NewsTribune_Boomers_052921

ILLINOIS VALLEY

Boomers

TODAY May 2021

IV QUILTERS CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH

Also: n

Exploring the Putnam County Community Center

n Tips

for de-stressing and unwinding

n IVCIL:

A resource for people with disabilities

publication

Everything’s better with a friend Remember when you were in high school or college surrounded by a variety of friends you could call at any time? You always had something to do, and more importantly, someone to do it with. Even if it was just kicking back, relaxing, and watching a movie together, it was great to have someone in your life to share activities, experiences, and feelings with.

But as we get older, busier, and a little less energetic, many of us find our social circles narrowing. We just have so many obligations that maintaining friendships is an item off our to-do list that seems to fall by the wayside. Some of the friends we do stay in touch with often aren’t around us. They move away,

Boomers Today 426 Second Street La Salle, Illinois 61301 (815) 223-3200 (800) 892-6452 www.newstrib.com

and that takes away the face-to-face component of friendships. Or often, other friends we would love to stay in touch with are too busy for us.

That makes us have to look elsewhere for new friendships, which isn’t always easy for those who aren’t outgoing. That’s what makes places like the Putnam County Community Center, which is featured in this issue, so important. They allow people to keep the necessary social component going in their lives. Check out our article to see what makes this small community center so special.

Staying in regular contact with friends or expanding your social circle can help you manage your stress load. Stress levels can skyrocket as a Boomer. You’re not only worried about your health, but your children’s well-being and your parents’ health, too. To top it all off, 2020 and 2021 have given Boomers the added stress of being concerned about the pandemic. To help you,

we’re sharing tips in this issue on how you can relax and ward off stress as much as you can.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Boomers magazine as much as we enjoyed putting it together. We’re always open to new ideas, so if there’s a story idea you’d like to see us write about, send me an email at sserpette@shawmedia.com.

And if you’re a writer or have always dreamed of being one, we’re on the lookout for a new freelancer to add to our roster of writers. It’s flexible, so it can fit into your schedule whether you already have a full-time career or are a retiree looking for a new challenge. You’ll earn some extra money and get to meet fascinating people to interview for articles.

Those who are interested in being a freelance writer should email me for more information.

Best wishes, Shannon Serpette, niche editor

Contents A Champion for Those with Disabilities 4

Publisher Dan Goetz

IVCIL offers broad support over a five-county area.

Niche Editor Shannon Serpette sserpette@shawmedia.com Advertising Director Jeanette Smith jmsmith@shawmedia.com Writer Shannon Serpette

A Common Thread 8 Quilting is a popular activity for Boomers in the Illinois Valley.

There’s Always a Friendly Face at the Putnam County Community Center 16

A meeting place for meals, activities, resources, and companionship.

Photographer Shannon Serpette

Fight Stress for Better Health 20

Designer Liz Klein

De-stress your life with these tips.

Published by:

On the cover: Sharon Read of rural Henry quilted this cat wall hanging. est. 1851

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

2 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

THEME NIGHTS

May 28 Opening night, co-hosted

June 5

July 1

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Bark in the Park, Benefitting Illinois Valley Animal Rescue

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Ladies Night

96.5 The Wolf Country Night

July 11 Sunday Funday Family Beach Bash Presented

June 10 Polish Heritage Night

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June 12 Grand Bear Resort’s Super Hero Night

July 16 Frightful Friday: Halloween in July

June 15 First Responder Appreciation, Co-Sponsored

July 17 Craft Beer Night hosted by Tangled Roots

by Mr. Sparkle’s Auto Spa & Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio LLP

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July 22 Germanfest June 20 Salute to the Military Presented by James Hardie July 24 Wally the Walleroo Night & Benefitting Illinois Freedom Run

June 25 WAJK & WLPO 80’s Big Hair Night June 30 Scout Night

August 1 Little League Day August 4 Fan Appreciation Night

Sponsored by:

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 3

Sarah Stasik, IVCIL’s executive director, wants to get the message out about IVCIL’s services so they can cast a wider net to help more people.

