The Wellness Studio - April 2020

Check out our April newsletter!

The Wellness Studio APR 2020

THE WELLNESS REPORT THEWELLNESSSTUDIOLB.COM 562.980.0555

CHILDREN DESERVE TO PLAY Supporting Your Kids as They Grow

The following article contains a story that may be traumatic for victims of sexual assault or harassment.

I trusted, like relatives and mentors, I wanted to protect my children from those dangers and the pain they can cause.

Spring always reminds me of Easter, fresh flowers, and children playing. There’s something special about spring: Everything feels new and happy. This year’s change of seasons reminds me of an incident in my past and its influence on the rest of my life. I wanted to share this story and what I learned from my experience with you so that you can see how important it is to make sure children are fostering healthy relationships and enjoying their childhoods. When I was a preteen, I was friends with people who weren’t making great decisions, and I was starting to follow their lead. My dad asked the leaders at the local church to offer me guidance, and looking back, it was a thoughtful choice for any parent to make. My parents trusted them, and I trusted them, and the resulting experience was life-altering, but not in a way any of us could have anticipated. I was supposed to be receiving guidance from the church’s youth minister, but unfortunately, he instead took advantage of me for the next five years. Like any young child in that terrible situation, I was groomed to believe that we were in love. While I’m thankful that I was never physically injured, this experience has had a lasting impact. I was taught unhealthy relationship behaviors, and I can still feel the effects of this trauma today. Sadly, I also later discovered that the church knew about the abuse the whole time. Despite this happening in the church while I was growing up, I still clung to my faith. I still enjoyed my time at the church, made lasting friendships, and had fun. It was a social experience! And even today, when I feel stressed or worried, I turn on gospel music and wonder why I don’t do it more often because it has such a positive impact on me. But I believe this traumatic experience also prompted me to focus on my children very intently when they were growing up. Since I had seen that dangers can lurk even in people

I wasn’t a perfect parent, but my childhood taught me that it’s important for children to foster healthy relationships. Having tough conversations with your child can

be awkward, but they are so vital to your child and their growth. I also believe it’s important to let kids play outside and explore. Many parents — I know I’m guilty of having done this — let the television babysit. When this happens, kids sit inside even when there’s a gorgeous spring day just outside. It’s easy to go on autopilot, but as my children were growing up, and since I’ve become the mom of young adults, I really realize the value of letting kids be kids. And as a parent, I feel it’s important for us to be right by our kids' sides and encourage their curiosity. Today, there are many opportunities for kids to be involved in extracurricular events, and while these activities instill a sense of responsibility in kids, they can also be stifling. It’s important to let your kids know it’s okay to be carefree and that you will always be there to support them, regardless of what they are going through. Spring is all about new beginnings, and kids deserve to be excited about these beginnings! Childhood should be about wonder and exploration, not shame and fear. My hope is that all children are able to look back happily on their childhood once they’re grown. As an adult, I know what happened to me wasn’t my fault, but I do harbor a lot of guilt about it, and that’s not something any kid should experience. Instead, kids should be living carefree and playing outside! I hope you find time to turn off the TV and explore with your kids outside this spring. Get out there and enjoy their childhoods right alongside them!

Have a very happy Easter and spring,

—Denise Dial

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LEARN TO BREATHE BETTER Holistic Methods for Taming Seasonal Allergies

Poke Them Away

The season of sniffles and sneezes is upon us, but you don’t have to let your allergies stop you from enjoying gorgeous April blooms and fresh spring breezes. Try these natural solutions to help combat your allergies and breathe a little easier this spring — though if your allergies are persistent, seek professional medical help.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment method that pinpoints specific pathways crucial to the flow of energy throughout the body and reopens them through strategic needle placements. While studies have yet to prove that acupuncture can serve as a stand-alone treatment for allergies, it has been shown to aid in symptom management. Acupuncture can also decrease pain and release built-up pressure caused by congestion.

