Check out our January newsletter!
JANUARY 2025
www.advancedpracticept.com | 406-770-3171
Stay Active and Connected The Dual Benefits of Exercise and Socializing
New Year is an ideal opportunity to reset and commit to bettering ourselves. Fittingly, this January is National Staying Healthy Month, encouraging us all to focus on improving our health and fitness. According to the Pew Research Center, around 80% of New Year’s resolutions relate to health and fitness. Striving to better our physical and mental health is a noble goal and one I encourage wholeheartedly. If you would like to improve your health and fitness this year, here are some ideas to help you get started on the right path. 30 Minutes of Exercise It’s no secret that working out can do wonders for your health. According to the Mayo Clinic, we should get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Regular physical activity helps us manage weight, have more energy, fight off cancer, and even extend our lives. However, since everyone has such busy schedules these days, some feel they can never find the time to fit in a workout. Gyms are wonderful places to exercise. Some people find that holding themselves accountable to a gym or a specific class at the gym works for them. We understand this does not work for others for various reasons. The solution for fitting exercise into a busy schedule can be easier and more affordable than you imagine. Think about all of the work you do around the house. There is likely a
floor to vacuum, mop, or sweep. Cleaning a bathroom, making a bed, and carrying laundry all can work up a sweat. These chores alone may not be enough to get your heart pumping, but if you chain them all together, you have an impromptu workout session. Add extra flights of stairs, walking (even inside your own home), and sit- to-stand transfers, and you are on track to becoming healthier. Best of all, you’ll get your chores done, too. If you would rather not work out alone, you can always take your pet for a walk or exercise with friends. Socializing and getting fresh air are key components of a healthy body and mind. One of the keys to exercising regularly is to find something you have easy access to and enjoy doing! Many of our current and past physical therapy patients would love to be able to do this much physical activity. We understand this and want to help improve your fitness whatever your age, medical issues, and physical fitness level. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are trained to help you develop a customized plan to meet your needs. Bringing Joy We all need to look for ways to find joy! People need friends and community like they need food and water. Getting together with friends and catching up with loved ones can help give us a positive attitude to tackle each day. Whether at home or in the workplace,
all of us should attempt to get the most out of the connections around us. You can try participating in work lunches, parties, and social gatherings, meeting a friend for lunch, scheduling family/friend dinners, and planning friend group or family game time. Personally, my family and I love going to Montana State University football games. The Bobcats had a great season this year. My husband and I are both alumni, so we have a lot of fun catching up with old friends. Our daughter is even a student there, as well as our friends’ kids. We feel a sense of community and camaraderie cheering on the Bobcats! Free Screenings If you or someone you know struggles with strength, balance, decreased function, or physical discomfort, we are here to help. We are currently offering free physical therapy screenings for those seeking a professional opinion on their condition. If you or someone you know is having problems, give us a call and set up your screening today! –Andrea Johnson
406-770-3171 • 1
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
The Truth About Tuck-in Time
SLEEP’S SURPRISING PERKS AND PITFALLS It’s common knowledge that sleep does a body good, but how much slumber affects our overall health may surprise you. Here are three of the most unexpected ways sleep impacts our everyday lives.
relieving affected area(s). While losing sleep due to pain may be a classic chicken-or-the-egg scenario, it’s no secret that getting a proper night’s sleep is essential for restoring our bodies to proper health. Sleep Deprivation Is a Diet Destroyer Are you having trouble losing weight? Cutting calories likely won’t help you achieve your goal if you’re cutting your sleep hours at the same time. Sleep deprivation negatively affects two of our body’s most important hormones: leptin and ghrelin. Leptin informs our brain when we’re full, while ghrelin lets it know when we’re hungry. The less we sleep, the longer we’re awake — and the more time ghrelin has to make us think about snacking. A lack of sleep may also make you feel too tired to hit
the gym, causing you to lose out on another opportunity to keep your diet on course. The Slumber-Suppressing Mutation Do you jump out of bed most mornings after sleeping six or fewer hours? You may be powered by a mutation in your family’s genetics. People who inherited a rare variation of the ADRB1 gene, which affects the coding of receptors that influence a person’s sleep-wake cycle, are likelier to start the day feeling fine despite having a shorter night’s rest than most people. That’s right — being a morning person may be built into your DNA!
