Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center - April 2021

Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center - April 2021

F Y Z I C A L THERAPY Q U A R T E R L Y 904-223-2363

2ND QUARTER 2021

WWW.FYZICAL.COM/JACKSONVILLE

IT’S PLANTING SEASON PLUS, HOW MY DAUGHTER TURNED OUR GARDEN INTO A NONPROFIT

My family loves gardening, and it’s become a big topic again as spring approaches. Personally, I love how we can take any dish or drink to the next level with our garden. Whether it’s with fresh vegetables like cucumbers or bright-tasting herbs like basil, there are always so many possibilities at our fingertips. If you’re interested in gardening, but not sure where to start, I have some tips as a fellow Florida gardener. First, it’s important to keep in mind that Florida’s soil isn’t naturally acclimated to farming for most crops. It tends to be gravely and sandy since we live near the beach. We built our own raised garden boxes, which sit about 2 1/2 feet above the ground. That way we don’t have to be leaning all the way down to the ground all the time, and we can fill the boxes with good quality soil for our crops. Second, doing your own composting can greatly benefit your soil! We have a barrel in the backyard that we throw our leftover vegetable scraps (like carrot and potato peels) or leftover berries in. Those leftovers decompose into great fertilizer for your garden. Not only will compost give your crops the extra nutrients they need, but your trash won’t get filled as quickly and your garbage disposal won’t get clogged with food scraps. Third, choose your favorite crop each season. It’s more fun to garden when you’re excited for the fruits of your labor. This year, we’re planting field peas, green beans, tomatoes, and possibly cucumbers (which are great, but you can end up with so many!). We also have a separate box for herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme. A whole box, you may ask? Yes — they grow like wildfire! In fact, we have so many herbs, that my daughter Ella has dried them over a period of 2–3 weeks, and put them in jars to give to people. Dried herbs are very tasty, so it’s a great gift. At one point, people tried to pay her. She didn’t want to accept because the costs of growing the herbs and purchasing the jars felt so minimal, but people’s insistence gave her an idea — to create her own nonprofit.

Throughout the pandemic, her organization Better World Herbs has been selling our jars of freshly dried herbs and distributing the funds to her favorite charity organizations. For example, the money she raised in 2020 all went to Feeding America during Christmas. For 2021, she’ll be sending the money she raises to the organization Women for Women, which partners each donor with a woman from a developing nation who is pursuing a trade or education. The money contributed goes toward supporting her family, so her education can continue uninterrupted. Ella has been incredibly excited for this cause, and I can’t wait to see how far she’ll go this year. If you’re interested in buying some of Ella’s herbs, grown without chemicals or pesticides, don’t hesitate to reach out to her via Etsy (@BetterWorldHerbs) or Instagram (@betterworldherbs). You’ll make your food even more delicious while supporting a good cause.

Wishing you a beautiful Florida spring,

-Dr. Joanna Frantz

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As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. FELINE FRIENDS OR CANINE COMRADES HOW PETS IMPROVE OUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health. Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .

DON’T SLEEP ON THESE TRACKING DEVICES WANT A BETTER NIGHT’S REST?

table. Many track your heartbeat and movement. It’s important to keep in mind that while sleep trackers can provide valuable insights, the >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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