While we all love that fall brings us football, pumpkins and an opportunity to finally make gumbo, it also is the start of cold and flu season. While the children are getting back to school and back into a routine, this is always the best time of year to remind ourselves about how to stay healthy year-round.

Researchers included 399 nursing home residents who had dementia or other agerelated problems. They were visited weekly by an ElderClown. It was found that the participants in the clown sessions had a 20 percent decrease in overall agitation. This benefit lasted for at least 14 weeks after the program ended.

How does it work? If you pay close attention to your mind, you’ll find that it has a mind of its own. All day long, the mind brings up thoughts you didn’t ask for. Much of your thinking is as voluntary as breathing or circulation. Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff your mind regurgitates is negative.