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CAMPUS COMMONS
BASEBALL SEASON IS UNDERWAY PLAY BALL!
For many Americans, there’s no better time of year than the beginning of April, as this month usually hosts Opening Day for the Major League Baseball season. This year is slightly different since they’re starting their season on March 30 instead of waiting until April. Regardless, we will still have plenty of baseball to watch throughout April and the rest of the year. I absolutely love baseball. There’s nothing better than watching the Giants play a game at Oracle Park or watching my son play in a high school or travel ball game. I love smelling the green grass in the springtime and the camaraderie parents experience watching their kids play. Many people think baseball is boring since it can take almost three hours to complete a professional game, but if you can appreciate the skills and patience required to play the sport, then you’ll get much more out of your viewing experience. “THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN WATCHING THE GIANTS PLAY A GAME AT ORACLE PARK OR WATCHING MY SON PLAY IN A HIGH SCHOOL OR TRAVEL BALL GAME.”
Not only do I enjoy watching baseball, but I also loved playing it in my youth. I played on my high school’s varsity team as a sophomore. My favorite playing memory came from that season. We were playing against a team with two outstanding pitchers who towered over us. I remember feeling nervous and overwhelmed. Here was this pitcher who was at least 6 feet, 7 inches, throwing as hard as I had seen anyone throw at that age. They were a top-level team we needed to beat in order to make it to the championship. This game was a huge deal in our town, and I was one of the youngest players on the team. We prevailed, and that win helped put our school on the baseball map. This was the pinnacle of my playing days, but I didn’t reach the ceiling for my love of baseball until a few decades later. I’ve always been a huge San Francisco Giants fan, but they didn’t see much success until the past two decades. I always went to games at Candlestick with my dad, brother, and grandpa. We had a great time whenever we went. It didn’t matter if the Giants won or lost or if the weather was freezing because we went to a game in early April. In the mid- to late-2000s, the Giants finally started putting together the pieces necessary to win it all.
They won the series 4-1 and claimed their first title in over 50 years. The Giants returned to the World Series two years later and swept the Tigers to claim another title. And two years after that, they beat the Royals in a nail-biter to win their third World Series title in five years. My love for baseball had never been higher than it was after that third World Series win. What made it even better was the fact that my son was growing up during those title runs, which helped solidify his love for the Giants and baseball. Many who have played baseball in their youth continue to play throughout their lives. Playing in a senior baseball league or coed softball league can be great for your physical and mental health. You’re being active while developing relationships with your teammates and building your mental fortitude to take successful at-bats. It’s a great way to pass some time! I hope you all get an opportunity to enjoy a few games this year, whether you make it to the ballpark or simply watch them from the comfort of your home. Let’s go Giants!
In 2010, the Giants made it to the World Series, where they faced off against the Texas Rangers.
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5 DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH ON EARTH DAY
Share the Facts With Your Whole Family!
Earth Day is coming up on Saturday, April 22. But do your kids know why we commemorate the holiday? Do you? If you don’t know much about the history of environmentalism — or just want to learn more about the state of our planet — consider celebrating Earth Day by watching a documentary as a family. Dozens of fantastic films cover everything from the crusade to preserve our coral reefs to how farmers use soil health to enhance the planet. Here are a few of our favorites. ‘KIDS TAKE ACTION AGAINST OCEAN PLASTIC’ — This short five- minute documentary from National Geographic follows a group of Hawaiian students determined to clean up their local beaches. It’s available for free on National Geographic’s YouTube channel! (If you watch it and love this documentary, check out the PG-rated flick “Plastic Island” on Netflix, which tackles the same issue in Indonesia.) ‘BRAVE BLUE WORLD: RACING TO SOLVE OUR WATER CRISIS’ — This PG-rated documentary about water security takes place on five continents and stars celebrities Liam Neeson, Matt Damon, and Jaden Smith. Check it out on Netflix.
tackles serious topics like species loss, food and water shortages, and the relationship between climate change and pandemic diseases. “Extinction: The Facts” is available on PBS.org or Prime Video. ‘KISS THE GROUND’ — Join actor Woody Harrelson on Netflix for an inspiring look at soil, why it matters, and what farmers and activists are doing to save and enhance it — and our food supply. The documentary is family-friendly and rated G.
None of these documentaries existed in 1970 when anti-pollution activists came together to create Earth Day, build the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), and pass laws to protect our air and water. But they’re a wonderful extension of that spirit! Hopefully, you’ll be able to find time to watch at least one of them this month. After watching, consider taking action and volunteering for a green project near you.
