Pulse: May 2023

Ashley Bassick

Gabriella Marinelli

Meghan Cohen

Creative Director

Creative Director

Creative Director

Melanie Medina

Cooper Shannon

Ariadne Morales

Copy Editor

Copy Editor

Advertising Director

Tyler Mroczek

Managing Editor

Sam Johnston

Angelo Nicholes

Ian Burke Perez

Business Manager

Photo Editor

Copy Editor

Nikolas Burts

Business Manager

Faculty Adviser: Scott Brinton

EDITOR’S LETTER

Dear Reader,

This magazine is more than just a collection of stories, but is rather an accompaniment to self growth and care. And it is an absolute pleasure to have you here joining us on this journey.

After what felt like a never-ending past three years, the world is finally recovering from a pandemic that absolutely rattled the public’s perception of ideal health, togetherness and normalcy. In communities big and small, people are struggling to regain their footing from a period of confusion and isolation that had many fearing for their health. The team at Pulse is here to guide you back to a lifestyle that was lost, or introduce you to one that you’re just now starting.

To guarantee a healthy, balanced life, it’s necessary to focus on all areas of your body’s well-being, including your physical, mental, emotional and dietary health. Successfully accomplishing these goals requires hard work, determination and resilience. Our team is here to help you stay motivated through it all with unique reporting on important issues.

Our magazine is brimming with practical advice, need-to-know information and resources you can use to improve your daily habits and outlook on life. Pulse’s reporters spoke with Long Island government officials working to combat social media’s effects on mental health to better inform readers about ways to unplug and unwind. We investigated how commuters’ physical and emotional health are affected after spending countless hours on public transportation. And our team spoke with professional trainers, nutritionists and psychologists to provide you with updated tips to do what’s best for your body.

Pulse is here to help you strive to be the best version of yourself possible and to push boundaries.

Sincerely,

The Pulse Team

Front Cover Design: Ashley Bassick and Gabriella Marinelli Index Design: Meghan Cohen and Ashley Bassick

Grown on Long Island Improve your health by buying food directly from your local farms

By Meghan Cohen

Have you ever thought about where your food comes from? Chances are, if you buy it from a grocery store, it comes from hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away. If you want the freshest food possible, you need to look more locally.

On Long Island, Zilnicki Farms in Riverhead brings fresh food to people across the region, producing and selling potatoes, seasonal vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, potted plants, and beef.

John Zilnicki, a fourth-generation farmer who works on Zilnicki farms, explains, “Our thing is, we want to only have what is seasonal to our location to sell to our community members, which is a huge thing that spirals into our overall health.

We firmly believe that the more locally you can eat, the better you feel.”

While some of their produce is shipped up and down the East Coast and distributed wholesale, Zilnicki Farms also has a Community Supported Agriculture program, which brings food directly to consumers around Long Island.

Zilnicki Farms has partnered with other farms on Long Island to create food boxes that offer a wide variety of products. In addition to the items produced by Zilnicki Farms, the boxes can include bread, cheese, milk, honey, and various fruits that are produced on other local farms.

“The stuff that is coming in our boxes, in

our CSA, if it’s on our farm, it’s literally being trucked one mile,” said Zilnicki. “If it’s coming from a neighboring farm, it might come five miles. Whereas lettuce, the average vegetable that you see in your store, throughout the year, the average is 1500 miles it’s been trucked.”

Zilnicki explained why he believes that local produce is better for people, saying, “There’s studies that have been done that have found that the produce that is living in the same environment that we’re living in has a higher nutritional and overall better benefits for our bodies.”

Additionally, he said, “A lot of the produce you see in the store has been genetically modified to look very appealing and

beautiful in the stores,” explained Zilnicki. “So, as consumers, we’re visually attracted to that beautiful tomato, but it’s not going to have that nutritional value, whereas our heirloom tomatoes in the field might have a couple cracks and blemishes and may not be beautiful, but the taste is unmatched. The vitamins, the nutrients, the flavor, it’s not even comparable.”

So if you want the most nutritious, fresh, and flavorful food that you can get, you need to look to your local farms. Buying your food from Zilnicki Farms or other producers here on Long Island is one way that you can become healthier.

All photos of and by Zilnicki Farms

Harvesting hope

A Long Island nonprofit’s fight against hunger

Story and photos by Sam Johnston

Island Harvest Food Bank is a beacon of hope for those struggling to put food on the table. With a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste, the organization works tirelessly to collect and distribute food and other products to those in need. Through its efforts, Island Harvest Food Bank has become a leading hunger-relief organization, supporting a wide network of community-based non-profit organizations, as well as individuals, veterans, families, and seniors.

Island Harvest Food Bank’s work is supported by a dedicated network of volunteers and donors. From organizing food drives to preparing meals, volunteers play a crucial role in the organization’s efforts. And through donations of food, money, and time, individuals and organizations can help support Island Harvest Food Bank’s mission.

“Ninety-five cents of every dollar go towards program impact because we have such a substantial amount of volunteers,” said Joeseph Barry, the group’s chief data officer, who is responsible for strategic engagement, cultivation, and stewardship of philanthropic relations to enhance the organization in its mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island.

About the problem of hunger and food insecurity on the Island, Barry said, “Last year Island Harvest supported nearly 13 million meals through provisions of 15.5 million pounds of healthy food and product that we distributed to our neighbors in need across Long Island.”

Island Harvest moved into its Mellville location in October 2020. The organization is constantly looking for ways to expand and develop its locations.

Joe Barry, Island Harvest’s chief data officer.

Based in Melville, Island Harvest Food Bank collects food and other products that might otherwise go to waste. This includes surplus food from supermarkets, restaurants and farms, as well as donations from individuals and organizations. Through efficient collection and distribution systems, the organization puts products into the hands of those who need them most.

But Island Harvest’s work goes beyond providing food. They also offer nutrition education programs to help people make healthier choices and stretch their food budgets. Additionally, the organization is committed to raising awareness about hunger and food waste, advocating for policies and practices that can help address these issues in the long term.

In 2021, Island Harvest shifted its location

to a modern and fully equipped facility with 46,000 square feet, which virtually doubled its previous location. Barry said Island Harvest is constantly looking for ways to expand and develop its location to improve the workflow and effectiveness of its mission. Within their Melville headquarters, there is an in-house market for people in need to grocery-shop free of charge.

The impact of Island Harvest Food Bank’s work can be seen in the stories of the individuals and organizations it supports. For example, the Long Island Cares food pantry, which partners with Island Harvest Food Bank, is able to provide thousands of meals each week to those in need. And for families who are struggling to make ends meet after a job loss, Island Harvest Food Bank’s assistance was a lifeline.

“We provide fresh produce for those in need. We are also educating people on how to cook so they can make the most out of the food we are providing them,” said Barry. He added that Island Harvest also provides meals for children outside of school who aren’t eating consistenly. It also accommodates dietary restrictions with help from its partner, Northwell Health. “Any health risks are significantly reduced thanks to working with Northwell Health,” Barry said.

Through its tireless efforts, Island Harvest Food Bank is making a real difference in the lives of those facing hunger and food insecurity on Long Island. It’s committed to ending hunger and reducing food waste, inspiring many to join the fight against food insecurity.

Island Harvest donated 9,003,598 meals from 2021-22. Photo Courtesy TotalFoodService.

Island Harvest has an in-house market that includes a wide variety of foods and goods, which are free to those in need.

This past year, Island Harvest has provided 294,000 meals to children through its weekend backpack feeding program.

Graphic created on Canva by Sam Johnston

Powder or produce?

Story by Melanie Medina

How athletes can find replacements for their artificial supplements

Lucia Toscano used to begin her workouts by indulging in what seemed like a healthy treat: a full scoop of caffeinated powder that tasted like her favorite candies. The cool packaging made her excited to work out, as she often saw her favorite gym influencers using these products.

Toscano, a 20-year-old Hofstra junior who has been a dedicated “gymrat” for almost two years, said she fell into the trap of beautiful branding more than once.

Starting your fitness journey can often be one of the most difficult stages of your life. Misinformation, anxiety and differing messages can play roles in confusing us and leading us the wrong way.

Entering the fitness world is not just about the workouts you are doing and the calories you’re burning; tracking your protein, carbohydrates and fat is key to balancing your diet in a way that will benefit you. Finding the right way to get all of your macronutrients into place can be difficult, which is why many newcomers fall into the trap of really good branding.

“I won’t say any names, but there are so many brands tiered towards

out I bought was literally covered in rainbows and smiley faces and had a name like ‘Peachy Bun Peach Rings.’”

Not only did her pre-workout look straight out of a cartoon. It contained over 300 milligrams of caffeine. For reference, one cup of coffee contains about 95 mg. In one scoop, Lucia was drinking more than three full cups of coffee.

“The one I’m currently using isn’t much different, if I’m being honest,” said Toscano. “It’s flavored..., and it makes my skin quite literally tingle and feel like I’m melting. But it gets me through the workout.”

When looking into the dieting aspect of your fitness journey, it is important to make sure you know exactly what is going into your body and fueling it for success. Many “fitness” brands advertise life-changing supplements that will elevate your progress, but do they?

