Hickory Living January 2022 by Oasis Publishing, Inc.

Complimentary January 2022

A New, Improved You!

On the Cover

Helton, Cody & Associates, PLLC

Setting Goals for 2022

Heather Higgins, Defense Attorney

page 21

page 10 HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

contents

JANUARY 2022 MacAdam Smith

FEATURES 10 • COVER STORY Helton, Cody & Associates, PLLC Heather Higgins, Defense Attorney

Publisher mac@oasisluxuryhomes.com (484) 769-7445

18 • BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Pure Reflection MedSpa A Valued Reputation For Excellent Results

A NEW IMPROVED YOU! 22 • Conquering The Negative

Kathy Wheeler Design & Advertising Sales kathylivingmagazine@gmail.com (828) 238-3224

24 • Journal Your Way Forward Into 2022 27 • Healthy Living Not Just A Workout

IN THIS ISSUE 8 • Welcome To The January Issue

18 Hickory

LIVING 10225 Hickorywood Hill Ave., Unit A Huntersville, NC 28078 (484) 769-7445 HickoryLiving@gmail.com

www.HickoryLivingMagazine.com 4

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

16 • What’s Cookin’ Chicken, Spinach and Feta Casserole

Hickory Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Hickory Living assumes no responsibility or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Sharon Simpson Advertising Director sharon@lncurrents.com (704) 677-9159

contributors

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristie Darling • Kathy Wheeler

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY by Liza White Photography

Helton, Cody & Associates, PLLC

With the merger of law offices, Lyndon R. Helton and Blair E. Cody, III now offer a broader range of law expertise. AREAS OF PRACTICE: • Divorce • Personal Injury • Workers Compensation • Criminal Defense • Traffic Violations • Social Security Disability • DWIs • Wills & Estates • Child Custody and Support

Thank you

for voting us Best Law Firm of the Foothills! Pictured: Blair E. Cody, III (left) Lyndon R. Helton (right)

828-328-9966 827 Highland Ave. NE Hickory, NC (located near Lenoir-Rhyne University)

www.HeltonCody.com HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

Welcome to the

January Issue By Kathy Wheeler ©iStockphoto.com | oneblink-cj

appy New Year! Welcome to 2022, and welcome to the January issue of Hickory Living! The past two years have taught us that there will always be circumstances out of our control. The good news is the world continues to turn and life goes on. We always figure out a way to move forward and accomplish our goals. Over the past several years, many of us used different forms of technology for the first time to connect with others and conduct business. We acquired new skills out of necessity, we can now take those new skills into our next year to creatively improve our future. In January, we typically look back and develop our plan to move forward. Let’s make new plans this year with confidence knowing that we are resilient! When things get tough, we pull together as a family and community to support and take care of each other. We share what we have learned with others to help them succeed. We put on our thinking caps, come up with a plan to push past the challenges, and change our approach in order to continue working and achieving our goals. We survived 2020 and 2021—here’s to excelling in 2022! This month, instead of focusing on specific New Year’s resolutions, our topics focus on being introspective and figuring out

HICKORY LIVING • DECEMBER 2021

the thinking that holds us back and overcoming the rut that steals our passion. You will find some helpful articles starting on page 21. January’s cover story features defense attorney Heather Higgins with Helton, Cody & Associates. Heather cares about her clients and provides them with stellar legal representation, but also works within the system to get clients the help they need to produce their best personal outcome. Read her feature on page 10. Our Business Spotlight features Pure Reflection MedSpa. Dr. Vickie Lovin has retired from A Woman’s View and is now focused on a long-time passion to help people live their best life through non-invasive, anti-aging treatments. Pure Reflection is now offering new treatments for incontinence and body sculpting. Check out their article on page 18. Thank you for reading Hickory Living. We are grateful to our readers and our advertisers. We attribute our success to you. The staff of Hickory Living wishes each of you a happy, healthy, and successful 2022!

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

on the cover

Helton, Cody & Associates, PLLC

Heather Higgins, Defense Attorney By Kristie Darling

Criminal Defense Lawyer: an attorney whose focus is protecting the rights of defendants and helping them build defenses that reduce the negative consequences of being charged and arrested. “One of my core beliefs is that everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” Heather Higgins told me when she shared her story. “There’s not a onesize-fits-all description of people who seek out my services as a defense lawyer. I know that each of us, at some time, could need a professional advocate on their side in a legal situation, and my experience and commitment make me highly qualified to do just that.” 10

HICKORY LIVING • DECEMBER 2021

Indeed, Heather finds that her practice is built upon her experience, even as a relatively young attorney. She’s been in practice in Catawba County for over five years as a licensed attorney, and she knows her stuff. “I’m not afraid to have a trial—I won’t put off a trial,” Heather said, “and my clients appreciate that I attempt to expedite their cases. It can be critical to them, of course, and it’s always a priority for me.” Most legal clients would rather not be in court…they don’t want matters to drag on. Often, delays can worsen someone’s situation with their job, housing, custody of their kids…many aspects of life are improved when legal issues are settled expeditiously. “I pride myself on being thoroughly prepared at every court date because I’ve gathered the documents and researched the case law that enables us to proceed with a successful outcome as our goal,” Heather said. CHANGING LIVES By specializing in very specific areas, Heather has the time to establish a strong knowledge and experience in her defense against these types of charges. Heather is a private practice attorney, as well as a public defender and specialty courts contract defense attorney for Catawba County. Most of Heather’s cases are private practice criminal defense or civil domestic violence cases. As the defense attorney for specialty courts, specifically Catawba County’s Drug Recovery Court and Veterans’ Treatment Court, Heather gives back in the community through her support of veterans and those in need. These unique programs of the court serve certain populations—veterans and nonveterans who have been charged with a crime and whose substance abuse or mental health issues contributed to their criminal charges. “These personal challenges are actually the root cause of their criminal activity, and for some, mental health issues play a significant role,” Heather explained. “We pull them out of the criminal court system so they can get their life in order, get back on track, get sober, clean, financially stable, perhaps find housing or get their GED. With veterans,

Photos:

On the cover–Heather Higgins, Defense Attorney with Helton, Cody & Associates, PLLC Photo by Liza White Photography Opposite page, from left to right Nicole VanRyen, Legal Assistant; Crystal Krapish, Paralegal; and Dilmun Holsclaw, Paralegal Not pictured: Ashley Smith, Legal Assistant; Candy Chochon, Bi-lingual Receptionist; Melisa Rollins, Paralegal Photo by Liza White Photography Pictured Above–Helton, Cody & Associates is located on Highland Avenue near Lenoir-Rhyne University. Photo by Shane Greene Photography Attorney Higgins and her paralegal, Dilmun Holsclaw, reviewing a Domestic Violence client file. Photo by Liza White Photography

HICKORY LIVING • DECEMBER 2021

we’re able to help them get VA treatment. For others, entering an in-patient or detox program can get them to a place where criminal behavior needn’t be an option anymore.” Shane Parris is one of Heather’s clients. He’s a Marine veteran and recently needed her services for a minor charge. “I’m not just a name on a piece of paper to Heather,” he shared. “She knows me personally and goes above and beyond to make sure I have what I need to stay on the right path…best lawyer I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.” With a holistic approach, both of these special treatment programs change lives. Catawba has the second largest Veterans’ Treatment Court in North Carolina, one of five such specialty veteran’s courts in the state, and awareness about this critical need in communities grows every year. In our area, counselors and therapists at Cognitive Connections provide programs and services. They are specialists in behavioral intervention and substance abuse treatments. Last June, Catawba County had the largest veteran population in VA services. In her role as advocate, Heather is able to work with the judge and prosecutor on her client’s behalf with positive results. “I like the professional rehabilitation aspect and peer support method of helping people help themselves.”

Photos:

Attorney Lyndon Helton meeting with his legal assistant. Photo by Shane Greene Photography Attorney Cody and his paralegal, Crystal Krapish, discussing files on the court docket for the day. Photo by Liza White Photography

HICKORY LIVING • DECEMBER 2021

CRIMINAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFENSE “My criminal defense practice is my largest caseload with domestic violence (DVO) practice being my second largest caseload. My clients are both men and women of different ethnic, socioeconomic, and domestic backgrounds. Generally, they have a criminal issue or have been served with a domestic violence protective order.” In addition, Heather represents adults and juveniles in criminal cases and handles no contact orders, name changes, legitimation actions, expungements, and small claims actions. She and her paralegal, Dilmun Holsclaw, work with clients in Catawba, Burke, and Caldwell counties. “I pride myself on using the abundance of case law that North Carolina offers,” Heather continued. “I mainly practice in district court, and many attorneys don’t use case law because

Photos: From left to right––Attorneys Lyndon R. Helton, Blair E. Cody, Heather Higgins, and Pawalegal Bristol Attorney Helton’s photo by Shane Greene Photography. Other photos by Liza White Photography.

district court can be very mechanical. If I can distinguish a client’s case through research, I will spend the time doing so because it can be very beneficial.” Heather is readily available to her clients—they have her email and office phone and know they can reach out at any time—she is always prompt with feedback on their matter. Dilmun is a NC certified paralegal and the man who keeps everything running. “He knows my cases inside and out. When I’m unavailable, he answers calls and emails. He knows what I will need sometimes before I do,” Heather said. “We’ve been working together about four years…I would be lost without him.” INVOLVED, PRESENT & CONCERNED Heather understands the importance of the work she does and takes it very seriously. She is dedicated to a positive outcome for her clients. “The last two years in a row, 2020 and 2021, I’ve been in the courthouse hunting down judges the day before Thanksgiving,” she remembered. “There wasn’t another attorney in sight to get signatures to ensure that clients, whose cases had been handled, could be properly released from jail in time for Thanksgiving. It means a lot when I can make a difference like this.” In both district and superior court, Heather is frequently called to the bench by the judges themselves and asked if she would be open to helping a pro-se or unrepresented defendant as a ‘friend of the court.’ “Many times, I’ve stepped in to help advise or plead a client in court to enable the process to run more smoothly and ensure that everyone who needs it can have adequate and competent counsel. Defense

clients should be afforded the best opportunity to handle their case.” QUALIFIED, CAPABLE, DEDICATED Heather has a passion for helping people in the Hickory area. She grew up in Catawba County and graduated from St. Stephens High School. She’s proud to call this community home. In 2013, Heather graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Pre-Law with a minor in History from Campbell University. She graduated from Wake Forest University Law School, and while there, worked with clients in both the Child Advocacy Clinic and Wake Forest Law’s Veteran’s Legal Clinic. Heather, her husband, Alex, and their daughter, Reagan, live in Hickory with their rescue dachshund, Bobo. In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking the North Carolina mountains, and watching the Carolina Panthers and Hurricanes. She is proud to make a positive impact on the lives of our local residents. As an attorney with Helton, Cody & Associates in Hickory, Heather Higgins shares the high values and honest approach that this dedicated team of attorneys is known for. Integrity is her trademark.

Helton, Cody & Associates, PLLC

828-328-9966 827 Highland Ave. NE, Hickory, NC

www.HeltonCody.com HICKORY LIVING •DECEMBER 2021

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

What's Cooking?!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Kebabs

Our goal is to get you back to those you love and the life you love living. After an illness, surgery or • Rehab Wing with Central injury, Conover Nursing Gym and Indoor Track and Rehab Center’s team is • Results Oriented Physical, dedicated to your recovery Speech and Occupational and safe transition back Therapists on Staff home! • Family Owned & Operated

Conover Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 828.695.8282

Chicken, Spinach and Feta Casserole Recipe courtesy of Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN. Prep time: 15 min.• Cook time: 45 min. Servings: 4

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed 3 eggs, slightly beaten 2 cups cottage cheese 1½ cups chopped, cooked chicken ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese 3 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 teaspoons dried, minced onion 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper Directions:

Preheat oven to 3500 F. Place spinach in colander. Press moisture from spinach. In large bowl, combine all ingredients and spoon into a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, 45-50 minutes, or until set near center (1600 F). Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Recipe and photo courtesy of United Dairy Industry of Michigan. Visit MilkMeansMore.org for more delicious recipes.

