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December 2019
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What Keeps Me Joyful in the Christmas Season W e always traveled down to Georgia to look at Christmas lights when we visited my dad’s family in South season. As my parents, my sister, and I drove CELEBRATION IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE
Carolina. It was a big tradition when I was a kid. I don’t remember much about what the lights looked like, or even why we went all the way down to Georgia to look at them, but what I do remember was what it was like traveling down there. We brought the whole family with us. Every year there would be a caravan of 10 cars making its way down the highway. We sometimes stopped on the way down, and family members would switch cars and mingle with other family members. It was rare to arrive at the lights in the same car you left in. Memories like that really encapsulate what I cherish about those Christmases when I was young. When I was growing up in Virginia, we always traveled to visit my grandparents on my mom’s side in North Carolina and my grandparents on my dad’s side in South Carolina. We would spend three or four days with each set of grandparents during the holiday “ In this season, I always try to remember the real reason why we celebrate the holiday because it’s a reason that never disappoints. ”
down to meet them, the radio filled the car with Christmas music and everyone was in good cheer. When we would arrive at my grandparents’
house, all my aunts, uncles, and cousins would be there, and we would greet one another and reconnect over meals. My favorite dish was always my grandma’s mac and cheese. The big noodles and multiple layers of cheese would honestly make it any kid’s favorite. Sadly, however, Christmas can’t always just be about lights, family time, and Grandma’s mac and cheese. Along with all the great memories that come with December, our family has had our fair share of sorrow and loss during that time. As the years went by, my grandparents all passed away around this time of year. Not only that, but my father also passed away years ago on Dec. 20. Regardless of what month of the year your family members have passed on, the Christmas season can often bring about feelings of loss just as easily as it can bring back bright, twinkling memories. Christmas can accentuate both feelings of joy and sorrow. And, in this season, I always try to remember the real reason why we
celebrate the holiday because it’s a reason that never disappoints. It’s a season to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He will never disappoint us. When you keep your eyes on what Christmas is actually about, the season is worth celebrating, regardless of any bittersweet memories that might come up. Now that my family has moved to South Carolina, we’re kind of far away from either side of our family, and we’ve decided to have Christmas at home. We’ll still make time to see both sides of the family during December, but Christmas Day is for our immediate family. But, just because Christmas isn’t what it used to be, that doesn’t make it worse. The real reason for celebration doesn’t change, so there’s cause for joy regardless of how we celebrate the day.
–Dr. Chris Garner
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HONORING FRANCIS EDWARD HONYOTSKI
Grand Strand’s Patient of the Month
SHARE YOUR WISDOM IN A MEMOIR Do You Have a Story to Tell? At Grand Strand Health and Wellness, we are lucky to serve and connect with so many members of our community who have also served their communities. This month, we want to honor Francis Edward Honyotski, not only because he is an exemplary patient but also because of how he has always strived to serve and protect others. Francis started his career serving in the U.S. Navy. After seeing the world from a battleship, he decided to continue serving his community as a police officer. When he retired from the police force, he found that he was restless just sitting at home, so he decided to do security work for another 10 years, along with driving a taxi for a brief period of time. After all that excitement, he now enjoys his nice, quiet days in South Carolina. We first met Francis when he attended a health talk Dr. Garner gave at a retired police officers’ club. He now comes to the office about once a week. When Samantha, one of our front desk assistants, asked Francis why he likes coming to GSHW, he said it’s because he wants to get well. “It costs money, but you gotta do what you gotta do,” he said. This is just one example of the many witty comments he makes when he’s here. The urge to leave behind a legacy is an inherent human instinct. Whether you accomplish this by raising children, building a successful company, or starting a charitable organization, the desire to share your wisdom should not go unfulfilled. If none of these options work for your lifestyle, writing a memoir may be a good option. A memoir not only tells your story but also passes on the wisdom you’ve gained from your many experiences and offers a unique perspective to inspire future generations. Writing can be a therapeutic exercise at a time when your life may be changing due to retirement or your kids growing up and leaving the house. And because personal reflection is a natural occurrence with age, writing a memoir can be the perfect way to spend your time. As you gain enough distance from life events to grow useful perspectives, the stage is set for self-discovery and transformation. Even more so, your life experiences can give valuable insights to readers of all ages and circumstances. That’s why biographies and memoirs are such popular genres — reading about real people helps others understand the world and how they can live in it.
