Take a look at the November edition of our monthly newsletter!
NOVEMBER 2021
Mathnasium of Cherry Creek cherrycreek@mathnasium.com mathnasium.com/cherrycreek
Mathnasium of Cherry Hills cherryhills@mathnasium.com mathnasium.com/cherryhills
Mathnasium of Littleton littleton@mathnasium.com mathnasium.com/littleton
Mathnasium of Parker parker@mathnasium.com mathnasium.com/parker
It Is Where I Found My Passion THANKFUL FOR MATHNASIUM
When November comes around each year, it brings with it the beginning of the holiday spirits. But before Christmas, Hanukkah, and the other giving holidays in December, there’s Thanksgiving. Like many others, to me, Thanksgiving is the time to stop and reflect on everything I am grateful for in my life. And I have so much to be thankful for. For the first 47 years of my life, I didn’t know what I truly wanted to do when I grew up. Sure, I had owned my own businesses and was a fairly successful entrepreneur, but I hadn’t found something that really lit that spark of passion in me. Then one day, by chance, I heard an ad for Mathnasium. I knew by the end of the ad, exactly what I wanted to do. Mathnasium has given me that much needed spark and I am thankful each and every day that I found this wonderful business. Mathnasium hasn’t just been a fantastic career for me. When I started expanding to more than one location, I was able to bring my family into the business and share my passion with them. My sister, Suzie, became the Center Director for my Littleton location, and my daughter, Sierra, stepped up as Center Director for the Cherry Hills center. Having both of them working with me is just another reason I am thankful for Mathnasium. And I am so fortunate for all of my wonderful teammates who make Mathnasium the special place that it is. I am surrounded by intelligent, thoughtful, and fun people of all different ages and backgrounds. I love seeing my high school team members grow and learn in their first working experience. Being able to mentor them and encourage them to follow whatever career path they want is so rewarding. My other staff members are all special and dear to me. “I am so fortunate for all of my wonderful teammates who make Mathnasium the special place that it is.”
When COVID hit, we worked extremely hard, not just to keep the business alive, but to keep every single team member with us. When we had to close our in-center sessions, we made sure everyone was trained in our remote learning and split things up so we could achieve the goal of 100% staff retention. The fact that we even had an online program is another thing I am thankful for. Mathnasium HQ had been putting this program together for the previous couple of years and they really pulled through and rolled it out to everyone when we all desperately needed it. A personal goal of mine is to continually be growing. Whether professionally or personally, I strive to better myself whenever I can. I’m thankful I have had the opportunities to take part in different courses and be mentored by people I truly look up to. I feel like this work has allowed me to become a better business owner and boss. Our traditional Thanksgiving celebration as a family has changed a lot over the years. We no longer have a giant Thanksgiving feast with the same traditional foods each year. Nowadays, we do a small family and friends get- together with a potluck of different types of food all crammed around a table that is probably too small to host us all. And it’s moments like that, for which I couldn’t be more thankful.
–Allison Shride
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Cherry Creek 303-333-MATH (6284) • Cherry Hills 720-474-1878 • Littleton 303-979-9077 • Parker 303-840-1184
SAY GOODBYE TO DARK UNDER-EYE CIRCLES
With 3 Easy Tips
If you’re older than 30, you’re probably no stranger to dark under-eye circles. They can make you look worn down and older, and makeup can temporarily conceal but doesn’t solve the problem. Many people think dark under-eye circles are a sign of tiredness, but fatigue is only one of several causes. Other lifestyle factors like sun exposure, alcohol consumption, and smoking can play a role, as can some skin conditions. But the No. 1 factor that causes dark under-eye circles is one we can’t control: aging. You can’t help getting older, but you can mitigate some of the effects. Your dark circles will probably never go away entirely, but you can use these tips to minimize their appearance. Use prevention methods. To avoid getting or worsening dark circles, your best defenses are staying well hydrated and always wearing sunscreen. Dehydration can cause dull skin and sunken eyes, so be sure to drink lots of water. And since time in the sun can result in premature aging and discolored skin (not to mention skin cancer), always wear an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to protect the delicate skin under your eyes. Try a cold compress. Placing something cold (but not frozen) under your eyes can cause the blood vessels to constrict, providing a temporary improvement in appearance. You can buy a cold compress, but at-home methods often involve a cold teaspoon, cucumber slice, or a wet washcloth. Since tea contains antioxidants that will stimulate your blood circulation, a cool tea bag is another popular option. Heat up two tea bags in warm water for five minutes, then chill them in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes. After that, just rest them gently on your eyes. Use retinol cream in your routine. Retinol helps to improve collagen deficiencies and plump up the skin, and some people have dramatic results with retinol cream. Over-the-counter options are available, but higher strengths require a prescription. Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so only apply your
This past summer, celebrities went out of their way to tell us they don’t bathe very often. With the higher temperatures, it was an odd time to announce a casual relationship with soap, but that didn’t stop stars like Ashton Kutcher, Kristen Bell, and Jake Gyllenhaal. It got so bad that Duane “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Momoa released statements assuring us that they do shower daily. The anti-shower celebrities’ argument was that too much soap is bad for your skin. Bathing too often, they argued, was not just unnecessary but could also be unhealthy. The hullabaloo has since died down, but it’s worth asking: Do the celebs have a point? As it turns out, frequent showers are more of a cultural than health practice. For example, two-thirds of Americans shower every day, but only about half of Chinese people do. Meanwhile, almost 90% of Mexicans shower daily, and Brazilians average two showers per day. Climate, access to clean water, and cultural norms all play a role. But, according to dermatologists, the stars might be onto something. While there’s no consensus on how often you should shower, dermatologists agree that washing with soap every day is unnecessary for most people. Soap dries out the skin, often making it itchy, irritated, and more prone to infections and allergic reactions. Antibacterial soap can kill off good bacteria that helps our bodies, and some evidence even suggests that washing with soap too frequently can weaken the immune system. That said, dermatologists agree that some people should shower every day, including those who work out regularly, literally get dirty at their jobs, or work with harsh chemicals and odors. And anytime you start to smell, you should definitely lather up. If you want to reduce how often you shower, dermatologists agree you should wash your face, armpits, and groin area with soap daily. Then, when you do shower, wash with warm (not hot) water and a moisturizing soap and try to keep your shower under 10 minutes. It’s important to wash gently instead of scrub your skin hard, and you should pat (not rub) yourself dry and apply lotion after your shower. These tips will ensure you stay clean while also protecting your skin. In the end, it’s how you shower — and not how often — that likely matters most to your skin health. CELEBRITIES COME CLEAN They’re Not Washing Daily — Should You?
retinol cream at night. You don’t want to swap out dark circles with sunburn!
If these tips don’t reduce the appearance of your under-eye circles, it may be time to see a dermatologist. But most dark circles can be resolved at home with just a little TLC.
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Cherry Creek 303-333-MATH (6284) • Cherry Hills 720-47
FIDGET TOYS ARE HERE TO STAY But Are They Helpful?
Fidget spinners may be so 2017, but fidget toys (or “fidgets”) are here to stay. While fidget toys are relatively new, the idea of fidgeting isn’t. Clicking your pen, tapping your foot, twirling your hair, and biting your nails are just some examples of fidgeting that you might already engage in. So, why do we fidget — and is it a good or bad thing? Scientists don’t completely understand why people fidget, but many theories point to its potential effects on concentration. Proponents of this idea suggest that people tend to fidget when they are trying to concentrate on something that is either too boring or too challenging. Fidgeting while bored may help you keep your attention up, while fidgeting when overly challenged may help you focus and relax. One case study showed that students had a 10% increase in academic scores when using fidget toys as opposed to without. Even more impressive, students with ADHD showed a 27% increase in scores when allowed to fidget. Anecdotal evidence from both children and adults with ADHD supports the idea that fidgeting boosts attention and improves memory retention.
One of the biggest complaints about fidgeting is that it can be distracting to
others. It’s important to know the time and place for your preferred fidget and to find alternatives that won’t be disruptive. No one wants to hear repeated
clicking noises (unless they’re the one doing the clicking), but fidget toys with joysticks, sliders, soft buttons, and other quiet options can be a big help.
Fidgeting can also be disruptive to the person fidgeting if you choose an overly complicated or visual toy. If you’re paying more attention to the fidget than whatever you’re trying to concentrate on, it’s time to put the toy away. This is why fidget spinners have been banned in so many schools and why most other fidget toys are very simple, quiet, and tactile-based. If you have a tendency to fidget in your daily life, a fidget toy might be right for you. There are many options available for purchase, and many people like to buy several to determine which works best for them. Who knows, one just might help you stay alert during that conference call!
TAKE A BREAK
EASY PUMPKIN BROWNIES Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
Ingredients
• 6 oz cream cheese, softened • 3 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 box brownie mix, plus other ingredients listed on box
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips • 1/2 can pumpkin purée
Directions
1. Preheat the oven as directed on the brownie box, then make the brownie mix. Fold in chocolate chips. 2. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin purée, cream cheese, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Choose your pan as directed on the brownie box. Grease it if needed. 4. Pour half of the brownie mix into the pan and spread evenly. 5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the pan, evenly or in a pattern. Cover with the rest of the brownie mix and spread evenly. 6. Bake as directed on the brownie box, adding 10 minutes to account for the pumpkin. Test for doneness, and when your toothpick comes out clean, cool and enjoy!
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74-1878 • Littleton 303-979-9077 • Parker 303-840-1184
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
11211 Dransfeldt Rd. #149 | Parker, CO 80134
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Why I’m Thankful for Mathnasium
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Are Daily Showers Necessary?
Say Goodbye to Dark Under-Eye Circles
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How to Make Fidgeting Work for You
Easy Pumpkin Brownies
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Lowering Holiday Stress
HAVE A LOW-STRESS HOLIDAY 3 Tips for a Merrier Time
Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.
The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety.
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