day. Most cultures and religions have a central spring holiday. Here’s a quick look at some of April’s biggest holidays.

Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion. The holiday also marks the end of Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer and penance. Religious celebrations include a complex Easter Vigil that begins on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Secular celebrations include the coloring of hard-boiled eggs, playing games with eggs such as egg-rolling and egg-hiding, and giving children baskets of candy, (delivered by the Easter Bunny, of course!). This year, Easter takes place on April 8th.

Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival that commemorates the story of Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. It is said that when the Israelites were freed, they fled in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread dough to rise or leaven. Observant Jews remove all chametz (leavening) from their homes for the duration of the holiday, which lasts seven or eight days, and replace it with matzah, a flat unleavened bread. On the first night of Passover, it is traditional to gather with one’s family for a special dinner called a seder, during which the story of Exodus from Egypt is retold and symbolic food is eaten. This year, Passover lasts from sunset of April 6 to nightfall of the 13th or 14th.

April is also a month to celebrate nature, with both Arbor Day and Earth Day celebrated. On Arbor Day, planting and caring for trees is encouraged. The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872, and an estimated 1 million trees were planted that day. Arbor Day always takes place on the last Friday in April. This year, it’s observed on April 28. Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment. This year, the Earth Day Network urges everyone to “pledge an act of green,” whether it’s to eat more whole plant-based foods, or encourage more recycling in the work place. Earth Day is observed on April 22.

So, whatever you choose to celebrate this April, take the time to learn about the great variety of holidays observed around the world this month, and enjoy!

Brain Awareness Week, which was recognized this month, is a global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research.

By better understanding how brain research benefits people of all ages, we can make the connection between improving public health and supporting research. Continuing brain research is especially important in learning more about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Nothing is more essential to learning how to treat and prevent memory loss than brain research.

The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives is a nonprofit organization of more than 300 leading neuroscientists, including 10 Nobel laureates. Together, they put together the basics of good brain health as we age.

Physical activity is strongly linked with brain health, no matter your age. Moderate activity, such as walking, can sharpen memory skills. Next time you spend time with the senior in your life, suggest going for a stroll.

Mental exercise, such as trying to learn new things or pursuing intellectual stimulation, strengthens brain-cell networks. Completing mind puzzles, games, and reading in new subjects is enjoyable for everyone, and can be a fun shared activity.

Longer formal education is associated with mental sharpness among older people. Even if this isn’t an option for the senior in your life, see if there are some community activities or classes in which seniors can participate. Learning something new can be incredibly rewarding.

Self-efficacy, or the sense that we exert some control over our own lives, can help prevent cognitive decline. The reasons aren’t clear, but some brain experts believe that self-efficacy is linked with greater resilience against stress. That’s why it’s important to let seniors make decisions for themselves, whenever possible.

Social interaction is important for healthy brain aging. How social interaction benefits the brain is not well understood, but one theory is that a strong social network may facilitate new learning and engage people in mental and physical activity.

In our community, seniors can achieve many of the above brain-health basics in a safe, supportive atmosphere, particularly when it comes to helping them establish a strong and loving group of friends and peers. For more information on AlmaVia of Union City, please call 510-400-7250.