Three words that describe Francis are funny, caring, and outgoing. Francis may not agree. He always says he is “over the hill,” and that some people refer to him as an “old grouch,” but he’s always talking to other patients and making the staff laugh.
When he is not at GSHW, you can find him at home watching NCIS, Bull, Ice Road Truckers, or whatever TV show his
wife has recorded for him. He also likes to play Hearts and Mahjong on his computer. He did collect stamps for over 50 years but hasn’t done it recently. If you ask him what he does now, he will say, “Now, I just get fat.” Thank you, Francis, for your service to our country and to your community as a police officer. We look forward to hearing your witty comments and serving you for many more years to come.
To get started, pick a theme. Ask yourself these questions, “What message do I want to leave with my readers? What do I want them to feel or understand by reading my words?” From there, select anecdotes that support your theme. Make sure they’re clear and cohesive. Then, write like you would a fictional novel or story. Show, don’t tell, and keep readers invested by having a narrative arc, whether it flows chronologically or jumps back and forth in time. Remember, this is not a time to air dirty laundry; it’s a time to reflect, grow, and share your experiences with the world.
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Grand Strand’s Teammate of the Month Celebrating Kim Filyaw
We have a lot of rock stars on our team here at Grand Strand Health and Wellness, and someone who really stands out from the crowd is Kim Filyaw. She is our Lines Coordinator, which means she ensures every patient receives the services and treatments the doctor has recommended in a timely and efficient manner. Kim is caring, spiritual, and so funny. She truly cares about each person she comes in contact with. She greets them and guides them to each service and treatment their doctor has recommended. She embraces our mission of changing lives, and, when the office gets crazy, Kim is always the first one to dance around and make witty remarks to keep everyone laughing. Her positivity is so infectious that anyone who is feeling down can have a quick conversation with Kim and immediately start to feel better.
Kim not only cares deeply about our patients but also about her teammates. She always has encouraging words right when you need them. If you look up the word “supportive” in the dictionary, you would find Kim as an example. Her teammates know they can depend on her to step in and assist with anything they need in any part of the
office. Kim always keeps busy, whether by assisting a patient, cleaning up around the office, or doing any number of other things. When Kim is not here being an amazing team owner, her supportive and caring nature shines through when she spends time with her
daughter, Charley. She loves to go swimming and ride bikes with her. From all of us at GSHW, we are thankful Kim is such a beacon of positive energy and light for the whole team. Thank you, Kim, for all you do!
Client Success Since coming to Grand Strand Health and Wellness, Dr. Garner told me sleeping on my stomach was the worst way to sleep, and I should sleep on my back or fetal position with a pillow between my knees. I can honestly say since coming here, I’ve never felt better, and I am sleeping more soundly. My shoulder pain and neck pain have diminished.” –George Heger May
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Inside This Issue The Real Joy of the Christmas Season
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Meet Francis Edward Honyotski Tell Your Story and Share Your Wisdom
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Celebrating Kim Filyaw Client Success Stories
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Boost Your Mental Health This Season
Ways to Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that people experience every fall and winter. If you find yourself feeling blue as the days become shorter and darker, know there are things you can do to boost your mood until spring returns. INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY Keeping your body active can increase your energy levels, help you sleep, reduce anxiety, and boost your self-esteem. Summit Medical Group states that a person who exercises for 30–60 minutes a day can manage or avoid SAD easier than a person who does not exercise regularly. When you participate in physical activity, your body releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which have a morphine-like effect on your brain. If exercising outdoors is not ideal, consider swimming, walking, or dancing instead. GET SOME SUN Exposure to sunlight is also significantly beneficial for people suffering from SAD. Sunlight helps your body produce adequate amounts of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. Getting just a few minutes of sunlight a day through a walk or short jog can make all the difference. If you live in an area where the winters are bleak, cloudy, and dark, sunlight can be harder to come by. But technology has you covered: You can purchase “sun
lamps,” which simulate sunlight without the damaging UV rays. Just set up a sun lamp in your workspace or living area and feel your mood lift. MAINTAIN YOUR ROUTINE Often, it can be difficult to stick with your daily routine during the cooler months. It may be harder to wake up on time in the morning to work out, or it may be too cold outside to go on your daily run. Luckily, you can find small ways to mitigate this. For example, invest in a sunrise alarm clock, which gently wakes you up with a simulated sunrise, or shop for high-quality thermal workout gear. If you continue to suffer from SAD and feel there’s no end in sight, it’s important to seek help from professionals. They can determine the best treatment options available for you.
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