Gardening: Bringing Family Together
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER INVESTING IN A FAMILY GARDEN
it’s usually not quality time. Working in a group to create and maintain a garden is a hands-on experience for everyone. It’s a chance to get the whole family involved with a single project, and you can literally share the fruits of your labor. DECIDING ON PLANTS When it comes to deciding which plants you want in your garden, there are many variables to consider. Do you want to grow edible plants, ones that have magnificent blooms, or ones that are easy to care for? Flowers are a good start if you want a plant that grows a little faster; plus, they lend a pop of color to your garden. Growing vegetables is also rewarding, as the kids will take great pleasure in eating what they’ve grown. Other possibilities include sunflowers, blackberries, peas, and lettuce. You might be surprised at how willingly children eat their greens when they’ve had a hand in growing them. Family gardens can bring something new and fresh to your home. So, get outside, enjoy the sun, and discover the joys of plants and gardening.
flowers offer a good way to ease the restlessness. This season, why not bring your family closer together by starting a family garden?
After spending a winter cooped up inside with your family, there might be a little tension between everyone. Fortunately, it’s spring, and the warm weather, melting snow, and blooming
A LEARNING EXPERIENCE Nearly every step in the gardening process can be a learning experience for kids and parents alike. Begin by discussing where you should start and why, what supplies you’ll need, and the types of plants you want to grow. Gardening also offers opportunities to learn about science, ecology, and nutrition. COLLABORATION Gardening gives your family a chance to collaborate. When you’re stuck inside for long periods, you may be spending time together, but
SERVICE HIGHLIGHT BAD BACKS, BAD SWINGS, AND HIGH SCORES How Physical Therapy Can Lower Your Scorecard
probably dealing with an underlying issue. A physical therapist can help diagnose the source of your discomfort and coach you on techniques to treat that pain at the source. Sometimes, it’s as simple as doing a series of stretches to increase flexibility before you tee off. In other cases, you may need to break bad habits and develop new ones.Whatever the case, physical therapy can provide the body mechanics from which you can build your best swing. As an avid golfer and a graduate of the Titleist Performance Institute, Dr. Al Jones is particularly attuned to the needs of golfers. He’s helped countless patients improve their body mechanics, make it through 18 holes pain-free, and enjoy their favorite hobby more. Don’t let back pain raise your handicap or, even worse, keep you from golfing at all. Before you hit the links this year, let Advance Physical Therapy get your back ready for a great season from tee to green.
Back pain combined with golf swing mechanics can create a vicious cycle. Back pain forces you to alter your swing, leading more to hooks and slices. And poor swing mechanics cause undue strain on your back, making the problem even worse. On and on it goes with no relief in sight. The only way to address the problem is to begin with your back. Proper body function and swing mechanics aren’t the same thing, but you can’t have the second without the first. Trying to craft an ideal swing without first addressing underlying physical issues is a fool’s errand. Posture, balance, flexibility, and strength are crucial to your golf game. Golf may not seem like a labor-intensive sport, but it asks a lot of your fine motor skills. That’s why trying to golf through pain will never result in your lowest scores. While all parts of your body are engaged in a golf swing, the lower back is often the source of the most pain for golfers. If you notice yourself wincing after a shot, you’re
2 • Call Us! (208) 672-8144
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker