M O N T H L Y
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SEPT/OCT 2019
F IGHT ING FEAR AND SUCCEEDING What Starting Something New Means for You October is typically a time when people enjoy sitting down for their favorite scary movie, going to a haunted house or maze, or even playing frightening games. While many people’s thoughts are turned toward the unnatural or participating in some hair-raising activities, I’d like to take the time to talk about a different type of fear. You will experience many types of fear in a lifetime, especially when it comes to starting something new. Fear of the unknown, of failure, and of taking risks are all hurdles we have to overcome to succeed, and unfortunately, that holds many people back. Not knowing the repercussions of the task ahead of you can be extremely intimidating. Many people are comfortable where they are in life, doing what they’ve been doing for the past several years without trying too hard for new experiences. They know what to expect in their day-to-day lives, but before they know it, their lives become absorbed in tedious, mundane routine.
challenge themselves in some way, they don’t move forward. With nothing new in their lives, they can become restless, irritable, anxious, or even depressed. Pushing ourselves to try something new gives us the ability to set new goals and opportunities to learn and to even discover hobbies we never knew we would enjoy. It’s vital to keep in mind that taking the initial risk of just trying something new, whatever that may be, is the most crucial aspect of this effort. If you take the first step and realize you don’t like whatever it is you’re trying, it’s okay not to continue. Trying in the first place is what’s important. More often than not, this is the most rewarding part of stepping out of your comfort zone. You pushed yourself past the fear of the unknown, took the risk, and tried something new regardless. That took courage, and that courage can help you make even more bold decisions later on in life when you try something new again. The first step can be terrifying to think about, but the reward afterward is immeasurable. This October, let the only thing that scares you be the spooks of Halloween. As Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
However, when a person decides to step out of their comfort zone, they open their minds to new experiences and give themselves a chance to grow as a person. Psychology Today states, "Trying something new opens up the possibility for you to enjoy something new. Entire careers, entire life paths, are carved out by people dipping their baby toes into small ponds and suddenly discovering a love for something they had no idea would capture their imaginations.”
The best part about breaking from a monotonous lifestyle is taking a step away from boredom. When a person doesn’t
–Steven Freeman
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CELEBRATING ORAL HEALTH Spreading Awareness
THE FREE RADICAL 411 How to Minimize Age-Inducing Atoms
If you’ve ever picked up a health magazine while waiting at the doctor’s office, then you’re probably familiar with the term “free radicals” — at least enough to know that they get a bad rap from doctors and beauticians alike. But what are they, exactly? According to Live Science, free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons that have split off from oxygen molecules in the body and started to “scavenge” for other electrons to pair with. That wouldn’t be problematic, except that these atoms tend to damage cells, lipids, proteins, and even DNA along the way, and that destruction has serious consequences. As Live Science puts it, “Free radicals are associated with human disease, including cancer, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and many others. They also may have a link to aging, which has been defined as a gradual accumulation of free-radical damage.” Unfortunately, it’s impossible to entirely avoid free radicals and the havoc they wreak. The process that forms free radicals, called oxidative stress, can be kick-started by a variety of different substances found in food, water, medicine, and even the air we breathe, according to the Huntington’s Outreach Project for Education at Stanford University. Unsurprisingly, these substances are things already considered unhealthy, like alcohol, exposure to X-rays, ozone, fried food, chemical pesticides, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke. That said, there is one molecule that is stable enough to stand up to and reduce free radicals: the antioxidant. According to a study published by Pharmacognosy Reviews, antioxidants can “donate an electron to a rampaging free radical and neutralize it, thus reducing its ability to damage.” Synthetic antioxidants exist but can sometimes have harmful side effects, so scientists advise protecting yourself by avoiding free radical triggers like alcohol, processed foods, and red meat, and ingesting natural antioxidants in the form of berries, stone fruits, olives, onions, garlic, and green and black teas. Herbs
Many holidays take place in October, but one of the most important is the celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month. This holiday aims to raise awareness of just how essential oral health is for everyone, no matter age or size. WHY DENTAL HYGIENE MATTERS Keeping up with your oral hygiene will positively impact your overall health. When a patient visits their dentist every six months, they’re not only ensuring their teeth are clean and healthy, but also making sure nothing more serious is going on. During an examination, a dentist can spot symptoms that may mean the patient has mental health issues, oral cancers, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, acid reflux, or tooth grinding. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ORALLY HEALTHY While it’s a vital habit to have for optimal oral health, brushing and flossing on a regular basis is only a portion of dental hygiene. Rinsing your mouth can also have an impact on your teeth. After meals, brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth with mouthwash (or chewing sugarless gum) can remove any other food debris still left in the mouth. Having a healthy diet also influences your teeth; according to the American Dental Association (ADA), “What you put in your mouth impacts not only your general health but also that of your teeth and gums.” Eating too many sugary foods, for example, can increase the risk of cavities, as some bacteria feed on these sugars, creating acid that breaks down tooth enamel. THE GOAL This year, National Dental Hygiene Month is focusing on the proper routine of brushing, flossing, rinsing, and chewing. While it's common knowledge that the routine of brushing our teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and rinsing after meals is important, chewing also has significant effects. The ADA recommends chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay. This activity increases the amount of saliva in the mouth, which removes food debris, provides disease-fighting substances, and neutralizes harmful acids produced by bacteria.
