THERAPY THROUGH THE ARTS
By Christina Danos
Art is a reflection of self. It is expression. It can provide a sense of accomplishment and control not felt in other life domains. The act of using leisure activities to help people improve their skills, abilities, overall health, and emotional well-being is referred to as recreational therapy. Recreational therapy is known to aid both the body and mind. Listed below are a few of the common types of recreational therapy.
Experience all of these art forms and more at Active in the Arts, our newest SmartSenior special event, on Friday, August 11!
Music Therapy
Music has the beautiful power to reach individuals on both conscious and unconscious levels. It elicits neurological, emotional and physiological responses like an increase in endorphins and a decrease in dopamine and serotonin levels. Because of these responses, the right music can promote change within these internal processes and heal both mind and body.
Art Therapy
Art therapy relies heavily on the art materials themselves. It isn’t always about the image or sculptural construction that is created, but rather on the thoughts, emotional themes, feelings, and experiences the piece represents. The act of making art itself can act as a springboard for further discussion or provide insight and opportunity to develop and strengthen skills.
Dance/Movement Therapy
Benefits of Music Therapy
Studies have demonstrated that music affects numerous parts of the brain, including those involved in emotion, cognition, sensory, and movement. Here are just a few documented benefits.
• Lowering blood pressure
• Improving memory
• Enhanced communication and social skills through experiencing music with others
• Self-reflection: observing your thoughts and emotions
• Reducing muscle tension
• Self-regulation: developing healthy coping skills to manage your thoughts and emotions
• Increasing motivation
• Managing pain
• Increasing joy
According to the Save the Music Foundation, music therapy has been found successful in treating a wide range of physical and mental ailments, including depression, anxiety, and hypertension.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Dancing is not only enjoyable, but it also helps to promote blood flow through the body. It is both an easy form of exercise and an important therapeutic tool. Dance/Movement Therapy works with the assumption that the body and mind are connected. Exploring this allows you to expand your abilities and knowledge of the ways in which you can adapt, communicate, and express yourself.
Drama Therapy
Drama therapy engages your mind, body, and spirit. It evokes creativity and imagination, and the embodied action of drama therapy provides opportunities to build social, emotional, and behavioral coping skills.
Written Therapy
Writing words on paper isn’t just a great way to help you remember something. It is also a great way to help you process everything that is going on internally. Something as simple as journaling can help you create balance and positive change in your life.
Source: itachicago.org
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Please make reservations for all of the following events. Call the SmartSenior office at 912.352.4405 to register.
MOVIE DAY
Hidden Figures
Friday, July 7 | 1 p.m.
SmartSenior Office
Rated PG | Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae. The story of a team of female AfricanAmerican mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
TUESDAY TEA
Emma
Tuesday, July 11 - Tuesday, August 1 | 2 p.m.
SmartSenior Office
Join us for tea, snacks, and television shows on Tuesdays at 2pm. Every week we will tune in for a new episode.
EGGS WITH AN EXPERT
Cybersecurity & Internet Safety
Terry Messer & Nolan Hennessee, St. Joseph’s/Candler
Wednesday, July 12 | 9:30 a.m.
Marsh Auditorium at Candler Hospital
Discover important ways to recognize and combat scams on your phone and email with our newest seminar. Terry, our Director of Technology, and Nolan, our Chief Information Officer here at St. Joseph's/Candler, will teach us how to protect our personal information.
SELF DEFENSE CLASSES
Thursday, July 13 and Thursday, July 20 | 2 p.m.
SmartSenior Office
Learn awareness tips and basic self-defense skills from martial arts specialist Larry McDaniels.
BOOK CLUB
Surviving Savannah
Monday, July 24 | 11 a.m.
SmartSenior Office
This month’s Book Club pick is Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan. Experience the lost history of the sinking of the steamship Pulaski, a steamship carrying the elite of Savannah and Charleston, in 1838. This is a moving and powerful exploration of what women will do to endure in the face of tragedy, the role fate plays, and the myriad ways we survive the surviving.
MOVIE DAY
Being the Ricardos
Friday, July 28 | 1 p.m.