A Champion for Those with Disabilities IVCIL offers broad support over a five-county area Story and photos by Shannon Serpette

P

eople with disabilities or people caring for those with disabilities can sometimes need extra help to find valuable programs and resources. Knowing where to turn can be hard, especially for recent transplants to the Illinois Valley who aren’t aware of the existing services.

Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living in LaSalle, more commonly called IVCIL, can help people find those resources or assist them with their in-house programs. IVCIL is there to inform people with disabilities about their rights, help empower them, and enrich their lives.

Sarah Stasik, executive director of IVCIL, said one of the best parts of her job is helping people gain

their independence.

As a nonprofit, community-based service center for independent living, IVCIL serves a five-county area, including LaSalle, Putnam, Bureau, Marshall, and Stark counties. It offers five core services – information and referral, peer counseling, advocacy, independent living skills, and transition services.

In the last quarter, IVCIL received 300 calls from people looking for help or information, according to Stasik. Even when IVCIL doesn’t directly offer a service someone is calling about, they can point them in the right direction.

“We do a lot of that,” she said.

One popular service offered through IVCIL is the Illinois Tele-

4 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

communications Access Corporation (ITAC) program. The ITAC program offers specialty telephones for people who have a doctor’s note stating they have difficulty hearing, which makes using a standard phone harder. An ITAC phone is an amplified phone, but it has other features as well, such as the ability to slow down the pace of the speech. They also offer caption telephones, which give the user the ability to read the conversation.

In addition to the phones, IVCIL’s lending closet is another program people lean heavily on.

“A lot of times when people walk through our doors, they are here to pick up medical equipment,” Stasik said.

It Takes A Village

IVCIL staff members Grace Eager (from left), Sarah Stasik, and Kari Matuszewski stand with some of the equipment the center lends out free of charge.

The lending closet includes items such as wheelchairs, canes, shower benches, commodes, and walkers. It’s free to use and based on shortterm rentals, Kari Matuszewski, IVCIL’s Independent Living coordinator, said.

As for transition services, IVCIL can help youth with disabilities transition from high school to their new life as an adult. It can also help ease individuals back into homes and communities after being in a long-term care facility.

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“We help people transition out of nursing homes,” Stasik said.

The goal is to help people live independently – whether they are coming from a nursing home or fresh out of high school.

IVCIL is always looking for volunteers to help with its Mobile Meals program, IVCIL executive director Sarah Stasik said.

The volunteers for the meal program have to commit to two hours every other week on a consistent day of the week, Monday through Friday.

“We deliver in all the bad weather,” Stasik said.

The service area for the meals includes LaSalle, Peru, and Oglesby. Those who are interested in volunteering should contact IVCIL at 815-224-3126.

“We help them find housing,” Stasik said, adding they can also help people with disabilities find transportation, furniture, and anything they need to be self-sufficient.

One way IVCIL reaches that goal is through the Personal Assistant (PA) program. A personal assistant is See IVCIL on page 6

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 5

IVCIL

FROM PAGE 5

assigned to help a client who has a disability, which IVCIL calls the consumer. The PA will assist the consumer with daily activities as needed, such as meal preparation, personal care, shopping, and even light secretarial duties if necessary.

IVCIL focuses on consumer-driven care and consumer control.

“The consumer is the boss,” Grace Eager, IVCIL’s Personal Assistant coordinator, said.

The PAs are there to help troubleshoot anything that might be a stumbling block for a consumer’s independent living. The consumer and PAs often form tight bonds, with the PA becoming like a family member to them.

“They really value having a nice person who can help them out,” Eager said.

IVCIL also does its part to ensure that people are staying fed through the Mobile Meals Program.

“Illinois Valley Community Hospital prepares the food,” Stasik said, adding that the Mobile Meals program is a partnership between the two entities.

Then volunteers pick up and deliver the meals to people in LaSalle, Peru, and Oglesby. The program currently delivers to around 40 consumers each day, Monday through Friday.

Stasik said the mobile meal deliveries turn into a well-being check-up. The people who deliver the meals get to know what is normal for each client they drop

These amplified phones can be obtained through IVCIL by people who have difficulty hearing. People who struggle to hear on a standard phone should notice the volume is significantly louder on an amplified phone. off food to, so they can tell when something is unusual.

If something doesn’t seem normal for that client, the delivery people call it in, Matuszewski added.

Getting to know the consum-

ers is one of the biggest perks of the job for Matuszewski.

“It’s very fulfilling and rewarding,” she said. “It’s exciting to see them more independent and reach goals.”

Although Stasik is more on

the administrative side and doesn’t have the level of interaction with consumers that Matuszewski and Eager do, she values being able to help others in her own way.

“I just find while working in social services, you become part of the community,” Stasik said.

Just knowing you’re making a difference and fulfilling the needs of the community is a rewarding experience, she said.

Looking ahead, the crew at IVCIL wants to reach out to the community to see what more can be done to help more people. They plan on casting a wider net, particularly in the outlying counties where they don’t have as much of a presence, such as Marshall and Stark counties.

To accomplish that goal, they’ll keep trying to get the word out about their services, something the staff changes IVCIL has had in the past couple of years might help with. Some key employees have come in recently, including Eager, who just joined the staff in 2021.

“To me, that’s kind of exciting. I have young, smart people who work hard,” Stasik said.

By using social media platforms, the younger staff members are able to reach more people to let them know that IVCIL has these resources and can help people. They are constantly trying to get the word out about IVCIL so they can serve more people.

“It’s a matter of telling your story again and again and again,” Stasik said.

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A Common hread

T

Quilting is a popular activity for Boomers in the Illinois Valley

By Shannon Serpette

S

haron Read is a relative newcomer to quilting.

Unlike some women she knows who have been quilting for decades, she only began five or six years ago.

“I’ve been sewing for a lot longer than I’ve been quilting,” Read said, adding that she started sewing 45 years ago. “I’ve crafted my whole life. That’s what got me into sewing.”

She waited decades before making the jump to quilting, though, because it was a bit intimidating.

“I never thought I could do it,” she said. “There is a lot more cutting and measurements, a lot of math.”

To her, quilting was about perfectionism, and she wasn’t sure she could live up to that.

Still, the appeal of quilting was too much to resist.

“I really wanted to learn how to make quilts,” she said.

She found a class in Princeton and started with a baby blanket. That was enough to get her hooked, and she joined the Marshall-Putnam Quilters Guild soon after.

The group, which meets once a month, was a good fit for Read, who lives in rural Henry. It put her in touch with people who knew the answer to any question she had.

“I thought, I don’t have enough knowledge on this,” she said. “I feel like I can learn more when I actually see it done.”

Quilters, Read said, are wonderful about wanting to help people who are new to the hobby. Finding someone you can turn to when you need advice can be invaluable.

“It’s nice to have a mentor,” she said. “Your mentor will have your back.”

She met her mentor, Ida Boyle of McNabb, through the

8 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

quilters guild she joined.

“We get together a lot,” she said.

Quilting can be enjoyed on a solo basis or with a friend, and it can also provide a way to fit some community service in as well. Many quilting guilds have community service projects for their members to work on.

While there is a seemingly never-ending list of wished-for items many quilters would like to purchase someday, one item a new quilter absolutely must have is a good machine that can sew straight and zigzag stitches, Read said.

Over time, Read said, you’ll need more space for all your items, such as your quilter’s stash. A quilter’s stash is a stockpile of fabrics that quilters save for a future project.

They can be fabrics bought See QUILT on page 10

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

One of the projects Sharon Read of Henry is working on right now is this Quilt of Valor.

These quilts are made for service members or veterans to thank them for their service.

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 9

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

Sharon Read of rural Henry has a space all to herself to work on her quilts and other projects. She turned a room in her house into a sewing room and has lots of natural light from the windows.

Quilt

Sharon Read and her grandson, Kevin Helle, display the Olympic-themed quilt she made him.

FROM PAGE 8

solely for the intention of using on a project someday, or they can be scraps from a prior project. Every quilter has a stash and struggles to find room for it.

But those scraps come in handy – and you never know when you’ll find the perfect use for a fabric you bought years ago.

“You really do have to have an imagination,” Read said.

Read loves making quilts for family members and has made one for each of her grandchildren. She puts labels on the items she makes so future generations will always know where the piece came from.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“A quilt should always have a label on it,” Read said.

