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AUGUST 2021
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GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO SCHOOL LIKE WE REMEMBER! THE ULMER BOYS HEAD BACK
Look out, Huntley! The kids are heading back to school, and my oldest son, Zach, is driving himself for the first time! As I write this, Emilie and I are in the process of securing him a parking pass. I have my fingers crossed that he’ll qualify for one. This is a new experience for me, because when
classes, and Zach can’t wait to get back to singing in the choir and performing for school plays in person. It will be nice for both of them to see their friends on a daily basis.
As for me and Emilie, the start of the school year means we’re going to get a whole lot busier at home. Summer is pretty laid back in our house, but once
I was Zach’s age, I lived just a block away from school and could always walk to class. (Somehow, I still managed to be a minute or two late to class most of the time.) It’s crazy to me that Zach is a junior in high school. I can still remember him getting on the bus as a kindergartner, and now he’s driving himself around in our family’s Infinity. Fortunately, regardless of the number of “stay off the road” jokes I make, he’s a pretty good driver and I trust him to get to school and his extracurriculars safely.
the kids are in school again, we’re usually always on the run, taking them from one
hockey practice and choir performance to another. Now that Zach is driving, he might be a little bit more self- sufficient, but I’m not going to count on him being Nathan’s
chauffeur. Emilie and I don’t mind those errands, though.
They let us spend more time with the kids, and we can only sit around so much before we get bored!
I think Zach and my younger son, Nathan, are both looking forward to having a normal 2021–2022 school year. They’ve both missed out on a lot of typical childhood experiences because of COVID-19. When the pandemic hit, Nathan was halfway through his first year of middle school, so he missed spending the second half of sixth grade and most of seventh with his peers. Zach was a freshman in high school and lost out on even more crucial experiences. I know it was tough for them, but things definitely could have been worse. They adapted well to all the changes in their little world. Still, I know they’re excited to make a triumphant return to the classroom this month. Nathan is already talking about his band
Summer is our busiest season and right now people are enjoying their time outside in the heat. I’ve treated a lot of sports injuries from games of softball, baseball, tennis, and golf over the last few months, but I’m guessing that will slow down a bit when school starts up. Until then, I hope you and your family enjoy the last bit of summer freedom. If you’re planning to take an end-of-the-season road trip, check out my article on Pg. 3 for tips on surviving the drive without getting cramped or achy.
–Mike Ulmer
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As is the case with many self-care trends like yoga and meditation, what’s old is new again. The latest relaxation practice with ancient roots to make waves in modern times is sound baths. Celebs from Charlize Theron to Laurence Fishburne say they help promote relaxation and reduce stress. Kendall Jenner, who’s been public about her struggles with anxiety and sleep paralysis, also swears by the practice’s healing powers and has even started creating her own sound baths and sharing them on Instagram.
In fact, sounders say the vibrations of some instruments facilitate relaxation by literally changing the brainwaves. Health practitioners put it differently, saying that the practice promotes a parasympathetic autonomic nervous system response, aka a stress reduction response. Either way, the practice is a nice alternative to standard sitting meditation, which often focuses on the breath and can be difficult, especially for new practitioners.
While there hasn’t been a lot of medical research done to test the efficacy of the practice, it is becoming a more widely used supplemental treatment for stress, anxiety, addiction, and post- traumatic stress disorder. If you get the chance to
While you can create a sound bath experience at home, most practitioners “bathe” at in-person sessions with “sounders” — those who create the soundscape. These sessions typically last 45–60 minutes. The idea behind the sonic experience is that bathers sit or lay in a relaxing position while gently focusing on the sounds they are immersed in.
experience one yourself, try to approach it with an open mind and open ears. You just might be surprised.
Sounders commonly use singing bowls, chimes, gongs, and other instruments to create a meditative and relaxing vibe.
“I am extremely pleased with my experience here. I was not able to reach behind myself without pain. I had difficulty getting out of bed. I have no pain now! I think that Kinetic Physical Therapy is the best! The therapists are
“My balance and leg strength were gone. But thanks to Amanda, my legs are stronger and my balance is much better. So much better that stairs no longer concern me.
“Thank you, Kinetic!”
very professional and caring. Their focus is always on their patients. I will definitely return to Kinetic if I have a problem.”
–John Throckmorton
–Marilyn Larson
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Some kids love road trips and others hate them, but every adult can agree that the older you get, the less comfortable it is to spend hours in the car! If you have a late- summer road trip planned and are dreading the back and neck pain that comes with it, try these five tips to stay limber while you travel.
your head and take a deep breath to lengthen your spine. If you’re the driver, focus on stretching your hamstrings. For example, while standing, cross one foot over the other, then fold forward at the waist as far as you can, keeping your legs straight and breathing deeply. 3. KEEP YOUR BLOOD FLOWING WITH ANKLE PUMPS. As a passenger, you can decrease the swelling in your legs and increase circulation by pumping your feet up and down. Point your toes toward the ceiling, then down to the floor. This simple stretch gets your calf muscles working and is great for plane travel, too. 4. ADJUST YOUR SEAT FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT. Take advantage of your car’s adjustable seats by moving yours to the position that feels best. If you can’t decide, go with a 100-degree angle. The Virginia Spine Institute says that’s best for your back! 5. SAY NO TO GAS STATION SNACKS. Instead of loading up on salt and sugar that might make you bloat and slouch, pack a cooler full of high-protein snacks, fresh fruit, and vegetables.
1. STOP EVERY 2–3 HOURS. Driving straight from Point A to Point B is efficient, but it’s murder on your back. To avoid discomfort, stop the car and get out every 2–3 hours, even if you don’t need gas or a bathroom break. 2. MAKE YOUR BREAKS ACTIVE. If you usually hop out of the car, go straight to the pump or the bathroom, and dive back behind the wheel, consider this an intervention. Your body will thank you if you take more intentional breaks! While you’re parked, go for a walk or do a few full-body stretches. For example, reach your arms up over
Enjoy your pain-free trip!
Sudoku
Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables
INGREDIENTS • 4 sausage links of your choice • 1 lb green beans • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced • 1 red onion, diced • 1 zucchini, diced • 1 yellow summer squash, diced
• 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1 tbsp thyme • 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 425 F. 2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well. Divide into four equal portions. 3. Prepare four 16-inch pieces of foil and place a portion in the middle of each section. Wrap each foil piece tightly and avoid holes. 4. Grill each foil packet for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also bake each packet for 20 minutes at 425 F.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com
11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142
INSIDE The Ulmer Boys Head Back to School PAGE 1
The Benefits of Sound Baths PAGE 2
My PT Story PAGE 2
How to Kiss Your Road Trip Discomfort Goodbye PAGE 3 Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables PAGE 3 Want to Save on Your Next Vacation? PAGE 4
3. TRAVEL IN A GROUP. If you travel with friends, your expenses become a lot more manageable. Let’s say you and a partner travel with two other couples — renting a swanky cabin at $200 a night will only cost around $33 per person. Plus, you will create some amazing memories together! 4. PLAN YOUR MEAL BUDGET AHEAD OF TIME. Looking forward to eating certain dishes? Find local menus and prices to ensure you don’t spend more than you planned. If you want an authentic and homestyle culinary experience, consider signing up for a peer-to-peer dining experience through Traveling Spoon or Bon Appetour, which is tax-free as well! 5. CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING FOR VACATION. Want to go on a self-discovery trip? Why not cut your expenses in half by volunteering? For example, Habitat for Humanity offers a nine-day Mexico trip for $1,200 with lodging, food, and activities included. You’ll get to build structures and create something permanent for the local community.
Are you excited to explore the world again? Or maybe you’ve just gotten back from your latest vacation! In either case, the economic challenges of the pandemic might require travelers to plan their trips a little smarter. Here are five tricks to do just that. 1. CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET WHILE CHOOSING YOUR DESTINATION. Any destination heavily impacted by tourists is going to be more expensive to visit. So, consider taking a tour through various French countryside towns instead of Paris! Not only could it be more culturally immersing, but it may even be more relaxing and less stressful than visiting a dense area. 2. SIGN UP FOR SCOTT’S CHEAP FLIGHTS. One of the most important parts of booking an affordable vacation is booking it at the right time. Scott’s Cheap Flights will track all the cheapest flights at an airport of your choice — you’ll get over 50%–75% savings on highly rated airlines. This will get you stress-free travel for a much lower price!
Traveling on a dime is no sweat with the right tools. Best of luck, traveler!
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