SmartSenior Office
Rated R | Starring Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem. Follows Lucy and Desi as they face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.
SMARTSENIOR WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
There’s always something going on here at SmartSenior! Just a reminder, please make reservations for all of the following events. Call the SmartSenior office at 912.352.4405 to register. Our weekly activities are open to members only.
Exercise Class
SmartSenior Office
Mondays: 9:15-10 a.m.
Enjoy our low-impact chair exercise class with a certified instructor from the Wellness Center at Candler Hospital. Class minimum of three SmartSeniors.
Mahjong Mondays
SmartSenior Office
Mondays: 1-3 p.m.
Join us on Mondays for Mahjong. Please let us know if you’re interested in instruction of this classic game.
Line Dancing
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
Advanced: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 a.m.
Beginner: Tuesdays & Thursdays 11 a.m.
Grab your dancing shoes and join us for Advanced Line
Dancing, Beginner Line Dancing, or both!
Game Day
SmartSenior Office
Tuesdays 1 p.m.
Do you enjoy chess, UNO, or card games? Each week we will host a rotating schedule of games. See the calendar for more information.
Chair Yoga
SmartSenior Office
Wednesdays 2-3 p.m.
Sandy guides us through a peaceful, relaxing workout every Wednesday afternoon. Please bring your own Yoga mat, and don’t forget to register in advance.
Sewing Society
SmartSenior Office
Wednesdays 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Do you like to sew? Our group work on various projects throughout the month at their own pace. Bring your own machine and materials!
Painting with Shawn
SmartSenior Office
Wednesdays & Fridays 9:45-11:45 a.m.
Enjoy a one-on-one personalized painting experience with local artist Shawn Bland as she helps you create your next masterpiece. Five classes for $100. To learn more, or to register, contact Shawn directly at 912.777.2504 or shawnphd@hotmail.com.
NEW! Choral Group
SmartSenior Office
Fridays 11 a.m.
Do you like to sing? Our newest weekly program, the SmartSenior choral group, meets every Friday morning. If you have specific music you would like to sing to, please bring it in.
Movie Day
SmartSenior Office
Fridays 1 p.m.
Fridays are for the movies! Let us pop the popcorn, and come and enjoy a different movie with us every other week.
3 JULY 2023 EVENTS
Exercise Class 9:15 a.m.
Mahjong Monday 1 p.m.
Fourth of July Office Closed
Office Closed
Come see us at the Chatham County Health & Wellness Fair
Advance Line Dance 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m.
Painting Class 9:45 a.m.
Choral Group 11 a.m.
Movie Day ft.
Hidden Figures 1 p.m.
Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Choral Group 11 a.m.
Line Dance 11 a.m.
Self Defense Class 2 p.m.
Advance Line Dance 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m.
Painting Class 9:45 a.m.
Choral Group 11 a.m.
Movie Day ft. Being the Ricardos 1 p.m.
Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Choral Group 11 a.m.
Exercise Class 9:15 a.m.
Book Club ft.
Surviving Savannah 11 a.m.
Mahjong Monday 1 p.m.
4 28 25 21 26 27 18 14 19 20 11 7 12 13 4 5 6 31 24 17 10 3 JULY 2023 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Tuesday Tea 2 p.m. Chess Club 1 p.m. Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Chair Yoga 2 p.m. Sewing Society 3:15 p.m. Office Closed 9 a.m. - 1 p.m Eggs with an Expert 9:30 a.m. Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Chair Yoga 2 p.m. Sewing Society 3:15 p.m. Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Chair Yoga 2 p.m. Sewing Society 3:15 p.m. Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Tuesday Tea 2 p.m. Double Decker 1 p.m. Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Tuesday Tea 2 p.m. UNO 1 p.m. Exercise Class 9:15 a.m. Mahjong Monday 1 p.m. Exercise Class 9:15 a.m. Mahjong Monday 1 p.m. Exercise Class 9:15 a.m. Mahjong Monday 1 p.m. Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Self Defense Class 2 p.m. Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner
Exercise Class 9:15 a.m. Office Closed 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Discover Local 11:30 a.m.
Advance Line Dance 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m.
Tuesday Tea 2 p.m. Chess Club 1 p.m.
