Mud & Magnolias January 2019

Mud&Magnolias October. November 2013 January 2019

Health + Wellness Superfoods Skincare Health A-Z 10-Minute Workout

Dr. Gabe Rulewicz

Sports Medicine Arthroscopy/Shoulder Replacement Specialist

Dr. William Pillow Knee/Shoulder/ Arthroscopy Sports Medicine Specialist

Dr. Stephen Southworth Hip/Knee Replacement Specialist

Dr. Barry Clark

Hip/Knee Replacement Specialist

Dr. Nels Thorderson Foot/Ankle Specialist

Dr. Bryan Fagan

Sports Medicine/Arthroscopy Specialist Shoulder and Knee Specialist

Dr. Eric Lewis

Orthopaedic Hand/Microsurgery Specialist

499 Gloster Creek Village, Ste G1 | Tupelo, MS 38801 | www.oinms.com

JANUARY IS GLAUCOMA AWARENESS MONTH

Got GLAUCOMA? SKIP YOUR EYE DROPS FROM TIME TO TIME? Forgetting to use your eye drops can cause large changes in your eye pressure. In the treatment of glaucoma, controlling your eye pressure is essential in reducing your risk for vision loss.

Call WESSON AND MOTHERSHED EYE CENTER today to see if you are a candidate for iStent or SLT. These treatments may lower your eye pressure and your dependence on drops.

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Visit our website www.wandmeyes.com

Wayne A. Slocum, MD Mark J. Kellum, MD Ronald A. Young, MD D. Eric Webb, MD Rachel C. Garner, MD

Emily C. Orgler, FNP-BC Melissa L. Barnett, WHNP-BC JennaGrace C. Earnest, NP-C Elesha P. Tidwell, FNP-BC

CONTENTS

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42 33 RECIPES

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20

KIT TEN YOGA

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HEARTBEATS

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100 YEARS DOWN

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HEALTH A -Z

9

ALSO:

These super soups combine healthy superfoods with delicious comfort food. Plus, immune-boosting ingredients. Get cooking!

It’s impossible to leave kitten yoga without a smile on your face. We learned from experience. Get the scoop on how the TLHS is bringing kitten yoga to Tupelo.

What’s the secret to living for 100 years? We asked Corinth resident and centenarian Leroy Worsham to share his story and advice.

RSV COLUMN

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SB FITNESS

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GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

Good sleep is more than beauty rest. Find out why sleeping enough, and sleeping well, are essential to your health.

Devin Mitchell loves capturing little lives with her heartbeat paintings.

Her pieces start with sonograms and become family heirlooms.

Your guide to being happy and healthy in 2019 including wellness trends, taking care of your mental health and all you need to know about the latest beauty buzzwords.

RESOURCE GUIDE

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January 2019 ON THE COVER Need more nutritious foods in your diet? Meet some of our favorite superfoods. Try them out in the soups from this month’s recipes section.

SELF-CARE

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check out this month’s video about kitten yoga at mudandmag.com.

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Mud

1242 S Green St. Tupelo, MS 38804 662.842.2611

EDITOR’S NOTE

Y

READING

The Hate You Give

WATCHING A Million Little Things

LOVING My new charcoal face mask

& Magnolias

ou’ve heard the saying, “new year, new look” and the statement rings true for Mud & Magnolias in 2019. We’ve been at it for six and a half years and, though we’ve made tweaks here and there, we were a bit overdue for a design rehaul. The final product is fresh and inspiring and I hope you enjoy it as much as we are. And if I can do my usual (and probably annoying) introspective song and dance, I learned a personal lesson from this process. You see, our old design wasn’t necessarily bad. We weren’t receiving complaints or losing readership. But we were pretty comfortable. And we could do better. So here we are serving up the best product we can while making an effort to constantly evolve and improve. I’m now encouraged to apply this to my personal life. Are there areas where I’m comfortable and could stand to do better? Absolutely. Maybe it’s incorporating more super foods into my diet (pg.9) or getting active with cute kittens (pg.20) or unplugging from constant screen time (pg.56). Let this issue be your guide to better living in 2019.

EATING Sugar-free foods

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ellie Turner

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Lauren Wood Emma Kent Leslie Criss

FEATURED SALES CONSULTANTS Leigh Knox Bill Spencer June Phillips Darla Webb Shelley Ozbirn Amber Lancaster Teresa McDonald Krystal Anderson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

If you have any thoughts about this issue, please email me at editor@mudandmag.com

Michaela Morris Dr. Shane Scott Polly Briggs Dr. Karl Crossen Laura Walker

GET SOCIAL WITH US

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Ali Ballard

@mudandmagnolias

@mudandmagnolias

@mudandmag

@mudandmagnolias

subscriptions@mudandmag.com advertising@mudandmag.com info@mudandmag.com mudandmag.com This magazine is a monthly publication of Journal, Inc.

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Rebecca Smith McDougald, DMD 602 Pegram Dr., Tupelo, MS 38801

662.842.7154

New Year, New You

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RECIPES

SUPER SOUPS We’ve rounded up some superfood soups to keep you warm and healthy during the chilly month of January.

Thai Chicken Quinoa Soup Superfoods: Ginger, turmeric, quinoa, carrots, purple cabbage, spinach recipe on pg. 14

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RECIPES

Okra and Eggplant Vegetable Soup Superfoods: Okra, chickpeas, turmeric, ginger recipe on pg. 14

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RECIPES

Spiced Carrot and Red Lentil Soup Superfoods: Red lentils, carrots, ginger recipe on pg. 14

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RECIPES

Spicy Sweet Potato and Cabbage Soup Superfoods: Sweet potato, purple cabbage recipe on pg. 15

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RECIPES

Chickpea and Turkey Meatball Soup Superfoods: Chickpeas, leafy greens recipe on pg. 15

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RECIPES THAI CHICKEN QUINOA SOUP

OKRA AND EGGPLANT VEGETABLE STEW

SPICED CARROT AND RED LENTIL SOUP

Ingredients: 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated 1 teaspoon turmeric 2 teaspoons curry powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 small chicken breasts 1/2 teaspoon olive oil 2 medium carrots, scrubbed and cut into half circles 1 1/2 cups shredded purple cabbage 2 13-ounce cans light coconut milk + 1 can of water 1/2 cup red or white quinoa, rinsed 4 cups baby spinach fresh lime juice from 1 lime

Ingredients: 1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes 1/4 cup olive oil 1 eggplant, halved lengthways, then cut diagonally into wedges 1 pound okra, sliced 1 onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 1/2 tablespoons ground turmeric 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained Torn flat-leaf parsley, to serve Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon ground cumin Pinch chili flakes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound carrots, washed and finely chopped 1 cup dried red lentils 4 cups vegetable broth 1/2 cup milk Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Plain Greek yogurt, to serve

Directions: Cook the chicken first. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken breasts in skillet on both sides then cover, reduce heat to low and let cook until chicken is done, about 10 minutes. Once cooked, shred chicken and set aside. In a small bowl combine ginger, turmeric, curry powder, salt and olive oil and mash/stir well with the back of a spoon until well combined to make a paste. In a medium soup pot heat the olive oil over medium heat and add seasoning paste. Stir/cook until spices are fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add carrots and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add to the soup pot coconut milk, water, purple cabbage and quinoa and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Stir in spinach and fresh lime juice and remove from heat. Once spinach is wilted, ladle into bowls to serve. Top with purple cabbage and fresh basil.

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Directions: Fry eggplant in 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a wide, deep frying pan over high heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Set aside. Add okra to pan and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, about 2-4 minutes. Set aside. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining oil and onion to pan and sautĂŠ until translucent. Add garlic, turmeric and ginger, and stir until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Add tomato, okra, eggplant and 2 tablespoons water, bring to the boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Add chickpeas and allow them to warm through, then season to taste and serve topped with fresh parsley.

Directions: Heat a large stock pot over medium-high heat and dry-fry the cumin and pinch of chili flakes until fragrant, about 1 minute. Scoop out about half of the spice mixture with a spoon and set aside. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan along with the carrots, red lentils, vegetable broth and milk and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until the lentils have swollen and softened.

Once lentils are cooked through, remove the pot from heat. Pour the soup into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Season to taste and finish with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkling of the reserved toasted spices to serve.

RECIPES SPICY SWEET POTATO AND CABBAGE SOUP Ingredients: 1 medium sweet potato, diced 8 ounces shredded purple cabbage 1 red pepper, diced 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 1/2 cup coconut milk 2 teaspoons smoked paprika Pinch chilli flakes 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon olive oil Kosher salt and pepper, to taste For the topping: 1/2 cup raw pecans 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon honey Directions: Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and add in the sweet potatoes and cook until softened. Stir in the rest of the veggies and crushed garlic and continue to cook everything until softened and vibrant in color. Once all of the vegetables are cooked through, allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then, in a blender, combine these with the vegetable broth, paprika, cumin, chili flakes and coconut milk, then blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust spices if needed and salt and pepper to taste. To make the pecan topping, preheat the oven to 400 degrees and toss the pecans with the smoked paprika, honey and soy sauce. Place these onto a small sheet pan and roast in the oven until toasted, about 8-10 minutes.

Allow pecans to cool before roughly chopping. Serve the soup warmed through with a generous sprinkling of the pecan topping.

CHICKPEA AND TURKEY MEATBALL SOUP Ingredients: For the turkey meatballs: 1 pound ground turkey 1 garlic clove, minced 3 tablespoons panko bread crumbs 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 tablespoons dried oregano Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper For the soup: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, chopped 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained 4 cups chicken broth 1 bunch chard, thick stems and ribs removed, leaves chopped Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. To make the meatballs, in a bowl, combine the turkey, garlic, bread crumbs, Parmesan, egg, tomato paste, and oregano.

Season with salt and pepper and stir just until combined. Using a heaping teaspoon of the mixture, form each meatball and place a half-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Roast until the meatballs are cooked through, about 15 to 18 minutes. Set aside. For the soup, heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Warm olive oil and add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 2 minutes.

Stir in the tomato paste and chickpeas, and season with salt and pepper. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly.

PurĂŠe half of the soup in a food processor or blender. Return to the pot and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Place over medium-low heat and add the meatballs and the chard. Cook until the meatballs are warmed through and the chard has wilted, about 4 minutes, then serve. Top with grated Parmesan.

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Benefits of cooking with

SUPERFOODS

by EMMA KENT

You’re going to want to

Ginger

stock up on these goodfor-you ingredients. To reap their benefits, add them to your recipes as substitutes or spices. Bonus: They’re delicious, too.

Ginger has been shown to reduce inflammation, relieve indigestion, inhibit bacterial growth, regulate blood sugar and reduce risk factors for heart disease.

Chickpeas Chickpeas are high in protein but low in sodium and fat, making them a healthy source of energy. They’re also packed with vitamins, fiber and iron.

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Lentils Lentils are health powerhouses. They’re rich in complex carbohydrates, which can boost your metabolism, and contain significant amounts of fiber and magnesium.

Okra

Carrots

Turmeric

Potassium, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, fiber — you name it, it’s probably in okra. That’s why it made our list of superfoods to start eating more often.

Carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A as well as antioxidants that fight cancer, reduce risk of heart disease and stroke and contribute to healthy, glowing skin.

What makes it a superfood is one key ingredient: curcumin.

This property makes turmeric antiinflammatory and makes it effective in fighting viral infections.

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INFANT HEALTH

RSV

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

by DR. SHANE SCOTT

This is one of a few acronyms that strike fear in the heart of any parent, wheth-

er seasoned ones or first-timers. Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a very common illness that peaks during late fall and winter. Virtually every child has contracted the virus by 2 years old. Children and adults can be re-infected throughout their lifetime. Subsequent infections are typically less bothersome and are often blamed on a simple “cold” due to their inconsequential nature.

SYMPTOMS & RISK Most infants infected with RSV develop upper respiratory tract symptoms like runny nose and sneezing, while only 20 to 30 percent develop lower respiratory tract symptoms like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. This can sometimes progress to wheezing, retractions (visibility of the ribs when breathing), rapid breathing, nasal flaring and grunting. Those at particular risk of complications are the very young, those younger than 60 days old. Factors that increase the risk of severe disease include prematurity (especially those born at fewer than 29 weeks’ gestation), chronic lung disease of prematurity, congenital heart disease and certain immunodeficiency states.

Additional risk factors include low birth weight, having siblings, maternal smoking during pregnancy, exposure to secondhand smoke, eczema, not breastfeeding and household crowding.

Hospitalizations typically occur in those younger than 12 months old, mainly those younger than six months old. The hospitalization rate of those who contract RSV is less than 3 percent.

TESTS Often the best test is knowing the RSV activity in the community.

Spread among daycare centers can occur rapidly, and there is little chance of escape for those who have not had the virus previously.

It is spread on clothes and in the air (sneezing and coughing) for distances less than six feet. It can persist on surfaces for several hours and on hands for 30 minutes. Touching your eyes or nose after having the virus on your hands is a common way to contract the virus.

A nasal swab is the most frequent test to confirm the infection. A result can be known in as little as 10 minutes with 80 to 90 percent accuracy.

TREATMENT No available treatment shortens the duration of RSV or quickens the resolution of symptoms. The care is supportive. This means making sure the child stays well hydrated by consuming small amounts of milk often. Having RSV is not a reason to avoid milk. There is no good data to suggest it “thickens” secretions, as

some have often worried. Suctioning the nose to facilitate and ease breathing while eating can be helpful. Breathing treatments, steroids and antibiotics do not have a routine role in treating RSV, nor do cough and cold medications including Benadryl.

PREVENTION General guidelines that apply to preventing other viral diseases also apply to RSV. Hand washing, limiting exposure to persons known to have the disease and wiping down surfaces frequently can be helpful. Once exposed to RSV, the illness typically develops within two to eight days, usually days four to six. There is an immunoglobulin injection that is offered to a very select group of high-risk individuals given monthly from October until April, which can decrease the risk of contracting the virus.

WHEN TO SEEK HELP Signs that a child may be part of the small group that will need hospitalization or further medical attention include those who exhibit symptoms of dehydration including decreased wet diapers, dry lips and mouth, decreased tearing and rapid breathing with rates above 60 times per minute. Other signs include breathing difficulties, including retractions, as well as lethargy. In addition, we value the maternal instinct that “something just isn’t right!”

It is very likely that all of us have had RSV at some point in our life. This doesn’t reduce the anxiety we all feel when an infant contracts the virus. Sleepless nights will lie ahead, but implementing common sense measures mentioned may help weather the storm. M

Dr. Shane Scott is board certified in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics and practices at The Internal Medicine & Pediatric Clinic in New Albany.

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downward facing cat Maybe you’ve heard about “goat yoga ” or you’ve seen photos of people doing yoga while kittens run on the floor around them. Well, the trend has arrived in Tupelo along with the opening of the new Tupelo-Lee Humane Society.

by EMMA KENT

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From top: A kitten does the downward dog pose; Mel Whitfield leads the yoga class at the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society.

M

check out this month’s video about kitten yoga at mudandmag.com.

LHS moved into its new building, which includes a multipurpose space, in November. Shortly after, the shelter started offering kitten yoga classes.

Mel Whitfield leads the kitten yoga classes. Since the classes started in late November, Whitfield said they’ve been well-attended by cat lovers and yogis alike. An animal-lover herself, Whitfield said the classes are the highlight of her week.

“I love it,” she said. “I’m giddy during the class, and I look forward to it every Monday.”

The purpose of kitten yoga is two-fold: To get the kittens accustomed to people and to hopefully get some of the kittens adopted.

“It socializes them, and that’s really important when it comes to getting them adopted,” Whitfield said.

While yoga with dozens of kittens running around as you move from one pose to the next doesn’t sound calm or peaceful, it’s actually relaxing to interact with the cats (unless, of course, you’re not a cat person, in which case you might want to sit this one out). There’s something about holding a kitten that melts all that work week stress away.

“It is impossible to leave yoga with kittens without a smile on your face,” Whitfield said.

It goes a little something like this: You come in and spend some time getting to know the kittens and watch them chase each other around and do other adorable kitten things. Then, you choose a spot, roll out your mat and get started. As Whitfield leads the class, the kittens keep doing their thing. Just watch out for claws on the curious kitties that try to climb your legs mid warrior-pose.

All in all, it’s definitely something you should try at least once. Classes at the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society take place every Monday night at 6 p.m. and cost $10. That cost benefits the shelter. Those attending will also need to bring their own yoga mats. M

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“It is impossible to leave yoga with kittens without a smile on your face.�

-mel whitfield, instructor

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Saving Face

by MICHAELA MORRIS

L icensed esthetician Polly

ILLUSTRATION/DESIGNED BY FREEPIK

Briggs, who sees clients at Dr. Alan Pritchard’s Plastic Surgery of North Mississippi in Tupelo and her own business, Beauty Bar inside R. Tabb and Co. in Starkville, offered these tips for healthier skin. “It’s never too early to start a skincare routine,” Briggs said.

Polly Briggs, licensed esthetician

Essentials

Beware the hype

Regardless of age, gender or skin type, there are some things that everyone should do to have their best skin. Wash your face before you go to bed. “At night is when skin repairs itself,” Briggs said. “If you don’t have a clean start, it’s harder to repair the skin.

Don’t reserve sunscreen for summer beach trips.

Beyond the risk of skin cancer, sun damage ages the skin and contributes to wrinkles and age spots.

She recommends at least 30 SPF. Don’t forget your neck, upper chest and lips.”

Marketing can be overwhelming but pretty packaging doesn’t ensure good skin care. “A lot of skin care is trendy,” Briggs said. There are worthwhile products at every level from the drugstore to physicians offices. In general, it’s worthwhile to invest in quality products. Pharmaceutical grade products are often designed to penetrate more deeply. Less expensive products can have more fillers. “There is a difference in products,” Briggs said. “You do get what you pay for.”

Get smart

Dry vs. Dehydrated

Know your skin. What works well for your mom or your best friend may not be the best choice for your skin.

“Every individual’s skin is different,” Briggs said. An educated skin care professional can help identify your skin’s needs and recommend the best products to address those issues. They can also help you avoid products that aren’t helpful.

They are two different issues with one solution.

“Both can be corrected with the right moisturizer,” Briggs said. “You need to put moisture back into the skin.” That’s true for even people with oily skin, who can actually overdry their skin in an effort to combat oil, Briggs said. This tends to make the problem worse.

Lightweight moisturizers can be very helpful.

Healthy habits

Wash up

Good for the inside, good for the outside. Not smoking, eating a healthy diet, moderating alcohol intake are healthy for your skin as well as your other organ systems. Too much alcohol can dehydrate the skin, inflame the blood vessels and make fine lines and wrinkles more prominent. Smoking restricts the blood flow to the skin.

While greasy food doesn’t cause acne, a healthy diet can show up in your skin, Briggs said. Getting plenty of water, fruits, vegetables and minimizing processed foods can nourish the body and benefit the skin.

Frequently washing your hands and cleaning your cell phone once a day can reduce the bacteria load that gets to your face. If you’re struggling with breakouts, be sure to change your pillowcase often, as bacteria and dirt can build up there, too. The same goes for towels you use to dry your face after cleansing. Avoid touching your face often, if possible.

You should also regularly clean your makeup brushes with warm water and antibacterial soap. M

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10 minute full-body workout

Fitness instructor Jacuana Sykes owns Selfish Fitness Studio on West Main Street in Tupelo. We asked her to walk us through a 10-minute full body workout that could easily be done at home. This workout works your legs, arms and abs while also getting your heartrate up for some good cardio.

High Knees Alternate bringing each of your knees up to your chest.

Your chest and leg should form a 90 degree angle. Do continuously for one minute.

1 minute

Closed-Leg Squats Do these squats as you would a normal squat but with your feet together. Drop your body slowly to a seated position and then return to standing.

20 seconds

Shoulder-Width Squats Place your feet shoulder-width apart and squat, sitting back and dropping your body to a seated position.

20 seconds

Wide-Leg Squats Walk your feet out beyond shoulder-width so that your legs are spread wide. Do squats for 20 seconds. As you return to a standing position after each squat, be sure to pull your hips forward, tightening your glutes.

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Squats with Calf Raise Do regular squats with your feet shoulder-width apart, but push yourself up onto your toes when you stand up, flexing your calf muscles. Repeat for one minute.

1 minute

Jumping Squats These squats add a little cardio to the mix. At the end of each squat, when you get to a standing position, jump straight up. Be sure to point your toes and straighten your legs.

1 minute

Lunges Do these lunges with or without weights, whichever you prefer. If using weights, hold one weight in each hand and keep arms down by your sides. Start in a standing position with one leg stretched behind you and drop your body, bending your knees so that your legs each form a 90 degree angle. Repeat for 30 seconds then switch legs.

30 seconds each leg

Crazy 8s Bicep Lifts For this move, use whatever weights you feel comfortable with. Do eight bicep lifts on one arm, then switch to your other arm. Repeat sets of eight, alternating arms, for one minute. The goal is to do as many sets of eight as you can in that time.

1 minute

Crazy 8s Tricep Pull-Ups These are similar to the other Crazy 8s — you’ll still do sets of eight, alternating arms — but this time you’ll be working your triceps. Hold the weight in your hand with your arm straight up and close to your ear. Slowly lower the weight behind your head, bending your arm to a 90-degree angle, and then extend your arm back to straight.

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1 minute

Push-Ups Depending on what you’re comfortable with, you can do regular or modified push-ups.

Whichever you choose, just be sure to keep your body in a plank position as you do them.

Modified Push-Up

1 minute

For a modified push-up, bend your knees and cross your feet.

Keeping your body in a plank position, raise and lower from your knees instead of your toes.

Plank Hold either a fully-extended or a modified plank, making sure your body is straight, for one minute.

1 minute

Complex Plank Get into a full-extended plank position and alternate bringing your knees in, pulling them under your chest and then pushing them back out to plank position.

30 seconds

Crunches Do regular crunches for 30 seconds to finish your workout.

Cool down stretches

30 seconds

Sykes recommends always stretching at the end of a workout. Some stretches she mentioned include crossing an arm in front of your body (each arm), reach behind your head and grab your elbow with the other arm, put one leg out wide and bend the other knee, lunge a foot forward and keep one foot back, and body rolls to stretch the back and ab muscles. M M&M

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100 years down

We asked Corinth resident Leroy Worsham what the secret to living a long life is.

His answer: He doesn’t know.

by EMMA KENT

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I

have no idea,” he said. “I don’t decide that.

If I decided that, I’d make it to 200.”

The 100-year-old celebrated his triple-digit birthday on November 14.

“I come from a line of long-livers,” Worsham said. “We’ve got good genes.”

Perhaps it does boil down to good genes (most of the men in his family lived well into their 90s) or perhaps it’s his lively spirit and overwhelming gratitude for his life’s experiences.

Either way, he’s happy to wake up each morning and begin another day, each of which often consists of solving sudoku and jigsaw puzzles (he doesn’t care much for crosswords), reading the newspaper and drinking an astonishing amount of coffee.

“That’s all I drink,” he laughed.

The puzzles keep his mind sharp, especially since he doesn’t care much for reading, apart from the newspaper, of course.

“I haven’t read a book in 34 years,” Worsham said.

Even though turning 100 was a milestone — some would say a major milestone — Worsham said he feels the same as he did when he was 99. In fact, he visited his doctor upon turning 100, and he told him he wouldn’t need to return until next year.

“I can still get around,” he said. “I can’t run a race, but that’s OK with me.”

He’s always been this way, it seems, with the ability to keep moving forward with a positive attitude, even during his service in World War II. That’s not to say he didn’t take his military service seriously, or that it wasn’t difficult.

Quite the contrary, as evidenced by the medals and photographs adorning the walls throughout his home. Not to mention the detail with which he remembers exactly how long he spent serving in the war: Three years, three months and 20 days.

Worsham has lived in Corinth his entire life, except for when he left at the age of 23 to serve in the Air Force.

He hasn’t allowed himself to be weighed down, he just lives each day, taking everything in stride. It seems to have worked out for him so far.

Staying close with his family has also kept Worsham going. Worsham and his brother even had a code they used while writing letters to each other during their military

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Top from left: Photos of Worsham as a younger man and from when he was a soldier in WWII; Worsham’s birthday congratulations from the MS House of Representatives.

service to let them know where the other was stationed.

When he returned from the war, he married a girl from Corinth. Worsham said he realized he wanted to marry Sarah when he saw her one time when he was home from the war.

“I had known (Sarah) all of my life, but that was the first time I had seen her,” he said.

He later wrote her a letter telling her that when he got home he was going to marry her.

“She didn’t believe me, but I did,” he said.

They were married for 64 years. Worsham has two daughters, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Besides his service in the military, family might be the most important thing in his life, and the thing that’s made his life so full.

All You Need is Love “I call her the General,” Worsham joked, sharing his nickname for his caretaker, Diane on the day we visited with them. The two spend most every day together.

Diane said she’s never met someone who knew Worsham and didn’t love him.

From left: Worsham flipping through old photos; Worsham in his sitting room; Worsham working on a jigsaw puzzle.

Just one example: Worsham worked at the Coca-Cola plant in Corinth as a teenager, and on his 100th birthday, they threw him a party. More than 100 people showed up to celebrate with him.

And Worsham has made it a point to love others well, too. Several years ago, a young girl in Corinth had cancer, and Worsham wrote her pages upon pages of letters full of stories and messages to fill her time while she was in the hospital. Just recently, the two reconnected and she had written a song for Worsham, thanking him for the kind gesture.

He said he had just wanted to brighten her day. It’s that look-on-the-bright-side attitude that seems to sustain Worsham, even at a time in his life when he isn’t able to get out much.

“I don’t seem happy — I am happy,” he said. “I’ve had good health, I have somebody to look after me. I don’t have anything to worry about. I have children and grandchildren, I’ve got lots of friends — so everything’s fine.”

Maybe the secret to a long life is that simple. M

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HEART HEALTH

So Who Needs An EP?

by DR. KARL CROSSEN

ILLUSTRATION/DESIGNED BY FREEPIK

A

hundred years ago physicians trained to care for any patient, and it was commonplace for them to deliver babies, perform surgeries, see young and old alike and even do dental care. Nowadays, with so much knowledge and numerous technological advances, no one can be competent across so many fields. So, the era of specialization in healthcare continues to grow. Now there is even sub-specialization. For the practice of cardiology, that includes Electrophysiology, or EP, a cardiac rhythm speciality.

Today there are literally millions of patients who can benefit from the expertise of an EP. Atrial fibrillation, where the upper chambers of the heart lose their pattern and simply race chaotically, is the single most common rhythm problem and affects more than five million Americans. Traditional treatments taught in medical schools in the past emphasized medications to control the rapid heart rates and associated symptoms. We know today that the medications available for this condition work effectively in only 10 to 20 percent of patients, and as a result, patients are often simply cycled from one ineffective drug to another over the course of months or years. This lack of success usually proves frustrating for both patients and their physicians. That trial-and-error approach is necessary since no physician can be certain that any drug, no matter what the condition, will work.

In the last 15 years techniques have become available using so-called “non-pharmacologic,� or non-drug, treatments that have been proven to be significantly more effective. An outpatient procedure called an ablation can be performed at minimal risk with success rates more than three times better than medications. For patients who fail to respond, even more advanced ablation techniques called hybrid ablation can be used.

This utilizes the combined skills of a cardiovascular surgeon and EP and can overcome even years of failed rhythm control. When all else fails, an EP specialist can use pacemakers to eliminate the need for medications.

There is no cure for atrial fibrillation. It requires perpetual management just like diabetes or high blood pressure. Although some treatments may eliminate symptoms, atrial fibrillation is associated with a risk of stroke.

Potent blood thinners, including several that have recently been developed to eliminate the need for monitoring interactions with food and other medications, can reduce that risk but only if the affected individual faithfully takes these oftenexpensive drugs. An EP can perform a procedure in many patients where a filtering device is placed inside the heart, protecting a patient from future strokes and effectively eliminating the need for strong anticoagulants. The procedure usually only requires a single intravenous catheter and takes about 30 minutes to perform.

Many other individuals may benefit from the expertise of an EP. Patients with recurrent fainting spells, intolerable skipping or palpitation and those with weakened hearts or with an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator can work with an EP who will work with their other physicians to manage their care. M Dr. Karl Crossen is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and an electrophysiologist at North Mississippi Medical Center.

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ILLUSTRATION/DESIGNED BY FREEPIK

C AT C H I N G YOUR ZZZs We investigate some of the ways that sleep can benefit you, and how lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your health.

by MICHAELA MORRIS

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If getting healthier in 2019 headlines your New Year’s

resolutions, you really should sleep on it. It may seem too passive to make a difference compared to jogging five miles or eating more fruits and vegetables, but getting enough sleep is essential. Consistent sleeping habits are an important investment in your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Regularly short-changing your sleep can have real consequences. “It does cause long term stress on the body,” said Starkville pulmonologist Dr. Harry Holliday, who also is board certified in sleep medicine. There are medical conditions and medications that can disturb the sleep cycle, but the shift toward a 24/7 culture has been eroding the amount of sleep that Americans get. Data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that fewer than 35 percent of U.S. adults get seven hours of sleep a night. “Protect your sleep,” said Tupelo pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Jaime Ungo. “It’s a treasure.”

BENEFITS OF GETTING GOOD SLEEP

Sleep is far from unproductive. While you get your zzzz’s, the blood supply to muscles increases and tissues grow and repair themselves. The brain and the rest of the body refuel with energy to support daytime performance.

During sleep, a number of critical hormones are active. Growth hormone is released, fueling growth and development.

“We know that 90 percent of growing is done when you sleep,” Ungo said.

Levels of cortisol drop at bed time and then increase over the night so you can be alert during the day, according to the Sleep Foundation. The hormones ghrelin and leptin, which

influence feelings of hunger and fullness, are regulated during sleep.

“When we’re sleep deprived, we may feel the need to eat more,” says the Sleep Foundation.

Shorting your sleep on a regular basis has significant consquences, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Insufficient sleep has been linked to weight gain and obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, impaired immune system, depression, heart disease and stroke.

“The scientific evidence is clear,” says the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

“Sleep is essential for optimal health.”

Sleep deprivation can

impact the ability to be alert and perform everyday tasks during the day, Holliday said.

“It’s almost the equivalent of driving drunk,” in cases of severe sleep deprivation, Holliday said.

These health consequences typically build over time.

Most people can work around an occasional short night, Holliday said. But weeks and months of missing sleep adds up.

“If you’re consistently having problems over a three-month period, it’s considered a chronic condition,” Holliday said.

What constitutes a good night of sleep is different for everyone.

For some, seven hours of sleep is enough while another person may need more. Experts agree that a good night of sleep for adults falls between 7-9 hours a night.

Adults should get at least seven hours or more of sleep on a regular basis. Most of us aren’t.

“A lot of people think they get more sleep than they actually do,” Holliday said.

The best way to get more sleep is to set consistent times to go to bed and wake up, Holliday said. Start with the time you go to bed and count backwards to get the sleep time you need.

Good sleep hygiene is helpful for many people with sleep disruptions. Getting daily exercise can help for a good night’s sleep. Make your bedroom a quiet, cool, dark haven.

Avoid bright lights at night and get some sunlight as early in the morning as

possible to help reset your internal clock, Ungo said.

Avoid caffeine late in the day. Alcohol, cigarettes and heavy meals in the evening can also contribute to sleep problems.

Especially if you are having trouble going to sleep, consider putting your electronic devices to bed about 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime, Holliday said. The blue light from the screens big and small is stimulating to the brain. It can be helpful during the day, but it can be disruptive at night.

Smart phones and tablets have an option for blue light filter or night shift mode to alter the screens to reduce the blue light.

“That is helpful,” Holliday said. “At least you’re moving in the right direction.”

Sometimes there are seasons in life, like caring for a newborn baby, that make it difficult to consistently get a good night’s sleep. But it’s important to not brush off signs that your sleep is lacking.

If problems getting to sleep, staying asleep and waking up refreshed last more than three months, it’s time to talk to your health care provider, Holliday said.

Some sleep problems like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome may be more obvious to spouses in the form of loud, irregular snoring and extra movement.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF LACK OF SLEEP

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MENTAL HEALTH

Breaking Down the Stigma A

s a parent, one of our greatest priorities is meeting the various needs of our children — if they are hungry, we feed them; if they have a cut, we bandage it; if they are ill, we take them to see a doctor. But why don’t we act as quickly when our child has challenges with their mental health?

Maybe if we shifted the way we look at mental health, people would admit they are struggling and seek help for themselves or their children.

A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a number of mental disorders are on the rise among children between the ages of three and 17. During the study, the CDC identified six specific mental, behavioral and developmental disorders emerging in the greatest prevalence: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavior or conduct disorders, major depression, anxiety, autism and Tourette’s Syndrome. In total, the CDC concluded that approximately 1 in 5 of

Warning signs for mental health disorders in children and adolescents • Mood changes. Look for feelings of sadness or withdrawal that last at least two weeks or severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships at home or school.

• Intense feelings. Be aware of feelings of overwhelming fear for no reason, or worries or fears intense enough to interfere with daily activities.

• Behavior changes. Drastic changes in behavior or personality, as well as dangerous or out-of-control behavior.

Fighting frequently, using weapons and expressing a desire to hurt others are also warning signs.

• Difficulty concentrating. Look for signs of trouble focusing or an inability to sit still for any length of time, both of which might lead to poor performance in school.

• Unexplained weight loss. A sudden loss of appetite, frequent vomiting or use of laxatives might indicate an eating disorder.

• Physical symptoms. Compared with adults, children with a mental health condition may develop chronic headaches and stomachaches rather than sadness or anxiety.

• Physical harm. Sometimes a mental health condition leads to self-injury, also called self-harm. This is the act of deliberately harming your own body, such as cutting or burning yourself. Children with a mental health condition also may develop suicidal thoughts or actually attempt suicide.

• Substance abuse. Some children use drugs or alcohol to try to cope with their feelings.

Source: www.mayoclinic.org

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children in the United States, either currently or at some point during their adolescent life, experience serious symptoms of a mental health disorder. Sadly, fewer than 20 percent ever receive the help they need.

The mental health stigma in the United States has silenced many who are affected for fear of judgement. In truth, we all experience some degree of depression, anxiety, or trauma at some point in our lives; however, this stigma has caused many to feel ashamed of these feelings.

When children don’t learn healthy ways to express “big emotions,” such as sadness, anger, worry, fear or even excitement, they can develop negative, destructive behaviors that can have a profound impact on their lives. As children fall deeper into these challenges, they are more likely to turn to alcohol, drugs, self-harm such as cutting, or even suicide. It is important for parents, teachers and individuals who work with children to know the warning signs of mental health disorders so intervention can be sought quickly.

The vast majority of individuals who receive help from a qualified behavioral health provider are able to recover and go on to lead happy, healthy and productive lives. It is important to encourage those experiencing mental health issues to seek help to avoid prolonged effects which can eventually lead to serious physical health complications such as an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and reduced neuro function.

A collaborative effort between parents, educators, community advocates and healthcare professionals can put an end to the mental health stigma that plagues our society. More awareness of the facts on mental health can lead to more acceptance and the breaking down of stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination of those facing mental health disorders.

Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and any concerns they have. Actively listen and reassure your child you will support them no matter what. Recognizing early when your child is struggling and taking steps toward getting them the help they need will reiterate that it is ok to struggle and it’s ok to ask for help. A visit with your child’s doctor can be a great first step in accessing the help he or she needs.

The sooner we as a society view mental health challenges in the same light we do physical ailments such as diabetes, cancer, or asthma, the better off our children will be. If your child or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, there are a number of resources available. The Suicide Prevention Helpline (1-800-273-8255) provides free, confidential support for people in crisis. There is also a Crisis Text Line that will connect texters with a volunteer crisis counselor. You can access this service by texting HOME to 741741 on your mobile device.

You can also contact the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s Helpline at 1-877-210-8513 for help finding a certified mental health provider near you.

Whatever your struggle, know that you are not alone. M Laura Walker is the staff writer for Canopy Children’s Solutions. For more information about solutions offered through Canopy, please visit mycanopy.org or call 800-388-6247.

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by LAURA WALKER

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heartbeats & HOPE Baldwyn artist Devin Mitchell captures the first sounds of life for parents-to-be.

by EMMA KENT

F

or Baldwyn native and artist Devin Mitchell, it’s a good thing when her paintings make clients shed tears. They’re happy tears. That’s because Mitchell paints custom pieces featuring babies’ first heartbeats.

“I started painting heartbeats when several of my friends were expecting,” she said. “These paintings became more than gifts. They were much more personal and lasting than anything else that could be given… I see a lot of mamas cry.”

She loves capturing the beginnings of that journey — those first sounds of life. And she does it through carefully sketching the heartbeats from sonograms and bringing them to life with color and her abstract painting style.

Mitchell teaches 6th through 12th grade art at Tupelo Christian Preparatory School when she’s not working on her heartbeat paintings.

With orders rolling in, creating and painting are constant activities for Mitchell. After each full day of making art with her students at school she paints in the afternoons and evenings at home.

Mitchell loved art long before she decided to make a career of it.

“Ever since I was little I have been drawn to art,” Mitchell said. “College was the first time I got to dive in and really start exploring my talent.”

Mitchell studied for two years at Northeast Mississippi Community College before transferring to the University of Mississippi, where she got her bachelor’s degree in art.

“I’ve always had a love for abstract art,” she said. “That’s why the heartbeats have that abstract feel.”

She didn’t always think she would be an artist, though. In middle school, Mitchell took a test to get into the gifted art class at her school and she didn’t pass it. She said she and her mother, Baldwyn Main Street Director Lori Tucker, like to laugh about that now.

Branching out Mitchell recently took an exciting step toward expanding her clientele. She’s partnered with The Farmhouse in Tupelo and the store’s owner Bev Crossen.

Customers at The Farmhouse will now be able to order custom paintings from Mitchell through the store. They’ll be able to fill out a form with their order information — colors, canvas size and any other details they wish to include — and

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those order forms will be passed along to Mitchell and delivered when complete.

Before joining forces with Farmhouse, Mitchell relied on her Facebook page and word-of-mouth. She joked that she’s made a heartbeat painting for just about everyone in the Baldwyn area, so it was time to branch out. She’s done somewhere in the range of 50-75 commissioned paintings to date.

Soon she’ll also have some of her work on display at The Alley Cat, a new art gallery in downtown Baldwyn being opened by Clark Richey this spring.

Mitchell’s work will be joined by work from other Baldwyn-area artists, as well as Mississippi artists.

At first, making her heartbeat paintings started out really slowly with Mitchell just making the paintings for her friends who were expecting babies.

“It’s kind of surreal I guess,” she said of the way it’s taken off. “People love them. They love the colors and the textures — Everybody loves the gold.”

Couples usually contact her and send her a sonogram, including the baby’s heartbeat, which Mitchell then uses to create her custom pieces.

“I draw it all first and then I use a texture to go back over the pencil,” she said.

Mitchell lets her clients choose what colors they’d like to include in their heartbeat paintings, how abstract they want them to be, whether they want gold or silver accents and other details.

She said many of her clients are now leaning toward more neutral colors like white, grey and metallics, because after the baby grows up, the painting can be displayed in other parts of the house.

Her favorite pieces to paint, though, are the ones where clients give her more creative freedom to paint something truly unique for them.

She has a one- to two-week turnaround time, although it depends on the size of the painting.

The most popular size paintings are large ones that fit From left: Paints and paintbrushes used

by Mitchell to create her paintings; one of Mitchell’s heartbeat paintings with gold leaf.

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perfectly on the wall above a baby’s crib.

She also does a lot of smaller paintings that are given as gifts for baby showers.

Right now, she does most of her painting in the kitchen. She has big dreams of having her own home studio one day. In fact, she’s already drawn out the plans.

She and her husband are planning to build a home, so they’ll include her studio in that project.

Hope in the wait Recently, Mitchell has started doing a new type of painting: The Waiting Line.

The Waiting Line is something she came up with as a symbol of hope for women who are struggling to conceive.

For these paintings, she creates a textured metallic line on an abstract background, similar to the way she begins her heartbeat paintings. However, instead of painting a heartbeat on the canvas, she just leaves the line with the intention of adding a baby’s heartbeat to it one day.

These pieces hit particularly close to home for Mitchell, who, with her husband, has been trying to start a family of her own.

Despite the setback of being diagnosed with Polycystic ovary syndrome, she’s hopeful that one day she will get to paint a heartbeat painting for her own home. She hopes The Waiting Line paintings are a glimmer of hope and light at the end of the tunnel for those struggling with infertility.

“This stage in my life inspired me to paint these Waiting Lines. We’re praying and waiting for God’s timing,” Mitchell said. “It gives moms out there something to symbolize that maybe one day they’ll have a heartbeat painting, too.”

Mitchell also sees the paintings as a way to encourage women to share their struggles and lift each other up.

“I think infertility is something that should be talked about more, taken out of the darkness,” she said. “People should realize not everyone’s journey is the same, but every journey is special.” M

From top: Artist Devin Mitchell at The Alley Cat art gallery in Baldwyn; one of Mitchell’s The Waiting Line paintings.

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SB Fitness How a Tupelo native married his passions for business and fitness to build his own brand.

by EMMA KENT

S

hane Butler never imagined he would have his own business at the age of 26. But with a background in playing and coaching basketball, business training and some good connections, he decided to take the leap and start SB Fitness, an athletic apparel company.

Butler, a 2011 graduate of Tupelo High School, was working on his master’s degree in business administration while coaching basketball at Shorter University when he decided to go for it. Before coaching st Shorter, he attended Blue Mountain College where he played basketball.

He graduated from BMC in 2015 and spent a year trying to pursue a career playing basketball professionally.

Because he was still in touch with a lot of contacts from his basketball career, he felt like he had a network of people who could help him get his business started.

“I just really wanted to piggyback off of that audience and start my own brand,” he said. “You just never know what you want to do until it catches your eye, but I am loving every minute.”

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It was also an emotional decision for Butler, whose brother passed away in 2017.

That loss motivated Butler to pursue the venture, and he said he has dedicated his work to his brother.

“Just realizing that he died so young made me think,” Butler said. “You never know when it’s our time, and you only live life once. I didn’t want to regret not doing it.”

SB Fitness was launched in September 2017, and just a year and a few months later, Butler said business is good.

SB Fitness has three components: uniform apparel, workout gear and personal training.

The company makes a lot of sports gear for teams across a range of sports including basketball, soccer, tennis, football, cheerleading, gymnastics, dance teams and more. SB Fitness also makes coaching gear.

“Right now the business is really hanging its hat on the uniforms because there are always sports going on,” Butler said.

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The company has worked with around 50 teams so far, most of them from Mississippi and varying from youth to adult teams.

The SB Fitness team is small, with just eight people working in-house for the company. Butler said they also work with a number of ambassadors who help them get their name out, and social media has played a huge role in growing the business.

“Social media makes the huge world very small,” Butler said.

And of course, it helps to have celebrity clients like Tupelo-native Rae Sremmurd.

Butler said he hopes to one day do business with college and professional athletes. For right now, though, his focus is building the SB Fitness brand.

The most exciting part of that work, for Butler, is working on the company’s athletic apparel and workout clothes.

“We’re always coming up with new stuff,” he said.

All of SB’s apparel is made with the same high-quality materials that major players in the industry use, but at a

fraction of the cost. According to Butler, they’re able to sell at a lower price simply because they’re a small operation and they don’t work with many third parties to get their product created and delivered.

Butler is also focused on making the apparel “people-friendly,” as he puts it. To do this, he frequently uses social media platforms to gather information from followers about what styles and types of new products they would want to wear.

“We want to make it stylish enough that people will love wearing it,” he said.

So far, finding out what people want has also been a game of trial and error. They’ll try one thing and if it doesn’t work, Butler said they’ll keep trying until they find a winner.

“I knew it was going to be hard, but it was a lot harder than I expected. When you run your own business the work is non-stop, but it’s well worth it,” he said.

“I just came to the conclusion that you get out what you put into it.” M

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASEEM DIXON/SEEM THE DREAM

From left: Samples of SB Fitness’ clothing line, including leggings, sports bras and workout belts.

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Healthy New Year

to Your A -to-Z guide for taking care of your body and mind in 2019, from tried-and-true methods to newcomer wellness trends.

by EMMA KENT

Z

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N

ew year, new resolutions.

With everyone buzzing about goals to be happier and healthier, you’re probably doing some self-evaluating of your own.

Maybe you’re looking to take better care of your skin in 2019?

Or maybe you want to add more natural remedies to your medicine cabinet? Or maybe you need to be more intentional about taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Whatever you’re aiming to do in the year ahead, we’ve created a guide that will give you some ideas of where to start.

C Collagen

A Activated charcoal Activated charcoal has all kinds of uses, but it’s especially good for your skin as a detoxifying agent. That’s why you’re seeing it in face masks, cleansers and other skincare products. Here’s how it works: The carbon in activated charcoal absorbs toxins like dirt and oil that linger on your face and cause breakouts. It’s also been shown to be effective at whitening teeth, although not as quickly as other whiteners.

It’s a good option for people whose teeth are sensitive or those looking for a more natural approach to whitening.

B Baobab powder Baobab powder comes from the fruit that grows on Baobab trees, but all you really need to know is that it’s full of good stuff for your body. It’s usually sold in powder form, and it’s considered a natural multivitamin. That’s because Baobab is loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, potassium, magnesium and iron. Stir it into your favorite smoothie, add it to a glass of water or even bake it into muffins or casseroles. Just one tablespoon per day can be beneficial to anyone’s diet based on Baobab’s vitamin C content alone. Vitamin C not only reduces your risk of cancer and other chronic illnesses, it can also aid in weight loss.

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Whether in powder form or in beauty products, collagen is here to stay. It’s the primary structural protein in the skin that gives it its smoothness and elasticity. Adding collagen to your skincare routine or as a supplement in your diet can repair skin damage and make your skin appear more plump and youthful. However, some products are more effective than others. Look for products that include these three key ingredients: collagen, elastin and keratin.

season to boost our immune health and protect against illnesses.

F Fitness apps Getting in shape has never been easier with a world of fitness apps available in the palm of your hand. Some even work with you like a personal trainer, creating customized workouts to fit your body type, fitness level and goals.

There are apps for running, strength training, yoga and more, and with workouts so accessible, they’re easy to fit into your busy schedule.

D

G

Vitamin D

Gratitude journaling

Our main source of vitamin D is actually our own bodies, which create the supplement using sunlight. But when that’s not enough, there are so many accessible sources of vitamin D out there. So why keep tabs on how much vitamin D you’re getting?

It’s essential for your health!

It helps your body absorb calcium, lowers your risk of disease and supports your immune system. Some studies have shown it can even help prevent mental health issues like depression.

E Echinacea With colds and the flu going around, it’s good to do as much as possible to protect yourself from germs. Echinacea is an herbal way to boost your immune system, and you can find it in a variety of herbal teas. We like drinking a cup before bed during flu

Sometimes we can lose sight of the good things.

Enter gratitude journaling, which is exactly what it sounds like. Simply keep a journal where each day you write down something you’re thankful for.

It’s that easy!

Training our brains to look for things to be thankful for every day can actually go a long way in improving our mental health by increasing feelings of happiness and decreasing unhealthy emotions like envy and resentment.

H Hair masking Like a face mask, but for your hair. Hair masks can

help with whatever your hair needs: more moisture, de-frizzing, slicking down split ends, restoring shine and just improving the health of your hair all around. To soften hair, try a mask with coconut or aloe vera. For oily hair in need of a refresh, try a clay-based hair mask. To repair damaged hair, look for a mask that includes argan oil or honey.

I Intermittent fasting The word fasting can scare some people away, but intermittent fasting really just means paying attention to the timing of your meals and how often you eat them. There are a lot of ways to practice this popular weight loss tactic from simply deliberately spacing out meals to alternating days of “feasting” and fasting.

It’s not for everyone, but it’s been proven that following an intermittent fasting diet where you eat normally on some days and eat 500-600 calories on fasting days may work and be healthy for some people.

J Jade rollers You’ve probably seen them in your Instagram feed lately, but what exactly do they do?

Jade facial rollers have been around for a long time — since the 17th century, to be exact. They’re also a staple in the beauty routines of many Chinese women. People claim jade rolling is good for an overall glowy complexion, doing everything from removing toxins from the skin and healing acne to decreasing under-eye puffiness and improving circulation. Only a few of

these benefits are proven (circulation, de-puffing, relaxation), but we’re still willing to try it. Simply dab a bit of your favorite moisturizer or facial oil onto the roller and roll onto clean, dry skin.

K Keratin Keratin is a protective protein that makes up your hair, skin and nails. It’s strong, shield-like qualities explain why Keratin treatments and products for hair have been soaring in popularity. When used to treat hair, Keratin can smooth and defrizz as well as straighten curly and wavy textures for up to three months. There are a number of professional Keratin treatments you can get done at your salon, but there are also some keratin products you can buy to improve your hair’s texture at home.

L Leafy greens Besides the fact that most Americans aren’t eating enough vegetables in general, eating more leafy greens increases our intake of various vitamins and minerals, fiber and phytonutrients. Greens also contain folate, which promotes healthy cell growth and function. Some greens, like spinach, even contain calcium. Thankfully,

it’s easy to add more greens to your diet. Try throwing a few handfuls of kale into your favorite soup or your breakfast smoothie. Or swap the iceberg lettuce on your sandwich for spinach.

M Movement We’re talking any and all movement, not just high-intensity exercise. Moving your body is important for both physical and mental health.

Experts say that excess sitting is now linked with 35 diseases and conditions, including obesity, hypertension, back pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease and depression.

Thankfully, there are easy ways to get your body moving each day. If you spend a lot of time sitting, try standing instead. Try to get outside and walk, even if it’s just around the block. Even cleaning your house can help you get some movement in.

N Nutrition The importance of eating healthy may seem obvious, but what we eat affects everything about the way our bodies function. In 2019, try to take in fewer foods with preservatives and more whole and fresh foods. Because everything we put into our bodies is broken down and used in some way, eating well can affect everything from your mood to your sleep. Focus on eating balanced meals that include lots of fruits and vegetables, which are

essential for providing the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need. Take it a step further and go meatless a few times each week — proven to help reduce risk of heart disease and aid in weight loss, among other benefits.

O Oils Oils are everywhere these days and for good reason!

We’re going to talk about our two favorite types: essential oils and facial oils. Essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus oil can be used as aromatherapy to aid relaxation, making them great for combatting bouts of stress and anxiety. Other oils like eucalyptus and peppermint are good for easing congestion in the case of a cold.

There are endless uses and types of essential oils. Facial oils are designed to deliver vitamins and other ingredients to your skin in high concentrations. Unlike essential oils, they’re applied directly to the skin. They’re also great moisturizers for skin in need of an extra boost. Try a vitamin C oil to brighten and even out your complexion or rosehip seed oil to calm breakouts.

P Probiotics The short version: Probiotics are microorganisms that keep your gut healthy. You don’t necessarily have to take probiotic supplements to get the benefits, though. It turns out probiotics occur naturally in a lot of good foods: Yogurt, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, pickles, chocolate and Kimchi. The buzz around the health benefits of probiotics in recent years have brought products rich in probiotics M &M

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like Kombucha and Kefir to our local grocery stores. With delicious foods like these readily available to us, why not work more probiotics into our weekly meal plans?

Q Quiz your brain Just like your other muscles, your brain needs to be worked out every now and then too.

Keep your mind sharp with puzzles and games. There are plenty of apps you can download to keep your brain busy including Wizard, Lumosity and Elevate. Things like Sudoku and crossword puzzles can also be good for your mind.

Exercising your brain can improve memory, boost your IQ and improve brain functions like focus and reading comprehension.

R Retinol Retinol, a Vitamin A derivative, is an anti-aging powerhouse that’s been around for years. It comes in various forms known as retinoids, and they all essentially do the same thing: Promote quicker cell turnover for smoother, more youthful looking skin.

They also help prevent the breakdown of collagen and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Retinoids are usually prescribed by dermatologists but recently, they’ve been getting more popular and accessible in the form of over-the-counter serums and moisturizers.

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S

V

Snacking healthy

ASMR Videos

In 2019, make it a point to stock your refrigerator and pantry with fruits, nuts, and other healthy, whole foods to snack on. It’s easy to snack on junk foods when they’re readily available, but you can change your snacking habits by changing what you keep in your house, car or at work.

If you usually have a sweet craving, try snacking on fresh fruit. Always reaching for salty snacks? Roast some chickpeas tossed with salt and spices for a healthier alternative to chips.

ASMR videos are all over YouTube and our social media feeds, which left us wondering: What exactly is ASMR all about? ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, which is a relaxing sensation that starts on the scalp and travels down the spine. These videos popping up are designed to give people that feeling. There are even entire YouTube channels dedicated to them, and celebrities are creating videos, too.

The videos usually include gentle whispering, relaxing hand movements, brushing sounds and tapping or scratching. Try watching one to wind down before bed.

T Take time to rest We’ve all heard the buzz about self-care, but recognizing that you need to rest or take a break really is so important. When life gets busy, carve out some time for you, whether that’s 30 minutes or two hours. Do something relaxing like walking, reading, taking a bath or enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. Just be sure your self-care habits are healthy and restful.

U Unplug We’re all guilty of spending too much time looking at our phones, laptops and TVs. Whether it’s for work or just checking in on our social media channels, we spend hours each day staring at a screen. That takes a toll on our minds and our eyes.

When possible, unplug and take a break from all of that visual stimulation. You’ll return to the digital world feeling refreshed.

W Water Bottom line: We all need to drink more of it. Drinking water improves the look and feel of your skin, the function of your digestive system and the health of your organs — even your brain. So, drink up.

Your body will thank you!

X Exfoliating acids It may sound counterintuitive, but acids are actually a great way to up your skincare game. There are lots of acids commonly used in skincare, but we’re going to talk about three that are on the rise: AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) and PHAs (Poly Hydroxy Acids). All three of these are known as chemical exfoliants, meaning that upon application to your skin, they work to eliminate dead skin cells

and leave your face smoother, clearer and more even in texture. AHAs are good for pretty much all skin types, while BHAs are good for people with problematic skin with their antibacterial and pore-unclogging properties.

For sensitive skin, look for PHAs, which are very gentle and contain more moisturizing properties.

Y Yearly check-ups The beginning of a new year is a great time to schedule any annual check-ups needed for 2019. This includes visits to your primary care physician, eye doctor, OBGYN or other specialists. Not everyone needs to make all of these annual visits, though, so before scheduling all of these appointments have a chat with your doctor about your health history and conditions. Then, they can recommend who to see for a check-up in the new year.

Z Zzzz’s It’s not just about beauty rest: Good sleep makes us healthy.

Getting enough sleep and getting quality sleep can reduce risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease as well as depression and mood disorders. Sleep can also affect our stress levels, ability to focus at work and school and our body’s ability to maintain a healthy weight. So, hit the hay! And if you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor. M

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RESOURCE GUIDE 2019

Tupelo Aquatic Center

Assistance Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic provides health care to working or temporarily unemployed Lee County residents who cannot afford insurance but are not eligible for government programs at its Magazine Street clinic. Medications are provided through the clinic pharmacy. Clinics are offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Wednesday morning and afternoon. Call (662) 844-3733.

Agape Health Services provides health care to those without insurance. at its 505 North St., New Albany Clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. More information available at www.agapehs.org.

Healthy Living Free Clinic The next clinic will be 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 19. Call (662) 4159446 or (662) 284-7361 for information or to volunteer. Provides free health care to anyone without Medicaid, Medicare or private health insurance from 1 to 5 pm. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at its 700 S. Crater Street building In Corinth. Call (662) 234-1374.

National Council on Alcoholism and

Drug Dependency provides free confidential information, assessments and treatment referrals for people struggling with addiction.

Maintains listings of area support group meetings. Call (662) 841-0403.

Nurse Link, a free health care information service provided by NMMC, connects callers with a registered nurse from 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to midnight weekends and holidays. Call (800) 882-6274.

Oxford Medical Ministries provides free health care to workers living in Lafayette and Yalobusha counties who can’t afford or don’t have access to health insurance, but make too much for public assistance. Call (662) 234-1374.

Regional Rehabilitation Center provides long-term outpatient, therapeutic rehabilitation services free of charge to individuals with disabilities in Tupelo. Call (662) 842-1891.

Tree of Life Free Clinic offers free medical services to anyone without Medicaid, Medicare or private health insurance at 4:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month and

9 a.m. the third Saturday of the month at its 541 W. Main St. building in Tupelo. Basic dental care – extractions only – identified through the regular medical clinic. Call (662) 841-8777.

Education American Red Cross offers CPR/AED/ First Aid classes at its Westside Drive office in Tupelo. Call (662) 842-6101.

Anger Management classes are offered 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Cedar Grove United Pentecostal Church on North Veterans Boulevard in Tupelo. Call (662) 844-9637.

Diabetes education classes are offered through area hospitals to aid people with managing their blood sugar and reducing the risk for complications from diabetes.

• Baptist Memorial-Union County in New Albany, (662) 538-2297 or (662) 538-2199.

• NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center in Tupelo, (662) 377-2500.

• NMMC-West Point - (662) 495-2292 • Oktibbeha County Hospital, Starkville Call (662) 615-3364

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RESOURCE GUIDE Fitness Beginner Yoga is offered at 9:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the Yoga Center in Tupelo. All classes are based on donation.

Pay what you can afford to pay. Call (662) 372-3233.

T’ai Chi Chih is offered at 9 a.m. Saturdays at Lee Acres Park in Tupelo. Described as a moving meditation, the series of 19 movements improve balance, physical fitness, flexibility and stamina. Free. Call (662) 2315519.

Tupelo Aquatic Center at Veterans Park offers swimming, water aerobics and weekly yoga classes. Call (662) 840-3768.

Kids & Families Autism Center of North Mississippi provides assessments and early intervention for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Services offered on a sliding scale. Call (662) 840-0974 or visit www.autismcenternms.com.

CATCH Kids offers school-based and community clinics where children 18 and under can be seen free of charge in Lee, Chickasaw and Pontotoc counties.

Medications are provided without cost to patients through arrangements with local pharmacies. Call (662) 377-2194. Community clinics are: • 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at 1616 N. Green St., Tupelo and West Oxford Street across from West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc.

• 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Morning Star Baptist Church in Tupelo.

• 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at 1616 N. Green St., Tupelo and 203 Main St., Okolona.

Health Help offers free assistance for parents with Medicaid and CHIPS. Trained counselors at Mississippi Health Advocacy Partnership offer help and guidance in determining eligibility and other issues. The program also offers assistance for adults who may qualify for federal programs or insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Call (877) 314-3843.

HealthWorks! Children’s Education Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Located at the corner of Robert E. Lee and Industrial drives in Tupelo. General admission is $5. Call (662) 377-5437 or www.healthworkskidsms.org.

Infant CPR classes are offered at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at North Mississippi Medical Center Women’s Hospital in Tupelo.

Call (662) 377-4934 or (800) 843-3375.

Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project offers support for pregnant women by pairing them with volunteer mentors and offering pregnancy and life-management related

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classes. Call (662) 255-8283 or email tonihill@ birthingprojectusa.org.

Parenting classes will be offered weekly at the Family Resource Center of Northeast Mississippi on Magazine Street in Tupelo.

Childcare provided. Marriage education, fathers-only parenting and parenting during divorce classes also available. Call (662) 8440013.

Parenting classes are offered from 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Cedar Grove United Pentecostal Church on North Veterans Boulevard in Tupelo. Call (662) 844-9637.

Welcoming baby: Hospitals with maternity services offer a number of classes on pregnancy, newborn care, breastfeeding and preparing siblings and grandparents for a new baby.

• Baptist Memorial-North Mississippi, Oxford - (662) 513-1602 • Baptist Memorial-Union County, New Albany - (662) 538-2397 • Merit Health Gilmore Memorial, Amory - (662) 256-6204 • Magnolia Regional Health Center, Corinth - (662) 293-2265.

• NMMC Women’s Hospital, Tupelo (662) 377-4956

Support groups Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women working to solve their common problem of alcoholism. There are no dues or fees.

• Tupelo: 33 meetings are offered at nine locations. Call (662) 200-1371

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or visit www.aa-mississippi.org for listings.

• There are also meetings in Aberdeen, Ackerman, Amory, Ashland, Belmont, Booneville, Bruce, Calhoun City, Corinth, Fulton, Holly Springs, Houlka, Iuka, Mantachie, New Albany, Okolona, Oxford, Pontotoc, Saltillo, Starkville and West Point. Call (662) 327-8941 for Aberdeen and Starkville, (662) 697-0044 or (662) 533-9102 for Oxford, (662) 489-6612 for Pontotoc or (800) 344-2666.

For a listing of addiction support groups around Northeast Mississippi, call the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency at (662) 841-0403 or check www. msncadd.net.

Addiction help – Narconon, an international organization of treatment centers, drug education and prevention services, provides free consultations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week for those with drug addictions. Call (800) 556-8885.

Al-Anon is a fellowship of friends and relatives of alcoholics. The group has meetings at several locations • American Legion Building, Lift Inc. building Fairground Circle, New Albany, 7 p.m. Mondays.

• Cornerstone Methodist Church, Tupelo, 5:30 p.m. Mondays. Call (662) 871-687-1811 or (662) 871-8068.

• First Presbyterian Church, Tupelo 8 p.m.

Tuesdays.

• Easy Does It Group, noon Thursdays at Brooks Center at Fulton Methodist Church.

Call Bob W. (662) 401-8094.

RESOURCE GUIDE Peace Seekers Family Group, noon Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church, Tupelo. Call (662) 401-8094 or (847) 9026267.

St. James Catholic Church, Tupelo, 8 p.m.

Wednesdays and 7 p.m. Fridays.

Groups also meet in Belmont, Corinth and Oxford.

ALS Connections Support Group meets at noon the second Tuesday of the month at Longtown Medical Park ground floor conference room in Tupelo. Sponsored by the ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter. Open to patients, family members, caregivers. Contact Whytnie Howell at whytnie.howell@alsalams.org.

Alzheimer’s support groups for family members and friends of those with the disease meet in Northeast Mississippi: Amory: 10 a.m. the first Monday of the month in building A at First Baptist Church in Amory. Loved ones with dementia can stay at First Friends during the meeting. Call Mary Nell Dorris at (662) 256-1130 or (662) 315-0097.

Tupelo: 5 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in the Traceway Manor library, Tupelo.

Call Terri at (662) 844-1441.

Bariatric Support Group meets the second Tuesday of the month in Magnolia 1 in the medical office plaza at Baptist MemorialNorth Mississippi. Call Nykiea Hayes at (800)976-5589.

Celebrate Recovery, a Bible-based group open to those struggling with addiction, anger issues, grief, guilt, shame, financial loss, abuse, eating disorders or compulsive behaviors, meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays at NorthStar Church, 112 Bauhaus, Saltillo. Call (662) 869-7778 or email cr@ thenorthstarchurch.com. Groups also meet in Burnsville, Booneville, Tishomingo, New Albany, Oxford, Fulton, Houston, Okolona and Starkville. Call (662) 213-2059 for information about the Northeast Mississippi groups.

The Compassionate Friends, a support group for families who have suffered the death of a child of any age, is open to parents, step-parents, grandparents and siblings. Information is at www. compassionatefriends.org. It meets at 6 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center. Call Elizabeth Stamper at (662) 321-5442 or Dave Jensen at (662) 2311305.

Crossroads Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets at 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the MSU Extension Office behind Crossroads Arena in Corinth. Sponsored by the MS Foundation.

Contact Joy Forsyth (662) 462-7325 or

joycforsyth@ frontiernet. net.

Diabetes Support Groups meet in: Booneville: 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the George E. Allen Library except for June and December. Call Kitti Parman at (662)377-2500 or (800) 843-3375.

Starkville: 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Oktibbeha County Hospital educational facility. Call Nicky Yeatman at (662) 615-2668.

Tupelo: 11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at the NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo.

Sponsored by the NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center.

Call (662) 377-2500 or (800) 843-3375.

The Disability Support Group meets at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at LIFE office, Cliff Gookin Boulevard, Tupelo.

People with all types of physical and mental disabilities are welcome.

Call Wayne Lauderdale or North Mississippi Medical Center Emily Word at (662) 8446633.

A Domestic Violence Street. Guest speakers. Lunch provided for Support Group meets at 6 p.m. the third cancer survivors and caregivers. Sponsored Monday of the month at the Lee County by the American Cancer Society. Call Family Resource Center in Tupelo. Child care coordinator Donna Kingsley at (662) 213available. Call (662) 844-0013.

8478.

A Domestic Violence Support Group La Leche League of Northeast Mississippi meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday. Call (800) offers mother-to-mother support for 527-7233 for location. Child care is provided. breastfeeding. The group meets at 11 a.m. the FACE IT food allergy support group is first Thursday of the month. All pregnant available in Tupelo. Focused on parents of and breastfeeding mothers are invited to children with food allergies, but open to attend. Other LLL services include a lending others with medical conditions that require library and 24-hour telephone help. For food avoidance. Contact Amelia at (662) 322information about meeting location or help 7434 or faceittupelo@live.com for locations with a breastfeeding concern, call Toni at and times.

(662) 255-8283.

Family Hope & Healing support group for Lost Cords Laryngectomy Support Group those with a loved one in active addiction, meets at noon the fourth Thursday of the treatment or recovery, meets at 6:30 p.m. month at NMMC Oupatient Rehabilitation on Tuesdays at the Tupelo outpatient office first floor conference room in Tupelo. Call for the Oxford Centre at 341 E. Main (800) 843-3375.

Street, suite A-1. Call (662) 680-2636 or visit Lupus Support is available in Northeast theoxfordcentre.org.

Mississippi. Sponsored by the Lupus I Can Cope cancer support group meets Foundation of America. Open to anyone at noon the second Friday of the month interested in lupus. Contact Michelle Harris at NMMC Cancer Care on South Gloster at (662) 825-0224.

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RESOURCE GUIDE Man-to-Man support group for prostate cancer meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in at NMMC -Tupelo Education Center. Call (800) 843-3375.

Mended Hearts, a support group for people who have had heart-bypass surgery, heart disease or other physical ailments of the heart, meet in: Oxford: Noon the the second Wednesday of the month at in the Magnolia room at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. Contact Jennifer Milliner, (662) 832-2117.

Tupelo: 5:15 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at Room 21 of the NMMC East Tower Education Center. Call (662) 377-3131 to RSVP. First time guests are asked to arrive by 5 p.m.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group-Tupelo meets at 11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month in the food court at Midtown Pointe (formerly Gloster Creek Village). Contact Allison Holloway at (662) 231-5829, Karan Woods at (662) 231-9160 or (800) 843-3375.

Narcotics Anonymous, a community-based association of recovering drug addicts, meets in the region: Tupelo group meets at the Helping Hands building, 314 S. Church St., at 6 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday and 7:30 pm.

Saturday.

Groups also meet in Ackerman, Amory, Booneville, Bruce, Corinth, New Albany, Oxford, Pontotoc, Ripley and Starkville.

Call (662) 841-9998 or toll-free (866) 8419998 for more information.

Tupelo Aquatic Center

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New Moms Support Group meets at 10:30 a.m. Fridays in the 3 North Women’s and Children’s Unit Multi-Purpose Room at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi. Open to all new moms. Call (662) 513-1602.

The North MS Pediatric Cancer Support Group (PECANS) is available to families facing pediatric cancer. Call Teresa Farris at (662) 791-1228 or visit North MS PeCanS Facebook page.

Northeast Mississippi Down Syndrome Society offers support and information resources for families of children with Down Syndrome. Call (662) 871-2387, e-mail nemdss@bellsouth.net or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group-Tupelo meets at 11:30 a.m. the second Monday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo.

Call (662) 377-3248.

A Sexual Assault Support Group meets at 1 p.m. every Wednesday. Call (800) 527-7233 for location.

Stroke support groups meet in: Tupelo at 11:30 a.m. the third Tuesday of the month in NMMC Wellness Center, Tupelo. Call (662) 377-3248 or (662) 377-3847.

Starkville at the OCH Regional education room. For more info, call the speech language pathology department at (662) 615-3020.

T.A.A.P. (Teen Addiction Awareness Program) is a free 10-week program offered by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence building, 200 N. Spring St., Tupelo. The program, which meets for

90 minutes once a week, is open to teens age 13-18. There will be educational sessions on every aspect of drug and alcohol use and abuse. Call NCADD at (662) 841-0403 or www.ncadd.net.

TOPS, a weight loss support group, has three chapters meeting in Northeast Mississippi. Fees are $28 for annual membership; $14 for spouses and teens. Call area captain Tina Evans at (662) 436-8220, state coordinator Pat Harris at (662) 3860249 or (800) 932-8677 or visit www.tops.org.

Tupelo: 4:45 p.m. Thursdays at Salvation Army Building at 527 Carnation St. Saltillo: 5 p.m. Mondays at 167 Pinecrest St. Aberdeen: 5 p.m. Tuesdays at Southside Baptist Church on Meridian Street.

Weight Loss Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at NMMC Wellness Center in Tupelo. The group provides education and emotional support for those considering or who have gone through bariatric surgery. Call (662) 3777546 or (866) 908-9465.

Tupelo Small Animal Hospital “We treat them like our own.”

2096 S. Thomas St. • Tupelo • 662-840-0210 Stephen K. King, D.V.M.; Glenn S. Thomas, D.V.M. Deanna M. Van Camp, D.V.M.

CAMP TUPELO BOARDING

Bridal Open HOuse January 26, 2019 1pm - 3pm 1818 McCullough Blvd Tupelo

SENTER TRANSIT MIX DIVISION OF CONCRETE INDUSTRIES, INC.

401 Elizabeth St., Tupelo

662-842-7305

EMMA I think self-care looks different for me depending on the day.

Sometimes that means knocking out some household chores I’ve been putting off and sometimes that means looking at the sink full of dirty dishes and walking away. When I’m stressed but not ready to tackle much of anything, I love to take a relaxing bath, drink a cup of hot tea and get in bed early to watch a movie or Netflix reruns. Add in a face mask and I’m in heaven.

But sometimes I find it relaxing to do tasks like organizing a drawer or cabinet, cleaning out my closet, sweeping or tidying up. I’ve recently found that cooking is also a form of self-care for me. There’s something about following the steps in a recipe — chopping, salting, stirring — that helps me refocus on the task at hand, rather than stressing about all of the other things I have going on. Plus, I end up with something delicious and usually healthy to eat, so I feel like I’m taking care of my body, too.

EMMA’S PICKS: Watching “Friends” or “The Great British Baking Show,” face masks, chamomile and lavender tea, getting outside to walk or run.

lauren I work waaaay too much. I’m not the best about self-care, and admittedly need to make it more of a priority. I take mini mental breaks here and there. It helps taking a few seconds and taking a deep breath to refocus. I also keep a to-do list, which helps me stay on top of everything and is so satisfying to cross things off once they are completed. I really like playing games on my phone, like word or puzzle games, and reading at night before bed or listening to podcasts when I’m driving. Cuddling with my pup instantly helps me de-stress after a crazy day. My favorite way to recharge, though, is spending time with good friends.

Having an evening planned gives me something to look forward to all week, and it forces me to take a break from my work.

Laughing and talking and listening with great company does my soul wonders.

Lauren’s picks: Girls’ night dinner, podcasts, petting my dog

ellie

Self-care is important.

Don’t put yourself on the back burner. The M&M staff talks about how they destress and re-energize. illustration by ALI BALLARD

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I spent the better part of 2018 trying to be more intentional with self-care. I had a nasty habit of saying yes to everyone except myself. Even though I was saying yes to people I love dearly, it led to my feeling drained, burned out and unhappy. So now I try to quiet myself and determine what I need to do, what I want to do and what I can politely decline. It’s not as hard as it seems.

I think I was a little self-important to think my presence would make or break the whole deal. Once you make a habit of listening to your inner self, it’s easier to understand what you need in order to be fulfilled. Sometimes it is a house full of friends sharing a meal. Other times it’s scheduling a day at home with nothing on the agenda but a movie date with my dogs and cat.

Ellie’s picks: Reading a great book, cooking a meal, reserving a day of the month where I have nothing on the agenda, exploring a new city. M