Less Pillow Time Equals More Pain If you’re having trouble sleeping due to chronic pain, you may have unwittingly trapped yourself in a cycle that’s wreaking havoc on your body. A poll by the National Sleep Foundation revealed that two-thirds of respondents who noted experiencing persistent physical discomfort weren’t getting enough sleep at night. Additionally, a University of California, Berkeley study of 24 young adults determined that reduced sleep can disrupt the brain’s mechanisms for recognizing pain signals and
Delicious Sugar Alternatives for a Healthier Life THE SWEET ESCAPE:
Do you crave sweets but want to dodge the sugar crash? There’s no need to sour on the idea of having tasty treats just because you’re avoiding regular and refined sugars. You can easily find various healthy sugar substitutes that taste delicious and cut calories and health risks associated with the regular sweet stuff. Here are some to look for. Stevia Stevia is an all-natural sweetener made from leaves. It’s about 200–400 times sweeter than regular sugar and has no carbohydrates, calories, or artificial ingredients. This tasty option is widely available in powder or liquid form, but be sure to read labels. (The brand Truvia adds erythritol, another sugar-free sweetener, and Stevia In The Raw adds maltodextrin, a carbohydrate.) Though stevia can taste metallic for some people, it’s a wonderful way to sweeten drinks or food without causing insulin spikes. Along with being a good option for people with diabetes, it helps manage healthy weight for those on keto or low-calorie diets. Allulose Allulose is a rare natural sugar found in fruits like dates and mulberries. It has 90% fewer calories than regular sugar,
making it an almost entirely guilt-free option for those trying to lose weight. This option also doesn’t negatively impact blood sugar or insulin levels, but studies are still needed to determine other potential side effects. It has a similar taste and texture to standard sugar, making it an easy swap. Monk Fruit Sugar This liquid sweetener comes from the monk fruit, a small melon-like fruit named for the Buddhist monks who cultivated it in ancient times. The fruit is naturally about 100–250 times sweeter than the sugar we buy at the store. Monk fruit sugar is a zero-calorie, anti-inflammatory option for coffee, smoothies, and other recipes. But, again, read labels. A popular brand of monk fruit sweetener, Lakanto, contains erythritol, and Monk Fruit In The Raw uses maltodextrin. With healthy alternatives like stevia, allulose, and monk fruit sugar, you don’t have to deny your sweet tooth! These natural options are packed with flavor without calories and health risks. Whether you’re managing your weight, watching your blood sugar, or trying to make smarter choices, you can treat yourself with these sweet choices. After all, life is too short to skip dessert, especially one made with an all-natural sugar substitute!
2 • WWW.ADVANCEDPRACTICEPT.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
PEDAL-POWERED PERFORMANCE
CYCLING FOR A BETTER YOU
Looking for a fun way to strengthen your heart and mind? In an ever-expanding world of exercise options, cycling is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve everything from memory to sleep. Here’s a look at how spinning your wheels can be great for your health. A Runner’s High on Wheels Ever feel great after going for a bike ride or even a nice stroll around town? That’s because our bodies are full of hormones that react positively to physical activity. The release of endorphins, the chemicals in our brains
body fat and cholesterol levels. Research also shows that cycling and other forms of exercise can reduce tau, a brain protein linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Beware the Burnout Barrier While a new exercise regimen that produces profound health benefits can be exciting, placing too much value on your success at cycling or exercising in the gym can lead to disappointment, burnout, and — perhaps the riskiest of all — compulsion. “Cycling is fabulous for your mental health. However, you can take it too seriously,” cautions Josie Perry, a psychologist who operates the UK-based health consulting group Performance in Mind, in a recent interview with Cycling Weekly. “When it becomes a core part of your identity, there are risks: Things like overtraining [and] exercise addiction impact on other areas of your life.” Just as eating too many fatty foods can lead to obesity, overextending yourself in a new effort to get healthier can make you feel worse than when you began. As with most things, moderation is vital to enjoy cycling and reap its many rewards.
that lift our spirits, is behind the joy we often feel after cycling or other exercise. It also decreases our blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. Lower cortisol levels have been linked to increased deep, regenerative sleep. A Super Solution for Seniors As an aerobic exercise, cycling has been shown to have considerable physical and mental health benefits for individuals older than 55. A study of cyclists ages 55–70 revealed that they maintained muscle mass and strength more consistently than non-cyclists in the same age bracket and had better
TAKE A BREAK!
CITRUS-HERB PORK ROAST
INGREDIENTS • 1 boneless pork sirloin roast (3–4 pounds) • 2 tsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp ground ginger • 1 tsp pepper • 2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges • 1 cup plus 3 tbsp orange juice, divided
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
• 1 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp grapefruit juice • 1 tbsp steak sauce • 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce • 1 tsp grated orange zest • 1 tsp salt • 3 tbsp cornstarch • Egg noodles, cooked
DIRECTIONS
1. Cut roast in half. In a small bowl, combine oregano, ginger, and pepper; rub over pork. In a large skillet coated with oil, brown roast on all sides. Transfer to a slow cooker; add onions. 2. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup orange juice, sugar, grapefruit juice, steak sauce, and soy sauce; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or until meat is tender. Remove meat and onions to a platter. 3. Transfer cooking juices to a small saucepan. Add orange zest and salt. Bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and remaining orange juice. Gradually stir into the pan for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with pork and noodles.
406-770-3171 • 3
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
406-770-3171 | www.advancedpracticept.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
Why Exercise and Community Are Essential for Your Health
2.
Slumber’s Hidden Secrets
Your Go-To Guide for Healthy Sweeteners
3.
Cycle Your Way to Health
Citrus-Herb Pork Roast 4. Outdoor Play Power-Ups
Building a snowman outside in the cold air is much better than sitting in a warm room with a cellphone for maintaining a child’s physical and mental health in the wintertime. Although most people tend to stay indoors during winter, spending time outside on snowy days can give people of all ages a needed boost. Here are a few interesting facts that show how a winter wonderland can enhance our well-being. The Perks of Outdoor Play Did you know you’re more likely to catch a winter cold if you stay indoors? Although we instinctively huddle in close quarters when temperatures drop, hiding inside makes us more susceptible to germs that thrive in stagnant air. Studies have shown that being cold may trigger our immune systems, which means playing outside in the fresh winter air is often better for a child’s body than snuggling up in a warm living room. Getting outside in winter also puts a child’s mind in motion. Although the sight of icicles and one’s breath in winter are old hat for adults, these seasonal events could inspire wonder and curiosity in young people, allowing them to learn new things about the world. Encouraging your child to design and build the ultimate snowman also stimulates their imaginations far more than watching TV indoors. Winter play also helps keep children’s senses sharp when inclement weather disrupts their usual routines like school and sports. Winter Wonders for Children’s Health Get Outside, Feel Fantastic!
The Dynamic Benefits of Vitamin D Sunlight is one of nature’s greatest gifts to our health, as it provides us with vitamin D. Getting outside when the sun appears on a winter’s day can do wonders for our mood, as increasing our vitamin D levels reduces anxiety and stress. Instead of letting our kids hide in dark rooms on snow days, let them venture outside and receive one of Mother Nature’s easiest cures for the winter blues!
4 • WWW.ADVANCEDPRACTICEPT.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator