Check out our March newsletter!
MARCH 2021
www.advancedpracticept.com | 406-770-3171
WILL YOU TEST OUT MY SUPERPOWER? LESLIE SHARES A SECRET THAT JUST MIGHT BOOST YOUR RECOVERY
or grumbling when a patient reschedules. Just the other day, one of our patients walked in and said, “I need a miracle worker!” and I said, “Well, you’ve come to the right place!” I wasn’t kidding, either. I firmly believe people have enough problems of their own without me being an Eeyore on top of it all. But more than that, I think positivity does a body good. When you look for the bad in life, you’ll find it, and when you look for the good, you’ll find that instead. Having a positive attitude has even been linked to good health, including aging gracefully and recovering from injury. One article I found by Harvard Medical School referenced a study that found “people who had a positive attitude toward aging were 44% more likely to recover from a disability than those with a more negative attitude.” In other words, being a negative Nelly might be holding you back! If you’re feeling down about your recovery, the pandemic, or life in general, and you want to test out my superpower, here’s my best tip: Start the day off on a positive foot. When you wake up, don’t let yourself stress about the hours ahead. Instead, tell yourself, “The sun is shining, my coffee is hot, and this will be a great day!” Believing that is the first step toward making it happen. And take it from me — it’s much harder to recover your good mood if you start the day on a sour note. This month, I also plan to keep my pep up by indulging in some St. Patrick’s Day fun. I’ll never forget one St. Patty’s when my friends and I stopped in at a bar in Salt Lake City called The Green Parrot. They’d turned everything green: the beer, the sour cream on our nachos — even the bartender’s hands were covered in dye! This year, I’m going to take a leaf out of their book and enjoy a green breakfast followed by some corned beef and cabbage. As the old Irish proverb says, "May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness through your door.” –Leslie Larsen
I have a secret for you this month: Every secretary, office manager, and front desk person has a superpower. Not only that, but we also all have the same one. It’s not invisibility, flight, or laser eyes, though. It’s something better: optimism. I know, I know, that sounds pretty cheesy! But since March is National Optimism Month, I can’t help but share my thoughts on how positivity has made me a better worker and person. To be honest, back in the day, I didn’t think mindset was a big deal. I wasn’t a Debbie Downer or anything, but I definitely didn’t always see the glass as half-full. Then, I met my husband, and he helped me unlock my superpower. He had an excellent role model for positivity: his mother. She’s an incredibly optimistic, forward-thinking woman. The word “bad” doesn’t exist for her — everything is a good thing, and it all happens for a reason! I thought it was a little wacky at first, but eventually, I realized her outlook was inspiring. Getting involved with my husband and the rest of his family did me good. I started looking for the best in every situation, and my positivity paid off. In fact, I made it into a career! See, it’s impossible to be a good secretary/receptionist/ greeter (my three-stroke title) without having a big smile and an even sunnier outlook. During this pandemic, I’ve
made it my personal mission to get patients like you to smile, even if I cant see it under your mask. Since you’re leaving your house to come see us (which is a big deal these days!) I want our office to feel like a light at the end of the tunnel. That’s why I decorate for every holiday — yes, St. Patty’s is coming! — and you won’t catch me moaning about COVID-19
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MIND OVER MATTER HOW YOUR EMOTIONS AFFECT YOUR HEALING
When combating pain, patients tend to think physically. They recognize how much the pain hurts them or hinders their ability to do what they love, and they focus on the physical ways this can be improved. However, researchers have found that this isn’t the only way to deal with and overcome pain. Psychological researchers have discovered that merely thinking about a time when you were happy, sad, or scared, can cause a real, visceral reaction from your body. You can begin to sweat and experience a faster heartbeat when you recall that time you were scared, or you can genuinely smile or laugh as you remember a pleasant memory with a loved one. That same idea can be applied to healing from a physical injury, too. According to researchers at Harvard University, being in a constant state of anxiety, stress, or depression — as is common when experiencing an injury — only heightens your body’s fight-or-flight response. This raises your blood pressure and inflammation, resulting in increased pain. Essentially, your body is trying to survive and is working overtime to succeed. It’s compensating for the area in pain, and all energies are going into what’s wrong, rather than preventing other issues. This is the mind-body connection, and it has a common effect on patients healing from injuries, cardiac events, major surgeries, and other medical events. Without proper intervention, diminished mental stamina can wreak havoc on your body. It’s vital that you prioritize your mental health as you heal from an injury, and you can start with these three tips.
