Health, Mind, Body & Soul April 2021

health MIND, BODY & SOUL

FAMILY DAY OUT PLANNING A GETAWAY AFTER LOCKDOWN

COVID-19 STRESS ON FAMILY & HOME SERVING FRIO & LA SALLE COUNTIES

APRIL 2021

CAN YOU HUG A TREE?

HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

STRESS ON YOUTH Parenting in a pandemic, anguish in the home J

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Photo: Juztine Evangelista

Breyana Segura Frio-Nueces Current

ust like that, the doors of the school were sealed shut; living rooms and kitchens became improvised classrooms, the world was put on lockdown; many Americans experienced fear, anxiety and depression.

Overnight, the coronavirus turned Americans’ lives into a whirlwind of emotions, and many began experiencing the mental health impact that affected adults and children alike. sociChildren became isolated from soci ety as a matter of necessity, to prevent the spread of the virus. This often led to helplessstress, anxiety and a feeling of helpless ness.

“These children did not understand they could not play sports, have sleepovers with their friends or take a stroll through the mall,” Physician Assistant Mary Moore said of the pandemic’s impact on mental health earlier this month.

Psychologist J. Lee wrote last year that the mental health effects of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic created economic and social stressors to adolescents who are highly vulnerable.

School routines are crucial for young people, especially with mental and health challenges, as the school system helps them to cope and structure their chilbehavior, according to Moore, and chil dren with special education needs are at high risk.

Since the pandemic and lockdown have caused economic distress, there are indications of increased abuse in the home, towards children, both Moore and local law enforcement agencies are reporting.

Moore recommends families keep in contact with relatives and friends via social media, adding that she believes it will help reduce stress and provide coping mechanisms for children as well as adults. profesCounselors and health care profes sionals believe it is important to assure teenage children that the isolation is directly related to the health concern and nothing to do with popularity.

Among youths, social distancing can be motivated by ‘in-crowds,’ school counselors believe. However, reassuring youths that the primary reason for social (See STRESS, Page 4)

health Mind, Body & Soul A Special Publication of the

FRIO-NUECES

CURRENT April 2021

STRESS ON YOUTH: Pandemic effects 2 CORONAVIRUS: Facts to share 5 FAMILY DAY OUT: Getaway planning 6 STRH GYM: Fitness, recovery 8 ULCERS: Treatment ahead 10 TEEN SUICIDE: Numbers rising 11 TREE HUGGING: Nature’s benefits 14 NEW GADGET: Smart water bottle 15 STAFF Publisher Craig Garnett cgarnett@ulnnow.com Production Manager Lonnie Herrera lherrera@fncnow.com Managing Editor Manuel Azocar III mazocar@fncnow.com Editor Marc Robertson mrobertson@fncnow.com Business Manager Kasie Gonzales kgonzales@fncnow.com Advertising Sales Tony Perez tperez@fncnow.com Staff Writers Breyana Segura bsegura@fncnow.com Amanda Brown Snowden asnowcreative@gmail.com Business Clerk Manuel Azocar IV

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^Stress (From Page 2) distancing is to prevent the further spread of a deadly virus can ease the mental anguish feelings of anxiety, depression and a need for belonging.

Parents have also had to deal with the mental anguish that the pandemic has wrought.

“I remember sitting on my couch with my head in my hands, clutching my hair, trying to hold back the tears while reminding myself that this isn’t their fault,” a parent says.

Parents and their employers soon began feeling the pressure, and it was making them moody, resentful, stressed, annoyed and overwhelmed.

A feeling of defeatism began to take hold in households across America, in the workplace and at school.

Second and third waves of the pandemic began affecting communities after holidays and during the summer. By March, half a million Americans had died from the disease.

The nation experienced a succession of lockdowns that would further stress the economy, education, and family bonds.

Counselors agree that the demand placed on families to find balance between manag-

ing the threat and new domestic duties became significant.

Although quarantining measures are for the benefit of the community at large, its psychological effects cannot be ignored, according to medical professionals.

Children who are in isolation require extra attention as they may be at risk for developing mental health problems due to grief caused by separation from their parents, families and homes. They may develop feelings of sadness, anxiety, fear of death, fear of parents’ death – all due to the separation from their primary caregivers, making them more vulnerable to the psychological effects of the pandemic, according to health care providers.