Eat Them Away

Drain Them Away

Food is often overlooked as a method to fight your allergies, but make no mistake: The nutrients in some foods can do wonders for your body! Use this to your advantage by choosing ingredients proven to fight the sniffles. Raw, local honey has the ability to soothe scratchy throats, which protects the airway passage from further damage. ( Warning: Children under the age of 1 should never consume honey.) Also on the sweeter side, the naturally occurring enzyme in pineapple, bromelain, has been shown to ease inflammation and swelling, while quercetin, found in tea, red wine, and apples, can act as a natural antihistamine. If you’re looking for something more savory, spicy foods can light a fire under your mucus, break it up, and clear your nasal passages. R egular exercise and a balanced diet are the best methods for weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, but we all have our trouble spots. Whether it’s a belly pooch that won’t disappear or back fat that you’re struggling to hide, fat pockets are a reality for everyone. As we age, getting rid of these fat deposits becomes increasingly difficult. While nothing can replace diet and exercise, researchers have discovered a safe and effective tool that can help give your body the boost it needs to finally eliminate stubborn fat: lasers. The Wellness Studio recently acquired a Strawberry Inch Loss Laser to help patients combat troublesome fat spots and optimize diet and exercise routines. The device uses an innovative and noninvasive laser system to impact the fat layer that’s found 9–13 millimeters below the skin’s surface. The treatment is painless, and each session only takes minutes.

Have you ever just wanted to open your nose and flush out all of your congestion? With a neti pot, you can! Simply create your own saltwater solution with filtered water — do not try this with unfiltered water, as deadly organisms can enter your body this way — and 1 teaspoon of salt. Some experts even suggest adding a pinch of baking soda to the mixture to soothe the bite of the salt. Next, pour the solution into the pot. Tilt your head to one side over a sink, pour the mixture from the pot into one of your nostrils, and let it drain out the other side. Repeat on the opposite nostril and feel the relief!

FIGHT TROUBLESOME FAT With Our Laser Reduction Treatment The science behind this begins in the fat cells. Fat is built up and stored around the body when the energy found in fat cells is not used. To burn fat, it must be used, hence exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle. But targeting fat with regular exercise alone can feel like an impossible feat. To aid in this, the Strawberry Inch Loss Laser splits the fat cells open and removes the contents, like water and free fatty acids, found in these cells. The deposits of these compounds do not harm the surrounding blood, tissue, or muscles, and instead, the liver and kidneys filter these items out of the body. This decreases the size of the fat cells, ultimately decreasing the size of the fat deposits. This eight-week laser treatment process involves two treatments per week, with a 48-hour break in between each session. Patients should engage in cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, for 20 minutes after the treatment to retain the immediate results. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are required to maintain the long-term effects of the treatment. After eight painless weeks of laser treatments, patients report losing inches off their waistline while gaining the confidence to maintain their healthy lifestyle. Get started with your Strawberry Inch Loss Laser treatments today by calling 562.980.0555.

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562.980.0555

HAPPY HABITS

Daily Actions to Make You Happier and Healthier

O ur habits have lasting impacts on our well-being, both positive and negative. For example, take drinking soda: It's a relatively innocuous habit, but it can lead to major health consequences. A Public Library of Science Medicine study found that drinking one soda each day increased a person’s risk of stroke by 16% over time! Habits with long-term health consequences like these can be combatted by implementing healthier habits such as the following: Drink More Water Water is one of the most powerful nutrients in the world. Studies show increasing your water intake improves your skin, balances your weight, boosts your kidneys’ detoxification abilities, and increases muscle, joint, and organ health. Reap these benefits by setting daily reminders for yourself to drink up on your phone or calendar, and carry a reusable water bottle everywhere you go. Wash Your Hands Since the early 2020 pandemic COVID-19, better known as coronavirus, hit many health professionals have been stressing the importance of hand-washing. But hand-washing isn’t just a solid practice for combating this fast-spreading disease. Your hands touch your face and food every day, but they also graze guardrails, open car doors, pick up toys, and shake other hands. Regularly and thoroughly washing your hands — and using hand sanitizer only when hand-washing is not an option — can prevent the spread of all kinds of diseases and keep you healthier. To make this easier, try singing the chorus of your favorite song as you scrub. When you finish, then you’re done washing your hands! Get Outside We enjoy gorgeous weather in California year-round, and we should use that to our benefit! According to a report in Business Insider, being outside can benefit our mental and physical well-being. Studies have found that just the act of spending time outside can improve your memory, decrease stress, lower your blood pressure, help you sleep better, and lower your risk of depression. Make it a goal to take a walk twice each week during your lunch break, or hike on your weekends to enjoy Mother Nature’s benefits. At The Wellness Studio, we know just how hard it can be to maintain a new, healthier lifestyle. Our team of wellness experts can guide you and help foster the healthy habits you need. Learn more online at TheWellnessStudioLB.com.