Painting Class 9:45 a.m.
Yoga 2 p.m. Sewing Society 3:15 p.m.
Advance Line Dance 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m.
Advance Line Dance 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m.
New! SmartSenior Event: Active in the Arts
Advance Line Dance 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Self Defense Class 2 p.m.
Painting Class 9:45 a.m.
Advance Line Dance 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Self Defense Class 2 p.m.
Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Choral Group 11 a.m.
Painting Class 9:45 a.m.
Yoga 2 p.m. Sewing Society 3:15 p.m.
Advance Line Dance 10 a.m.
Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m.
5 AUGUST
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Choral Group 11 a.m. Movie Day ft. Blue Hawaii 1 p.m. Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Choral Group 11 a.m. Movie Day ft. A Man Called Otto 1 p.m. 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 31 Exercise Class 9:15 a.m. Mahjong Monday 1 p.m. Exercise Class 9:15 a.m. Mahjong Monday 1 p.m. Exercise Class 9:15 a.m. Book Club ft. The Indigo Girl 11 a.m. Mahjong Monday 1 p.m. Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Tuesday Tea 2 p.m. Double Decker 1 p.m. Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Scrabble 1 p.m. Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. Yahtzee 1 p.m. Advance Line Dance 10 a.m. Beginner Line Dance 11 a.m. UNO 1 p.m. Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Chair Yoga 2 p.m. Sewing Society 3:15 p.m. Painting Class 9:45 a.m. Chair Yoga 2 p.m. Sewing Society 3:15 p.m.
2023
Chair
Yoga 2 p.m. Sewing Society 3:15 p.m.
Chair
Chair
Office Closed
Please make reservations for all of the following events. Call the SmartSenior office at 912.352.4405 to register.
MOVIE DAY
A Man Called Otto
Friday, August 4 | 1 p.m.
SmartSenior Office
Rated PG-13 | Starring Tom Hanks. Otto is a grump who’s given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around.
ACTIVE IN THE ARTS
Friday, August 11 | 2-4 p.m.
Hellenic Community Center | 14 W. Anderson St.
$5 for members and member guests
Dive into the arts at our newest SmartSenior special event, Active in the Arts. This enriching program will provide you with new and exciting ways to express yourself and learn from local talent. Experience art demonstrations, live music, theater, dance, vendors, and more. Light refreshments.
MOVIE DAY
Blue Hawaii
Friday, August 18 | 1 p.m.
SmartSenior Office
Rated PG | After being discharged from the U.S. Army, cool guy Chadwick Gates (Elvis Presley) returns home to Hawaii. Following several years of strict military life, Gates wants nothing more than to hang loose and surf all day.
DISCOVER LOCAL
Genealogy & Local History
Monday, August 21 | 11:30 a.m.
Bull Street Library | 2002 Bull Street
$5 per person
In our next Discover Local, we will step back into local Savannah history at the Kaye Kole Genealogy & Local History Room in the Bull Street Library. This collection includes non-circulating material on genealogy and history in Georgia and Savannah like census materials, family histories, county histories and other genealogy materials. Enjoy a picnic lunch with us before an exclusive tour of the genealogy room and library.
SELF DEFENSE CLASSES
Thursday, August 17 and Thursday, August 24 | 2 p.m.
SmartSenior Office
Learn awareness tips and basic self-defense skills from martial arts specialist Larry McDaniels
BOOK CLUB
The Indigo Girl
Monday, August 28 | 11 a.m.
SmartSenior Office
Dive into our next Book Club pick, The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd. In this incredible story of ambition, betrayal, and sacrifice, an extraordinary sixteen-year-old girl in Colonial South Carolina defies all expectations to achieve her dream.
HEALTH SCREENINGS AT SMARTSENIOR!
The basic screenings available at the SmartSenior Office are:
• Height/Weight/BMI (body mass index)
• Waist-Hip Ratio
• Blood Pressure
• Resting Heart Rate Walk-ins welcome. Appointments preferred.
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You Deser ve Mor e ! We are currently welcoming new residents! Call today to see how you can have more at The Social! 912.927.0500 More friends. More fun. More living options. More great dining options. More outdoors. More You! The Social at Savannah Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care One Peachtree Drive | Savannah, GA 31419 912.927.0500 | Hello@TheSocialAtSavannah.com TheSocialSL.com/Savannah The Social at Savannah is more than a community… it’s a way of life!
AUGUST 2023 EVENTS
MERCHANT DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Show Your Card And Save
GIVE A LITTLE, GET A LOT
AAA Auto Club
712 Mall Blvd • 912-352-8222 Ext 2262
20% off Classic Membership
And FREE Family Member for 1 yr. (new memberships only)
Auto Shine Car Wash
4408 Augusta Rd • 912-966-2280
239 E Montgomery Cross Rd • 912-897-7204
4651 US-80 • 912-927-6808
713 W Oglethorpe Hwy, Hinesville, GA • 912-408-2280
6151 GA-21, Rincon, GA • 912-826-6360
½ price on Wednesday’s at all five locations.
AbleMed Supply, LLC.
11 Gateway Blvd S Suite 13 • 912-344-4675
10% off on all products in store
Candler Prescription Center
5354 Reynolds Street (Professional Office Building at Candler Hospital) 912-819-7272
10% off prescriptions
The Consos Group Insurance
7505 Waters Ave # D2 • 912-303-0101
Complimentary consultations for health insurance and Medicare parts C & D.
Five Star Cleaners
12325 White Bluff Road• 912-925-7755
25% off Dry Cleaning Services of $10.00 or more
Excluding formal wear, house wears and leather
MaidPro
930 E. Morgan’s Corner Road, Suite E, Pooler, GA 912-450-6776
10% OFF all cleaning services
MembersFirst Credit Union
606 E 67th St • 912-352-2902
Account holders receive “free” Stop Payment on checks
Papa’s Pizza To Go
2495 US Hwy 17 Richmond Hill, GA 31324 • 912-756-5150
15% Off
Paw Parazzi
2485 US Hwy 17 Richmond Hill, GA 31324 • 912-756-8807
10% off grooming** & retail* Mon to Wed
*Excludes food & flea treatments
**Grooming with proof of ownership
Plums Restaurant
2409 US Hwy 17 South Richmond Hill, GA 31324 • 912-756-6000
10% off
The Savannah Theatre
222 Bull Street • 912-233-7764
$10.00 off adult regular-priced ticket to in-house show
Use Code: SMARTSR
Spry Mind+Body
7360 Skidaway Rd., Unit J-3 • 912-323-7356
www.sprymindbody.com
10% off all Spry Chair & Mat-based yoga & meditation classes
St. Joseph’s and Candler Hospital Cafeterias
11705 Mercy Boulevard • 912-819-2412
5353 Reynolds St • Phone: 912-819-6005
20% discount Monday – Friday and 25% discount on Saturday and Sunday
Wellness Center at Candler Hospital
5353 Reynolds St • 912-819-8811
$5.00 discount off joiners fee. Senior rate (60 & older) $35.00 initiation fee & $30 per month. Senior Couple rate $46.00 per month. All members receive a personalized fitness assessment and personal exercise instruction with their membership.
Valid Jul 01 - Dec 31 2023
Four Benefits of Volunteering
By Christina Danos
August 17 is National Nonprofit Day. Volunteering has many important benefits for your emotional, and even physical, wellbeing.
1. Connects You With Others
When you volunteer, you have more opportunities to meet people, be it a fellow volunteer, or a person or animal you are helping. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to strengthen your ties to the community, exposing you to people with common interests, new resources, and new, fulfilling activities.
2. Improves Overall Wellness
Giving back to your community can provide you with improvements to both your mind and body by increasing self-confidence, keeps you physically active, and provides you with a sense of accomplishment. The better you feel about yourself, the better you will help other people.
3. Creates Happiness & Combats
Depression
Volunteering creates the happiness effect. Researchers from the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults and found the more people volunteered, the happier they were.
4. Brings Fulfillment
Volunteering is an easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your dayto-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.
Stop by the office to learn how you can volunteer with St. Joseph’s/ Candler.
Souce: www.wcsu.edu
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