Parents are being encouraged to alleviate children’s anxiety by limiting their exposure to the news; modeling appropriate coping

* Associate Degree In Nursing * Radiologic Technology * Vocational Nursing

The demand placed on families became significant

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mechanisms; establishing a consistent routine; focusing on and rewarding good behavior; and increasing their awareness of the virus and its threat to the general public.

The extent of the mental anguish that the coronavirus will place on families and specifically on young children will depend largely on factors that include developmental age, educational status, pre-existing health conditions, socioeconomic status and fear of infection.

Physicians and health care staff, counselors and educators agree that a focus in helping families manage the coronavirus pandemic must come through a collaborative effort between teachers, parents and friends, and that overcoming the mental challenges associated with fear and stress during a pandemic is only possible when all are working with a common goal.

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5

FAMILY DAY OUT Venturing back to the healthy great outdoors after lockdown Marc Robertson Frio-Nueces Current

T

he nation is beginning to feel a sense of relief, not only at the passing of winter but also at the lessening of the deadly pandemic that has gripped the world for the past year, and with it comes a renewed desire to break out of the lockdown and into the fresh air.

Perhaps the most amenable seasons of the year in Texas are the spring and fall, when sunshine feels good, rivers are beginning to warm, leaves are green and shade is cool. These are the days when temperatures are still in the 70s and 80s, and the nights can chill down to the 40s.

These are the months in which the family can enjoy the healthy benefits of the outdoors to their greatest. This is an opportunity for youths to reconnect with their parents, for young adults to put a little more exercise back into their weekly schedule, for parents to teach their young about the world around them, and for seniors to return to the fresh air they have been missing for so long.

There are many health benefits to an outdoor excursion, not least of which is basic exercise. Moving from a sedentary life during lockdown, away from video games to actual reality exploring, however, can be a difficult transition if one is unprepared.

PLAN YOUR TRIP You have only one or two days off work or school, possibly

on the weekend, to head away from home and spend as much quality time with the family as possible. You don’t want to spend all of it driving to or from your recreation spot. Use a map to plan a trip no more than a two-hour drive away, or just about a hundred to a hundred and thirty miles, one way.

Pick a place that provides some variety, given unpredictable weather. If, for example, you plan to do nothing but swim or float in a river, you’ll be put out if the water is too cold or if it starts to rain. Look for hiking trails, covered pavilions, woods or campsites that offer different opportunities for activity.

Plan your activities around the children’s needs. The very young will run out of energy quickly, then rest, then be active again, while teens may not be energized until later in the day. If you plan to hike, plan the most challenging part of the walk for the morning or late afternoon, when the daytime heat is lower.

Expect to take breaks for lunch and snacks, at approximately the times when your children would eat at home or at school.

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PACK THE RIGHT GEAR Everyone on the trip should have their own backpack or grip bag containing all the necessities for the day. These should include a change of clothes and a towel, flashlight, sun-protective hat, shoes, sunscreen, bug spray and a compact first aid kit.

Selecting the right shoes is important for healthy outdoor exercise. Any footwear used on trails, in riverbeds, on grass or on rock should be the right fit, supportive and in good condition. there should be no tears in the soles or uppers, and laces should be as good as new. Furthermore, all outdoor footwear should have optimal tread Photo: Albert Hernandez or nonslip grip to prevent accidents or injury on smooth or wet surfaces. To avoid sores or blisters, everyone should wear socks with their walking shoes.

No one should walk into rivers or lakes without foot protection, and this means finding shoes or sandals that can withstand being immersed in water and mud, can easily be rinsed clean, and do not slip off easily.

They should also float, which is helpful in the event that they do

come off in water. Flip-flops or shower slippers are not appropriate for wearing in rivers or lakes. One-piece rubber sandals, strap sandals, canvas deck shoes or surfers’ slip-on shoes may be more expensive than discountstore tennis shoes, but they will last longer and will dry more quickly.

Sunscreen is vital protection against the potentially harmful rays of sunlight that can cause burns after extended exposure.

Sunscreen formulae vary and their protection factor (SPF) is based on the length of time one could reasonably expect to be exposed to full sunlight without burning. All those spending time outdoors should be reminded of the need for protection, not only from sunburn but also from side effects such as melanoma or skin cancer.

Tanning lotion should not be considered a sunscreen unless it is labeled with an SPF number.

Waterproof sunscreen (or the heavier-duty sunblock) is usually effective for about an hour in the water and must be reapplied after toweling dry. The same applies to people who sweat heavily. Spray-type sunscreen should only be used on the body and kept away from the face, where only hand-applied sunscreen from a tube should be used.

A first aid kit must include - at the very least - sterile gauze and cotton pads, bandages of different sizes, bandage tape, athletes’ wrap, alcohol-based cleansing wipes, burn and itch cream, hand sanitizer, and tweezers.

(See FAMILY, Next Page)

^Family (From Previous Page) PACK THE RIGHT FOOD Food for a day of activity outdoors should be easy to eat with a minimum of fuss, not liable to melt or become sticky in hot weather, be lightweight and easy to pack, and should not include excessive sugars, chemicals or fats. Fruits and nuts, chopped raw vegetables, granola, ready-made sandwiches, fruit juice, water and some energy drinks are ideal. You should avoid candy, fast food, sugared cereals, chocolate, sugared imitation fruit juices, carbonated sodas and beer, as they will do little to satisfy thirst or hunger, and provide inadequate nutrition.

Packing sliced meats, dairy, and other perishables is only possible if the foods can be kept chilled throughout the day in an ice chest or refrigerator. The same applies to any fresh foods that are intended for the grill or campfire in the evening. All fresh foods and perishables should be kept below 40 degrees before cooking or eating, and cooking temperatures must reach at least 160 degrees for two minutes for safe consumption.

PACK TIDILY You should keep your car and your luggage as orderly as possible, not only to prevent discomfort when traveling but also to help find vital items at the right time.

Bear in mind that you may need to retrieve items at different times, depending on different needs, such as beside a river or trail, at meal times, or in the dark.

BE SAFE If you plan to have a campfire, check with local authorities for any restrictions such as burn bans, and never leave a fire unattended. Always monitor children playing

near a fire, and keep at least a gallon of water nearby.

If you visit a river, lake or the sea, make sure children never drink the water or put items in their mouths that have been in the water. Clean your hands after swimming and before handling food.

Bacteria and other organisms naturally found in open water can cause immediate stomach distress, diarrhea, cramping and serious illness.

Remind your children which plants to avoid, such as poison ivy, nettles, cacti and thorny bushes; and be aware that you are sharing the outdoors with animals of all sizes. Stay mindful of the risk of snakes in undergrowth or camouflaged against the stony ground, watch for bees and wasps, and keep an eye on your surroundings - including water - at all times.

Children should wear floats or life vests near water, and all members of the group should be mindful of fast-moving currents, deep water, sharp stones or dangerous debris in water, including glass and metal, tree limbs, fishing line, and barbed wire.

HAVE FUN The idea behind getting out and enjoying the natural environment is to exercise in the fresh air, to enjoy each other’s company, and to explore the great outdoors.

Being properly prepared, equipped and ready for any eventuality will make the experience all the more beneficial to your whole family’s

wellbeing.

Regardless of the time and effort put into taking the family out

Photo: Marc Robertson

for the day or weekend, the rewards in health to mind, body and soul will be well worth it.

Remind your children which plants to avoid

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“WE WANT YOU TO LIVE BETTER” A visit to the STRH Alfredo Zamora Jr. Wellness Center Marc Robertson Frio-Nueces Current

P

ainted in large letters below the net in a fullsize gymnasium are the words ‘Your Health is our Mission,’ a message borne out through everything that the South Texas Rural Health Wellness Center does for its clients each day.

Built in the fast-developing North Baylor Street area between Cotulla’s new elementary school and IH-35, between hotels, restaurants and La Salle County’s nutrition center and dialysis facility, the Alfredo Zamora Jr. Wellness Center occupies a large metal structure with few windows. Its name is emblazoned across the wall facing the street; a modest entryway faces east across a parking area. There is little on the building’s exterior to hint at what lies within.

In much the same way, the

facility’s mission is to work on the inner wellbeing of its clients, regardless of age or condition, regardless of their abilities when they first visit, focusing entirely on their core strengths and health to help provide them not only with a better quality of life but also improved mobility and a workable understanding of how to look after themselves.

Equipped with a basketball and volleyball court, a spacious workout room, two exercise rooms, medical exam and con-

8 2021 INSPIRE HEALTH - MIND, BODY & SOUL

sulting room and offices, the wellness center was built with grant funds and opened last summer with a goal of promoting the fitness and overall general health and wellbeing of the community.

Admission is by physician referral from the South Texas Rural Health Clinic for a nominal fee or privately for $50 a month.

All those who make an appointment for an assessment and exercise training are met by administrator and certified exercise physiologist Adilem Garcia, who is also a fitness

nutrition specialist and holds credentials in exercise medicine.

She conducts evaluations on all clients and designs a personal warm-up, exercise session and workout specialized for each need, and follows through with continual assessment of the results achieved. Progress plans include return visits and, most importantly, advice on how to continue the health and exercise regimen beyond the confines of the gymnasium.

“We are a medical gym, rather than a fitness gym,” Garcia says of the facility. “We will give our clients the workout that they need, the training in flexibility and, in many cases, a return to active mobility that they were missing due to deteriorating health, but we are not a rehabilitation clinic. We are here for the overall wellbeing of our clients.”

Garcia is quick to acknowledge that the community’s population has a high percentage of (See STRH, Next Page)

All Photos: Marc Robertson

^STRH (From Previous Page) diabetes, weight, and hypertension cases, and she believes that the clinic’s approach must be one of educating clients not only in what immediate steps to take in reviving their fitness but also in how to continue on a path to long-term wellbeing. In addition to exercise tips and techniques, she offers some nutrition education and helps clients access resources for professional information specific to their needs.

All clients are given a checkup that will help Garcia formulate a personal exercise plan. Each session takes about 45 minutes and includes a warm-up, stretches and a workout in whatever area is required that day. The session ends with more stretches in a cool-down period.

“Some of our clients come two or three times a week,” Garcia says. “Some are here more often, depending on what they are able to do and what is most convenient for them.”

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In this way, Garcia is able to blend the exercise regimen into clients’ daily lives without it becoming a burden. Eventually, clients begin to view their better nutrition practices and their daily exercise as a matter of routine instead of an imposition or interruption. By personalizing the workouts and targeting specific dietary issues and practices for better wellbeing, Garcia is coaching her clients to live more healthily with realistic and manageable goals.

“We don’t focus on weight here,” she says, and reminds clients that the facility is not a weight-loss gymnasium, “but it’s an added bonus. If you focus

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“We want people to make life modifications that make lasting change” on weight loss only, there can be a lot of bad effects, and you’re going to have difficulty keeping up with a plan like that.

We focus instead on wholebody fitness and long-term wellness.

“What we want to achieve is to help people take the advice home,” she says. “We want people to make life modifications that make lasting change.

This isn’t just a temporary fix.

We want you to live better.”

Workouts in the exercise

rooms and at the new machines with which the facility is equipped in abundance may include cardio-related work as well as workouts that target the upper or lower body and the core. The emphasis is not on a specific area such as shoulders or neck, but instead builds fitness throughout the body so that troublesome areas are eventually improved.

“It all depends on the patients, their fitness level, and what they can or cannot do,” Garcia says.

(See STRH, Page 10)

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9

HARD TO SWALLOW Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes ulcers, can be treated Breyana Segura Frio-Nueces Current

“I

t was like I turned thirty and my body fell apart,” Natalie Kramer laughs.

About a year ago, shortly before her thirtieth birthday, the on-the-go mom of two noticed problems swallowing food and any carbonated drinks.

At first, she did not think much of the symptoms, dismissing the pain in her throat as a phase or something that came with age. She has struggled with heartburn and indigestion issues since childhood and assumed her adult symptoms could be attributed to that.

“I thought it would eventually go away,” she says. “But a year

later I continued to have the pain in my throat and it finally became so unbearable that I scheduled an appointment with a gastroenterologist.”

She explained her symptoms in her first visit with Dr. Ernesto Guerra at the San Antonio Gastroenterology clinic, telling the doctor that when she ate she had to drink at least two bottles of water to wash the food down.

She admitted that this did not always help and she would have to make herself vomit to release food that had become stuck in her throat.

Mornings were vicious, she says.

Her throat was in pain and even a drink of water would cause her to choke.

Dr. Guerra quickly recognized

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Natalie’s symptoms as indicative of something more serious than heartburn and ordered an immediate gastroscopy. Two days later, Natalie learned she was suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD. The condition results from the backup, or reflux, of stomach acids and juices that can wear away the lining of the esophagus and cause ulcer sores. The digestive disorder affects the muscle ring between the esophagus and the stomach.

The muscle, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), when working properly, relaxes and opens when a person swallows, then tightens and closes afterwards. Acid reflux happens when the LES does not tighten or close properly. This allows digestive juices and other contents of the stomach to rise into the esophagus.

Natalie will be on medication the rest of her life.

“I had to go on a liquid diet for a day,” she says. “I was amazed at how I could swallow food without needing water immediately. I also did not realize that by me not being able to swallow food, it was

^STRH (From Page 9)

Ages of Garcia’s clients run the gamut from those in their 40s to some well into their 80s, but she welcomes younger clients and will happily serve those in their advanced years.

Presently, the membership is a fifty-fifty mix of physician referrals from STRH and private clients.

Those who come to the wellness center from the clinic, where a physician will have recommended a specialized fitness program, will be put on a 12-week exercise schedule. These are what Garcia describes as established clients.

Many are long-term local residents whose overall health has deteriorated with age and with progressing health challenges.

“We work directly with the clinic for these referrals,” Garcia says. “I’m going to maintain a monthly log of the exercises

directly related to stomach pain and soreness I had experienced.”

Natalie had all the symptoms associated with GERD, the painful swallowing, acid reflux, heartburn, a feeling of something stuck in her throat, as well as chest pain, nausea and vomiting.

“Although GERD can be caused by eating right before you go to sleep, smoking or heavy alcohol use, that is not the case with Natalie,” Dr. Guerra says. “Her body over-produces acid. This also is the cause of her peptic ulcers.”

Peptic ulcers are sores that can develop when gastric acid begins to eat away at the stomach lining.

Dr. Guerra says GERD is curable through medication and by changing habits and diet.

“Avoiding high-fat or spicy foods helps,” the doctor says.

“Also avoiding chocolate, citrus fruit, pineapple, tomatoes, onions, garlic, mint, alcohol, coffee, tea and sodas.”

Grateful that her GERD can be managed by medication, Natalie says she is happy to have found a diagnosis and treatment for a yearlong problem.

and the results accomplished. We compare these with our expectations and with the clients’ needs, and we can examine all of their medical charts so that we have a good understanding of their condition, whatever issues they may have. From there, we can make progress.”

The STRH Alfredo Zamora Jr. Wellness Center is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All clients are seen by appointment only. Due to health and safety concerns during the coronavirus pandemic, appointments are made for only one person at a time, unless two clients live in the same household or give consent to exercise together.

“We are using exercise as a medicine here,” Garcia says. “This is part of a patient’s overall treatment plan.”

WHERE THERE BE DEMONS Teen suicide rates spiked during pandemic, health care providers say

Photo: David Getty

S

Breyana Segura Frio-Nueces Current

ome people reach the point at which they believe it is a way out.

Others believe it is a selfish act.

No matter how you view suicide, it is a real issue affecting real people in real time.

New statistics indicate that suicide rates among teens have risen, and health care professionals believe the coronavirus pandemic played a significant role in the alarming increase in the number of youths who have taken their own lives over the past year.

The mental anguish of forced isolation, coupled with natural teen hormones and trying to establish their identity in an ever-changing and unpredictable world proved too much for some teens, according to counselors, and the disruption of routines, reduced contact with friends, fear of contracting the virus and financial instability suffered by many families exacted a toll on the mental health of millions.

(See SUICIDE, Page 12)

2021 INSPIRE HEALTH - MIND, BODY & SOUL

11

^Suicide (From Page 11)

Suicide is the second highest listed cause of death in adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, according to ‘Psychology Today,’ teen suicide rates rose by 67 percent from 2019 to 2020.

Many children and adolescents are certainly struggling with the stresses the pandemic has created and continue to need close monitoring and support, according to Dr. David C. Rettew.

A study conducted recently in North Carolina by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services showed there were 2,970 visits to the emergency room for self-inflicted injuries in 2020. While that number is slightly lower than 3,134 in 2019, analysts say this is in part due to limited data.

Self-harming behavior, as reported to health care professionals, can produce misleading statistics because suicide attempts are not necessarily predictive of who will die by suicide. Research shows women are more likely to attempt suicide but

men are more likely to die by it because they tend to use means that are more lethal.

A study conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston recently analyzed youth emergency department visits for suicidal tendencies and suicide attempts in Texas during 2020, comparing them with tallies from the previous year.

When the data was reviewed month by month, researchers found that there were some months during the year in which an increase in reported suicidal behavior could clearly be reported, and some months in which there was not a noticeable change from 2019.

Researchers also found that the frequency of suicidal tendencies appeared to be aligned with times of high-level concern regarding the coronavirus. The

study showed there was a significant spike in the rate of suicidal thoughts among teens in March, at the beginning of the pandemic, and then again in June, when the number of confirmed virus cases in Texas began to spike at new highs.

Experts warn it is important to remember that increases in suicidal ideation in young people does not necessarily mean they lead to death.

Suicide hotlines are reporting significant increases in calls, which program operators describe as a positive indicator that potential suicide victims are reaching out for help, says Janel Cubbage, director of suicide prevention in behavioral health studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Stressors that have been placed on teens and young adults undeniably place them at an increased risk of suicide

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800273-8255

during the pandemic, according to researchers.

As the pandemic has forced isolation, suicidal thoughts and behaviors that are closely tied to mental disorders, personality traits and substance abuse are becoming more daunting, experts say.

“With the pandemic crisis and more time spent online, the risks of excessive screen time, loneliness and cyberbullying could have increased,” psychologists say.

Psychologists, health care professionals and counselors are urging parents to “be there, be aware,” and especially be attentive to the warning signs.

“Be alert for any signs of psychological suffering, non-suicidal self-injury, social isolation, and increased narcotics use,” counselors advise parents, adding that all family members and friends should take note of teens’ increased expressed interest in suicide or in researching potential ways to kill themselves.

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Sometimes you need a little help at home.

Maybe you recently left the hospital with a wound that needs more care than your family can provide. Or you’re coming home after having had hip or knee replacement surgery and could benefit from physical therapy.

That’s where Frio Regional Hospital’s Home Health Care Services come in. Our skilled nurses and other specialists can provide a wide range of care in the comfort of your own home. We serve the population of Frio County and the surrounding areas, including La Salle and Medina counties.

We offer complete home healthcare.

• • • •

• Catheter care.

• Intravenous or nutrition therapy.

• Medication and other injections.

Patient, family and caregiver education.

Physical therapy.

Speech therapy.

Wound care.

FRIO REHABILITATION CENTER 205 E. HACKBERRY • PEARSALL, TEXAS 78061 • (830) 334-4152

Now Accepting Accepting Patients Patients Call Now Callus ustoday today Frio Rehabilitation Center strives at providing the best Physical, Occupational and Speech Pathology Services for Frio Community including Pearsall, Dilley and Cotulla and other outlying areas. Our Outpatient Center prides itself in working with both Pediatric and Adults and varying diagnoses across populations. Diagnoses include, but are not limited to:

• • • •

CVA (Stroke); Brain/Head Injury Spinal Cord Injury Sports Injury i.e. Hamstring Strain, Ankle Sprain Workers Compensation

• • • •

Pain Management i.e. Arthritis, Lower Back Pain Prosthetic Management/Amputation Post surgical i.e. Rotator Cuff/ACL repair Musculoskeletal Conditions e.g. Frozen Shoulder; Tendonitis

HUG A TREE? Learning natural health

practices from Dr. Qing Li Amanda Brown Snowden Frio-Nueces Current

A

Photo: Amanda Brown Snowden

14 2021 INSPIRE HEALTH - MIND, BODY & SOUL

n important resource for your health may have always been right outside.

Many people have instinctively recognized that time in nature has helped them feel better. Now, growing evidence has shown that nature can, in fact, improve your health.

Over time, many studies have proven that being outdoors in the natural environment can boost the immune system, decrease depression and anxiety, reduce stress, and increase energy. There is also a connection with lower blood pressure, improved quality of sleep, attention, memory, and creative thinking.

Related research has centered on the loss of trees as a result of tree disease. The US Forest Service found that in places across the United States that lost significant tree density, mortality rates were higher among citizens in the area after the tree loss. A separate study among hospital patients actually showed faster recovery times among those who had a window with a view of nature versus a view of walls or buildings.