Vegan Spring Rolls

Inspired by SimpleVeganBlog.com

Ingredients

• • • • • • • •

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, sliced 1 onion, julienned

2 large carrots, julienned 4 leaves cabbage, julienned

1 oz soybean sprouts

2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce 8 sheets spring roll pastry

Directions

1. In a wok over medium-high heat, add olive oil, vegetables, and tamari or soy sauce. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Set aside filling mixture. 2. Place a pastry wrapper on a flat surface and tilt it to be in the shape of a diamond. Scoop 2 tbsp of filling onto the lower corner of the wrapper. 3. Tightly roll the wrapper and fold in the left and right corners. Brush the top corner with water and close the roll. Repeat with all wrappers. 4. In the wok, heat a generous amount of olive oil. 5. Add the rolls when hot, cooking for 1 minute or until each side is golden brown. 6. Place rolls on a paper towel to drain oil and cool before serving.

WELLNESS QUIZ

This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Half a century ago, we came together to protect our planet, and since then we've made a commitment each April to be better stewards of the environment. But do you know why April was chosen? If you do, you just might know the answer to this month’s trivia question!

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans participated in the first-ever Earth Day demonstrations. Why was this day originally chosen for the holiday?

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The Wellness Studio

THEWELLNESSSTUDIOLB.COM

562.980.0555

1 HOW MY EXPERIENCES SHAPED MY VIEWS OF CHILDHOOD

2 FIGHT THE SNEEZE WITH THESE HOLISTIC REMEDIES

2 FIGHT THE FAT WITH OUR LASER TREATMENT

3 VEGAN SPRING ROLLS

3 HABITS FOR HAPPINESS AND HEALTH!

3 CAN YOU ANSWER THIS MONTH’S TRIVIA QUIZ?

4 WHAT IS GARDENING GOOD FOR?

Yes, there will always be football season, basketball season, and soccer season, but right now, it’s gardening season. That means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and play in the dirt. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the kids away from technology and engaged with the real world, gardening is the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your kids’ development. For example, gardening can improve your children’s analytical abilities. As Dr. Wendy Matthews says, “Gardening exercises important reasoning, initiation, planning, and organization skills.” Furthermore, several studies, including one at Texas A&M University, suggest that gardening improves a child’s attitude toward fruits and vegetables and may make them more likely to choose them as snacks. Gardening helps kids identify with where their food is coming from, and nothing tastes better than a freshly picked strawberry or pea pod they grew themselves. HEALTH BENEFITS OF FAMILY GARDENING Give Your Kid the Gift of a Green Thumb

of garden time in their book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child's Developing Immune System.” The two found that exposure to different microbes, like those found in a garden, strengthens a child’s immune system and makes them less likely to develop allergies. If this is your first time gardening, you don’t need much to get started. Grab a few shovels, a pair of gloves for each family member, and fresh potting soil, and you’ll be set. Then, you can decide together which plants you’d like to grow! Carrots are fun because of the surprise factor — just imagine your child discovering that the part they eat grows below the ground! Peas are tasty and fairly easy to grow, as are strawberries. The options really are endless. Depending on the growing season in your area, you can choose to buy seeds or opt for rooted plants.

Jack Gilbert, a scientist at the University of Chicago and a parent himself, and his co-author, Rob Knight, emphasize the health benefits

Last but certainly not least, the best part of gardening as a family is the healthy, fresh produce you’ll get to enjoy all summer long!

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