Doctor’s Advice: Spring is Coming!
March is here already! What happened to January and February? Despite all of the frigid temperatures and too much snow, Spring will be here on March 20. The arrival of spring with budding branches and increasing sunlight encourages a focus on self-care and fresh starts. Maybe it’s time to set and stick to goals.
After years of relatively mild winters, the 2025–2026 winter season made a dramatic return, bringing with it some incredibly cold temperatures and very intense snowfalls. From incapacitating blizzards in the Northeast
States, the 2026 season has been defined by its severity and the impact it has had on our lives. The 2026 season was much colder than previous, warmer winters. Many areas in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic did not see the ground for weeks.
Spring symbolizes a season of renewal and growth, acting as a bridge between winter and spring. It reminds us to embrace change and nurture new beginnings. As spring arrives, many of us are looking to refresh our health routines. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an important time for us to get checked out. Health officials urge those over 45, or younger with family risk factors, to schedule a colonoscopy or stool-based test. Discuss this with your doctor sooner rather than later.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the USDA recently released dietary guidelines for Americans, emphasizing whole foods and a reduction in ultra-processed ingredients. Some local health experts recommend we focus on whole grains and lean proteins and move away from the "food pyramid" of the past, and toward nutrient-dense, single-ingredient foods. This dietary guideline update consists of a new inverted food pyramid. This prioritizes protein, healthy fats, and vegetables at the top (highest consumption) and reduces emphasis on whole grains, aiming to fight chronic illness by reducing processed foods.
Homelessness in Monmouth County is a growing crisis in early 2026, with Code Blue alerts being frequently extended for shelter/warming center access. Some local organizations such as the Parker Family Health Center, the JBJ Soul Kitchen and Pilgrim Baptist Church Hope & Comfort Warming Center, First Baptist Church’s Heart Warming Center, and Lunch Break, are actively addressing the issues. Having a warm place to shelter from the cold nights is not a given for everyone, especially the homeless. The Hope and Comfort Warming Center for men and the Women’s Heartwarming Center, both located in Red Bank, offer a place where the homeless can have access to health screenings, showers, clothing, and meals, along with a safe and warm place to spend the night when the temperatures drop. Parker Family Health Center provides free medical care for Monmouth County residents who meet certain requirements and who are without any medical insurance. As a Parker volunteer, I volunteer at both Warming Centers. In addition, Lunch Break offers meaningful, lasting programs to help people achieve their goals and to bring the community together. Their free programs and services provide essential resources that make a difference. Your donations or volunteering can go a long way in helping needy people. Volunteering can help the less fortunate remember that someone does care. It can also help you connect with others and improve your physical and mental well-being.
During the winter months, it is not unheard of to see an increase in depression and stress in those individuals who are affected by financial pressures, loneliness, and a lack of places to eat and sleep. If you or someone you know needs emotional support, contact a family member, friend, or contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
As of late February 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's respiratory virus surveillance system showed moderate overall activity. Cases of Influenza A were decreasing while those of influenza B were rising, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was elevated in some areas. COVID-19 activity was generally decreasing, though it remains high in certain regions, with 4.4% of healthcare visits involving respiratory symptoms.
To help get through the winter season, keep a positive attitude towards life. You can do this by celebrating March holidays, including International Women’s Day on March 8th, St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, and the Spring Equinox on March 20th with the start of Daylight-Saving Time. Try to remember that the glass is half full, not half empty! Spend time with positive people and keep negative feelings confined as best as possible. When appropriate, wear masks, wash your hands, and keep social distancing. Stay warm, healthy, and happy these winter months and look forward to Spring.
The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. – Hippocrates
James McGuinness, M.D., is a family physician in Middletown and is the Medical Director Emeritus at the Parker Family Health Center in Red Bank