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Why Get Regular Check-ups? [top]
Getting
a regular physical exam can help detect "silent diseases"
and maybe even save your life. See how you can receive a personal
health assessment tailored to your needs.
Go to www.onelife.americanheart.org
for a "One of a Kind" free health assessment
service from the American Heart Association. Just fill out the
form, which takes about 15 minutes, then you will receive health,
nutrition and fitness information tailored to your needs.
According to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, it is advisable to have regular physical
exams, even if you're feeling fine. He sites three major reasons
why this is so.
1) To detect "silent" diseases which, if identified
early, can be successfully treated such as cancer, heart disease,
high blood pressure and AIDS.
2) To develop an ongoing doctor-patient relationship so that even
if your exam is normal, it establishes your personal health baseline.
No two healthy people are alike. This baseline is useful
in comparing your future exams in order to identify any changes
which still may be in the "normal" range, but may be
indicative of a possible health issue.
3) To receive reassurance that you are healthy offers peace of
mind. Especially if certain diseases run in your family, and you
may be worried about your future health, it can be calming to
know you are "okay" after a successful exam.
So, why not talk to your family about setting regular appointments for health
exams. You can all benefit from this commitment to health!
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Wellness Fair 2001 Big Success [top]
Again, this year the annual Community Wellness Fair took place at Mountainside
Residential Care Center on February 3, sponsored by the Margaretville
Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. THE FAIR showcased clubs, organizations
and other groups that enhance the health and quality of life for
community members of all ages:
In 1963, Congress recognized the need to focus national attention on heart
health when it mandated that the president of the United States
issue a proclamation annually designating February as American
Heart Month.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of American men and women. The
association's commitment to progress in the fight against heart
disease and stroke requires a determined effort - every day, every
week, every month and every year. Help us in the battle and arm
yourself in the fight against cardiovascular disease by being
prepared for cardiac emergencies. Learn the signs of cardiac arrest,
act immediately by calling 9-1-1 and give CPR. If you don't know
CPR, learn. Someone's life depends on it.
Many local hospitals offer free blood pressure screenings on a regular basis.
Give them a call to find out more.
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On
Massage and Holistic Therapies, Margaretville, NY
[top]
Barbara Alyn, L.Mth., N.D. is a Naturopathic doctor with
a background in traditional Chinese medicine, Herbalism, and acupuncture,
and is a certified Amma therapist. Dr. Alyn’s distinct style
of putting her patients at complete ease during treatment has
set her apart as one of the most empathetic practitioners in the
field. A recent transplant from Long Island to Margaretville,
Dr. Alyn is a wife and mother of two, who shares her gift with
her own family as well as the community. Some of her specialties
include Reflexology, Bach Flower Therapies, Maternity Massage,
and Nutritional Counseling. Call 845-586-1166 for a brochure.
A new addition to her repertoire is “Hot Stone Massage”.
Using a centuries’ old technique of heating smooth river
rocks in conjunction with warm natural oil and massage, the rocks
are used like tools to ease the knots, release tension and warm
the muscles into a relaxed state. A highly unforgettable experience.
For more information or to make an appointment please call 845-586-1166.
Since making her home in Margaretville, she has also
begun a natural soap business called SweetiePie Soaps-made
in the mountains. These are all natural, and include fragrances
of lemon, lavender, apple pie and banana nut bread--to name only
a few! And they are popular as gifts--in special packs of three--for
only $12.00. Call for more information 845-586-1166.
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A Laugh is a Smile with
a Hole in it! [top]
By Chris Rose, B.S. M.S.,ACSM Personal Trainer
In the mid-60’s Norman Cousins, longtime editor of The Saturday
Review, was stricken with a deadly degenerative disease that leads
to paralysis. His doctors gave him a one in 500 chance of survival.
In the face of grim odds Cousins checked out of the hospital and
into a hotel. In that hotel room he staged his recovery with the
help of good food and the Marx Brothers. He wrote about his experience
in a book called, Anatomy of an Illness, in which he states that
ten minutes of solid laughter gave him two hours of pain-free
sleep. Since that time medical research has determined that laughter
increases circulation, exercises the lungs, stimulates the immune
system, lowers blood pressure, and prompts the release of natural
painkillers, called endorphins, produced by the body. Dr. Madan
Kataria founded “Laughter Clubs International” and created “World
Laughter Day”. He believes people should laugh in groups, and
that all meetings anywhere in the world should start with laughter.
The next World Laughter Day is January 9, 2001. Mark your calendars!
(Reprinted with permission from the Andes Gazette, Dec. 2000)
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Fitness
How to Manage Daily Stress [top]
from Extension Connection, Nov. 2000 (A publication of Cornell
Cooperative Extension-Delaware County)
Stress has become a catch-all term to describe things that make
you feel tense or angry. It can even cause you to become physically
ill. But it is not “things” or events themselves that cause stress.
It is how you interpret and react to those situations. If the
source of your stress is within your control, you can take action
to changethe situation. It it’s beyond your control, you can learn
to accept it or find ways to minimize the symptoms. …Experts agree
that high levels of stress over long periods tend to be paralyzing
and reduce your ability to cope. It can lead to serious illness
or depression. There are three major ways we can deal with stress
- alter it, avoid it, or accept it. Some other approaches you
may find helpful: *Take a problem solving approach: Has this happened
before? If so, what did you learn from it? Decide what’s the worst
that can happen, and consider your options. Ask yourself, “Will
I even remember this incident five years from now?” *Think about
these things: Take stock of your worries and fears. Look back
over the last year and see how many things you worried about that
came true and how many never happened. Listen to the way you talk
(to yourself and others). Do you create unnecessary stress by
overdramatizing situations making things seem worse than they
are? *Tune up your attitude. Do you dwell on criticism? Jump to
conclusions? Expect the worst? Beware of negative thinking. *Talk
to yourself in a positive way. Say whatever helps you to calm
down. *Pay attention to signs of stress overload. When stress
is taking over our lives, we get headaches, colds, indigestion,
sleeplessness, act cranky and often feel angry. This is the time
to look for patterns of stress in your daily life and try to get
rid of them. *Don’t try to be perfect. Parents should “worry less,
criticize less, preach less. Listen more, have more fun, be more
honest with your own feelings, develop your own joys and friendships
and don’t sweat the small stuff. The goal is not to be a perfect
parent, because no such thing exists. The hope is to be good enough
so that your children can leave home as responsible adults who
are able to take care of themselves.
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