Hofstra first-year student Priscilla

Drishti said protein was a valuable part in her initial journey to fitness. “It was just so easy to put a scoop of powder into my smoothies to get some protein in for lower calories, but I’ve seen so much stuff online about it not being good for you,” she said.

Hofstra University’s registered dietitian, Lauren Ciuffo, said she often tells her clients to stray away from supplements when they are easily found in whole foods. “The very high caffeine intake, it’s dehydrating. It can often make them jittery, so it’s actually just doing the opposite of what it’s trying to do,” said Ciuffo.

“The biggest deterrent to physical activity and performing faster, better and stronger is simply consuming enough calories,” continued Ciuffo. “People think that they can just take a mouthful of pills and that they don’t need to eat real food, but if you’re not getting those calories in, you’re simply not going to get the energy that your body

The colorful array of supplemental drinks.

The large supply of preworkout supplements. Photos by Melanie Medina

Ciuffo recommends drinking beet juice as a “pre-workout” because of its ability to enhance oxygen and blood flow before exercise. “Cherry tart juice is really good for muscle recovery and soreness,” Ciuffo adds. When assisting her athletic clients through Hofstra, these are just a few of the juices that bring energy, strength and recovery benefits.

“Calorie counting can become an obsession, but it might be good to do it for a few days to see what you need to be eating to get to your calorie goal,” Ciuffo continued. “People get obsessed over protein and might not be eating enough carbohydrates, which is essentially what gives you energy.”

Empire Nutrition at Onyx Fitness Long Island offers prepared meals with optimal macronutrients, as well as

coaching from their employees to decide which meal plan would be best for individual goals.

“It isn’t necessary for me, but it can be good for someone else,” said Tammy, nutritional specialist at Empire Nutrition, who did not wish to be identified by her last name. “Some of these brands are all super-marketed for kids because of the bright colors, but in reality, pre-workout is not good for you.”

This is not to say that there are no beneficial supplements; with nutrition experts, it is simple to find products that are healthy as well as natural replacements to substitute the ones that are not as healthy. Navigating diets and diet culture may be the hardest part of the journey to fitness, but in the long run it will be the most rewarding.

“My

Lucia Toscano

Picture courtesey of Pexels.com, photographed by Yaroslav Shuraev.

Photo courtsey of Pexels.com, photographed by Anna Shvets.

Graphic by Melanie Medina

Struggling to shop healthy? You’re not alone.

By Ian Burke Perez

Many Long Islanders have been consistently shut out from organic food locations such as Whole Foods due to high prices.

Because many residents with dietary restrictions are also not in a financial position to shop at these places frequently, many are starting to fear that Long Island’s community health is suffering.

Casey Cormier, a former Whole Foods employee of Hempstead, said many shoppers are dissuaded from buying different items based on price.

“Oftentimes I’d see people putting healthy things in their carriages, then looking so defeated when they realized how expensive those things were,” said Cormier.

She said in order to shop at organic-food centered locations like Whole Foods, people need to have a disposable income, making those kinds of places unwelcoming for lower-income families.

Trader Joe’s in Garden City, just a quarter mile from Whole Foods, presents a significant contrast due to the difference in price. According to Wedbush Securities analysts, Whole Foods is about 19% more expensive than stores like Trader Joe’s.

Wedbush’s group of analysts also concluded that a typical shopping trip of $245 at Wegmans supermarket turns into $300 when the same items are translated to Whole Foods prices. Many Long Island-

ers with dietary restrictions and allergies who would otherwise benefit from Whole Foods’ expansive selection of unprocessed foods struggle to find the foods they need as a result.

Shoppers like Kathleen Demino, of Seaford, say shopping at places like Whole Foods seems ideal, but not always practical. “I steer clear of stores like Whole Foods because I want the most bang for my buck,” said Demino. “I try to eat as healthy as possible, but cost is always a factor.”

Demino referred to the deterioration of the community health due to this issue, as many shoppers forgo the healthiest options in exchange for the flexibility to buy more cheaper items.

“Certainly people not having access to healthier foods probably has an effect on

the obesity rate,” said Demino. “People choosing unhealthier options because of their finances can definitely drag down their physical health.”

Shopper Kevin Dolan, of Uniondale, also avoids Whole Foods, largely due to the high prices. According to a study done by FinanceBuzz, 65% of Americans say the cost of healthy foods has frequently deterred them from shopping healthier.

“When people in a community can’t buy healthy foods, the people’s health definitely deteriorates,” Dolan said. “The prices getting a little better would definitely be stimulating to the community health.”

We reached out to Whole Foods for a comment but did not hear back.

“Oftentimes I’d see people putting healthy things in their carriages, then looking so defeated when they realized how expensive those things were.”

Casey Cormier, Former Whole Foods Employee

Whole Foods Organic Eggs Section. Photo by Ian Burke Perez

The legislative battle against hunger

Long Island Cares is taking action to fix food insecurity at the root

By Cooper Shannon

Long Island’s biggest and best known food bank, Long Island Cares, has sworn to fight hunger since 1980. When it was first founded, it served a handful of agencies in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Today, it distributes more than 10 million pounds of food and supplies to nearly 400 agencies in Nassau and Suffolk counties every year. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables donated from grocery stores, cleaning supplies and medicine donated from pharmacies, pet food and toys donated from pet stores, as well as home-to-home delivery service for struggling older adults and veterans.

With America’s current state of inflation following the Covid-19 pandemic, food insecurity has become more prevalent than ever before. During the pandemic, the number of food donation recipients nearly doubled for Long Island Cares.

“Our biggest donations that really made a difference during the pandemic came from grocery store chains and local legislative sponsors,” said Peter Crescenti, head of media relations for the food bank. “However, the people that needed help during the pandemic still need our help because of the economy.”

In 2022, the U.S. inflation rate increased by almost 10%, the largest spike since the Great Depression. In 2023, it’s down to about 5%.

Besides directly feeding the needy, Long Island Cares advocates for legislative change in order to fix the problems at the root, using its funds to prioritize passage of several bills in 2023.

Every five years, Congress passes a farm bill that determines policy and funding levels for agriculture and food assistance programs. Long Island Cares advocates for updating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, to reflect the current cost of food in the American economy. Reducing barriers to eligibility is a key component that allows for more Americans to receive food assistance. This means making it easier to follow the application process, as well as lowering the standard requirements for one to qualify for SNAP.

allows more Americans to receive food assistance. This means making it easier to follow the application process, as well as lowering the standard requirements for one to qualify for SNAP.

Locally, Long Island Cares commended Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakement for prioritizing food insecurity issues in 2023. Long Island Cares also supports Steve Bellone, the Suffolk County executive. Both of these local public officials have made it a point to counter food insecurity on Long Island, and the food bank has made it a priority to support them in their efforts, Long Island Cares officials say.

“Legislative fights are where we can make a long-term difference that will better Long Island as a whole,” said Crescenti. “Obviously, Long Island Cares makes an immediate difference with our food services, but it won’t matter unless we can try to really lower food insecurity for our people.”

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Dishing it ut

By Gabriella Marinelli

Providing college students with nutritional advice

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P r i c e A l l e r g i e s

" I h a v e n o f o o d a l l e r g i e s , b u t I f e e l l i k e a l a r g e i s s u e w i t h H o f s t r a ' s d n i n g s e r v i c e s i s t h a t t h e y o v e r c h a r g e f o r g l u t e n f r e e m e a l s f o r s t u d e n t s w h o a r e i n t o l e r a n t a n d m a n y t i m e s d i s r e g a r d t h e " g l u t e n f r e e " m a r k o n t h e f o o d t i c k e t s w h e n p r e p a r i n g t h e o r d e r s " - s t u d e n t

Whenattending undergraduate and graduate school at Queens College from 2011-2014, Lauren Ciuffo realized the school did not offer nutritional resources for their students to keep a balanced diet. She has now made her way to provide Hofstra University, Adelphi, and St. John’s with campus dietian services she never had.

Thirty Hofstra students responded to a random survery this March on nutrition and dietitian services on campus. During the middle of the semester, a majority of students said they get too busy with classes and extracurriculars to prioritize what they’re eating.

Hired by Compass Dining, Ciuffo provides one-on-one appointments to students. She is easy to reach by just going to her office in the student center or reaching out to her via email. Additionally, she participates in various campus events sponsored by campus dining. One such event is a sampling event that highlights what are called “feel good foods,” and students can learn more about specific herbs or spices that have beneficial effects on the body.

“So I think now is a really good time in your lives to understand what healthy eating is, what that means to you, how you can apply it to your everyday life, whether you’re eating on campus or off campus, just so that you kind of lay the groundwork for disease free living,” Ciuffo said.

One of the biggest issues is diet misinformation. With the rapid spread of information and misinformation by influencers on platforms like TikTok, there are many preconceived notions about what healthy eating is and what you should be doing.

“So definitely take advantage {of nutritional counseling} while you’re here,” Ciuffo said. “Don’t be overwhelmed by all of the information you hear, Just try to really get it from reputable sources, and don’t overthink it.”

C E R N S

College “is really the time when eating habits are going to be cemented and learned.”

Lauren Ciuffo

HIITing it off

Story and photos by Gabriella Marinelli

As the Saturday 9:15 a.m. exercise class started, the room flooded with 15 people eager to begin their High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout. People of all walks of their fitness journey — the experienced, the newbies, the other trainers, the regulars, younger exercisers and older clients — smiled from ear to ear and were enthusiastic to help their peers.

When searching for gyms to kick start your fitness journey, the popular commercial gyms like Retro Fitness or Crunch Fitness might come to mind.

Throughout Long Island, you can find reputable private gyms that provide amenities and services that would contribute to an enhanced gym experience.

Employees and members of Energy Fitness rave about how their experience contributes to the wellbeing of their mental and physical health, no matter where they are in their fitness journey. Many employees and members are proud to be part of the Energy Fitness family and were happy to share their experiences.

What makes this gym different?

Energy Fitness is a Long Island-based gym facility where clients can learn and grow on a personalized level, while balancing their other priorities in life, and has been so for the past 20 years. Among the five locations on Long Island, Rockville Centre’s location is its youngest and just celebrated its first anniversary.

Joshua Haan is the general manager of Energy Fitness of Rockville Centre and is working hard to maintain the company motto of “being the most supportive fitness family in the world.” He moved from Texas to Long Island in June 2022 to find a place to call home. It is his goal to make it feel like home for his staff and clients.

Energy Fitness provides its clients with a full-fledged fitness experience that is built on one-on-one coaching. When clients sign up for membership, they are paying for their training sessions. However, they can use the gym whenever they don’t have individual sessions so they can get the most out of their investment. There are also several different classes and programs that clients can take part in.

S t r o n g

This is Energy Fitness’s high intensity interval training (HIIT). It is a circuit-based workout that is completed in series of three minutes, three and a half minutes, or seven minutes, and the participant goes around once or twice. KC Putterman, a coach and nutritionist at Energy Fitness RVC, said there are six different workouts, and they change every six weeks with the help of herself and trainers from all of the locations. The coaches collectively create the workouts, and they rotate so the client does not plateau.

I was given the opportunity to sit in on this class and see why so many clients love this class.

- KC

First, I noticed the large TV with 12 boxes of exercises for everyone to follow with upbeat music playing in the background. When the class started, I realized participants don’t all follow the instructor; instead, the instructor is there to help them with form while they mimic the workout they see on the TV.

Additionally, no one is doing the same workout at the same time.

Clients follow a rotational circuit to complete the workout intervals.

KC Putterman taught this class and demoed each workout before the timer began. Using her headset, she reminded class members of important affirmations throughout the session.

The energy throughout the room was contagious, and each person helped the participant next to them get through their personal struggles.

The class commenced with rounds of applause and smiles that lit up the room with pride. Seeing how accomplished everyone felt after the workout was extremely rewarding.

“Use others at your station for encouragement, not competition,”

Putterman

F l e x

This is Energy Fitness’s low-impact, but high-intensity barre workout. This entails a lot of core and glute muscle engagement with slower movements. After class, you will feel a burn from head to toe. Participants will be led to move for four counts, hold and pulse for four counts, and feel the muscle engagement. Flex is important for isometric movements rather than power moves.

R y d e

This is Energy Fitness’s cycling class. Within the facility there is a cycling studio where trainers and participants bring their highest energy to cycle together.

Putterman is the nutritionist at Energy Fitness and offers a six-week program to clients to help with their own personalized goals.

The facility has a Fit 3D scan that displays one’s body circumference, body fat percentage and postural analysis that provides one with a baseline for the kind of meal plan one will receive.

Differing from stereotypical nutrition plans, Energy’s nutrition plan is not based on calories in or out; it is based on the percentage of carbs, fats and proteins to eat throughout the day so their client knows how to properly fuel their body for a workout.

“I had this one client who did my program. He wasn’t trying to lose weight. He was trying to firm up,” Putterman said. “So his goals are different in his nutrition plan than someone that’s trying to lose weight.”

Putterman makes the meals for her clients depending on their nutritional needs. “It’s not a crash diet. It’s just healthy, clean eating,” she said.

This is a program that the Rockville Centre location is developing and trying to get clients to experiment with.

Gi v i n g T h e E n e r g y

These local, private gyms on Long Island like Energy Fitness provide clients with a unique, personalized experience that commercial gyms don’t have the ability to offer. The trainers are able to give their clients direction and encouragement.

Not only do clients grow, but so do the trainers. “I’ve learned that I don’t need to exercise for two hours a day. I learned to make goals,” Putterman said.

If you are thinking about upping your fitness journey and taking it seriously, take a chance and trust a local gym for accountability, keep it fun, and get results.

“

“You’re going to see all walks of life walk through the door. And the fact that we love our members and we love what we do here spills out into the gym and makes people want to keep coming in.”

- Gingee Bustamente

An effort to reduce substance abuse

By Angelo J. Nicholes

Photo by Hennie Stander from Unsplash

In Calverton, there is a treatment center that is taking a relatively new approach toward medical treatment of drug addiction, or substance abuse. Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research follows an “evidence-based” philosophy to substance-abuse treatment, focusing on patients’ mental health as a root cause of their substance abuse.

Dr. Edmond Hakimi oversees all medical care teams at Wellbridge. “Patients get patient-centered care, and every treatment they get is connected to an updated, evidence-based … treatment,” he said, noting that this is the beginning step to individualize treatment for each patient, rather than approach everyone with the same method.

There is often a stigma associated with substance abuse. “We can try and chip away at the stigma and shame that people go through,” said Andrew Drazan who is 66, and Wellbridge’s founder and chairman.

Many people see drug abusers as disheveled and homeless, when in reality many everyday people whom you wouldn’t suspect are living with substance abuse.

“I cringe when I hear the word addict … We are trying to get away from referring to people that way … The majority the people coming to Wellbridge are working people … The people who are coming in now

are of all walks of life,” Drazan said. Growing up in Rockville Centre, he watched his parents get divorced when he was young, and his mother received custody. “I started to see some very peculiar things at 6 years old,” he said. “I came home as a 9-year-old, and she died of an overdose.”

For years, he felt ashamed about what happened to whis mother. In 2008, Drazan started volunteering at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, he said, escorting families to the morgue to identify their overdosed loved ones. “When I took families to the morgue for their overdosed children, I realized I was there for a reason,” he said. This led him to found Wellbridge.

Typical admission to a treatment center can be long and tedious, but Wellbridge helps to make it easier for those seeking care. “We can admit on a same-day basis…rather than having

to send them to a hospital and escalate the level of care,” Drazan said.

Developers broke ground in 2018 and opened Wellbridge at the height of the pandemic. “For Wellbridge,” Drazan said, “the thought was always to have a holistic approach to care, but also to provide dignity, hope and respect… Why should you be diminished and disrespected?”

The 135,000-foot Wellbridge center comprises of 130 beds in six buildings. “It was an enormous undertaking… [but] it’s so rewarding for me,” said Drazan.

Photo by Nicholas Horn from Unsplash

Photo by Haley Lawrence

How your community determines health

By Ariadne Morales

On Long Island, health quality disparities among the various towns are prevalent. More specifically, food options, air quality and infrastructure impact the health outcomes of those who reside in neighborhoods that are majority people of color.

To understand why there are health disparities impacting people of color on Long Island today, it’s important to understand the history as to how it all started. In 1947, Levittown, in the middle of Nassau County, became the first post-World War II mass produced suburb in the United States. Anyone who was not of the caucasian descent was not allowed to live or purchase property there, including Jewish people.

This restriction was due to the restrictive covenants that were implemented. The covenants became illegal in 1948; however, the subtle discrimination still exists today.

This act of separating towns by race and socioeconomic status makes Long Island one of the most segregated suburbs in America today. Essentially, the drastic racial barriers on Long Island still exist.

With these barriers, the health of the people residing in their respective towns is affected. Towns on Long Island like North Amityville and Massapequa, which are neighbors to each other, have extreme racial disparities.

According to the U.S. Census, North Amityville consists of 53% Black residents, 32% Hispanic residents and 9% white residents. Massapequa consists of 1% black residents, 8% Hispanic residents and 90% white residents.

Rolman Guardado, Hofstra University undergraduate student, lives in Amityville. “My parents have to skip out on our local supermarket C-Town for Lidl, a supermarket in Massapequa, for more access to cheaper and healthier food options,” said Guardado.

Dr. Veronia Lippencott is the associate director of the Center for “Race,” Culture and Social Justice at Hofstra University. “All of these things have really sort of brought to the surface these ongoing health and healthcare disparities that we have in this country. They are a reflection of those long-standing, systemic inequalities, structural inequalities, that are rooted in discrimination and racism,” Lippencott said.

Inequality in neighborhood conditions such as number of trees and more asphalt are factors that also have an impact on people’s health. Fewer trees creates a hotter environment in the community and makes it damaging to those who are exposed to extreme heat.

A community like Garden City, which is a majority-white, high-income neighborhood, has an abundance of trees compared to its neighboring town, Hempstead, which is a low-income neighborhood and has a majority of people of color, with little to no trees.

Dr. Martine Hackett is an associate professor in the Department of Population Health at Hofstra University. Hackett has conducted research into the history of suburban development, public health and race.

“Communities that are majority people of color and low income are exposed to greater concentrations and more kinds of harmful chemicals through the air in their neighborhoods due to their proximity to local sources of pollution. Neighborhoods that were redlined in the 1930s and considered ‘dangerous’ have higher levels of harmful air pollution today,” said Hackett.

“Within Nassau County, the highest number of Covid deaths did occur in communities of color. That was true not only in Nassau County, but also true in a place like New York City. If we understand where people live and the ethnicity of the people who live there has a factor, we start to understand the fuller picture,” said Hackett.

Photos courtesy Wikimedia Commons

A shot at staying fit

By Angelo J. Nicholes

Photo by Sam Johnston

Hofstra University graduate student Garrik Woodhouse plays midfield for the men’s club lacrosse team. But he wasn’t always trying to set up plays leading to goals. Coming from Idaho, Garrik helped his high school team win a state championship as goalie in 2019. In 2022 he was the third highest scorer on the club team, which seemed inconceivable in the preseason.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, play was suddenly halted, and team membership dropped. That was when Garrik decided to get in better physical shape and leave the goalie’s cage for the field.

“Recruiting has been really difficult, and we had people telling us we weren’t going to have a team,” Woodhouse said. So, he decided to train harder in preparation for playing the field. In particular, he focused on gaining muscle mass. What he quickly realized is that lacrosse is an excellent way to stay in shape, as the sport combines both anaerobic and aerobic exercise.

Garrik will graduate next semester and is focused on helping recruit members to the club team.

Staying competitive

Every winter there is a men’s box ULAX lacrosse league at Skate Safe America that spans six to seven games. Box lacrosse is played on a hard surface with a solid floor, or on artificial turf, while field lacrosse is played on grass.

At the end of the season, the top four teams play for a shot at the championship. Physical play followed with tremendous stick work leads to highlight reel goals that any sports fan would enjoy. This is because

many, if not most, players have prior experience with the sport.

“Every team is competitive because there’s only six teams in the league, and every game matters to make playoffs,” said 22-year-old Tyler Poelker, who played in the ULAX league.

“These leagues have a lot of D1 to D3 players, a couple of ex-pros and then some guys like me that never played after high school but continue to stay in touch with the game,” said Joe Scavone III, 36, who has played lacrosse for 25 years. D1 players competed in Division I athletics, the

highest division of college play, and D3 players in Division III, the lowest. Scavone works as a tradesman, and lacrosse has played an important role in helping him to stay physically fit.

What about age?

How old you are isn’t what defines you or your team, because experience can beat all other skillsetsThere are also different leagues for age groups across Long Island that keep the playing field level. Because of this, there really is no age limit when you must stop playing.

“At my age, I'm proud to still play a

Photos by Angelo J. Nicholes

Next page: Men's box ULAX lacrosse league.

game I loved as a kid,” said 55-yearold Ed Calvet, a goalie. “I think as long as I am physically capable to play, I will always be part of this game. The camaraderie of our team motivates and supports us in a way that is truly indescribable. It's like going to war and you would do anything to support your brothers in arms.”

Physically demanding play

Bumps and bruises are part of lacrosse, but in the ULAX league, there are more people getting marks of passage. But more than just being able to handle the physical nature of the game is the necessity to stay in shape to keep up with the other people you are playing with and against. “Being able to play lacrosse in my mid 30s with a bunch of kids 18 and up is pretty fun. I definitely work out to be able to maintain the ability

to play, so it keeps me in shape,” Scavone said.

Making the game more accessible ULAX is trying to make the game accessible for as many people as possible. “ULAX is dedicated to growing the game of lacrosse by providing a safe, fun and affordable experience for players of all ages and abilities. We offer a variety of programs, including leagues, tournaments and clinics,” reads the ULAX mission statement.

For the love of the game

Players in the ULAX league continue competing on weekends because they want to continue playing at a high level. “Box lacrosse is a more intense and even more mentally and physically demanding version of the original game,” Calvet noted.

Every game is a new challenge, and the nervous anticipation and excitement are evident.

“To say I look forward to playing this on game day would be an understatement. I still get butterflies before games,” Scavone said.

Changing seasons

As seasons change, so does the type of lacrosse that is played. Once ULAX box lacrosse ends, there are many spring, summer and fall leagues that pop up that people can join. One of these spring leagues is played at the Field of Dreams sports complex in Massapequa, and a popular summer league is played at Cantiague Park in Hicksville.

Whatever time of year it is, there is most likely to be a league for you to play in. And depending on the season, players compete with different levels of intensity. “Box and field are so different,” Scavone said. “I would almost compare box to hockey more than field lacrosse … Field is more open space than the tight quarters of box.”

When summer rolls around, everyone is home from college, which means the top players in the nation are still looking for competition to stay in shape for school play. Everyone wants to be competitive, and everyone shows up to win.

Just keep spinning

Day in the life of a spin instructor

Story and photos by Melanie Medina

“Liz” Baslow, 38, starts her day by readying her young son Chase for elementary school. After his lunch and bookbag are packed, she prepares her playlist that will serve as the theme for the spin class that she teaches on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, in the morning and the evening. Today the theme is “Girl Power,” featuring hits such as “One Step at a Time” by Jordin Sparks and “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.

Elizabeth

Power” and “Dua Lipa vs. Billie Eilish” are the ways to learn more about different fitness options. Baslow is one of many dedicated trainers at CycleBar on Franklin Avenue in Garden City.

dance as a child. That led her to barre — group physical-fitness classes that incorporate elements of ballet.

Spin is a 45-minute, cardio-intensive cycling class to get your body moving while having a blast. For those who are new to athletics, classes like “Girl

Full-time life coach, part-time spin instructor, personal trainer and nanny, Baslow doesn’t take breaks from helping others reach their goals and get started on their wellness journeys. “It’s more than just the physical—it’s the mental, the emotional, it’s what you bring to the table,” she said.

Baslow’s passion for fitness and athletics was born when she took part in

Barre instructing soon turned into cycle as Baslow grew to love teaching others. “I love fitness for people because I know how much it can change someone’s life, not just physically but mentally,” she said.

When Baslow’s time with barre ended, she looked for something similar but a bit more popular, and so she began training for her certification to teach spin classes. “This was a five-week training program, and it was one on

Elizabeth Baslow, 38, preparing for her next spin class. Photo by Caroline Nuttall

Baslow warming up before her “Girl Power” spin class.

allows you to crack your shell open.”

one with a lead instructor,” she said. “It was just like drills, constantly practicing, recording, coming in here. It was brutal moments, yeah, and it was beautiful moments.”

Baslow’s spin journey began after certification. “I started with the big gyms, just to get my foot in the door,” she said. “I got my certification as a spin instructor with a reputable company. I was teaching in the gyms like UFC, Synergy Fitness and LifeTime. Then I ventured off to boutique.”

During her trials through different gyms, Baslow began her life coaching program. Her life coaching skills allow her to motivate people during her spin classes as well. “People, I feel, sometimes stay closed up. But when you enter an environment like this, it allows you to crack your shell open,” she said.

While spin may seem intimidat-

ing, it is a fun and convenient way to get into fitness. It can be nerve wracking, but the high-intensity movement and music elevate spirits. “I’ve had a couple of those… they walk out of here like, whoa, this was great! You know, like you could see immediately their moods are lifted,” she said.

Advising new riders to take a step out of their comfort zones is just part one of Baslow’s efforts to aid new riders in their fitness journeys. “Yeah, our bodies, people see that first thing,” she said. “But what it does for you inside your head is golden. It’s the medicine that is the least used, I feel.”

“It

Garden City CycleBar’s main hallway, full of color and life.

The inside of CycleBar’s main room, ready for a great class.

Modern Wellness...

The studio was filled with yoga mats, plants, candles and a peaceful ambiance as the women started slowly assembling in their spots. The class was taught by a friendly yoga instructor, Cheyenne Fiore, and the room was full of women of varying ages.

Fiore was teaching an integrated yoga class based on somatic healing on March 16. The class included various techniques such as tapping, breathwork, gentle movements and vagus nerve stimulation.

Fiore’s approach to the class was calming the mind by relaxing the body using a “mind-body” approach to wellness. The class emphasized on “opening the heart” in addition to deep relaxation and mediation featuring a “third-eye” massage.

Modern Wellness, a mental health service in Lynbrook, uses a combination of ancient wisdom and modern science to offer holistic services. Yoga, Reiki, mental health therapy and sound bath meditation are some of the services that are offered to improve the body, mentally, physically and spiritually.

What sets Modern Wellness apart from other mental health services on Long Island is its ability to assist clients in every way possible. The physical, mental and

spiritual state of the client is taken care of and catered to at this center.

The first half of the class focused on the physical aspect of yoga in which Fiore encouraged participants to release the distress or negative feelings they might have had through breathing techniques while doing yoga postures.

The second half of the class included a deep meditation and relaxation for which the lights were dimmed and the participants lied down comfortably on the mats. Cheyenne used tuning forks for vibrational healing and sound therapy to create a peaceful setting.

Cheyenne also used oils for her “thirdeye” massage, which she placed on the participants’ foreheads and hands to smell. This was meant to create a sense of balance and tranquility.

Mind-body Approach

“The purpose of the integrative sessions comes from the holistic therapy modality- meaning that our mind can’t be well unless our body and spirit are well and vice versa,” said Fiore.

Fiore said people can release stagnant or stuck emotions that live in the body

By Ariadne Morales

through talking about the stress and moving the “emotion” out of the physical body. Additionally, meditation and breathwork is used for healing the spirit.

“The somatic healing class is essentially the same as the integrative sessions. We use EFT tapping techniques to release stuck emotions and create new neural pathways, which is why we tap while also repeating “I am” statements and “I release” statements. Next, we move the body, mainly because it feels good. Then we meditate for a good amount of time to let the positive benefits of the practice settle in,” said Fiore.

Karen Marin, a Nassau Community College student was a first-time member of the class, said she left feeing “relaxed and developed a sense of motivation.”

“The second half was much more soothing physically and mentally. I was able to absorb the scent of lavender, release all the negative energy and permit the sense of relaxation,” said Marin.

“I arrived at the state of serenity, where I was granted peaceful thoughts only. That is when I achieved tranquility. I think everyone should give yoga a try, because not only can you reach a state of peace, but you’ll be able to exit the doors with

Photo courtesy Modern Wellness

...is a hidden gem on Long Island

motivation. Yoga will develop our strong minds,” said Marin.

The owner of Modern Wellness; Hofstra University alumna Bianca Posa, said she suffered from anxiety many years ago and used therapy, yoga and mind body practices to heal.

“I just thought that it would be so cool to have a place that offers all of this in one, all of the things that I’ve done for myself and the first place to have the mental and the physical component,” said Posa.

Therapy

What separates Modern Wellness from others is its sense of community. After the pandemic, many people felt a sense of isolation and began working from home, which led to them not getting out as much. This means that not everyone has had or has the support that they really need.

“So having these groups, workshops, Reiki circles, it helps people to connect with each other on pretty much relating to the same issues that we’re all experiencing. It really helps people find a sense of belonging and with that support, it helps guide them to the next level that they are trying to reach in their progress,” says Posa.

“Talk Therapy,” which includes individu-

al, couples and family therapy, are offered by Bianca and five other therapists. The additional physical types of services like yoga are meant to use the full system from starting with the mind and then releasing through with the body.

The Western philosophy that Modern Wellness uses is by looking at the clients’ symptoms and how they can be treated. Eastern philosophy is more of a mindbody approach and seeing a person in all the different capacities, including the mental, physical and spiritual.

“We believe the best way to overcome these things is combining both of them because those ancient practices are based on that ancient wisdom, which is yoga and meditation that people are still using today, even after thousands of years. So those practices really do work, but we believe it’s a combination of both,” said Posa.

Reiki

Reiki classes are also offered, which are meant to release “blockage” that comes from a negative state of mind. This includes trauma, stress and sickness. The goal with Reiki is to restore the energy and alignment in the body. Reiki is also used to implement the new changes that are discussed with the “talk Therapy.”

“With the Reiki sessions, that’s where we look at the person in a holistic way. We are all a source of energy, so if someone is experiencing a mental concern, something is off in their energetic system. So of course you need therapy to figure out the patterns and the past and what exactly is happening,” said Posa.

“If someone needs help with nutrition, we have someone that we outsource them to because, again, we look at a person on all these different levels. That nutrition also actually does play a part in mental health because neurons are in our stomach, not just our brain,” said Posa.

Modern Wellness has also started a postnatal support group for people who just gave birth and are facing challenges with becoming accustomed to being a new mom. With this type of support group not being offered in many places, it is very much needed for women. Pop-up classes for either pregnant women or people who just gave birth to help them along their journey are also offered.

Instagram: @modernwellnessli

Address: 500 Merrick Road, Lynbrook, N.Y. 11563 Phone: (516) 341-0097

Photos captured by Ariadne Morales

Talking hormones

How these chemical messengers affect your health, and what to do about it

By Cooper Shannon

Throughout past decades, average hormone levels in Americans have been decreasing. The average male today in 2023 has 20% less testosterone than the average male in 1983, according to a Cleveland Clinic study. For the average female, the decrease has not been so dramatic, but the issue still remains and plays a big role in overall health.

Most studies and professionals equate this average hormone decrease to different lifestyles. Humans are more accustomed to being able to stay on the couch all day and order food to their house without having to get up or do any work at all. Staying home and working remotely is becoming more and more popular. Especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, where companies were forced to work via Zoom meetings and phone calls, employees and employers grew used to this lifestyle.

“Exposure to sunlight and daily physical activity are crucial factors that impact natural hormone production,” said Dr. Steve Crum, an endocrinologist working at Revive Jericho, one of Long Island’s many hormone therapy facilities. “Sunlight and physical activity are commonly known to bump dopamine levels, something that is directly linked to the production of hormones.”

There has not been clear evidence through studies to determine exact rates for women. This seems to be due to the fact that females go through more hormone changes in their life span than males, as agreed upon by most professionals.

There has been plenty of research that proves physical exercise will increase hormone production. In particular, a male’s body will generally be at its highest testosterone production during and after exercise. Strength and conditioning are directly linked to overall health, and a big factor is the production of hormones that follow physical exertion.

Another contributing factor to hormone imbalance is an unhealthy diet and weight gain. Excessive weight adds stress to your body, which naturally lowers hormone production in the endocrine system. The endocrine system is the group of organs responsible for producing and regulating hormones.

Hormones play a critical role in the overall health and wellbeing of a person’s daily functioning body. The human body creates hormones through the endocrine system, which are major glands spread throughout the human body.

Hormones affect energy and dopamine levels, mental health, sex drive, metabolism and growth during puberty in teens. For females, hormones, especially estrogen, promote and regulate menstrual cycles and have huge impacts during pregnancy and menopause.

Photo provided by Pexels

This is the Endocrine System, the body’s natural producer of hormones.

Photo courtesy of WikiCommons

“Keeping your hormones happy helps keep your body and mind happy, which leads to a happy life.” Shiya Patel

What are natural ways to ensure your body’s hormone levels are balanced?

“Hormones in both male and female bodies are affected by daily lifestyle habits,” said Dr. Shiya Patel, practice manager at the Levittown Restoration Men’s Health. “Diet, exercise, physical exertion, daily sunlight exposure and even daily screen time can have impacts on a person’s overall hormone levels.” Patel specializes in male hormone replacement therapy.

“Alterations in daily habits combined with our remedies such as hormone injections help men above the age of 30 reach balanced levels that increase overall health and wellness,” Patel said.

Common synthetic remedies currently involve bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are typically derived from hormones in plants, and are more natural than purely synthetic hormones that are completely created in labs. Bioidentical hormones are much newer than pure synthetic when it comes to hormone replacement therapy.

“Patients and [professionals] alike have started to lean towards bioidentical hormones in more recent years because they are beneficial to the individual,” said Dr. Rachel Sinclair, who practices at Revive Jericho and specializes in female patients. “Each person has their own needs for their own bodies. While synthetic hormones are great and can be personalized, they are sold and manufactured for commercial use and generally come in certain arrangements. Bioidentical hormones are given to us, and we are able to personalize them for our individual patients.”

These personalized hormones are known as “bespoke” prescriptions. They can be given through gels and ointments that contain the hormones and are able to sink through skin cells. Typically, what yields the most obvious and quickest results is the submission of prescriptions through injection given at hormone replacement sites. Injection varies by patient. Sometimes, patients only need to come in once a month, others can come in up to three times a month.

Patient frequency varies on daily habits, diets and genetic histories.

“Some people are simply more likely to experience hormone imbalance than others. Some patients really don’t even need treatment because their genetics allow for proper hormone production, but they want to because it does make them feel better,” elaborated Patel.

Hormone replacement therapy is not an uncommon treatment. Patients are typically above the age of 30 because that tends to be the age when hormone levels naturally decrease in the human body. Testosterone in males will naturally drop roughly 1% each year after age 30.

Females do not typically experience the same drop in hormone levels because of pregnancy and menopause, which are categorized as “major life events” that impact dramatic spikes and drops in hormones, especially estrogen. Typically, the only major life event a man goes through that would impact his hormone levels is puberty.

For older patients, both male and female, hormone replacement therapy can be a quick, effective and healthy way to feel younger again, medical experts say. People experiencing low sex drive, mood swings, loss of appetite and energy should consult a professional for advice.

Graphic made by Cooper Shannon

Time to unfollow?

How social media could be harming your mental health

Story, photo and graphics

By Meghan Cohen

Scrolling through social media. Watching video after video, viewing photo after photo, tweet after tweet. Before you know it, you’ve been scrolling for hours.

More than ever, children and teenagers are reporting feelings of anxiety and depression, and studies have shown social media is, in part, to blame.

It’s Highly Addictive

If you find yourself constantly checking social media, if you feel glued to your phone and unable to pull yourself away, there is a scientific reason you are feeling that way: Social media apps are addictive.

“A lot of people get addicted to social media,” explained Marina Pettinicchi, director of outreach at Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, who teaches about this topic at schools across Long Island. “When we are constantly using social media, if we get a ping on our phone and notification that we got a like, a comment, someone texted us, our brain releases a chemical, the same chemical that would be released if we were to do drugs, score the winning goal on our soccer game, get 100 on our math test.”

Oskar Pineno, a Hofstra University psychology professor, teaches the course “Psychology of Social Media,” for which he leads discussions about the effects of social media, with the students sharing their personal experiences. He has found that most students spend five to six hours on social media each day, with one stu-

dent reporting 12 hours a day.

“We know that social media apps are using studies from neuroscience to maximize addiction,” said Pineno. “For example, they know exactly when to deliver your likes. They are withheld and delivered to you when the app knows you are at the breaking point. They know that these likes are going to be very effective to bring you back to the app.

“Their algorithms are basically maximizing what they call engagement,” Pineno explained, “and engagement just means you being glued to the screen. When you think about it, it’s no surprise. I mean, the app is free, right? If you don’t pay for the product, then you are the product.”

Constant Comparison

Social media can cause several self-esteem and self-worth issues because we receive highly curated images of other people’s lives that we then compare to our own lives, leading to feelings of inadequacy.

“It can lead to constant comparisons,” explained Pettinicchi. “It can lead to creating unrealistic expectations. We see people doing these fun things all the time, wearing nice outfits, going to these fun places, traveling, purchasing things, accomplishing things, and we feel that we need to do that, too.”

This leads users to seek likes, a form of external validation, from others to feel

good about themselves. “We’re reaching out to our friends, our family for that validation, that positive feedback that says, ‘Yes, that is a great photo, that is a really funny video that you shared, that is a great accomplishment,’” Pettinicchi said. “When we don’t get that, that’s when we start to question ourselves.”

Pineno covers this issue in his class, specifically as it relates to body image, an issue that predominately affects young women.

“Instagram is the app that comes to mind, right?” Pineno said. “There are correlational studies, and it’s quite clear that increased use of these apps is making teens more and more anxious because they compare to each other their body images, which is very distorted with all these filters.”

It’s Worse for Kids

Social media negatively impacts all users, but the worst effects are seen among children and teenagers.

Pettinicchi explained why, saying, “They’re just at that transition stage where they’re really forming their identities and who they are at their core. There is a lot of peer pressure and a lot of pressure to fit in with their friends.”

“The last part of your brain doesn’t develop until the age of 25,” she added. “The last part to develop is the part that’s responsible for things like decision

making and impulse control. They’re not thinking about the consequences of their actions. They’re thinking about immediate reward.”

Taking Responsibility

Taking personal responsibility to limit screen time is key. “I always suggest limiting screen time by just not picking up your phone as much, or you can limit your screen time manually,” said Pettinicchi. “Go into your settings. You can limit each app, however many hours per day you want to be on it.”

Pineno said cutting down or eliminating time spent on social media apps not only can prevent damage to mental health, but also can free up time to spend on more productive, healthier activities.

“I think dropping social media is one of the best first moves you can make in order to repair your health and to repair your life,” Pineno said. “And it would be highly advisable to students to drop most of those apps and reduce the consumption of the others and then reclaim all the time and invest it in things that make you happy.”

Also, expose yourself to positive influences and avoid negativity on social media. “If you’re scrolling past something every day that makes you upset or leaves you feeling badly about yourself, block it, delete it, mute it,” said Pettinicchi.

Government Action

A Suffolk County legislator is trying to determine whether social media companies can be sued for the damage inflicted on children and teenagers in the county. Sarah Anker explained that she is trying to “see if we can get a settlement to help pay for additional psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, scientific researchers, to address the social media impact with the mental health of our teen and our children population.”

Suffolk County is yet to file a suit, though, because lawmakers are trying to determine if one is possible. Liliana Canela Magarin, an attorney for the county, explained the problem, stating, “There is the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which has a provision known as Section 230, which appears to shelter a lot of these social media platforms from any liability arising out of content that is

posted by users onto their platforms.”

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently hearing cases involving individuals who are trying to sue social media platforms. The Supreme Court’s decision on these cases will help determine how this law holds up and will likely influence what steps Suffolk County, as well as other local governments around the country, will take.

Anker has other ideas for helping combat the negative effects of social media. “On a county level, I can create awareness with-

in schools,” said Anker, who has asked the non-profit Children and Screens for a presentation to bring to schools.

Educating children and their parents about the impact of social media on their mental health can help them make smart, healthy choices involving their social media use. Anker said she wants to ensure this is done in schools throughout the county as a step toward protecting young people from the mental and even physical harm caused by social media platforms.

Positive psychology is a relatively new field that studies the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Unlike traditional psychology, which often focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, positive psychology emphasizes the promotion of positive emotions, personal strengths, and healthy relationships.

The benefits of positive psychology are numerous and can be seen in various areas of life, including personal well-being, workplace productivity and even physical health. Here, we will explore some of the key benefits of positive psychology and how it can positively impact our lives.

1. Increased life satisfaction

One of the primary goals of positive psychology is to increase happiness and life satisfaction. Research has shown that individuals who practice positive psychology techniques, such as gratitude journaling to chronicle what you’re grateful for, meditation and positive self-talk, experience a significant increase in positive emotions and overall life satisfaction.

Moreover, individuals who have a more positive outlook on life are better able to cope with stress and are less likely to develop mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

“I am currently taking Dr. Froh’s class learning and practicing positive psychology, and I can honestly say I have already seen a significant improvement in the quality of my life and well-being,” said CJ

Story and photos by Sam Johnston

2. Improved relationships

Positive psychology also emphasizes the importance of positive relationships in our lives. It highlights the role of social support, empathy, and forgiveness in building strong and healthy relationships.

In Dr. Jeffrey Froh’s positive psychology class, students are often assigned to connect with friends, family or acquaintances on a deeper level. While these are assignments, the techniques are used to show students that deepening relationships can strengthen your sense of belonging, which ideally results in an increase of gratitude.

Research has shown that individuals who practice positive psychology techniques, such as empathy and forgiveness, have better communication skills, are more resilient and have more satisfying relationships. Positive psychology interventions have been found to improve relationship satisfaction and reduce relationship conflict.

3. Increased resilience

Positive psychology emphasizes the development of personal strengths and virtues, such as optimism, gratitude and self-efficacy, or self-love, which can help individuals become more resilient.

Research has shown that individuals who practice positive psychology techniques, such as gratitude journaling and positive self-talk, are more resilient and better able to cope with stress and adversity.

Positive psychology interventions have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and improving the well-being of individuals who have experienced trauma.

“For me, one of the greatest takeaways from Dr. Froh’s class was learning to distance myself from my phone and social media and spend that time focusing on making myself happy,” said Angel Azoulay, a Hofstra senior. “These times are typically when I wake up and when I go to bed. It has made an enormous increase in my well-being and overall happiness.”

4. Improved physical health

Positive psychology interventions have also been found to have a positive impact on physical health. Research has shown that individuals who practice positive psychology techniques, such as mindfulness and gratitude, experience improvements in cardiovascular health, immune function and pain management.

The power of positivity: How psychology can transform your life

Colombaris, a Hofstra senior.

“I have gained another level of gratitude in my life since learning about positive psychology and incorporating it into my life,” said Angel Azoulay, a senior at Hofstra University who recently took Dr. Froh’s psychology class.

Dr. Froh, professor of psychology at Hofstra.

Positive psychology interventions have been found to be effective in improving the health behaviors of individuals, such as increasing exercise, improving sleep quality and reducing alcohol consumption.

Positive psychology is a powerful tool that can help individuals and communities thrive. Its emphasis on positive emotions, personal strengths and healthy relationships can have a significant impact on personal well-being, workplace productivity, and even physical health. By practicing positive psychology techniques and interventions, individuals can increase their happiness, improve their relationships, become more resilient and achieve their goals.

Dr. Froh’s mission is to help as many people thrive as possible so he wrote a book called Thrive: 10 Commandments for 20-Somethings to Live the Best Life Possible. His goal in mind when writing was to “give people a map for life,” Dr. Froh said.

You can learn more about Thrive or purchase a copy by scanning the QR code to the right.

“Positive psychology made me appreciate life to a level where I am obsessed with being as virtuous as possible.’’

Dr. Jeffrey Froh, a professor of positive psychology at Hofstra

Graphic created on Canva by Sam Johnston

Photo by Sam Johnston

Is your pooch ready for summer’s dog days?

By Ashley Bassick

Lying on the cool, hardwood floor, your German Shepherd contin¬ues to aggressively pant. Now the shepherd begins to dry heave, which sounds a lot like a cat trying to hack up a fur ball. When the shepherd gets up to pace, your gut tells you some¬thing is wrong. The shepherd collapses into a prayer posture, like in yoga, and you know it’s time to race to the nearest animal hospital.

Gobbling down food or water imme¬diately after playing in the beautiful May weather could cause bloat in canines due to the buildup of gas, food or fluids in the stomach from swallowed air not being released. Panting pooches should take a breather.

With summer around the corner, all canine owners need to be aware of frequent bodily issues that their canines could face. Common issues include bloat, hot spots, paw burns and over¬heating.

“Overheating and heat stroke, that is one that we see a lot, and it’s one that we’re seeing more often,” said Dr. Russell Barnable, associate veterinari¬an at Companions Animal Hospital in Merrick.

Signs of overheating could range from excessive drooling, heavy panting, mental baldness, pale gums, diarrhea or bloody stool to collapsing ears.

Barnable suggests owners do evaporative therapy to help cool their

dogs down, but he doesn’t recommend treating heat stroke at home. Evaporative therapy involves misting a dog with cool water, not ice cold, while placing it in front of a fan to let the water evaporate.

Breeds more susceptible to heat ailments are brachycephalic, or flat-face, dogs like pugs, Boston terriers, bulldogs and French bulldogs. Dogs with thicker coats and older dogs should be heavily monitored during the summer, as well. “Let’s try to keep them indoors,” said Barnable of the heat-sensitive dogs. “I’d rather you feel bad about it and have them alive.”

He also recommended moni¬toring dogs when they are outdoors. Do not leave them unattended in an area with pool or barbecue access. Remove trash cans that they might get into. And if fireworks are planned in your neighborhood, be prepared to keep them indoors, away from the noise, which can frighten them and hurt their ears.

Keeping your dog well-hydrated, well-monitored, not letting them drink or eat 30 minutes after playing or being outside, and having a medical kit for your dog are some additional tips that Barnable suggests for a safe and happy canine.

Photo by Jack Geoghegan from Pexels

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Photo by Gabe from Pexels

It’s a joint effort: Educating youth on the dangers of cannabis

In March 2021, marijuana in New York was legalized for recreactional use in adults 21-years-old and up. Although it was legalized, many children, ages five or younger, have fallen victim to cannabis posioning. Evident in the increase in hospitalizations due to this type of poisoning, parent groups and Nassau County have become alarmingly aware of the improper storage and usage of cannabis. There is an education push throughout New York state in the appropriate ways to use marijuana, talk about it and protecting children and minors in the process.

Story by Ashley Bassick Cover Image by Kindel Media from Pexels

Manyparents trust their children’s schools to educate them on substance use and abuse, but should they?

In 2018, Dorian Fuhrman did only to learn later that an anti-addiction speaker had presented misinformation about e-cigarettes to her son and his friend, suggesting at a ninth-grade assembly that they were safer alternatives to smoking cigarettes (they aren’t) and that they might receive approval by the Food and Drug Administration (they didn’t).

That was the beginning of the national grassroots organization PAVe, Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes. “We deal mostly with flavored e cigarette products, we don’t deal with cannabis. We teach parents how to talk to their kids about vaping anything,” said Fuhrman, who co-founded the group. “We talk to parents about what are the physical effects, what are the dangers.”

Many young people falsely believe that vaping marijuana is safer than smoking it, but it’s not, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. In fact, the effects of vaping cannabis can be more intense than smoking it. At the same time, in New York, legalization of marijuana has brought an increasing number of young children into close contact with cannabis products.

Cannabis was legalized for recreational adult use in New York in March 2021 under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). According to a report by the New York City Poison Control Center, in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, the cases of exposure to cannabis products among children younger than 5 has increased dramatically since then.

In 2018, there were three cases of exposure to cannabis products in children under 5, which jumped to 146 in 2022, a nearly 30-fold increase over four years.

“We do see that it’s running rampant in in New York, and kids are able to access these products,” Fuhrman said.

Get the Conversation Rolling

In 2022, multiple Long Island communities came together to start an educational campaign surrounding the dangers of marijuana use while driving and involving children. The initiative, begun by the YES Community Counseling Center’s PACT (Partnering in Action and Change for Tomorrow) initiative, is working to inform parents and the community at large on marijuana and other drug use.

“The campaign itself is really targeted towards parents,” said Hillary Alvarez, the Let’s Be Blunt program coordinator. It’s critical that parents with young children at home lock up their cannabis products, she said.

At the same time, all adults who use marijuana must understand that using it and driving is unsafe, potentially deadly, as it impairs driving ability. She added that it is impossible to judge precisely how long the effects of marijuana will last, as it affects each person differently, unlike alcohol, whose effects generally wear off after about an hour with one drink.

Of PACT, Alvarez said, “This is not

Photo courtesy of Hillary Alvarez for YES Community Counseling Centers PACT initiative

Graphic made by Ashley Bassick

just a bunch of old people sitting around saying, Don’t do drugs, right. We really want it to be a conversation.”

The Stoned Age: An Alternative View

Marijuana disrupts cognitive function, or the ability to make decisions, but it also is used medically to relieve anxiety, epilepsy, nausea in chemotherapy patients, chronic pain, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other conditions.

Ezra Parzybok, a cannabis business consultant, approaches marijuana in an atypical way. His company, Blue Skies Unlimited LLC, is a startup consulting firm that guides clients through the business side of the cannabis industry. Educating parents, medical providers and people in general on the nature of the drug is a large part of what he does.

Parzybok explained how, medically, the use of cannabis therapeutics “is basically trying to dial in or trying to bring more thoughtful care and medical approaches to using this incredibly complex plant towards bringing brain relief to people.”

“The number of kids that die by going into the emergency room because they’ve ingested something in the home is exponentially larger,” Parzybok said, “than the number of kids who are going into an emergency room for cannabis, because they don’t die from it.”

Parzybok compared cannabis’ effects to the dangers of alcohol, saying that alcohol damages organs and overuse can lead to death. That does not mean that cannabis should be used irresponsibly, but he said he believes it’s more benign than alcohol.

High Hopes for the Future

Everyone agrees that the conversation around marijuana must begin with young people early.

“You have to start the conversation early so that, first of all, your child knows the dangers of these products, but also your child feels that they can come to you if they have a problem,” Fuhrman said.

“Education is really important, and balanced education,” Parzybok said. By balanced education, he means presenting the potential medical benefits of marijuana use. In this way, young people will

understand that many older people, potentially their grandparents, take cannabis products to aid with sleep or relieve pain. Only telling children about the potential dangers of marijuana can lead to confusion in young people who see adults safely using it for medicinal purposes, while at the same time “creating a culture of shame.”

“And that,” Parzybok said, “can be harmful.”

Photos courtesy of Meredith Berkman (left) and Dorian Fuhrman (right). Pictured on the left was from the “Back to School, not back to Juul” protest

With a little help from your peers

By Ian Burke Perez

It was startling for Janice Garfinkel to come to the realization that for all the programs designed to solve the mental health crisis, none seemed to be made up of their peers. Having worked with the Queens/Nassau County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) since 2017, she knew that feeling isolated in a mental health struggle is one of the things that can worsen mental health very rapidly.

Originally from Syosset, Garfinkel is the 2nd Vice President on the NAMI Queens/ Nassau Board and the Chairperson of peer support services. Her role for the peer support groups is to train the peer leaders to run their peer support groups effectively. In addition, she promotes the peer support group to the local community for new members and keep the current members informed about what’s going on at NAMI.

In light of her desire to make mentally ill people realize they are not alone, Garfinkel and a team of NAMI Queens/Nassau workers helped put together the organization’s virtual peer support groups, meeting every Tuesday and Thursday. Though NAMI has had support groups since 2006, their virtual support groups started with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hour-long sessions are led by peers who have overcome their mental health struggles and share their tactics with peers currently struggling with mental illness. Garfinkel says that peers who have the

experience of dealing with mental health problems are far better leaders than those who haven’t.

“People who are struggling with mental health don’t need someone who hasn’t been through the struggles to tell them what to do,” says Garfinkel. “The people running the group understand the struggles so well.”

The peer support groups began in 2019 with a mission of “find[ing] compassion, understanding and empowerment from people who can relate to your experience” according to NAMI’s website. Being that Garfinkel has a daughter with schizophrenia herself, she understands the importance of eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health to get people the help they need.

“It’s so important to realize that mental health is a real issue and there’s still a stigma around mental health. We have to

take care of people who are struggling and make sure we give them the support that they need,” says Garfinkel. “If somebody has cancer, we’re very supportive of that, but people don’t want to get involved with people who have mental illness, so we have to end that stigma.”

According to Garfinkel, NAMI faces the issue of people being hesitant to participate in peer groups because of the isolation commonly associated with mental illness. The peer support groups feature in-person activities so they can meet new people such as arts and crafts, board games, karaoke and holiday activities on Halloween and thanksgiving. The physical activity with these events and separation from strictly virtual meetings tends to elevate the mood of the peers.

In addition to the peer group that consists of younger people, there are also family to family groups and a senior group. Lara Rosenthal, who has been participating as a

A group of peers at an in-person socialization event. Photo by Ian Burke Perez

How support groups help alleviate mental illness

peer for over a year, says the peer support groups give her a safe space where peers can share their coping skills.

“Being in the support groups can show you that you’re not alone and you can get through whatever you’re going through with the support of the peer support groups,” says Rosenthal. “Having this to look forward can boost your self esteem and know that people do care about you.”

With peers who have mental illnesses ranging from bipolar disorder to anxiety and depression, many peers say those who do not understand mental illness assume that mentally ill people are going to hurt others. Kimberly Uckele, a peer for over two years, says she learned how to get rid of her own bad social habits through the support groups, putting herself in other people’s shoes more often and controlling her temper. The supportive environment provided in the peer support groups allows her not to feel the need to filter herself.

“I don’t have to hide that I hear voices and people don’t automatically assume that I’m violent,” says Uckele. “It’s free therapy and you can meet new friends. You need friends you can cry to and be able to tell them ‘I couldn’t get outta bed this morning I’m having such a horrible day.’”

One of the members who has been participating the longest, preferring to simply be known as Jessica, says the groups provide a sense of togetherness. In her four years of experience, the peer aspect of the group has always been the most important, since there was no single person dictating how the groups needed to run things. In addition, group members feel they’re not alone, straying away from isolation.

“I didn’t have a lot of friends going into the peer groups, so just knowing there are people like me out there who are there for me means a lot,” says Jessica. “I’ve gained a strong sense of togetherness from this and our in person activities like karaoke and yoga have improved my mood a lot over the four years I’ve been involved.”

The format of each session is tailored to the wants and needs of the members seeking support, where they can decide on virtually whatever activity they want.

Organizers hope that members are able to utilize strategies for growth outside of the groups so every peer is able to practice effective self care. The connections established in peer support groups are made with the aim of being long-lasting ones so that each member always has someone supporting them.

NAMI Queens/Nassau hosts five different support groups, each geared at pears who have overcome some form of psychosis or depression sharing their strategies for growth and progress. They meet from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesdays and 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. More information can be found at https://namiqn.org.

A small peer support group, above. Photo by SHVET productions on pexels.com; A virtual peer support group, below. Photo by Diva Plavalaguna on Pexels.com

“Being in the support groups can show you that you’re not alone and you can get through whatever you’re going through.”

Lara Rosenthal, Support Group Peer

Putting the fun in fundraising

By Nikolas Burts

Last November, Hofstra University students organized and took part in a Miracle Network Dance Marathon at their school to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. More than 400 universities and colleges across the United States and Canada take part in such marathons. Last year’s event was rodeo-themed, with games such as cornhole and relay races. Hofstra has participated in the Miracle Network Dance Marathon campaign for the past six years, raising tens of thousands of dollars for children and families in need.

Dancing for a Change

The Hofstra University Fitness Center was filled with hundreds of college students last Nov. 5, all dancing and swaying to the music to raise thousands of dollars for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, of which there are 170 across the United States and Canada.

Dance Marathon takes place each fall semester at Hofstra, with proceeds going to Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens. The goal is to keep participants on their feet for five straight hours to raise money.

Last year, attendees ranged from athletes, club members, fraternity brothers, sorority sisters and members of Danceworks, the university’s largest performance club for contemporary, jazz and hip-hop dance. More than 300 students took part last fall. With the help of donors, the marathon raised $11,700.80 last fall, bringing the university’s total to $78,000 collected since the first Miracle Network marathon at Hofstra on Nov. 13, 2017.

Working with CMN allows students to donate through their clubs and organizations, giving them the chance to win prizes while raising funds. The money raised covers children’s medical costs and supports research into diseases to find cures

Dancing for a Purpose

Hofstra senior Sadie Ostad, a member of Alpha Phi and Danceworks, served as executive director of this year’s marathon. For her, the event meant a lot, as she first-

got involved in Miracle Network Dance Marathons through the Miss America Organization, competing as a contestant in Connecticut. “Children’s Miracle Network is Miss America’s national platform, so I attended several dance marathons,” she said. “It was actually the first event I went to as a local title holder. When I came to Hofstra and heard they had the event, I wanted to get involved right away.”

As executive director, Ostad was in contact with the Miracle Network for months to arrange the date, time, event theme and sponsorships, all while holding down an internship and practicing her dancing. This year, the event was rodeo themed. Participants danced to “Cotton-eyed Joe” and other country tunes and took part in relay races in corn sacks, among other activities. “My favorite part is being able to give back to the children and families in need,” Ostad said. “Plus, it’s amazing to do this around so many people who are also passionate about this cause.”

Hofstra sophomore Savannah Cameron was also an organizer of the event. Cameron said she got involved in the marathon because an organization similar to the Miracle Network had helped her family in the past. “My older sister, Alivia, had a heart condition and was treated for it at Boston Children’s Hospital,” she said. “Without funding of programs like Dance Marathon, I didn’t know if my family would have been able to afford the operations that saved my sister’s life.”

The 2022 Dance Marathon Planning Comittee. Photo Courtesy of Hofstra University Dance Marathon.

“Knowing that there are so m any families who are in the same position as mine really made me want to step up and lead Hofstra’s Dance Marathon.’’

Savannah Cameron

Cohens Children Medical Center

Photo Courtesy Northwell Health

Every day, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat…

The banner details the treatments hospitals do for children every day in CMN Hospitals

What’s Next? Outreach

Cameron will serve as this year’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon executive director at Hofstra. She was previously the dance recruiter, spreading awareness of the event and encouraging clubs and organizations to create teams to participate.

The next marathon is scheduled for Nov. 4 in Hofstra USA, rather than the fitness center, which will allow for a greater variety of activities, Cameron said. She is currently working with the Miracle Network’s regional dance marathon adviser in developing this year’s event.

Overall, CMN has raised more than $350 million for children since 1991. The Miracle Network Dance Marathon takes place on over 400 college campuses, with the largest fundraiser at Penn State.

Story of its Impact

No doubt, CMN is making a difference. Take the story of Anaya and Adrian, who stayed at the Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York. Before Adrian was born, his mother, Melissa, learned that her unborn son had sickle cell anemia. Adrian was first seen at Cohen Children’s Medical Center at six months old after suffering through a sickle cell episode. When Adrian was 5 years old, he received a bone marrow transplant Doctors found his older sister, Anaya, was a perfect match for the transplant.

In September 2018, Anaya, then age 9, underwent bone marrow surgery for her brother. The next day, Adrian had his surgery. Anaya is now in seventh grade and shows interest in robotics. Adrian is a healthy and active fourth-grader who loves music.

Key Information and Details

Planning and fundraising for this year’s “Grease-themed” Dance Marathon at Hofstra has already begun. The marathon organizers have partnered with the with the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity for the event, sharing the Children’s Miracle Network as their national

philanthropy. Additionally, the marathon will receive annual support from Phi Delta Epsilon, the medical fraternity at the university, which attends and raises funds yearly for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Those interested in this year’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon at Hofstra University can log on to Instagram @ hudancemarathon or email Savannah Cameron atscameron1@pride.hofstra.edu with questions.

To learn more about the Dance Marathon, scan this code.

Sadie Ostad, Hofstra University’s 2023 Miracle Network Dance Marathon executive director. Photo Courtesy Hofstra Dance Marathon.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra University Dance Marathon.

Members of Phi Delta Epsilon, the medical fraternity on campus, is supporting the 2023 Miracle Network Dance Marathon at Hofstra University. Photo courtesy Hofstra Dance Marathon.

Leading the change

By Nikolas Burts

“Be the hope. Be the hero. Be there. We will.”

That’s the motto that Contractors for Kids stands by.

CFK is a nonprofit run by Long Island business owners who fundraise to help families in need of financial assistance because of the illness or death of a child. Contractors for Kids helps cover families’ bills and more for those with children younger than 18 in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The group’s vision is “simple”: “One family at a time, we need to make sure that the financial hardship brought on by a sick child does not destroy an already hurt family.”

While the Islandia-based CFK is not well known, it has helped many people on the Island by covering medical bills and home bills, funerals and other costs needed to assist a child or family during a time of need. In the past, CFK has bought vans for those who cannot use a standard car for transportation.

Founded in 2005, CFK fundraises through is its annual golf outing, which this year will take place June 12 at the Woodside Club in Muttontown. Events like this are important because, as CFK President Steven DeLuca said, “Sometimes people who attend end up receiving help from CFK, as they may have family in need of financial help or know someone who does that is struggling.”

The golf outing allows those interested in the organization to raise or donate money by buying tickets to attend the event, which many Long Island businesses have taken part in.

If a loved one of yours or someone you may know needs help and is under age 18, the organization is accepting applications for assistance, and will help when and where it can.

“We typically receive a large number of donations through these events as people want to sponsor future ones, and become a part of the change.”

Steven DeLuca

Board Members of CFK with President Steven DeLuca being the third to the left. DeLuca has worked with CFK since its creation in 2005, helping dozens of families on Long Island.

Photo by CFK

This is the flier and information for the golf outing, middle right.Photo by CFK

CFK’s 2023 Gala with buisness owners and donors, bottom middle.

Photo by James Calandrino of Photografik Studios