Research has specifically been done on forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku as it is known in Japan, where it originated.

The practice began in the early 1980s when there was only a common idea that being among the green forests of Japan would be good for people.

So how does a person forest

bathe? In his book, ‘Forest Bathing – How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness,’ Dr. Qing Li points out that you must put away your phone, as you should be using all five senses during the experience.

Walk slowly, and allow yourself to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Pay attention to the colors and listen to the environmental sounds. Breathe in the natural scents and taste the freshness of the air.

Though it might seem strange, try touching the bark of a tree, or safely dip your fingers or toes in a stream, Dr. Li says.

Special locations aren’t necessary; even the trees in your own yard can be beneficial to your health in the absence of a forest, according to the doctor.

Many cities also contain treelined parks or green spaces.

Even for the deepest of inner-city dwellers, there is hope. Having plants in your home or office helps to boost your health and clean the air.

Playing nature sounds can aid in focus. As little as forty seconds of looking out of a window at a green space has been shown to improve mood.

Take time to make time outdoors in nature. Whether you head to the country to see unaltered natural ground for a full forest-bathing experience, quietly stroll through a city park, or watch the ivy catching sunlight in your windowsill, plants play an important role in your mental and physical health.

Take time once in a while to hug a tree or wiggle your toes in the grass. It really can be a ticket to better health.

SMART COMPANION High-tech hydration with new water bottle and phone application I

Breyana Segura Frio-Nueces Current

t is the newest gadget to hit store shelves this season: A smart water bottle that pairs with a Bluetooth device to send glowing reminders and text message notifications when you need to drink.

That’s right, a water bottle that reminds you to drink water.

The bottle, created with the aim of changing peoples’ drinking habits, may be the easiest way to introduce a positive change.

It is as simple as filling the bottle up with water in the morning and synchronizing your personal information with the water bottle via an application on your

cellphone.

The application calculates your daily water consumption by personal factors that are unique to you, such as age, height, weight, sex, geographical altitude, weather, physical activity, and whether you are nursing a baby or pregnant.

Then the bottle blinks.

The light show is your friendly reminder to drink water.

In addition to flashing a light, the bottle will send you text message notifications as a reminder that your body needs more water.

PEARSALL

830.505.5600 Heart to Heart Hospice Serving Pearsall and the greater South Texas area

Sometimes, self-motivation is not enough to prompt people to change their habits, so the application also offers a way to connect with friends and family who are also using the system and who may take part in friendly competition to be the most diligent adherent to the bottle’s prompt.

The application is calculated daily to provide the most accurate hydration level, whether you are traveling, hiking in the mountains or swimming in the pool.

Equipped with a recharge-

able battery and insulated, the water bottle works with or without ice. It comes with customizable glow colors and patterns, is made of stainless steel and is available in two sizes, 17or 21-ounce, two lid options (wide-mouth or for use with a straw) that provide a protective cover and prevent spills.

Smart-sensing technology allows the sensor’s memory to store drinking history data up to three days on the phone.

Although it may sound frivolous to own such a gadget, the bottles are being used in a clinical trial to investigate the impact of increased fluid intake and increased urine output on the recurrence rate of urinary tract stones.

Comfort. Support. Dignity.

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances Pain and symptom control centered around patient and family goals If you have questions about hospice care, visit us at htohh.com

2021 INSPIRE HEALTH - MIND, BODY & SOUL

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200 IH 35 South  Pearsall, Texas 78061 830-334-3617  www.FrioRegionalHospital.com FRIO REGIONAL HOSPITAL is a full-service hospital, providing emergency medical care around the clock, and is now partnered with Methodist Healthcare, the largest health care provider in South Texas.

SERVICES INCLUDE:

A State Designated Level IV Trauma Center ● Treatment for a wide range of health care issues/injuries ● 24-hour Laboratory/Radiology Cover ● Physicians on duty 24-hours a day ● Transfer agreements for patients requiring higher level of care ● Every resident of Frio County has coverage under the Methodisdt AirCare TM membership program, to serve those in need of advanced emergency health care and rapid medical transport Frio Regional Hospital is just off Interstate 35 at Exit 101 and serves our surrounding communities.