Although it’s often recommended by quilting guilds, Nancy Griffin of Magnolia, who has been quilting since the 1990s, doesn’t put labels on the items she makes.

“When I was in the guild in Lisle, they always emphasized putting labels on things,” she said, adding that it’s not something she’s ever felt the need to do.

Griffin, who formerly re-

sided in the Lisle area, first became interested in quilting when she lived next to a quilt shop there. She went into the shop one day and became interested in the hobby.

“It’s just fun for me to do,” she said.

She didn’t have any relatives who quilted, so she joined a quilting guild in the Lisle area to get to know other people who shared her See QUILT on page 12 PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

Sharon Read sewed for decades before she began quilting. She recommends putting a label on your projects, whether they are quilts or another sewed item such as this memory bear she made out of the clothes of a deceased loved one.

10 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

“It’s just fun for me to do.”

Nancy Griffin of Magnolia

Nancy Griffin of Magnolia shows off a few of the quilts she’s made.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 11

Sew Informational

Tips to Get You Started with Quilting Thinking about joining the ranks of the quilters in the Illinois Valley? Other local quilters have shared their knowledge to give tips to save beginners some time and frustration.

“Measure twice, cut once,” Sharon Read, a Henry resident, said. That will help you ensure you are never off on your measurements and end up with a piece of fabric that won’t work.

“Start with one project,” Nancy Griffin of Magnolia said. Even if you have a lot of ideas, it’s best to work on only one at a time as a beginner.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Lisa Furleigh, owner of Quilting in the Valley, a store that has locations in LaSalle, Peoria, Champaign, Rockford, and Moline, said. “Give yourself a break. Enjoy what you’re doing.”

Don’t sweat the imperfections. “In my eyes, nothing I do is perfect,” Read said. But other people who look at the quilt won’t notice the tiny mistakes you do.

Get a rotary cutter if you can. “It’s better than using the scissors,” Griffin said.

Get over the fear of messing your quilt up, Read said. “You can always adapt it,” she said.

Embrace tapping into your creative side. “It’s a way to express yourself,” Furleigh said.

Find some space to dedicate to your hobby. “It’s nice to have a designated sewing area,” Read said.

Give yourself some natural light if you can while working on your quilting. “It’s easier to see things,” Read said, adding PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE that you get a better feel for the true colors of the fabrics This is the quilt Nancy Griffin of Magnolia is currently working on. and thread in natural light.

Quilt

FROM PAGE 10

enthusiasm for the hobby.

“I haven’t joined anything down around here yet,” she said.

Griffin urges beginners to be prepared to devote some time to quilting, especially if they want to do much hand quilting. If you need to cut corners to make quilting work for your schedule, that’s fine, she said.

“I would like to do hand quilting on some of them, but it takes too long to do it,” Griffin said.

HOW TO GET STARTED If you’ve decided to try to learn how to quilt, Lisa Furleigh, who owns a quilting store in LaSalle called Quilting in the Valley, recommends taking a class rather than trying to learn from a friend, by watching videos, or reading books.

That’s how Furleigh learned to quilt when she first started sometime around 1981.

“There are so many different ways to do things,” she said, but added that a beginners’ quilting class will give a person the information they need to get started.

Quilting in the Valley had been offering classes, but they

12 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

were temporarily put on hold because of the pandemic.

Furleigh said she anticipates starting them back up in the middle of 2021 for those who have received their Covid vaccine.

In the meantime, quilters can check out Quilting in the Valley’s YouTube videos which are regularly uploaded and are a fun mix of tips, tutorials, and conversation. Beginners are also welcome to stop by the store, talk to the staff, and browse merchandise to get an idea of what they might need to get started.

“We have 8,000 square feet.

We have about 10,000 bolts of fabric,” Furleigh said.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

Another one of Sharon Read’s projects was this quilted bag.

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 13

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Longtime staff member Shauna Greenwood (left), who serves as the congregate meal site manager, and PCCC director Michelle Halm (right) said they love getting to know all the people who stop by the center.

There’s Always a Friendly Face at the Putnam County Community Center A meeting place for meals, activities, resources, and companionship Story and photos by Shannon Serpette

T

The first thing a visitor to Putnam County Community Center in Standard notices is how homey it is. Walking through the doors, you feel welcomed immediately and charmed by the warmth and décor of the meal room. Unfortunately, because of the coronavirus, that gathering room has been closed for a while.

While the pandemic may have changed how attendees and PCCC staff communicate, the staff has found ways to continue pro-

viding the social interactions and services the seniors in Putnam County and beyond have come to depend upon.

“It’s been a challenge. At this point, this is our new normal,” Michelle Halm, executive director of PCCC, said.

When PCCC was still allowed to have meals and activities onsite, there might be anywhere from 15 to 40 people attending each day, Halm said. The challenge was to continue with those

16 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

services in the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic.

Halm gave a rundown of the community center’s services while adding that their funding is specifically for those 60 and over. Here are some of the things PCCC can help seniors with.

MEALS Pre-pandemic, lunch was offered five days a week at the site. While meals at the center carry a suggested donation, if a person can’t

complicated programs that can be confusing for seniors.

“We can answer those questions for them,” Halm said. “We can help you apply for Medicaid.”

Senior citizens experiencing food insecurity can stop by the entrance to Putnam County Community Center in Standard to take enough food to get them through the day. The Little Free Pantry in a Pinch is a project implemented and stocked

by Putnam County Rotary. The pantry area is open 24 hours a day and has been heavily used since it launched, Michelle Halm, director of Putnam County Community Center, said. pay, they are still welcome to eat.

“Our meals are provided at no cost. No one is ever denied a service on inability to pay,” Halm said.

Although the congregate meal site at PCCC has temporarily suspended on-site meals because of the pandemic, they have been able to provide home-delivered meals through Mom’s Meals, she said.

The meals can conform to dietary restrictions for those who are under special diets.

Through Mom’s Meals, they were able to select how many meals they wanted to be delivered per week for those who had signed up.

“We did five meals per week,” Halm said, adding that was the number of meals per week the congregate meal service would have normally provided anyway.

To fill in the cracks for seniors who might be facing hunger or suffering from food insecurity, the Putnam County Rotary set up and continually stock The Little Free Pantry in a Pinch. The pantry area, which is located at the entrance to PCCC and is open 24 hours a day, has been heavily used since it launched, Halm said. Those who are hungry can stop by the pantry and take enough food to get them by for the day, and they can use the food pantry as often as needed.

HELP WITH MEDICARE As a certified Senior Health Insurance Program site, PCCC can as-

sist people with Medicare. The help they offer with Medicare has saved over 66 people a total of more than $145,000, according to Halm.

Medicare and Medicaid are

This popular sign in the Putnam County Community Center in Standard lists all the communities in the county.

But PCCC also serves people from other communities, with visitors also stopping by from Leonore and Tonica.

FINDING RESOURCES If those 60 or older are struggling with an issue and need help, the community center can help.

“We’re basically a resource center,” Halm said.

They have a staff member dedicated to helping people find information and assistance with benefits, services, or even money-saving issues.

There is also a community outreach staff member who goes into people’s homes to make sure everything is going well and identifies those who may be at risk.

Those services have been more limited because of the pandemic, however, but the staff is doing their best to serve the public while adhering to safety regulations.

PCCC also offers family caregiver support.

When they can’t help a person directly, they can point them in the right direction so they do get the assistance they need.

ACTIVITIES Shauna Greenwood, the congregate meal site manager and activities director, helps line up interesting programs and activities for attendees. They’ll do crafts, Bingo, and of course, meet for meals where they can socialize.

In 2020, PCCC was able to get free tablets and one year of internet usage for senior citizens through Illinois Care Connections. That has allowed PCCC to continue their programs virtually while they’ve been unable to meet in person during the pandemic.

They try to help people stay busy, engaged, and socializing with things like take-home crafts, an online book club with meetings held through Zoom, and other virtual activities.

“It took a while to get their devices,” Halm said.

The devices were pre-loaded with all the essentials seniors would need, such as Zoom, which helped those who aren’t tech-savvy.

“The tablets came with a very user-friendly manual,” she said, adding that it was fun to see the seniors learning how to use the devices.

Greenwood said the virtual book club has been an enjoyable See PCCC on page 18

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 17

PCCC

For Skutt, the best thing about the community center is the people she meets.

FROM PAGE 17 “I enjoy the friendships we’ve READING MATERIALS had,” she said.

While the virtual book club is learning experience for those Skutt also praised the staff who going strong, some seniors devour involved. give the community center its welbooks and are constantly look“We let the participants each coming atmosphere. ing for new material. For seniors choose a book,” she said.

“Michelle is wonderful. She’s who need something to read, the Jean Skutt of Granville has real sweet,” she said.

Standard branch of the Putnam been going to PCCC for years and Halm said the best part of her County Library District is housed is part of the online book club job is meeting all the people in the community center.

PCCC established. who walk through the community center’s doors. The challenges of the pandemic have kept her busy, and she admits to having a little jealousy when her coworkers get to interact with the seniors and she can’t because she’s busy with administrative work.

“The most stressful part was the behind-the-scenes stuff,” Halm said, adding that she spent a lot of time keeping up with changing regulations and working to maintain the funding.

She knows it’s important to stay working hard so she can do her best for the seniors.

“I feel like we help people every day, and that gives me such a good feeling,” Halm said.

Putnam County Community Center has partnered with Bureau and Putnam Halm said Greenwood has Area Rural Transit (BPART) to provide rides for senior citizens who need them in stayed in constant contact with Putnam County. the seniors and makes sure they are getting together virtually and SOCIALIZATION AND FRIENDSHIP “I really do enjoy the book staying fed.

The virtual book club came at club,” Skutt said. “They bring me “Shauna’s been awesome,” she a good time for Skutt because she the books. If the book is interestsaid.

“I go home every day so had an accident last year that left ing, I can read it in one night.”

Skutt, who was given a device to her recovering at home, unable to proud of my staff.”

Greenwood enjoys working use through the program facilitated leave until early April of 2021.

“I haven’t been able to leave the with Halm as well and loves

by PCCC, said she had no problem talking with the seniors and helphouse,” she said. “Some people adjusting to the technology. ing them in any way she can. came to visit me, but not many.

“They’re just all sweet people,” It’s been nice to see the people on PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION Greenwood said. the i-Pad.” PCCC is a partner of Bureau-Putnam Area Rural Transit (B-PART) which allows them to provide transportation for area seniors who need it.

That’s a huge help for seniors who need to get to medical appointments and other places but have no way to get there.

LENDING OUT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT It’s no secret that ailments happen more frequently as a person ages. Buying all the medical equipment you need can get expensive for seniors and causes a financial strain for those on a tight budget.

PCCC can help with that, too.

“We have a medical lending closet,” Halm said.

The items can be borrowed at no cost, and there’s no time limit as to how long you can keep the equipment. That can save seniors the need to buy expensive equipment such

as wheelchairs, walkers, and shower benches.

Seniors who need medical equipment can borrow some out of the lending closet at PCCC. They don’t charge a fee, and the equipment can be borrowed as long as it is needed. They have a lot to choose from, including wheelchairs, walkers, and more.

18 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 19

Fight stress for better health De-stress your life with these tips Story by Shannon Serpette

D

octors and researchers frequently talk about the dangers of stress, referring to it as a silent killer. When you’re experiencing high levels of stress, you can feel it, and it can result in many symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, headaches, and muscle pain.

Some stress is unavoidable, though, especially if you have a health issue, a high-stress job, or never-ending family drama. Rather than seeking to avoid all stress, it’s in your best interest to develop some ways to cope with it.

EATING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Food can make the effects of stress better or worse, according to Peru Hy-Vee dietitian Haleigh Kneebone Augspols. So, it’s important to carefully select what you’ll be eating, particularly when you know you’ll be facing some unavoidable stress.

She recommends eating regular, well-balanced, nutritious meals. In addition, Kneebone Augspols said it’s best to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. The minerals and vitamins in these foods, such as vitamin E, copper, and zinc, can help neutralize damaging molecules that ramp up when you are facing stress, she said.

Vitamin C is another helpful nutrient that can help you fight stress by lowering the amount of cortisol in your body, according to Augspols. Instead of stress eating potato chips, the next time you’re feeling edgy, reach for an orange instead.

GET MOVING Exercise is good for your body and your mind. Some people find that running is a great way to relax, but it doesn’t have to be a strenuous workout to benefit you.

“I would say the one thing I like to do is a long walk out in the country alone. It takes my mind to a better place,” Kathy Reno of Standard said.

If you don’t have much time, even a five-minute yoga session can help.

Augspols is also a big believer in exercise for fighting stress.

“Some things I do to relieve stress are going for a walk with my dog, working out, drinking tea, listening to my favorite music, or forcing my pets and husband to cuddle with me,” she said.

SPENDING TIME WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE “I have a lot of different types of stresses in my life,” Peggy Smith of Magnolia said.

One method she uses to unwind when she’s feeling the effects of that stress is spending time with her loved ones.

“I love to hold and play with my grandkids,” she said. “Holding them close and putting them to sleep or singing to them will melt any stressful thoughts real fast.”

20 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

Don’t Skip The Omega-3s Taking in less Omega-3 fatty acids than you should can lead to anxiety or depression, which already might be a problem when you’re feeling stressed out. Try eating some flaxseed, walnuts, or fish oil for a helpful dose of healthy fats, Augspols said.

REACH FOR FIBER High-fiber foods help you feel full, which might stop you from reaching for foods like potato chips when you’re stressed. High-fiber foods, such as oatmeal and beans, can also decrease the amount of perceived stress you feel, Augspols said.

GET MORE SLEEP It can be hard to get enough sleep regularly, and it can prove even more difficult when you are worried about something.

Augspols suggests cutting back on caffeine and getting more sleep. Head to bed earlier than usual when you’re highly-stressed and try some wind-down activities to help you fall asleep faster, like taking a warm bath before bed or listening to white noise or a soothing sound machine.

LISTEN TO SOMETHING THAT SOOTHES YOU Judi Casey of LaSalle, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, relies on sounds to calm her when she’s having a hard day.

“Sometimes it gets rough knowing I can’t do a lot of things that I used to,” she said. “I usually like to close my eyes and maybe listen to music.”

She especially enjoys listening to pianist Steven Hall or nature sounds. While those are her favorites, people can listen to any sounds that they find relaxing or stress-busting.

MAKE SOMEONE ELSE HAPPY Another way Casey makes her stress better is by bringing a smile to other people.

“I love to make people laugh and smile. If I’m having a bad day, I will start talking to a friend who is having a rough time,” she said.

“Soon, I will see them starting to laugh and smile, and then I feel better.”

More Tips on page 22

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 21

TURN TO THE SOOTHING POWER OF WATER Hot tubs are known for their ability to help people relax, both mentally and physically. If you don’t have a hot tub at home or one you can access at the gym, turn to a hot bath to make yourself feel better like Peggy Smith does.

“I will soak in a hot bubble bath with any type of drink depending on the day and sit and relax,” she said.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

Many people find the sound and sight of water relaxing. Whether you visit a lake, the ocean, install a hot tub at your home, or take a soothing bath, water can melt away your worries.

GRAB A WARM DRINK A cup of chamomile tea can help you relax and start to feel sleepy. If you’re not a tea drinker, reach for a cup of warm cocoa for a similar effect. You can light a candle to make the moment more relaxing or watch your favorite television show.

And if you’re drinking caffeine during the day, reach for green tea rather than coffee. It appears to help lower stress levels, Augspols said.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

A relaxing cup of tea, such as this loose leaf blend of chamomile and lavender, can help you sleep better and feel more relaxed.

INDULGE IN DARK CHOCOLATE Dark chocolate can be healthy for you. According to Augspols, some research shows that a small piece of dark chocolate every day can result in lower stress hormone levels.

HEAD OUTDOORS If you can, go outside for a few minutes. Research shows that activity outside can be more mood-enhancing than doing things inside, according to Augspols.

“Some things I do to relieve stress are going for a walk with my dog, working out, drinking tea, listening to my favorite music, or forcing my pets and husband to cuddle with me.”

Haleigh Kneebone Augspols Peru Hy-Vee dietitian

22 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | May 2021 23

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24 May 2021 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication