Culligan Water of the Low Country - November 2021

Culligan Water of the Low Country - November 2021

2021 NOV WATER WISE OF THE LOW COUNTRY Chris Honors His Parents This Veterans Day COURAGE, SACRIFICE, AND DEDICATION

Every Nov. 11, Americans commemorate Veterans Day. It’s an opportunity to honor all military veterans and thank them for the sacrifices they’ve made for our country. For their military service and support of veterans, respectively, I’d like to take a moment this Veterans Day to honor my parents, Richard and Betty. My father served in the Navy during WWII. He enlisted in 1942, not long after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was only 17 years old, but his uncle went with him to the recruitment office and falsely claimed that he was of age. A lot of kids did that back then; after an attack on American soil, going to fight for our country was just what members of his generation did. Like many men who came of age during that time, my dad was pretty tight- lipped. In fact, I’m still trying to figure out which boat he actually served on. The one thing he did tell me was that, at the end of the war, his boat picked up a lot of Japanese prisoners of war. From what he said, the way the POWs were treated was horrific, and he never forgot it. My dad’s story inspired me to read the book “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand. It tells the story of a young airman who was shot down and survived on a raft in the Pacific, only to be captured by Japanese soldiers and suffer through unimaginable conditions. It’s a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in either WWII or the resilience of the human spirit. (In 2014, the book was adapted into a movie. The film is okay, but I prefer the book.) Probably because of my dad, my mom was always very active in the American Legion. For as long as I can remember, she volunteered at Post 82 in Endicott, New York, where I grew up. My grandfather served in WWI, and the Legion was a hub for our family’s social activities. Before my mom, Endicott didn’t have a WWII memorial, but they do now, and she was very instrumental in making that happen.

remained active with Post 82 until she moved closer to us during January of this year. She still gets a lot of correspondence regarding the Legion today, and I admire her dedication to our service members. We all owe a great debt to our men and women in uniform. If it wasn’t for people like my dad, WWII could have ended very differently and changed the trajectory of our country forever. They fought for our freedom and deserve our eternal gratitude. Whether or not any of your loved ones have served, please take a moment this Veterans Day to thank a current or former service member for giving so much for our country. And if you are a veteran yourself, thank you so much for your patriotism, dedication, and sacrifice. –Chris Lane

Up to the age of 94, my mom was Post 82’s treasurer, and during her time volunteering, she held offices with both the state and county auxiliaries. She

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SAY GOODBYE TO DARK UNDER-EYE CIRCLES

With 3 Easy Tips

If you’re older than 30, you’re probably no stranger to dark under-eye circles. They can make you look worn down and older, and makeup can temporarily conceal but doesn’t solve the problem. Many people think dark under-eye circles are a sign of tiredness, but fatigue is only one of several causes. Other lifestyle factors like sun exposure, alcohol consumption, and smoking can play a role, as can some skin conditions. But the No. 1 factor that causes dark under-eye circles is one we can’t control: aging. You can’t help getting older, but you can mitigate some of the effects. Your dark circles will probably never go away entirely, but you can use these tips to minimize their appearance. Use prevention methods. To avoid getting or worsening dark circles, your best defenses are staying well hydrated and always wearing sunscreen. Dehydration can cause dull skin and sunken eyes, so be sure to drink lots of water. And since time in the sun can result in premature aging and discolored skin (not to mention skin cancer), always wear an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to protect the delicate skin under your eyes. Try a cold compress. Placing something cold (but not frozen) under your eyes can cause the blood vessels to constrict, providing a temporary improvement in appearance. You can buy a cold compress, but at-home methods often involve a cold teaspoon, cucumber slice, or a wet washcloth. Since tea contains antioxidants that will stimulate your blood circulation, a cool tea bag is another popular option. Heat up two tea bags in warm water for five minutes, then chill them in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes. After that, just rest them gently on your eyes. Use retinol cream in your routine. Retinol helps to improve collagen deficiencies and plump up the skin, and some people have dramatic results with retinol cream. Over-the-counter options are available, but higher strengths require a prescription. Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so only apply your

CELEBRITIES COME CLEAN They’re Not Washing Daily — Should You?

This past summer, celebrities went out of their way to tell us they don’t bathe very often. With the higher temperatures, it was an odd time to announce a casual relationship with soap, but that didn’t stop stars like Ashton Kutcher, Kristen Bell, and Jake Gyllenhaal. It got so bad that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Momoa released statements assuring us that they do shower daily. The anti-shower celebrities’ argument was that too much soap is bad for your skin. Bathing too often, they argued, was not just unnecessary but could also be unhealthy. The hullabaloo has since died down, but it’s worth asking: Do the celebs have a point? As it turns out, frequent showers are more of a cultural than health practice. For example, two-thirds of Americans shower every day, but only about half of Chinese people do. Meanwhile, almost 90% of Mexicans shower daily, and Brazilians average two showers per day. Climate, access to clean water, and cultural norms all play a role. But, according to dermatologists, the stars might be onto something. While there’s no consensus on how often you should shower, dermatologists agree that washing with soap every day is unnecessary for most people. Soap dries out the skin, often making it itchy, irritated, and more prone to infections and allergic reactions. Antibacterial soap can kill off good bacteria that helps our bodies, and some evidence even suggests that washing with soap too frequently can weaken the immune system. That said, dermatologists agree that some people should shower every day, including those who work out regularly, literally get dirty at their jobs, or work with harsh chemicals and odors. And anytime you start to smell, you should definitely lather up. If you want to reduce how often you shower, dermatologists agree you should wash your face, armpits, and groin area with soap daily. Then, when you do shower, wash with warm (not hot) water and a moisturizing soap and try to keep your shower under 10 minutes. It’s important to wash gently instead of scrub your skin hard, and you should pat (not rub) yourself dry and apply lotion after your shower. These tips will ensure you stay clean while also protecting your skin. In the end, it’s how you shower — and not how often — that likely matters most to your skin health.

retinol cream at night. You don’t want to swap out dark circles with sunburn!

If these tips don’t reduce the appearance of your under-eye circles, it may be time to see a dermatologist. But most dark circles can be resolved at home with just a little TLC.

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FIDGET TOYS ARE HERE TO STAY But Are They Helpful?

Fidget spinners may be so 2017, but fidget toys (or “fidgets”) are here to stay. While fidget toys are relatively new, the idea of fidgeting isn’t. Clicking your pen, tapping your foot, twirling your hair, and biting your nails are just some examples of fidgeting that you might already engage in. So, why do we fidget — and is it a good or bad thing? Scientists don’t completely understand why people fidget, but many theories point to its potential effects on concentration. Proponents of this idea suggest that people tend to fidget when they are trying to concentrate on something that is either too boring or too challenging. Fidgeting while bored may help you keep your attention up, while fidgeting when overly challenged may help you focus and relax. One case study showed that students had a 10% increase in academic scores when using fidget toys as opposed to without. Even more impressive, students with ADHD showed a 27% increase in scores when allowed to fidget. Anecdotal evidence from both children and adults with ADHD supports the idea that fidgeting boosts attention and improves memory retention.

One of the biggest complaints about fidgeting is that it can be distracting to

others. It’s important to know the time and place for your preferred fidget and to find alternatives that won’t be disruptive. No one wants to hear repeated

clicking noises (unless they’re the one doing the clicking), but fidget toys with joysticks, sliders, soft buttons, and other quiet options can be a big help.

Fidgeting can also be disruptive to the person fidgeting if you choose an overly complicated or visual toy. If you’re paying more attention to the fidget than whatever you’re trying to concentrate on, it’s time to put the toy away. This is why fidget spinners have been banned in so many schools and why most other fidget toys are very simple, quiet, and tactile-based. If you have a tendency to fidget in your daily life, a fidget toy might be right for you. There are many options available for purchase, and many people like to buy several to determine which works best for them. Who knows, one just might help you stay alert during that conference call!

TAKE A BREAK

Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com

EASY PUMPKIN BROWNIES

Ingredients

• 6 oz cream cheese, softened • 3 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1 box brownie mix, plus other ingredients listed on box

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips • 1/2 can pumpkin purée

Directions

1. Preheat the oven as directed on the brownie box, then make the brownie mix. Fold in chocolate chips. 2. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin purée, cream cheese, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Choose your pan as directed on the brownie box. Grease it if needed. 4. Pour half of the brownie mix into the pan and spread evenly. 5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the pan, evenly or in a pattern. Cover with the rest of the brownie mix and spread evenly. 6. Bake as directed on the brownie box, adding 10 minutes to account for the pumpkin. Test for doneness, and when your toothpick comes out clean, cool and enjoy!

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OF THE LOW COUNTRY

INSIDE

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Chris Honors His Parents This Veterans Day

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Are Daily Showers Necessary?

Say Goodbye to Dark Under-Eye Circles

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How to Make Fidgeting Work for You

Easy Pumpkin Brownies

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Lowering Holiday Stress

HAVE A LOW-STRESS HOLIDAY 3 Tips for a Merrier Time

Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.

The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety.

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