Natural Solutions - August 2021

Natural Solutions - August 2021

healthy living

DRSladic.com

August 2021

Lucky’s Service FAMILY DOG TEACHES US A LESSON IN COMPANIONSHIP O ur family dog, Lucky, just returned from an eight-week stint in Canada this past spring and summer. As we approach the “dog days of summer,” I can’t help but appreciate all that this 13-year-old Shih Tzu-poodle mix did for our family — just by taking his own vacation.

But for my mom — and for me as her son — Lucky’s presence was a welcome gift. Her friends told me having Lucky in the house perked her up, and I could tell she was happier when I came to bring Lucky back home. Having a companion in her home after so many months of having to isolate was a welcome respite for my mom. It may have been huge for her health and wellness, too. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, social isolation is a serious threat to health. It can worsen chronic conditions, increase your chances of developing dementia, and even put you at risk for premature death. It’s also been linked to serious heart conditions, like stroke or heart attack. By now, we all have had a taste of how detrimental isolation can be, but for people who live alone — particularly those who are older — this time in our history has been particularly difficult. I’ve experienced this with my own patients. Sometimes it’s not a medical or nutritional deficiency that your body is suffering from; sometimes all you need is companionship. Social isolation is just as detrimental to your well-being as any vitamin deficiency, nutritional concern, or pain. And while there may be no substitute for human interactions, pets can offer companionship during those lonely times. I know that’s true because of my medical expertise and from watching it happen to my mom. After eight weeks, Lucky was called home. My wife was missing him, so I went back to Canada and brought Lucky home to Michigan. Mom knew the arrangement was temporary, but at least for a while, she had a little friend to pass the days with. Lucky’s journey was probably no more than a blip in his life, but it meant the whole world to a woman I deeply care about.

This spring, I toted Lucky to Windsor, Ontario, in Canada to stay with my mom. Since we live in a Michigan border town, it’s usually very easy to travel into Canada to visit my mom. Luckily — pun intended — I have dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S., and because I take frequent COVID-19 tests, I’ve been able to visit Mom during the pandemic. However, I knew the loneliness that accompanied this pandemic has been affecting her. For the most part, Canada continued to stay shut down while the U.S. opened again this past spring. The borders remained closed to most travelers, so I had to act as the go-between for our family and Mom. She did have friends to keep her company, and Mom lives a very active life, walking around her condo and being outside. Still, I had a feeling Lucky would be just the remedy Mom needed. For eight weeks, Mom and Lucky were inseparable. Mom would take Lucky for walks every day, even if it was raining. I’m sure Lucky enjoyed the arrangement, too. He walked daily, had a quiet place to nap, and had the idyllic calm lifestyle all 13-year-old dogs want as they reach those golden years.

Thoughts of the Month

It’s not what you know. It’s what you do with what you know that matters!

And for that, I’m grateful for Lucky.

–Dr. Tom Sladic

DRSLADIC.COM

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Apple Season Begins!

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR APPLE HARVEST

Throughout many of the northern states, August is a big month because it’s the start of apple season! Orchards begin to harvest their early season crop, and many varieties of apples are starting to ripen and will continue to do so throughout the fall. As these apples ripen, many orchards invite guests to their grounds to pick fruit and enjoy a day outdoors. Here are three orchards that are well worth the trip! STRIBLING ORCHARD, MARKHAM, VIRGINIA Situated near the Shenandoah River in the hills of Virginia, this orchard has a rich history that goes back to the founding of the United States. As you pick apples, you can enjoy learning about the orchard’s past. Guests are also invited to bring a picnic as they harvest their bounty. Learn more at StriblingOrchard.com . KIYOKAWA FAMILY ORCHARDS, PARKDALE, OREGON Tucked away in the Hood Valley just north of Mount Hood in Oregon, Kiyokawa boasts the largest U-Pick orchard in the valley and offers exceptional scenery for apple (and pear) pickers! There are many apples to choose from, but there are also fruit stands that sell cider, honey, and jam. Find out more at KiyokawaFamilyOrchards.com .

BRIGHTONWOODS ORCHARD, BURLINGTON, WISCONSIN This orchard features several varieties of apples, so it’s open well throughout the season. Their website even breaks down their apple varieties and lets visitors know the best times to stop by in order to pick the apples they want most! Check out all the selections at BrightonWoodsOrchard.com . A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME If you can’t make it to one of these three locations, why not see if there’s a local orchard that lets you pick your own apples or buy a fresh bundle? Before you go on your apple-picking adventure, here are a few quick tips to keep in mind. • It’s great for the whole family! • Pick the apples, but don’t shake the branch. • Set the apples gently in your carrier of choice so you don’t bruise the fruit! • Apples on the outer branches ripen first.

The Animal-Human Connection YOUR PET MAY MAKE YOU HEALTHIER

Humans and animals have interacted since the beginning of creation. For years, animals were tools used to help humans survive harsh environments and food they relied on, yet the bonds that grew between humans and the animals who worked for them and fed their families cannot be understated. Today, pets are just as important to families as working animals were and continue to be for many farmers — and they may be just as beneficial to our well-being as they are to our land. As society has grown, we’ve learned that our animals and pets are good for our physical, mental, and physiological well-being. PHYSICAL Because they need walks, want to play, and require physical movement for care, pets increase movement rates among their owners. Someone who doesn’t normally

exercise every day may find that it’s easier to take daily walks after adopting a puppy. Other animals, like horses, chickens, or barnyard pets may require hours of care that can be physically demanding yet beneficial for owners. Your body will appreciate the extra movement, and as a result of moving, you may find you have more energy and an improved mood. MENTAL In 2019, Mars Petcare partnered with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) to calculate the emotional impacts of pets on our mental well-being. What they discovered was staggering. A whopping 85% of respondents, both pet owners and non-pet owners, believe that pets reduce loneliness. About 80% of people who were pet owners said their pet did decrease their loneliness, too. Furthermore, 90% of older adults believed

pets specifically could help older adults feel less lonely. This provides quantifiable >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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