Thomas Physical Therapy September 2019

Thomas Physical Therapy September 2019

THE THOMAS TIMES

SEPTEMBER 2019

Randy’s Ramblings

CELEBRATE EVERY DAY WITH THESE ODD SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS!

1. National Cherry Popover Day

16. National Play Doh Day

2. Labor Day

17. Citizenship Day

3. Skyscraper Day

18. National

Cheeseburger Day

4. Newspaper Carrier Day

19. International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Where to Vacation for Peak Fall Foliage LEAVING FOR THE LEAVES

5. Be Late for

Something Day

20. Pepperoni Pizza Day

6. National Fight

21. Miniature Golf Day

Procrastination Day

Humans have built some pretty spectacular things on this planet, but there’s nothing quite as stunning as the simple perfection of a tree. They’re beautiful year-round, but fall is the time when trees don their best dresses, lining the nation’s highways and hills in eye-catching shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. If strolling through a grove of colorful trees is one of your favorite fall activities, then it might be time for a pilgrimage in search of the most colorful foliage America has to offer. Autumn is an underrated travel season, so airfare to the top leaf-lined places in the country is more affordable than you think. There are also plenty of prime destinations, so whether you’d like to trek far away or search out stunning fall colors close to home, there’s sure to be something out there for you. Here are a few of the best spots to visit for postcard-quality views in each region.

22. Hobbit Day

7. Neither Rain

Nor Snow Day

23. Dog in Politics Day

8. Grandparent’s Day

24. National Cherries Jubilee Day

9. Teddy Bear Day

25. National Comic Book Day

10. Swap Ideas Day

11. No News is Good News Day

26. Johnny

Appleseed Day

12. Chocolate Milk Shake Day

27. Crush a Can Day

28. Ask a Stupid Question Day

THE NORTHEAST: THE KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY, NEW HAMPSHIRE

13. Friday the 13th

14. National Cream- Filled Donut Day

29. Confucius Day

New England is famous for its autumn leaves, but among its dozens of vacation-worthy destinations, a drive down Kancamagus Highway (which locals call “The Kanc”) should be at the top of your to-do list in the first few weeks of October. Dubbed “The Ultimate New Hampshire Fall Foliage Drive” by New England Foliage, the 30-mile journey offers gorgeous views of tree-lined rivers and ponds, a route through a mountain pass, and plenty of stop-offs for photography, hiking, and camping.

30. National Mud Pack Day

15. National Wife

Appreciation Day

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THE MIDWEST: DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN

THE SOUTHEAST: THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, GEORGIA

This sleepy Wisconsin county is a true getaway in the fall, when summer activities give way to seasonal offerings, like farmers markets, fall festi- vals, birdwatching tours, and apple picking. Complementing the fun is autumn foliage so beautiful that the county offers a regularly updated Fall Color Report to help visitors time their vacations just right. Check it out at doorcounty.com before booking your trip.

Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains cool down a bit in the fall, but the temperatures are far from the frosts of New England. Mixed with the gorgeous colors, that warmth is the perfect recipe for backpacking or hiking in short sleeves. Visit in mid- to late-October to go leaf-spotting on the Appalachian Trail, then stay to take in the majesty of Amicalola Falls and raise a glass around the campfire.

THE SOUTHWEST: THE ENCHANTED CIRCLE SCENIC BYWAY, NEW MEXICO

THE WEST: ASPEN, COLORADO

Here’s a tip: If a town is named after a tree, it’s a good bet the trees there are worth visiting. Aspen lives up to its moniker each autumn when its namesake trees blaze bright yellow against deep emerald evergreens. Mid- to late-September is the best time to visit for the full effect and is also the perfect time to bike, hike, golf, or fly fish before the Colorado winter sets in.`

Though it is perhaps the last region you’d think to migrate for fall leaves, the Southwest is home to one of the most unique and colorful drives in the country: The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. The byway circles Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s tallest mountain, and its leafy vistas are home to 2-billion-year-old quartz and feldspar, an Old West melo- drama theater, a fish hatchery, and an abundance of local art. Visit in late September or early October for the best colors.

Chronic Anger, Your Heart, andYour Health

How This Emotion Is Doing You Harm

The study also looked at other emotions, including sadness, which has also been linked to heart and other inflammatory disease. Through a number of tests involving 200 participants ages 59–93, the researchers concluded anger was far more detrimental to a person’s health than sadness. Ultimately, if you regularly experience rage and frustration, properly dealing with your anger is one of the best things you can do for your health. Every person’s situation is different, and it comes down to getting to the bottom of what makes you angry so you can work through it, whether you work through it alone or with a mental health professional. Take the steps to prioritize your mental and physical health, and your efforts will pay off tenfold in the long run.

hormones are responsible for triggering the “fight or flight” response. When these hormones enter the bloodstream, your heart rate increases and arteries constrict. This helps to more effectively pump blood to the arms and legs for a fight or a flight. The problem is that when a person is constantly angry or upset, these hormones course through the body more frequently, stressing the arteries and internal organs. As a person ages, this stress can become more damaging. One study that appeared in the Psychology and Aging Journal looked into this phenomenon. Researchers found that there is a link between frequently experiencing anger and increased inflammation and chronic illness for people ages 80 and older. This equated to more instances of heart disease and dementia.

Anger is a common emotion. It’s natural, and it’s a part of how you respond to certain circumstances in your environment. It’s how you express extreme displeasure. However, new research suggests chronic anger can be detrimental to your health. Essentially, it comes down to this: If you are stressed, tense, easily irritable, angry, and “snippy” all the time, you may be doing serious harm to your well-being. Studies have already shown a link between anger and the heart. People who showed signs of feeling anger on a regular basis experienced higher rates of heart disease. The first studies on the impact of anger came out in the 1950s and have since been confirmed: Chronic anger physically harms the heart. Why? When you get angry or upset, your brain triggers the release of specific hormones, including cortisol and norepinephrine. These

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WHY MORE ADULTS OVER 55 CONTINUE TO WORK Finding Fulfillment in Your Golden Years

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, upward of 40% of people aged 55 and older are continuing to work past the normal retirement age. There are a number of reasons why people are choosing to stay employed, with one of the biggest being a lack of retirement funds, but some are also using work to keep their minds and skills sharp. In fact, most of the jobs that the 55-plus crowd goes after keep them engaged with the community and help them lead more active lives.

The BLS categorized the jobs many older workers are currently pursuing:

• • • •

Tax preparers

• •

Real estate appraisers/assessors Property/real estate/community association managers

Construction/building inspectors

Crossing guards

Clergy

•

Technical writers

These seven jobs are projected to grow between 8–14% over the next six years according to BLS >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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