THE THOMAS TIMES
SEPTEMBER 2019
Randy’s Ramblings
CELEBRATE EVERY DAY WITH THESE ODD SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS!
1. National Cherry Popover Day
16. National Play Doh Day
2. Labor Day
17. Citizenship Day
3. Skyscraper Day
18. National
Cheeseburger Day
4. Newspaper Carrier Day
19. International Talk Like A Pirate Day
Where to Vacation for Peak Fall Foliage LEAVING FOR THE LEAVES
5. Be Late for
Something Day
20. Pepperoni Pizza Day
6. National Fight
21. Miniature Golf Day
Procrastination Day
Humans have built some pretty spectacular things on this planet, but there’s nothing quite as stunning as the simple perfection of a tree. They’re beautiful year-round, but fall is the time when trees don their best dresses, lining the nation’s highways and hills in eye-catching shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. If strolling through a grove of colorful trees is one of your favorite fall activities, then it might be time for a pilgrimage in search of the most colorful foliage America has to offer. Autumn is an underrated travel season, so airfare to the top leaf-lined places in the country is more affordable than you think. There are also plenty of prime destinations, so whether you’d like to trek far away or search out stunning fall colors close to home, there’s sure to be something out there for you. Here are a few of the best spots to visit for postcard-quality views in each region.
22. Hobbit Day
7. Neither Rain
Nor Snow Day
23. Dog in Politics Day
8. Grandparent’s Day
24. National Cherries Jubilee Day
9. Teddy Bear Day
25. National Comic Book Day
10. Swap Ideas Day
11. No News is Good News Day
26. Johnny
Appleseed Day
12. Chocolate Milk Shake Day
27. Crush a Can Day
28. Ask a Stupid Question Day
THE NORTHEAST: THE KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
13. Friday the 13th
14. National Cream- Filled Donut Day
29. Confucius Day
New England is famous for its autumn leaves, but among its dozens of vacation-worthy destinations, a drive down Kancamagus Highway (which locals call “The Kanc”) should be at the top of your to-do list in the first few weeks of October. Dubbed “The Ultimate New Hampshire Fall Foliage Drive” by New England Foliage, the 30-mile journey offers gorgeous views of tree-lined rivers and ponds, a route through a mountain pass, and plenty of stop-offs for photography, hiking, and camping.
30. National Mud Pack Day
15. National Wife
Appreciation Day
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THE MIDWEST: DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN
THE SOUTHEAST: THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, GEORGIA
This sleepy Wisconsin county is a true getaway in the fall, when summer activities give way to seasonal offerings, like farmers markets, fall festi- vals, birdwatching tours, and apple picking. Complementing the fun is autumn foliage so beautiful that the county offers a regularly updated Fall Color Report to help visitors time their vacations just right. Check it out at doorcounty.com before booking your trip.
Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains cool down a bit in the fall, but the temperatures are far from the frosts of New England. Mixed with the gorgeous colors, that warmth is the perfect recipe for backpacking or hiking in short sleeves. Visit in mid- to late-October to go leaf-spotting on the Appalachian Trail, then stay to take in the majesty of Amicalola Falls and raise a glass around the campfire.
THE SOUTHWEST: THE ENCHANTED CIRCLE SCENIC BYWAY, NEW MEXICO
THE WEST: ASPEN, COLORADO
Here’s a tip: If a town is named after a tree, it’s a good bet the trees there are worth visiting. Aspen lives up to its moniker each autumn when its namesake trees blaze bright yellow against deep emerald evergreens. Mid- to late-September is the best time to visit for the full effect and is also the perfect time to bike, hike, golf, or fly fish before the Colorado winter sets in.`
Though it is perhaps the last region you’d think to migrate for fall leaves, the Southwest is home to one of the most unique and colorful drives in the country: The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. The byway circles Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s tallest mountain, and its leafy vistas are home to 2-billion-year-old quartz and feldspar, an Old West melo- drama theater, a fish hatchery, and an abundance of local art. Visit in late September or early October for the best colors.
Chronic Anger, Your Heart, andYour Health
How This Emotion Is Doing You Harm
The study also looked at other emotions, including sadness, which has also been linked to heart and other inflammatory disease. Through a number of tests involving 200 participants ages 59–93, the researchers concluded anger was far more detrimental to a person’s health than sadness. Ultimately, if you regularly experience rage and frustration, properly dealing with your anger is one of the best things you can do for your health. Every person’s situation is different, and it comes down to getting to the bottom of what makes you angry so you can work through it, whether you work through it alone or with a mental health professional. Take the steps to prioritize your mental and physical health, and your efforts will pay off tenfold in the long run.
hormones are responsible for triggering the “fight or flight” response. When these hormones enter the bloodstream, your heart rate increases and arteries constrict. This helps to more effectively pump blood to the arms and legs for a fight or a flight. The problem is that when a person is constantly angry or upset, these hormones course through the body more frequently, stressing the arteries and internal organs. As a person ages, this stress can become more damaging. One study that appeared in the Psychology and Aging Journal looked into this phenomenon. Researchers found that there is a link between frequently experiencing anger and increased inflammation and chronic illness for people ages 80 and older. This equated to more instances of heart disease and dementia.
Anger is a common emotion. It’s natural, and it’s a part of how you respond to certain circumstances in your environment. It’s how you express extreme displeasure. However, new research suggests chronic anger can be detrimental to your health. Essentially, it comes down to this: If you are stressed, tense, easily irritable, angry, and “snippy” all the time, you may be doing serious harm to your well-being. Studies have already shown a link between anger and the heart. People who showed signs of feeling anger on a regular basis experienced higher rates of heart disease. The first studies on the impact of anger came out in the 1950s and have since been confirmed: Chronic anger physically harms the heart. Why? When you get angry or upset, your brain triggers the release of specific hormones, including cortisol and norepinephrine. These
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WHY MORE ADULTS OVER 55 CONTINUE TO WORK Finding Fulfillment in Your Golden Years
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, upward of 40% of people aged 55 and older are continuing to work past the normal retirement age. There are a number of reasons why people are choosing to stay employed, with one of the biggest being a lack of retirement funds, but some are also using work to keep their minds and skills sharp. In fact, most of the jobs that the 55-plus crowd goes after keep them engaged with the community and help them lead more active lives.
The BLS categorized the jobs many older workers are currently pursuing:
• • • •
Tax preparers
• •
Real estate appraisers/assessors Property/real estate/community association managers
Construction/building inspectors
Crossing guards
Clergy
•
Technical writers
These seven jobs are projected to grow between 8–14% over the next six years according to BLS data. They often pay well and don’t always require a full-time commitment. Many even offer flexible schedules, which can help older workers spend more time with peers or loved ones. This balance is exactly what many older workers are looking for, especially those who are “part-time retired.” More importantly, however, most older workers find these jobs fulfilling. They allow older folks to interact with the community and stay active, both of which, research suggests, are essential to healthy living as people age. For many, working past retirement, or not leaving the workforce entirely, can be a win-win-win: It’s a win for your bank account, a win for your health, and a win for the community.
Clinic/ Workshop Upc ming Workshops
MARK YOUR CALENDAR Our workshops are full of great information to help you lead a healthier and more active life!
BASIL BERRY SORBET Inspired by Good Housekeeping
Unlike standard ice cream recipes, this delicious sorbet doesn’t require fancy equipment or difficult prep. It’s also entirely dairy-free, making it the perfect vegan treat for the end of summer.
Clinic & Workshop
Ingredients
Sep. 5 Sep. 24 Date
PT
•
1 cup sugar
•
6 cups frozenmixed berries
Knee Pain Lower Back Pain & Sciatica
Sarah Thomas, PT Randy Thomas, PT
•
1 cup fresh basil leaves
•
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Directions: 1. In a saucepan over high heat, combine sugar with 1 cup of water, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, creating a syrup-like consistency. 2. Remove syrup from heat, add basil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl and refrigerate until cold. 3. In a blender, combine syrup with frozen berries and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. 4. Transfer to a square baking pan, cover in plastic wrap, and freeze until set, about 2 hours. 5. Scoop and serve.
Note: All clinics and workshops are free and are held 5:30–6:30 p.m.
RSVP TODAY 386-257-2672
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Thomas Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy www.ThomasPhysicalTherapy.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
100 Professional Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 386-257-2672
Hours of Operation: M, W, F: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tu, Th: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Randy’s Ramblings PAGE 1 Where to Vacation for Peak Fall Colors PAGE 1 Anger May Be Harming Your Heart PAGE 2 Finding Fulfillment in Your Golden Years PAGE 3 Upcoming Workshops PAGE 3 Basil Berry Sorbet PAGE 3 Getting to the Root of IT Band Pain PAGE 4
NO, NOT THAT KIND OF IT Getting to the Root of IT Band Issues
rest. Before you throw your arms up in the air, remember: This doesn’t mean you have to be on the couch watching Netflix for two weeks.
You feel great about your morning bike rides and are moving into your days with a sense of accomplishment. But suddenly, you notice the outside of your knee is really bugging you. Every time you get on your bike, it hurts. Avid runners and bikers may be familiar with the discomfort caused by a tight or overused iliotibial (IT) band. This large connective tissue starts at your gluteal muscles and wraps down just past your knee to connect to the tibia. Because of its span, it’s prone to
REHAB Stretches focused on the glutes and hamstrings can help to ease tightness and improve mobility. You’ll also want to incorporate exercises that strengthen the hips and glutes. Find some examples here at YouTube.com/watch?v=uWGpbxbJ6_Y. RELAX Part of your recovery should include massage to relax the aggravated area. A professional massage is a great option, but, if that’s not possible, using a foam roller to gently massage your hamstrings, glutes, quads, and hips can be similarly effective. If the problem continues or if you experience new or worsening pain, consult with your doctor. A physical therapist, especially one who specializes in running-related issues, can also provide you with exercises to strengthen the area.
tightness and overuse. It might cause pain on the outside of the knee or discomfort on the outside of the hip. Tight hamstrings, ramping up mileage too quickly, running on the same side of the road or in the same direction, or even just running too much can contribute to IT band issues.
The good news is, with a little time and TLC, your IT band can return to normal in a couple weeks.
REST Overuse may have triggered the issue, so if you’ve been doing an activity every day, especially running, give yourself 7–14 days of
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