Keep a Journal: It might sound cheesy to write down your thoughts each day, but a journal can be the tool you need to pinpoint specific stressors. You might find you have a consistent diminished mood in the early afternoon or after interacting with a coworker. By identifying these triggers, you can better combat them. Find Social Support: Life’s better with someone by your side, isn’t it? Find and surround yourself with people who motivate you most. Ensure your circle has people you can trust, vent to, and who are honest and supportive. Seek Professional Help: A physical therapist can help you find the relief you need physically, while a psychiatric therapist can help you navigate your emotions and mental hurdles in overcoming this pain. Therapy is not just for those with diagnosed conditions. It can help you sort out your emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms for improved well-being. Recovering from pain is never an easy road so don’t be your own worst enemy. Our team is here to support you during your physical journey, be the cheerleaders you need mentally, and offer any suggestions we can to increase your mental well-being. Just ask us how!
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LAUGH MORE, AGE LESS WHY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU
As we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often. At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart.
One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions.
In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding. When there are language barriers, laughing together
can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures. The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates powerful memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships. Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too.
ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA
TAKE A BREAK!
PIZZETTES Inspired by EatingWell.com
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
• 1 lb prepared whole- wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions • 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped • 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn • Zest of 1 orange
1. Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. 2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. 3. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. 4.Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes. 5. Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. 6. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts' edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.
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406-770-3171 | www.advancedpracticept.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
WILL YOU TEST OUT LESLIE’S SUPERPOWER?
2. NEED TO HEAL? CHECK YOUR MIND FIRST! 3. THE EASIEST ANTI-AGING TACTIC? LAUGHTER ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA PIZZETTES 4. 3 SIMPLE HAND EXERCISES TO AVOID CRAMPS
STOP CRAMPING PALMS WITH 3 SIMPLE HAND EXERCISES Hand health is so easy to take for granted — but the minute we start to lose it, we realize just how important it is. If you’re using your hands to type, scroll on your phone, or do other repetitive motions every single day, this can cause problems later on. Luckily there are some simple hand exercises you can do to keep your joints healthy! A quick tip before we get started: If your hands are feeling painful or stiff, try warming them up with heating pads or soaking them in warm water before your exercises. This will make it easier to stretch and move them. No. 1: Finger Stretch You want to be able to use your hands pain-free and with flexibility. Finger stretches help ensure that’s the case for a lifetime. To relieve pain and improve the range of motion in your hands, first, place the heels of your hands on a flat surface. Then, gently straighten your fingers until they are as flat as possible — but don’t force your joints. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat at least four times with each hand. No. 2: Finger Lift To increase your range of motion and flexibility in your fingers, put your hand in a flat, finger stretch position. But instead of
focusing on keeping your hand as flat as possible, try gently lifting one finger at a time before slowly lowering them. You can also lift all your fingers and thumbs at once, then lower. Repeat for 8–12 times on each hand.
No. 3: Thumb Touch Almost all of our tasks require some coordination between our fingers and thumbs. That’s what this exercise is all about. Press the tips of your thumb and index finger to form an “o” shape with your hand. Create the same shape with your thumb and middle finger. Hold for 30–60 seconds. Repeat this with the rest of your fingers, then do the whole exercise for a total of four times. Going through this workout routine might seem unusual at first, but considering how important our hands are to our daily lives and communication, you certainly won’t regret keeping them in shape. Happy stretching!
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