DiBartolomeo Law Office - December 2020

DiBartolomeo Law Office - December 2020

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

December 2020

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com

Giving ‘Brain Power’ a Whole New Meaning THE MIND-MUSCLE CONNECTION

We always stress the importance of maintaining healthy workout activities and consuming all the right foods. But one thing we could probably stand to repeat a little more is that being physically active is also a serious mental game. And thanks to our brains, there may be a way to get more out of every workout without actually working harder: through the mind-muscle connection. Phrases like “mind over matter” apply to workout routines and other physical activities quite literally thanks to mind-muscle connection. The basic idea is that just by thinking about the way your muscles are moving through a particular exercise, you can actually help them work more efficiently. To get a great workout, your heart and your head have to be in it, but the mind-muscle connection takes that concept to a new level: The right kinds of thoughts can trigger your body into acting like it’s getting a heftier workout than it actually is. Here’s how it works: Whether you’re actually doing a task or just imagining that task, if you’re thinking about it correctly, you’re activating neurons in your brain that send signals to the muscle you’re thinking about. If you train your brain to send stronger signals, it translates to more muscle engagement, which is what you’re already making your body do during a workout.

Muscles are essentially a puppet of our nervous system: If a muscle doesn’t have nerves properly regulating it, it doesn’t produce adequate force that allows it to move properly. We already have neurological evidence that shows how our brains play a major role in regulating our muscle movement and strength. For example, a 2014 study authored by the executive director of the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute found that participants with one arm immobilized in a cast could avoid some loss of wrist strength simply by thinking through the process of flexing their wrist.

Even with studies like this, the jury’s still out on whether mentally moving yourself through an exercise while you do it actually improves muscle recruitment on its own. So far, research is promising. Of course, as with all things that sound too good to be true, there’s a catch — thinking about working out is by no means a replacement for actually getting physical exercise. If you have to choose one over the other, you’ll get better results from doing physical activity over doing mental activity every time.

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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HOW TO EAT DURING THE HOLIDAYS Without Sacrificing Your Favorite Foods or Your Waistline

Have you ever stood on a scale at the end of the holiday season and wondered how the extra pounds crept on? It’s no secret that a sugar cookie here, a slice of pie there, and a few glasses of eggnog in between can lead to a few pounds gained. When you’re surrounded by Christmas goodies, how can you resist? Luckily, there are a few ways you can protect your waistline this holiday season without completely cutting out your favorite treats. BE CHOOSY When you see a regular buffet of your favorite holiday treats, don’t immediately start scarfing down everything that looks remotely tasty and sweet. First, scope out the food — without a plate — so you won’t be tempted to start eating without really looking. Then, find

the treats that are your absolute favorites and choose one or two of them to eat. You don’t have to give up sweets during the holidays; instead, eat with discretion. DON’T GO HUNGRY To ensure that you don’t overeat at a party or buy junk food that you don’t need when shopping, eat a healthy snack before going out. Before you head out to a party, eat a snack chock-full of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and unsaturated fats. Apple slices with peanut butter work, as well as lean meats and cheeses. If you’re headed to the grocery store, eating a filling snack before you go will make you less likely to impulsively scoop up those sugary cookies and pastries in the bakery. DRINK RESPONSIBLY (AND JUDICIOUSLY) If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that each drink will probably be somewhere between 150–225 calories. A glass of eggnog can have as many as 500 calories. Alcohol decreases your self-control when you’re eating, while also increasing your appetite. Make sure that if you’re drinking, you’re not doing so on an empty stomach. And to decrease the number of high-calorie drinks that you consume, drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages. The holidays are a minefield for any healthy diet. But with the right tools, you can ensure that by Jan. 2, your waistline won’t be worse for wear.

Doctor Visits and Treatments WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

When you’ve been injured, one of the first things you need to do is visit your doctor for medical examination, diagnosis, and treatment. However, if someone was injured while at their place of work, visiting their personal doctor might not be an option. Each state has its own rules and laws regarding workers’ compensation, just as each employer has a different requirement for their workers’ compensation insurance policies. These laws determine whether or not it’s okay to see your own doctor. If an accident is severe, any worker has the right to seek and receive emergency medical treatment from any hospital or doctor. An employer’s workers’ compensation policy should include and cover emergency room visits. But what if an accident does not require an emergency room visit? In the state of Oregon, any person injured while on the job has the right to seek medical treatment. However, it depends on an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy whether you can seek treatment from your own doctor or a doctor of their choice. When you are hired, your employer should provide information regarding which is required if

you are injured while working. If you are still unsure, ask your employer about these requirements.

In situations where your employer chooses the doctor you’ll see, you may be able to switch doctors after an allotted time limit. Additionally, you have the option to seek a second opinion on your treatment, care, and the severity of your injury, too. This includes health care providers such as physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists. It’s also important to keep in mind that if you can see your own doctor, your employer’s insurance company may still require an examination from their doctor. Workers’ compensation is a complex process to go through, and this is just one set of rules. It’s important that you reach out to people who are well versed in this process when filing for workers’ compensation. If you have any questions about your workers’ compensation claim or whether or not you can use your doctor, call the Di Bartolomeo Law Office.

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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Dogs of Astoria We have been documenting the dogs of Astoria and beyond the last few months. Here are a few of our favorites. Enjoy!

PUZZLE

FESTIVE APPLE CIDER Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com

Ingredients

• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves

• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks

Directions

1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. 3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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503-325-8600 JoeDiBartolomeo.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside How Your Brain Can Give Your Body a Better Workout How to Eat (Responsibly) During the Holidays Workers’ Compensation: Choosing Your Own Doctor

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Slipping and Sliding Through Winter Festive Apple Cider

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Why Energy-Saving Windows Work Like Magic Why Energy-Saving Windows Work Like Magic SAVE ON YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL, ADD TO YOUR COMFORT

It can seem pretty mundane to change out your windows, on top of all your other expenses! However, there's a real reward to doing so. We've mentioned energy-efficient (EE) windows before, but this time we take a deeper dive into just how a window can improve your family's comfort and resources. Wait, what’s wrong with older windows? So long as your window doesn’t have cracks or broken glass, there’s nothing wrong necessarily. It’s just that older windows aren’t designed to perform an important function: keep hot or cold air in. Why is this?

for keeping heat inside your house (your cool air, too). Lastly, your windows might not have been properly installed by experts who understand how to minimize your utility bill. Why energy-efficient (EE) windows are magic. You might’ve guessed by now that EE windows are designed to insulate your home better, but how do you install insulation in glass? Inert gas. Placing argon or krypton in between glass panes, for example, can improve your home insulation and protect your furniture and photos from sun damage. With vinyl or fiberglass frames and two, or even three, glass panes, EE windows are designed better in every way — all while saving you hundreds a year. The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that replacing your single-pane windows with EE ones can save you anywhere between $126–$465 annually. Also, according to the Glass Doctor, most homeowners report a 60%–75% reduction in exterior noise once insulated EE windows are installed. We love EE windows because they’re a win for everyone. Bump up the value of your home today and save money on your utility bill — and help the planet while you’re at it!

First, older frames are normally made of aluminum. This is problematic because air can more easily pass from one side to the other. You want frames made of materials like vinyl or fiberglass, which are poor conductors of heat and therefore better insulators. Also, most older windows have single-pane glass, which is terrible

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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