The heart of our community How to create healthy habits in 2022......................................... 16

The heart of our community By Dan Gile

G&W Foods of Iola

The holiday season always seems to give us a sense of family and community. Local charities, churches and organizations come together for a larger purpose. Families gather to celebrate, passing on their traditions from one generation to the next.

There are three sureties of almost every community: the hospital, school and the grocery store. At the heart of the community lies the grocery store. The store is where the community comes to get essential products, but it is more than that. They come to experience a warm and welcoming environment. In years past, Iola has had as many as half a dozen grocery stores at once. Not that I was alive to witness this. These are stories I hear from my “Iola family” while shopping—glimpses of the past told by those who lived it. Everyone knew their local butcher’s name, and in return he would know just how to cut your steak. Almost everyone I visit with has a story about a grocery store. For some, their grandparents owned one. For others, it was their first job. These stories are living history. Customers get excited about telling them as much as I enjoy listening. The grocery store is a place where everyone feels welcome. Regardless of status, class or profession, everyone comes to the store. They visit, sharing stories about their children, school or community events. As the holidays bring back children who have left for college or to start their own adventures, it is exciting to see them come to the store with their parents. There are few places in the community where you can reminisce with a classmate from 20 years ago or a friend you just met. The joy, the smiles and the excitement I see this time of year help remind me what the holiday spirit feels like. Come visit your local grocery store, browse photos of yesteryear, share stories of your childhood, and find what you need to make the holidays extra special this year. And let us all remember that “Home for the Holidays” is more than just a saying. Its truth depends on the community we develop and the relationships we build. From our G&W Foods family to yours, may you have a great holiday season.

How to create healthy habits in 2022

Allen County Regional Hospital

What’s the healthiest New Year’s resolution? Ask your doctor. With health and wellness at the forefront of many New Year’s resolutions, you might consider quitting smoking, choosing to exercise, or making better food choices. These, of course, are all healthy resolutions, but the goal is to establish good health habits for the long run. “One of the best things you can do to achieve long term success is to establish a good relationship and good communication with your primary care provider,” said Brian Neely, MD, Allen County Regional Hospital Clinics.

Understand Your Health

It’s easy to see how skipping the drive-thru is good for your health, but it is less obvious why regular primary care is so important. “You can’t always see or feel health problems,” said Neely. “Many people will just visit their doctor when they are sick, but wellness is about preventing health problems before they occur.” Although scheduling an annual check-up may seem too easy to be a real resolution, it is a goal that you should consider. In addition to a general health evaluation and routine tests, your provider can recommend more specialized examinations and screenings based on age, gender, and your family history. With more information about your overall health and habits in-hand, your primary care provider can recommend where you should focus on making improvements, help you set meaningful goals, and help hold you accountable.

Make SMART Goals

“The key to a sustainable resolution is to make it SMART, which stands for “specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based,” shared Neely. Instead of focusing only on losing weight, it may make more sense for your overall health to focus on increasing regular exercise or lowering bad cholesterol. A SMART goal could be to exercise for 30 minutes three times each week, or simply to avoid fast food for a month. “Once you accomplish a smaller objective, you can modify your goals depending on your progress. Setting SMART goals, and making adjustments over time, helps keep us engaged while creating realistic expectations,” said Neely.

Put It on Your Calendar

“It is much easier to stick to a routine when you have consistent reminders,” Neely added, “so put it on your calendar or your 'to do' list and check it off.” If you schedule time for exercise and meal planning in the form of a calendar or even a sticky note, you’ll be less likely to veer off track. A scheduled follow-up appointment with your primary care provider sets the date to measure your progress and to re-evaluate goals. As we gear up for the new year, start building SMART health habits today by scheduling a wellness check-up with your primary care provider. Allen County Regional Hospital Clinics are conveniently located in Iola, Humboldt, and Moran. Learn more at saintlukeskc.org/allen-familycare.

Great health starts with great primary care.

COMPASSIONATE CLOSE TO HOME

The expert primary care providers at Allen County Regional Hospital clinics offer compassionate, personalized care from pediatrics to geriatrics. They provide high-quality services such as routine checkups and annual exams, preventive care, acute and chronic illness management, and specialist referrals. Plus, same-day and next-day appointments are available. Make your health a priority. Schedule an appointment today. Find a provider saintlukeskc.org/allen-familycare

Iola Clinic 620-365-6933 Humboldt Clinic 620-473-3008 Moran Clinic 620-237-4205