and spices like cinnamon, basil, turmeric, and fenugreek can ratchet up your antioxidant levels too. While it can’t guarantee immortality, the right diet can certainly help you stave off aging and disease, so why not start today?
Join Elite Smiles Dentistry in celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month by maintaining and improving your healthy dental hygiene habits!
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T H E 4 - L E G G E D H E R O E S O F G R O U N D Z E R O Honoring the Canines of 9/11
In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets to clear rubble, offer supplies, and search for survivors. It was a powerful act of resilience in a deeply trying time, and while most of the individuals helping with the disaster stood on two feet, more than 300 canines also answered the call to service. Dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, including search and rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, were brought in to help find and care for survivors in the wake of the destruction. They worked tirelessly alongside rescue crews as they searched through the debris. Search and rescue dogs and their handlers worked 12–16-hour days, searching for survivors and victims. They worked through dangerous conditions: Many dogs burned their paws as they dug through hot rubble, and both handlers and canines inhaled toxic dust. The task was both physically and mentally exhausting for the dogs during their shifts. Some dogs that found deceased
victims refused to eat or interact with other animals. Search and rescue dogs became increasingly stressed and depressed the longer they searched without any results, mirroring their handlers. It wasn’t uncommon for handlers to stage mock “findings” of survivors to keep the dogs’ spirits up. Fortunately, the sacrifices these dogs and their handlers made did not go unnoticed. Many dog owners were inspired to earn their search and rescue certifications after the events of 9/11, promising to aid in future disasters and hopefully lessen the impact of such catastrophes. After 9/11, various researchers conducted many studies examining the effect this kind of work has on animals, both physically and mentally. Many of these studies wouldn’t be possible without the AKC Canine Health Foundation, so if you’re looking to give back this September, visit them at their website to see how you can help: AKCCHF.org .
Win 4 Annual Passes to Disney World! HERE'S HOW TO ENTER REFER A FRIEND = 3 ENTRIES REVIEW US ON GOOGLE = 2 ENTRIES “CHECK-IN” OR TAG US IN A POST ON FACEBOOK = 2 ENTRIES EVERY NEW KID'S APPOINTMENT = 1 ENTRY
Sudoku
CONTEST ENDS DEC. 31, 2019
Answer on Page 4
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I N S I D E
Don’t Let the Frights Get to You
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Tips for Fighting Free Radicals
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The Importance of Dental Hygiene
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Honoring the Canines of 9/11
Win a Trip to Disney World!
Local Events
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Local Events S T . A U G U S T I N E G E T T I NG A H E AD S TA R T ON T H E FA L L S E A SON
As the seasons change, Florida starts to lose its humidity, which means it’s the perfect time to get out of the house. Here are a few activities you can enjoy this fall!
DARK OF THE MOON GHOST TOUR Where: St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum When: Every Friday–Sunday in Sept., 8:30 p.m. Admission : $20–$25 Website: StAugustineLighthouse.org The St. Augustine Lighthouse is one of the defining features of our city, and it just got a little more interesting! Start celebrating Halloween a little early this year by going to the lighthouse for a ghost tour. Attendees will be given glow sticks as they follow their guides through tales of the people who worked, visited, and lived in the building in times past. Be sure to visit their website today to reserve your spot on the tour.
PINK UP THE PACE 5K Where: St. George Street, St. Augustine When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 8 a.m. Admission : $15–$35 to register as a runner Website: PinkUpthePace.com It’s back! Join local runners as they participate in this 5K run and walk for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The race is dedicated to anyone who has been impacted by breast cancer, including both those who survived and those who are remembered for their fight. Funds collected during the race are donated to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured and struggling through early detections of breast cancer. To register for the race or to learn more, visit the website above.
SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL Where: Historic District, St. Augustine When: Oct. 25–27 Admission Free! Website: StAugustineSongwritersFestival.com This one-of-a-kind music festival is coming back to St. Augustine! You can join fellow music lovers and songwriters as they come together for two days filled with the best music experience you’ll have all year. Music can inspire emotions, both happy and sad, and now you can meet the musicians and learn their inspirations behind each song.
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