5 ways OT can help build a Healthier, Happier You in 2020! Stretching Exercises: A few morning stretches will get your day off on the right foot! These stretches will help wake you up, boost blood circulation, ease back pain, and give you a greater range of motion. Challenge yourself to do these stretches for 30 days straight, as that is what it takes to form a new routine. Make Social Connections: Build relationships with good company who support and enrich your life, doing this can certainly help make you a happier person. The quality of your personal relationships has a lasting effect on your overall wellbeing. Get Moving: Research continues to show that daily exercise brings terrific benefits to your health including lowering the risk for numerous diseases, helping with weight loss, and adding to your quality of life. Pick exercises you enjoy, but change up the routine to keep it interesting. The more active you are, the better you will feel and the healthier you will be. Get Adequate Sleep: Dont Sleep on the value of sleep. For adults, sleeping at least seven hours a night is recommended to regenerate and maintain energy levels. Children need even more rest to promote optimal health and growth. Among the many benefits from sleep, a few key points are that sleep helps with executive function, lowers stress, and sharpens brain health. Be Present: You cant change the past and we dont know what the future holds, so live in the present! The present moment is all we have, the here and now is the only place to be, and ultimately its the only place you can be. Learn more about our services...
Avoid Injury While Staying On Top of Your New Years Fitness Resolutions Content provided by Tim Pemberton, MSOT, OTR/L At the start of each new year many people set physical fitness goals. Consequently, it is common to see an increase in exercise-related injuries in our clinic around the start of the year. If increasing physical activity is a part of your New Years plan, it is important to follow some basic guidelines to avoid common injuries that can delay or derail your plans for a healthier 2020. Always warm up and stretch before any exercise routine to increase heart rate and blood flow and to loosen stiff joints and tight muscles. Maintain a balanced diet to support increased activity. Nuts, beans, avocados, and dried fruits are a good source of natural sugars, healthy fats, and muscle-building proteins. Dont forget to drink plenty of water! Never push beyond safe limits, especially when lifting weights. Good form is key to injury avoidance. If you feel pain, dont ignore it. Seek out the assistance of a doctor or therapist to prevent an acute injury from becoming a chronic issue. From our team here at the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center, good luck with your New Years fitness resolutions! If you are suffering from an acute or chronic injury, please dont hesitate to reach out and schedule a visit with one of our occupational or physical therapists. Learn more about the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center...
In 2020, know you ABCs! Content provided by Michelle Klein, MOT, OTR/L Paying attention to your ABCs can decrease the risk of stroke and will promote positive health changes. A - A1C: A1C is a blood test used to diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetes. Diabetes is a well-established risk factor for stroke. Learning about your diabetes risk will help you better understand your stroke risk. A can also stand for aspirin when appropriate and recommended by your physician to decrease stroke risk. B - Blood Pressure: Blood pressure control through weight loss, exercise, a healthy diet low in sodium, and by limiting alcohol, caffeine and stress can decrease stroke risk. Also, blood pressure medication prescribed by your physician should be taken as recommended. High blood pressure may have no obvious symptoms, so it is important to measure your blood pressure regularly. C - Cholesterol: Cholesterol can be lowered by changing your diet to reduce saturated fats and eliminate trans fats that raise LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). Instead, eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Exercise and weight loss lowers cholesterol as well as blood pressure. S - Smoking Cessation: Smoking a single cigarette increases your blood pressure for many minutes. Quitting smoking helps decrease blood pressure, improves HDL cholesterol level (the good cholesterol) and improves blood circulation. For more information about stroke signs and prevention, visit the CDC website. Learn about our Stroke Rehabilitation program...
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