Take a look at our August newsletter!
AUGUST 2021
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EastTennessee Physical Therapy News
FROM THE DESK OF DANNY D. SMITH, PT, DHSC
SOAK UP THE SUN The Health Benefits of the Heat and Sunshine
Here we are in the middle of summer and Northeast Tennessee is a great place to be. Although it is hot here, we are much cooler than a lot of places in the U.S. We are “air conditioned by nature.” I trust everyone is enjoying the summer, spending time on vacation, and spending time with family and friends. We continue to stay busy at PTS, lots going on with our therapists, staff members and students from across the country who come to Elizabethton to study with us. Currently we have two students from the University of Delaware as well as students from East Tennessee State University. Our staff continues to provide educational programs for physical therapists, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. We continue our work with Carter County Drug Prevention in tackling the opioid crisis in Carter County by providing an alternative to opioids for pain control. As always, should you have questions regarding our practice or the services we provide, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Are you enjoying your summer? As we enter August, I’m just grateful that we even have an opportunity to spend more time with our loved ones doing the things we couldn’t do last year. It’s great to see more people traveling, attending weddings and graduation parties, and gathering at their favorite restaurants. Still, August can be one the hottest months of the year, and I think I speak for everyone when I say some relief from the heat would be nice! If you have been sweating it out like me, you may be dreaming about those cool fall temperatures, but did you know that the sunshine and heat may actually be good for you? While too much sun can be detrimental to your skin and hydration, the sun has often been used by medical professionals as a proactive component to a treatment plan.
So, as you celebrate another month of summer, be sure to lather on the sunscreen and spend some time out in the sun to reap the benefits.
IMPROVE YOUR MOOD The sun may emit harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, but it also provides us with vitamin D, an essential nutrient for bone health, immunity, and happiness.
–Danny
This is why winter can be difficult for people who live in colder climates. During the winter, when the temperatures are low, it snows more, and the days are
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shorter, we experience less light exposure, which means our bodies don’t create that essential vitamin D. As a result, many people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression. Meanwhile, getting outside and soaking up the sun does provide a healthy source of vitamin D, which can improve your mood and leave you feeling happier!
Furthermore, as you get outside, this could help you live longer. A Swedish study of 30,000 women found that those who were exposed to more sun throughout their lifetimes lived an average of six months to two years longer. Imagine what you could do with an extra two years? STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES AND YOUR IMMUNITY Just as vitamin D helps improve your mood, it can also offer a boost to the immune system and your bones. This powerhouse nutrient has been linked to a stronger immune system and increased production
LOSE MORE WEIGHT AND LIVE LONGER The sun isn’t a cure-all to help you shed those stubborn 10 pounds, but it has been linked with a healthier lifestyle and fat and weight loss. One study found that spending as little as 30 minutes outside between 8 a.m. and noon has been linked to weight loss. There are likely other factors involved in these findings, including the fact that just the mere act of being outside prompts you to be more active. Other experts have found that living in warmer climates helps you shed more fat, simply because your body needs less insulation. When you move from a cooler climate to a warmer area, your body sheds fat that it no longer needs to keep warm. This could take years, but it does happen.
of calcium — the compound that makes your bones healthy. In fact, some studies have found a link between low levels of vitamin D and severe COVID-19 symptoms. More studies need to be done to fully understand this connection, but researchers believe it’s a revelation about vitamin D’s role in our immunity. From lifted restrictions to improved health, there are many reasons why you should get outside during this final month of summer. I hope you have a fantastic August and enjoy all the things that make summer great: family, fun, and sunshine!
Got a Lawyer on That Back-to-School List?
The kids are going back to school soon, and it may feel too soon, even rushed. Back-to-school season is a perfect excuse to slow down and take care of business, though. Once you get this stuff taken care of, you might feel a little better about summer ending and the kids heading off to new adventures. The first thing to consider is going to be helping any new adults in your household get on top of the “adult stuff” that comes with turning 18. You might be thinking of setting up accounts for them to pay into retirement or savings, and that’s a good idea, but don’t
forget to help them get an estate plan and a will in order, too. They may still be dependents who are on your health care plan, but when a person turns 18, they’re no longer a child, and having the legal documents in order is a part of that transition. Other legal considerations for kids on their way to college are medical care documents, such as do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and other health care directives. It’s a hard, sometimes scary talk to have, but that’s part of being an adult, and your child will likely appreciate being treated as such. For younger children, nothing is more important than figuring out guardianship in case you end up incapacitated or otherwise unable to continue being their guardian. For teenaged minors, make sure they’re included in these decisions. Would they prefer to live with an aunt or uncle, their grandparents, or maybe even an older sibling? Finally, make sure that the potential guardian is okay with the arrangement and understands their potential responsibilities. Send the kids back to school the right way, which is to say with the security in knowing their futures are planned for. It’s a great example to set as well as a massive weight off everybody’s shoulders. How often do you get to do that? Your attorney will know more and help you out with any questions you may have.
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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! 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.
5 Tips for Your Next Affordable Getaway 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
Traveling on a dime is no sweat with the right tools. Best of luck, traveler!
Take a Break!
EASY FOIL-GRILLED SAUSAGE AND VEGETABLES Inspired by NutmegNanny.com
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
• 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. 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.
• 1 tbsp thyme • 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
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P hysical T herapy S ervices , P.A.
Inside This Issue From the Desk of Dr. Smith PAGE 1 Why the Sun is Better Than You Think PAGE 1 Got a Lawyer on That Back-to-School List? PAGE 2 Want to Save on Your Next Vacation? PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables PAGE 3 Going Back to School Later in Life PAGE 4
Stay Sharp as You Age By Going Back to School
CONVINCED OF THE BENEFITS BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO TURN TO LEARN? TRY THESE TWO SOURCES. Most colleges are designed with the traditional, 20-something college student in mind, which may not appeal or be a great fit for adults in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. But many universities are starting to cater to an older crowd with lifelong learning programs. One example is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington (UW). UW’s program offers a full course schedule on subjects in the arts, sciences, and current events taught by qualified faculty and provided at an affordable rate. There are over 100 such programs at universities across the U.S. Have a longtime dream to write children’s books? UC San Diego Extension has a certificate program for that! If you’re looking to dive into a single subject or perhaps you’d like to continue working in retirement or shift gears later in your career, certificate programs are a great option. No previous education is required. Most certificate programs are open to all, typically run for less than a year, and easily accommodate part-time learners.
While you may be happy for the years of wisdom you’ve gained since being in your 20s and 30s, you might be missing the mental sharpness you once had. Why not have the best of both worlds? Scientists have found that the human brain changes with age — neurons fire more slowly, for example, and short-term memory recall can be more challenging — but that we often underestimate our capacity to continue learning as we grow older. Negative stereotypes about aging can reinforce these beliefs. However, new research is showing that older adults who’ve committed to immersive study of a new subject show brain function akin to someone 30 years younger. This goes beyond the tired advice to do a crossword puzzle or work a sudoku puzzle every day. The participants in this research study were learning entirely new-to-them subjects, like how to speak a foreign language, use a new piece of technology, or make art.
Celebrate your years of hard-earned wisdom but commit to keeping your brain young by going back to school this fall.
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