‘EXTINCTION: THE FACTS’ — This hard-hitting documentary from famous nature historian David Attenborough is perfect for kids ages 16 and up. It
How to Soothe a Sore Neck TREATING NECK TENSION STRETCH AWAY YOUR NECK PAIN. While you may not want to move your neck at all when it’s painful, the key to relief is slow movements that loosen those tense muscles. The best and easiest stretch for neck pain is to clasp your hands together behind your neck and slowly tilt your head backward, resting on your hands. Adding gentle movements, side to side or up and down, can lessen muscle stiffness. Simply avoid any abrupt, jerky movements that may increase your neck pain. TRY AN AT-HOME MASSAGE. We don’t all have the luxury of time or money to receive regular massages, but they can be done at home. Simply massage your neck to relieve some of the stored tension. Alternatively, ask a partner or friend to help you massage the aching muscles to find relief. There’s no need for fancy techniques. A simple massage can work wonders for neck stiffness. AVOID ‘TECH NECK’ BY FIXING YOUR POSTURE. Our posture can often be the ongoing cause of our neck tension. Known as “tech neck,” this silhouette is seen whenever we stare downward at our phone. We can spend hours in this position throughout the day without even realizing it. Challenge yourself to hold your phone higher and ensure your posture isn’t hunched over. Practicing good posture can not only alleviate pain but also prevent it in the long run.
Neck pain can make daily life challenging, especially if you have a stubborn stiffness that won’t go away. There are plenty of reasons you might be experiencing neck pain. Looking down at your phone, sleeping on the wrong pillow, or stress can be the culprit for a tense neck. While finding out the main reason you’re experiencing neck pain can help you prevent it in the future, you should also know how to alleviate it in the comfort of your home. APPLY HEAT FOR TENSE MUSCLES. Heat is known to help soothe sore muscles and provide immediate relief. To treat neck pain, you can use heating pads and apply them to the area experiencing the most discomfort. Some other heat methods include hot showers or baths, hot towels, or compresses. Even the tried-and-true DIY method of filling a clean sock with rice and heating it in the microwave for a few minutes can help.
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CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP TREAT SCOLIOSIS?
UNDERSTANDING SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT
A scoliosis diagnosis can happen at any age for any number of reasons, but you shouldn’t let the diagnosis intimidate you. Whether you were born with scoliosis or it developed later in life, working with a physical therapist who can help you lessen symptoms is essential. While a physical therapist will alter your treatment depending on the history of your scoliosis and the severity of your symptoms, you can expect certain practices when undergoing treatment.
training. These routines will be customized to fit your needs best and target specific areas of your body that need more strengthening. These exercises can either help improve your range of motion or strengthen the muscles surrounding your spine and other regions affected by spinal misalignment.
MANUAL THERAPY METHODS
Manual or hands-on therapy can aid in the restoration of
movement by targeting muscles, joints, or tissues affected by your spine’s misalignment. This hands-on therapy will guide areas of your body in various movements to reduce pain and relax any tightened tissues. Methods can include massages, chiropractic techniques, and osteopathy approaches. Not only can manual therapy help improve scoliosis, but it can also help your mental well-being due to its relaxing effects. When journeying through scoliosis treatment, know that physical therapy can significantly reduce painful symptoms and improve your quality of life.
SCOLIOSIS EDUCATION Your physical therapist will help you better understand how scoliosis affects your entire body and how to best use your muscles to keep your symptoms at bay. They may also inform you of techniques to use daily to care for your spine and reduce any further difficulties. The information learned in your physical therapy sessions is vital to scoliosis treatment and day-to-day life.
EXERCISE AND STRENGTH TRAINING Meanwhile, much of your physical therapy sessions will aim to improve your condition through personalized exercises and strength
TAKE A BREAK
Cod and Asparagus Bake
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
INGREDIENTS • Oil for baking pan • 4 4-oz cod fillets
• 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
• 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes.
2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes.
3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
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Mark’s Love for Baseball
Earth Day Documentaries to Watch
Neck Pain Relief at Home
Finding Scoliosis Relief
Cod and Asparagus Bake
Combating Spring Allergies
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REMOVE POLLEN FROM INDOOR AIR. It’s inevitable that pollen will get inside your home and vehicle.
Spring has arrived! However, rebirth and renewal aren’t the only things in the air. During spring, trees, weeds, plants, and grasses release small grains of pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. Because the pollen is small and light, it travels through the wind and frequently causes allergic reactions.
To combat this, utilize your air conditioning or invest in a certified allergy air filter! A dehumidifier and/or an air purifier will help to lower the pollen spore count in the air.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies include congestion, sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, watering eyes, and irritation in the roof of your mouth. If you’re prone to experiencing allergies all spring long, here are some useful tips to keep them at bay. REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE. During spring months, keep the windows in your home and car closed. On particularly windy or dry days, avoid spending time outdoors, and do not hang your clean laundry outside to dry. After you have been outdoors, remove your clothing and wash your hair and skin to remove any traces of pollen. Do not cut the grass, pull weeds, or do any gardening.
RINSE OUT YOUR SINUSES. When pollen overwhelms your sinus passages, one of the best things to do is to rinse out your airways. A sinus flush with a saline solution is one of the easiest and most effective ways to eliminate the pollen that irritates your respiratory system.
TAKE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS. After checking with your doctor or health care provider, choose an over-the-counter medication that is right for your symptoms. Medications like oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, and corticosteroid nasal sprays are all beneficial in reducing the effects of seasonal allergies.
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