The Bledsoe Firm - December 2020

The Bledsoe Firm - December 2020

The Bledsoe Firm JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551 DECEMBER | 2020

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. But all is not lost. This practice of thinking about engaging the correct muscles as you go through an exercise is a fantastic way to create better form, which goes a long way toward better results. Actively focusing on the muscles you’re trying to engage can be the difference between a mediocre movement and a perfectly executed one. That means you’ll get the benefit you’re looking for much faster. By focusing on your form, you’re also less likely to rely on the wrong muscles, which can result in pain and injury. The mind-muscle connection phenomenon is still mostly theoretical because the human brain is a mystery in so many ways. But there doesn’t seem to be much downside to engaging the mind-muscle connection, so we’re encouraging our patients to try it out and give “getting in the zone” a whole new meaning. —John Bledsoe

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SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS? IT’S BOARD GAME TIME! 3 New Games to Entertain You Through the Holidays

1. The Alpha: A Nature Lover’s Dream Game If your childhood dream was joining a wolf pack like Mowgli in “The Jungle Book,” this is the board game for you! The Alpha is a beautifully illustrated strategic game where players act as pack leaders and compete with other players to acquire territory and snag the best food. Gameplay is done in rounds that include four stages: stalk, chase, resolve, and advance. The game is rated for 3–6 players ages 10 and up. 2. Half Truth: Brilliant Minds Meet Here If you’re a fan of Trivial Pursuit, you’ll love Half Truth. At its heart, it’s a trivia game, but it ups the stakes by giving players the opportunity to bet on how many correct answers they’ll get. Really though, there’s only one thing you need to know about this game, and Thrillist said it best: “It's

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the games are so delightful …”

the brainchild of legendary Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield and 74-time Jeopardy! winner Ken Jennings.” What a pedigree! Everyone 12 and over will want a seat at the table. 3. getCrewd: A Playground for Movie Buffs getCrewd is a card game that comes in a retro-style film can, and that single trait speaks volumes. In this PG-13-rated game, you play a film producer in search of the perfect actor, director, and crew to make your movie happen. However, the deck will keep throwing obstacles in your way, including everything from flash floods to writers’ strikes. If you have a competitive side, you’ll love this mad scramble to the finish line.

Those might not be the exact lyrics from the famous Christmas carol, but it’s true that decks of cards and various board games get many families through the holiday season. You can only rewatch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” so many times before the jokes grow stale. While new movie releases can be fun, many have been stalled this year because of the pandemic. Luckily, board games are still coming out on schedule. If you’re on the hunt for alternatives to Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble, check out these fresh 2020 games, which all come recommended by the experts at Thrillist.

With these games in your cabinet, you won’t even notice the snowbanks outside!

The Divorce Attorney or the Marriage Counselor

W ho S hould Y ou C all ?

Marriage Counseling Couples don’t have to be in a rocky place to go to marriage

Couples go through fights, arguments, and disagreements, and when the going gets tough, they have to face an impossible decision: keep trying or call it quits. And that brings about another question: Who should you call to help you decide? A divorce attorney? A marriage counselor? The answer depends on where the relationship is and how the couple feels. Divorce Attorney Couples should consult a divorce attorney when they want to split up, amicably or not. Divorce attorneys should be consulted when couples genuinely start to consider going their separate ways. They may still resolve their issues, but if not, a divorce attorney acts as a backup plan. A divorce attorney can help fix many problems, such as:

counseling. A counselor can help couples learn to communicate better, and as a

third party, they offer an unbiased perspective, which can help couples get clarity.

Couples who are questioning whether they should call a marriage counselor or divorce attorney should probably start by calling a counselor. Recognizing a problem is the biggest step in solving it. Marriage counselors can help couples work through issues and determine if those issues are worth working through. Marriage counseling can lead to a divorce attorney and vice versa. Couples going through a divorce can even visit a marriage counselor to discuss how they feel about the changes happening in their lives and where they expect their relationship to go after the divorce.

• • • •

Financial discourse and disclosure requirements

Custody agreements

The division of assets and property The division of retirement benefits

Divorce attorneys aren’t just for couples who can’t stand each other or had a bad breakup. They are for exes who are friendly with each other, too. They provide a professional service to help exes keep the peace in their relationships and split their assets fairly.

Couples should call divorce attorneys when they begin to feel there is potential for a split. They can do this before or after marriage counseling.

For more informative articles like this one, be sure to visit our blog at JustFamilyLaw.com/family-law-expert-blog.

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W ord S earch Carol Cheer Cocoa Family Gift Holiday

FEELING DOWN? G ratitude M ight B e the A ntidote Gratitude is an emotion that often gets taken for granted. It’s easy to overlook, but when we share our gratitude for others, it makes them feel appreciated and good about themselves. But expressing our gratitude and letting others know we care helps us to feel good, too. The holiday season is often referred to as the season of gratitude. While we should share our thanks and appreciation with others no matter the time of year, the holidays serve as a great reminder to let people know we are thinking of them. But more than that, sharing gratitude and reflecting on what you are thankful for can lay the foundation for a happier life. Richard Wiseman explores this idea in his book “59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot.” In the book, Wiseman discusses a study that brought together three groups of people who wrote in journals. The first group wrote about what they were grateful for, the second wrote about what annoyed them, and the third simply recounted the week. The results of the experiment revealed something significant: The participants who wrote about what they were grateful for were noticeably happier, more optimistic, and even healthier than those from the other groups. The first group focused on positive emotions, which helped them feel more positive overall. Meanwhile, those who focused on the negative felt worse at the end of the study. This is something you can try at home. At least once a week (or even once a day), write down a list of 3–5 things you are grateful for that day or week. To make it easier and make it a habit, keep a journal and pen right next to your bed or your favorite chair. Then, at the end of the day, write down a few bullet points. The list can include the name of a person who positively impacted your day, a reflection of a happy recent event, a note about a few things that went well in your day, or things that you are looking forward to. It can be anything that brought a little brightness into your day. Give it a try. You might be surprised by how much happier — and more grateful — you feel.

Holly Peace Shovel Sledding Snow Turquoise

FESTIVE APPLE CIDER

Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!

INGREDIENTS

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

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

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!

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Inside

How Your Brain Can Give Your Body a Better Workout

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3 New Board Games to Try This Winter

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Who to Call if Your Relationship Gets Rocky

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How Gratitude Helps You Feel Better

Festive Apple Cider

Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

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On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way. Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods A DRIVER’S GUIDE TO SAFE HOLIDAY TRAVELS WINTER ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger.

At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little-known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.

Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!

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