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

www.ConoverNursingandRehab.com

920 4th Street SW • Conover, NC 28613

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

business spotlight Photos,

Left–The staff of Pure Reflection MedSpa Opposite page, top to bottom: • Neo Emsculpt abdomen treatment • Emsella for urinary incontinence • Microblading

Emsella can relieve the distress. The first device of its kind, one session is the equivalent of 12,000 Kegels.

A Valued Reputation for Excellent Results By Kristie Darling | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Even though Pure Reflection MedSpa has been around since 1997, the professional team of providers, massage therapists, and estheticians continue to offer the latest in skin and body care technology. They have chosen proven therapies, treatments, and products and make certain there is research behind each to support their claims. They understand, from years of helping people improve their looks and health, exactly what concerns people have today. Without pushing any particular treatment, the team answers questions, explains options, and guides you in your decisions. It’s possible you’d like to address your health and beauty concerns, too. Look no further than Pure Reflection MedSpa. Everyone who is concerned about aging, who sees changes in their face and body, wants to find solutions that work. At Pure Reflections, be assured that with a personal, custom approach to your issues, you will see and feel improvements—your selfesteem and wellbeing will be boosted. Women of all ages should enjoy the years ahead looking their best, enjoying good health, embracing a positive approach. ADVANCED NEW TREATMENTS YOU WILL LOVE Emsella is a revolutionary treatment for urinary incontinence. For both men and women, it is a comfortable, non-invasive solution to help you reclaim your body’s full function and bring a new quality of life to your daily routine. Due to factors like aging, childbirth, menopause, or obesity, if the pelvic floor muscles weaken, embarrassing and uncomfortable lack of control can result. Do you leak when you cough or sneeze? When you’re doing something active or intimate? If these instances are a concern, 18

HICKORY LIVING • DECEMBER 2021

Emsculpt Neo is a non-invasive body-shaping procedure for people who are relatively fit but frustrated with stubborn areas of the body that resist diet and exercise. Thirtyminute sessions use both radio frequency and high-intensity electromagnet energies to reduce fat and build muscle. Best of all, Emsculpt Neo will appeal to more people than other procedures—people up to BMI 35 can be treated. Postpartum women who have muscle separation get excellent results, as well. “Mona Lisa Touch is an easy, comfortable procedure for women suffering from vaginal dryness after menopause,” Dr. Vickie Lovin explained. “Three easy treatments can eliminate painful intercourse—two out of five postmenopausal women suffer this experience. I’ve treated hundreds of satisfied women...their rave reviews tell the story.” A consultation about your personal situation and what Mona Lisa Touch can do for you can be a life-changer…for the better.

EXCELLENT SERVICES, QUALIFIED PROVIDERS Pure Reflection MedSpa is managed by Mitzi Davis, who works with Dr. Lovin and the team to ensure that excellent, personal customer service is primary. These certified professionals, Isabel Juarez, Sophia Brown, Lexi Beard, and Ginger Wise, offer permanent makeup, microblading, laser facials, hair removal, chemical peels, micro-needling, waxing, skincare services, including lash extensions, and massages. Lidia Sarabia and Jessica Hynes offer gentle prenatal massage. Jenny Houk, RN, performs Emsella and Emsculpt Neo treatments. Amy McAlister is guest services specialist.

honest. We bend over backward to make sure patients get what they pay for—making people happy 100% of the time is our goal.”

CALL TODAY “People choose Pure Reflection because they trust us,” Dr. Lovin said. “When we explain things, they trust that we’re

(828) 345-1290 915 Tate Blvd SE, Suite 174, Hickory www.purereflectionmedspa.com

Questions are free, and if you’re looking for help creating a more youthful you, the women at Pure Reflection would love to explain how you can do just that—easily and affordably. There’s more details about all services that are offered at www. purereflectionmedspa.com. Look for online appointment booking, gift cards for any occasion, and exceptional quality beauty products. Your new, confident self will be glad you did.

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

A New, Improved You! Setting Goals for 2022

In past January issues, we have offered good advice on the top yearly resolutions, but the problem for most of us has never been identifying the changes we need to make in our lives. I believe it is more identifying why we don’t do those things we know will improve our lives. Why do we lack the motivation? Is it something deeper than selfdiscipline that we’re missing? In this issue, we have interesting articles that help us pinpoint the source of our inability to follow through on those New Year’s resolutions and simple advice that will help release our creativity.

We at Hickory Living wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous

2022!

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

Conquering the Negative By Kathy Wheeler

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can—or you think you can’t—you’re right.”

hen it comes to accomplishing tasks, goals, and dreams, often, we often become our own worst enemy. We talk ourselves out of, or let someone else talk us out of, reaching for our goals before we even start! Negative self-talk can derail the most well-laid plans. Because we don’t hear our inner conversations, we hardly ever challenge or confront the negativity, and it becomes a daily habit. If you think something long enough, you believe this damaging rhetoric. Our brain doesn’t know if things are true or false. It just operates on what we believe to be true. It’s time to confront our selfcritic, and put a stop to it! • The first step is always to recognize the problem. Pay attention to your negative self-talk. How often do you think things like that? Has this type of thinking become a habit? • Analyze where the particular statements come from. Did a past failure cause you to think this? Just because

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

you failed once, doesn’t mean you will fail every time. Refusing to try something because you failed or embarrassed yourself once limits your future. Some things just take practice. There is no shame in failure. Use failures to gather information so you can adjust your approach or as a motivator to do better next time. • Avoid the words always or never when you talk to yourself. Statements like “I always mess things up,” or “Things never work out for me,” are untrue. • Would you talk to a friend that way? No, you wouldn’t! You would encourage them, remind them of their successes. Do that for yourself. Be kind to yourself. Very few things in life are perfect, and perfection is rarely attainable. Be happy with a great job or making progress. Being a perfectionist isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as you use it in a healthy way…to motivate you to excellence. Be happy with progress, knowing that next time you

will get a little closer to your goal. Don’t let perfectionism frustrate you or beat yourself up because the results weren’t perfect! What about outside forces? There is an old Southern saying that “you shouldn’t get above your raising.” Goodness! I hope you do! Don’t let the naysayers hold you back or affect the way you think of yourself. What people think of you isn’t your problem. The bottom line is your life—your happiness, goals, and dreams are your responsibility. No one is going to stand over you and make you do the things you need to do. It’s up to you. With that in mind, set your goals for 2022. Don’t let what you hear on the news or what anyone says to you deter you. Regardless of what the circumstances are, and there are always things we can’t control, you can move forward toward your dreams. Happy New Year! We at Hickory Living wish you much happiness and success in the months to come!

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

Journal

YOUR WAY FORWARD

into 2022 By Kristie Darling

Journaling can be whatever you need it to be. It can serve you in ways that feel good and push you forward. January is that time, isn’t it, when we want to change things up, but we think it’s too hard? Keeping a journal is easy, inexpensive, and focused inward, where we all want and need to go, me thinks.

Readers latch on to her simple journaling idea: get up a bit earlier and handwrite three, full pages, print or scrip, stream of consciousness/whatever, each morning. Pretty much, no matter what. She calls this practice Morning Pages, a concept with few rules and results that can be powerful and life changing.

When I recently unearthed a favorite book, I knew I wanted to share the powerful take-away I gleaned from it many years ago. The book is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. With its partnered workbook, Cameron presents one personal theme—a way to find the freedom within to make creative, healthy changes. Julia suggests a unique method of journaling as a catalyst to spark our knowing what to do…to help us move beyond being stuck in writer’s block, frozen by a hard decision you need to make, frazzled with the everyday—or worse, the blahs. The blahs can get you by surprise, and suddenly you don’t want to fix dinner ever again or wash the dog one more time.

Here’s a brief description that I hope makes you curious…her book and workbooks are fabulous, BTW.

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

First, of course, how to start and what to write? Select a blank journal (fancy/$$$$) or spiral-bound (sturdy/ lined/$/my go-to) to use only for Morning Pages and a pen you like (I’m a pencil-person; I buy boxes of plastic mechanicals that I love.) Next step? Sit quietly alone, maybe still in bed or on the deck with a first coffee and start to write whatever comes into your mind. Of course, that sounds crazy—but that’s the point. If you’re like everyone except the monks, your head is always full of grocery lists, arguments your significant

other will soon hear, tasks still undone, uncertainty. And…it won’t stop. But I don’t write too good, you say? What’s it going to do for me? Just getting yourself to follow through intentionally, each day, sets the stage for new thinking, and new thinking means new ideas, new energy, focus, clarity. The task of just writing down the crazy stuff in your head moves you toward new conversations with yourself. Morning Pages become a journey through the mind, and, as they say, the journey is everything. Rules are easy: 1. Everyday. 2. Whatever comes to mind. 3. Don’t share with anyone—you don’t want to censor yourself worrying that someone will read your journal. 4. Keep writing forward…reading back isn’t recommended for several months, if at all. 5. No over-thinking. 6. Give this some time to do its stuff. Random thoughts that appear become deeper, more honest, more meaningful

to you. Your inner critic—that voice that keeps you down— quiets, starts to sound helpful, supportive. Aspects of life that deep down you know need TLC and attention, pop up. Write the new stuff down. Subtle changes in the constant self-talk create new focus that can replace stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Subconsciously, solutions develop. Ernest Hemingway once said, “Write the truest sentences you know.” Julia Cameron suggests we take his advice. As an author, she knows writer’s block; as a woman, she’s listened to lots of negative voices in her head, and as an artist, she designed this idea to help us calm down enough to know what to do next. TWEAK YOUR JOURNALING While not suggesting that you do this instead of Morning Pages, I offer another approach to journaling you might consider. I keep one on my iPad, so it includes doodles, a few of my own photos (I stay away from memes and copied stuff). Poetry shows up there, favorite writers or my own. It’s hit or miss each day if I open that device or not, but when I do, I make it a relaxing, special time. You can choose to journal like this in a paper journal, instead, so you can work in colored pens or pencils. You can scribble, sing, scream, and shout. If this idea appeals, give it a try. I add diagrams or drawings if

I’m working on a puzzle in my life or a list I can’t seem to finish. Your entries can be personal thoughts about your career, the kids, fears and challenges that haunt you or dreams, goals, and celebrating your accomplishments. The writing is likely to be fluid and change with the weather and your mood. You can select a theme-a-month and dig into your new adventure, ideas, your love life, or all-purpose self-awareness…pick something. If I’m stumped about what to focus on, I’ll open a favorite book, put my finger on a random sentence, and write about what shows up. Creativity and self-awareness are what we’re after. Writing can be prescriptive. Musings mined from your deepest places won’t lead you astray. If this works for you, embrace journaling as a helpful, healing activity in your life.

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

HEALTHY LIVING NOT JUST A WORKOUT By Kristie Darling People who want healthier in their life—most all of us—are changing our approach. We’re thinking more about creating habitual, daily routines that improve how we feel, how we live, small bites at a time. Going to the gym every day isn’t the option it used to be. A few easy additions you can make in your day to get you feeling better without any blood, sweat, or tears are offered for your enjoyment: 1. Stay hydrated. I can’t say this enough. Water is your friend, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. Simply measure two liters (a large soda bottle’s worth) and drink it throughout the day. Make herb tea—any flavor you like. hibiscus is my favorite. A tall glass before meals and your appetite will quell, fatigue and headaches lessen, and you’ll have more energy to keep going…now you’re on to something. 2. Get moving any which way you like. We know the trick about parking at the back of the lot to force more walking. And taking the stairs, not the elevator. How about playing Frisbee with the dog? Getting a stand-up desk for your home office? Taking time to stretch, bend, and wiggle after hours of work at the computer? It’s easy to Spotify some oldies but goldies and dance your butt off. These activities add up, right? 3. Find time for silence. Spend more time watching the sunset, not devices. Make peace-of-mind your go-to. When the chance to sit still presents itself, take it. Close your eyes. Breathe. 4. Wellness routines are not one-size-fits-all. Think about activities you really like that make your heart sing. Could be reading, baking, knitting, golfing, could be spending time with your sweetheart. Make an appointment with yourself to do more pleasant things, more often. Think simple, think clean, think joy. Make healthy doses of whatever moves your body, mind, and spirit your health plan for life. HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022

HICKORY LIVING • JANUARY 2022