Highroads Living 10.6

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A Lifestyle Resource for Adults 55+ Vol 10 Issue 6

Emerging Design Trends Tips for Health Insurance Shopping 2022 Fitness Trends

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7 Tips For Savvy Health Insurance Shopping

O

ur health needs can change each year, and so can health plan coverage choices. So it’s important to understand your health care options to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

you can find what will work best for you. A good first step is to make sure you understand health insurance lingo, such as premium, deductible, copays, coinsurance and out-ofpocket maximums.

Annual or open enrollment season is here, a time when millions of Americans across the country will have the opportunity to select or switch their health insurance plan for the coming year.

If you’re eligible for Medicare, as you weigh your options, ensure you’re familiar with the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. If you need a review, visit MedicareMadeClear.com - an online resource with answers to questions about eligibility, plan choices, cost basics, prescription coverage and more.

For people with employer-provided coverage, open enrollment typically occurs within a two-week period between October and December. Those eligible for Medicare can enroll or make changes to their coverage from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. For most people, changes made during this time will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

To make the most out of open enrollment, Dr. Rhonda Randall, a chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare, provides the following tips that may lead to better health and cost savings.

1. Understand your options. Whether you are selecting a plan for the first time or evaluating how well your current one meets your needs, take the time to understand and compare the benefits, services and costs of each plan, so

2. Check your prescription benefits. Knowing how to get the most out of your prescription benefits may help you manage costs. For example, check into lower-cost alternatives that may be available, like discounts, generics and more. You may also be able to fill your prescriptions at a participating network pharmacy or with home delivery by mail - two more money-saving options.

For those on Medicare: You may be surprised to learn Original Medicare doesn’t generally cover prescription drugs.

Consider adding Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage to help keep your medication costs in check.

HighroadsLiving.com Volume 10 • Issue 6 - Highroads Living 3

Turning 65?

New to the area?

Let Cathy, your experienced home-town professional, answer your questions!

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW! 706-781-7832 Medical Supplements • Medicare Advantage Plans • Medicare Part D Plans

Cathy Jarrett Licensed Insurance Agent Licensed in GA, NC, TN, FL

3. Anticipate next year’s health expenses. If you are expecting a significant health event in the next year, such as surgery or the birth of a child, compare the differences between plan designs, including out-of-pocket maximums.

4. Consider a plan with the convenience of virtual care. If you’re busy juggling kids’ schedules and work responsibilities, traveling or you simply prefer to connect with a doctor from the convenience of your home, consider choosing a plan that includes 24/7 virtual care. These visits are designed to be an easier, more affordable way to talk to doctors about common health issues, using a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Virtual care is often available to members of employersponsored, individual and Medicare Advantage plans and may provide access to various types of care, including wellness, routine, urgent and chronic condition management.

5. Check for mental health coverage. Managing your mental health is an important step in caring for your overall well-being. In addition to in-person care, you may now be able to access a large virtual health network of therapists and psychiatrists with many plans - including UnitedHealthcare® Medicare Advantage for a $0 copay. Some health insurers,

Serving Blairsville, Hiawassee, Clayton, & Surrounding Areas with Over 20 Years Experience www.cathyjarrett.com cathy@cathyjarrett.com

such as UnitedHealthcare, also offer advocacy services to help you find the right therapist and type of care.

6. Look into wellness programs. Many health plans now offer incentives that reward you for taking healthier actions, such as completing a health survey, exercising or avoiding nicotine.

Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer gym memberships and wellness programs for members at no additional cost.

7. Don’t forget about specialty benefits. Additional benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing or critical illness insurance, are often available to help protect you and your family, while contributing to overall well-being.

For Medicare beneficiaries: You may be surprised that Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs and most dental, vision and hearing services, but many Medicare Advantage plans do.

For more helpful articles and videos about open enrollment and health care plans, visit UHCOpenEnrollment.com.

(BPT)

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HighroadsLiving.com

4 expert tips to protect yourself from credit scams

W

hile credit scams have been around forever, they’ve recently exploded in number. According to Mint, from 2019 to 2020, the number of identity theft reports went up by 113% and the number of reports of identity theft by credit cards increased by 44.6%. The amount of fraud by new credit card accounts saw a 48% increase from 2019.

As more information is digital today, on top of the increase in health and financial stressors, scams designed to access your credit accounts or personal information are on the rise.

Having financial or credit accounts hacked can have long-lasting implications, beyond financial loss and inconvenience.

Here are tips to help protect your credit and personal information.

1. PRACTICE GOOD CYBER HYGIENE Use long, strong passwords unique to each account or website - or use a password manager to help create better passwords and keep track of them. Change the password on your home’s router. If you’re using the same password for several accounts, or haven’t changed passwords in a while, now’s the time to clean up your digital act.

2. BACK UP YOUR DATA Having digital and physical backups for your data protects you from not only losing important information, but also from ransomware attacks - when a hacker freezes or destroys your data unless you pay them in bitcoin. While this is more likely to happen to businesses, it can give you peace of mind to have your data backed up.

Consider both a Cloud backup as well as on a physical hard drive - and/ or printing out vital information or documents.

3. MONITOR YOUR CREDIT REPORTS Keeping an eye on your credit reports alerts you to attempts to steal your identity, such as someone opening an account in your name. You can check any of the major credit reporting companies for free once a year. However, because identity theft is becoming more frequent, you should check your credit score more often. One tactic is to rotate which company you request a report from, requesting one every few months.

You can also check your credit with VantageScore, which uses credit scoring models that provide lenders and consumers with highly

predictive credit scores that are easier to understand and actually score more people. Access yours for free through the providers at VantageScore.com.

Check your credit reports for: * Credit accounts/debt that isn’t yours. * Inquiries indicating a company accessed your report without your permission. * An address where you’ve never lived. This could be a sign someone’s tried to use your identity to open an account.

If you see items like these on your report, contact the credit agency right away. A change to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in 2018 allows consumers to put a freeze on their credit reports for free, so credit reporting companies will restrict access to your reports, not allowing lenders with whom you do not have an existing relationship to pull them. This can help prevent fraudulent credit applications from being opened. Then you can choose when to “unfreeze” the credit reports and put them back into circulation.

4. BE ALERT TO COMMON SCAMS You may receive an email saying one of your credit accounts has been blocked or suspended. It may look like an email from a legit company.

Never click links within the email, as they may take you to a fake website (that looks real). Instead, access your account from the website you always use to see if there’s a problem. Contact the company directly, not through the email. Most likely it’s a phishing attempt to get your personal login or financial information.

Scammers may take advantage of current crises, claiming to be COVID-19 contact tracers, or referring to government stimulus checks.

Never give personal or financial information like your birthdate or Social Security number over the phone or via email. Other common scams involve taxes or unemployment compensation.

View any email or text asking for information or to reply with an account login or other personal information as suspect, and contact the supposed sender directly.

Learn more about tips and credit strategies at VantageScore.com.

(BPT)

HighroadsLiving.com Volume 10 • Issue 6 - Highroads Living 5

Welcome to A Community Lifestyle Resource for Adults 55+ Helpful Regional Resources Featured in Every Issue

Articles for Health and Wellness from trusted medical sources that include fitness tips for a balanced lifestyle. Nutritional information for fresh markets, family regional farms, and healthy food sources. Regional recreational activity information for clubs and community outreach programs in your area.

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Featuring health, fitness, nutrition and helpful information for outdoor & indoor activities

Let Us Help Promote Your Business & Services • Hospitals, Clinics, & Home Health • Drug Stores, Pharmacies • Doctor & Dentist Offices • Financial Institutions • Salons & Spas • Health & Fitness

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• Health Food Stores • Professional Offices • Worship Centers • Variety & Specialty Stores • Regional Community Resource

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6 Highroads Living - Volume 10 • Issue 6

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EVERYTHING A BODY NEEDS

Health Store & Smoothie Bar • All-Natural Smoothies • Vitamins • Bulk Herbs • Supplements • Ionic Foot Bath • Essential Oils • CBD/Hemp Oil • Local Baked Goods • Kombucha • Honey • Skincare • Teas & Spices • Milk & Meat Open 7 Days a Week • FREE WiFi

204 E Louise St • Clarkesville (across from Ingles)

AtoZincHealth.com • 706-754-0247

I

n adjusting to the constraints of the pandemic, many Americans had to improvise where and how they work out. After months of adapting to a “gym anywhere” mentality and learning to accommodate more flexible workout schedules, this new fitness mindset is inspiring some larger trends for healthier living.

“We’ve learned that wellness is not one-size fits all, and that it’s achieved by small habits like regular hydration that can really impact how you feel throughout the day,” said celebrity fitness trainer Harley Pasternak, MsC.

“Collectively, nourishing both body and mind together as one makes holistic health a sustainable lifestyle.”

Pasternak and the experts at Propel Fitness Water are forecasting five fitness and wellness trends to watch for in 2022:

Accountability Buddies When gym closures ran rampant, folks leaned on others for inspiration to get moving, so it’s no surprise working out in pairs (or more) is a continued way to focus on fitness. Feelings of burnout may be common heading into 2022, so having a partner who gives you a healthy sense of camaraderie and competition can help push you to show up on days when you’d rather rest and stay committed to your goals. It also provides a sounding board when you need suggestions for nutritious recipes or fresh at-home cardio ideas.

Versatility in Gym Spaces and Schedules When a large segment of the workforce started working from home, the rituals of before- and afterwork gym visits fell by the wayside. People grew more accustomed to improvising where they work out, whether it was their neighbor’s garage, their living room or a running path in the city. As exercisers are less beholden to studio or gym schedules, the “gym anywhere” mentality is a level of flexibility many are holding on to, even as they ease back into more normal work routines.

HighroadsLiving.com Volume 10 • Issue 6 - Highroads Living 7

Yes, we are OPEN. Exercise is GOOD for you!

Heart Rate Technology • Personal Training Group Fitness • Zumba • Yoga/Pilates • Spin Tanning • Childcare Now Accepting

2022 Fitness Trends

3 Locations / 24 Hours Cleveland, GA 868 S. Main St. 706-219-7690

Dawsonville, GA Blairsville, GA 749 Hwy 53 1741 Blue Ridge Hwy. 706-265-7093 706-781-5320

TheGymGA.com

Health in Small, Achievable Doses This trend is all about recognizing health transformations don’t happen overnight, and even modest steps can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day. One example is paying more attention to your hydration. If you aren’t properly hydrated, few other things tend to go right either.

Small habits like throwing Propel Powder Packs into your gym, work or school bag can make a difference.

Filled with enough electrolytes to replace what is lost in sweat, they are handy for on-the-go hydration and are easy to add to a water bottle.

When each piece is well taken care of, your body is better able to work like a well-oiled machine.

Wellness Goals vs. Fitness Committing to overall wellness is more about lifestyle changes than numbers like weight loss or muscle mass. People embracing this trend are forgoing numeric goals based on performance in the gym or on the scale and instead emphasizing outcomes that affect life, nourishing both body and mind together as one. Fitness goals are an essential component, but so is supporting your mental health as well as being cognizant of what you’re putting into your body.

Find more hydration options and wellness tips at propelwater.com.

Low-Impact Workouts This year, walking treadmill challenges gained virality on social media, marking the increasing popularity of workouts that are low impact yet effective. Getting moving is the key, even if it means taking your tempo down. You don’t need to do hours of HIIT every day to see results. In fact, less time- and energy-intensive workouts are easier to sustain and can often yield the same, or better, results.

Family Features #15984 Source: Propel Photo courtesy of Getty Images

8 Highroads Living - Volume 10 • Issue 6

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Add Grapes to Your Holiday Gatherings

Add a special touch this holiday season with simple yet stunning small plates that add beauty and flavor to gatherings with friends and family.

Available into January, California grapes offer a way to make the season special as an ingredient in your favorite recipes or as decoration for a festive centerpiece. Pops of red, green and black provide a seasonal touch and they’re perfect as an easy, fresh, healthy snack.

Plus, you can dip grapes in nut butter and finish with coatings of coconut, dark chocolate and almonds to make these Peanut Butter Grape Bites for a holiday treat that’s simply divine – without spending hours in the kitchen.

Visit HYPERLINK “https://www.grapesfromcalifornia. com/” grapesfromcalifornia.com to find more holiday recipe inspiration.

Peanut Butter Grape Bites Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Yield: 12 pieces 12 1/3 1/4 1/4 1/4

California grapes, chilled cup natural peanut or almond butter cup shredded coconut cup chopped dark chocolate cup chopped almonds

Place sheet of wax paper on baking sheet. Dip each grape in nut butter to coat half then dip in either coconut, dark chocolate or chopped almonds. Transfer to sheet then chill until ready to serve.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 70 calories; 2 g protein; 4 g carbohydrates; 5 g fat (64% calories from fat); 1.5 g saturated fat (19% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 25 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Family Features #15925 Source: California Table Grape Commission

HighroadsLiving.com Volume 10 • Issue 6 - Highroads Living 9

BLAIRSVILLE

MedicalDirectory DAHLONEGA

Brasstown Pharmacy Drug & Gun 23 B Murphy Hwy. 706-745-2303 Blairsville’s most reliable Pharmacy for all your prescriptions, including hormone replacement therapy, vaccinations, & compounding for your specific needs.

Firearms and ammunition plus parts or accessories. brasstown.biz

706-839-1001

Where our PATIENTS are our PRIMARY concern! PRIMARY and URGENT CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! M-F 9-5. Medication and disease management, Illness/Injury, Well exams/physicals, Well woman exams, DOT physicals, Sports physicals, Labs, urinalysis, EKG, plus Rapid, PCR and Antibody COVID testing. familycarega.com

CLAYTON MedLink GA 896 US-441

706-754-4348 ext 2018

Your Link to Quality Medical Care, Accepting all insurances including Meicare & Medicaid medlinkga.org

See pg 8

CLEVELAND MedLink GA 17 White St.

706-754-4348 ext 2018

Your Link to Quality Medical Care, Accepting all insurances including Meicare & Medicaid medlinkga.org

706-867-7666

Where our PATIENTS are our PRIMARY concern! PRIMARY and URGENT CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! M-F 8-6, Sa/Su 9-2.

Medication and disease management, Illness/ Injury, Well exams/physicals, Well woman exams, DOT physicals, Sports physicals, Labs, urinalysis, EKG, plus Rapid, PCR, and Antibody COVID testing. familycarega.com

DEMOREST

CLARKESVILLE Family Care Habersham 5330 Hwy 115

Family Care Dahlonega 400 Walmart Way Suite F

See pg 8

MedLink GA 706-754-4348 ext 2018 396 Historic Highway 441 N. Your Link to Quality Medical Care, Accepting all insurances including Meicare & Medicaid medlinkga.org See pg 8

HAYESVILLE

Chatuge Family Practice 241 Church Street

828-389-6383

Established 42 year Community medical practice that offers many services. Variety of Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and Assistant Payment programs available. chatugefp.org See pg 15

JASPER

Georgia Mountains Hospice 70 Caring Way 706-253-4100 800-692-7199 Life with Care & Compassion! Local non profit hospice serving 10 north GA counties since 1993 including Pickens, Gilmer, Union, Fannin, Dawson ,Forsyth, Murray ,Bartow, Gordon, & Cherokee County. Providing Home Care, Nursing Home, & Assisted Living support. www.georgiamountainshospice.org

MURPHY

Mims Family Dentistry 96 Central St • Ste 201

828-837-3577

We want you to keep your teeth happy & healthy for a lifetime. Services include braces to implants. Open 8am-5pm daily. mimsfamilydentistry.com See page 12

Murphy Dental Center 828-837-5911 119 Natural Springs Drive Modern Dentistry in a caring, home-like atmosphere including General Dentistry, CEREC Dentistry, and Oral Conscious and IV Sedation. murphydentalcenter.com

Peachtree Community Health Center 4048 E US 64 ALT, Suite 1 828-837-8131 Providing whole person care by integrating primary care and behavioral health at one location, during one visit. Our services encompass individualized treatment, health education, and community assistance from a team of providers that include physicians, nurses, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), community health workers, and peer support specialists. M-F | 7:30 am - 5:30 pm amchc.org See pg 16

Pro Motion Rehab 2810 W US-64 Suite 1

828-837-0400

You will feel right at home here where our state-of-the-art facilities feature advanced cardiovascular, stabilization and strength stimulating technology to provide the greatest impact for accelerated recovery and relief from pain. promotionrehab.com See pg 13

ROBBINSVILLE Tallulah Community Health Center 409 Tallulah Rd. 828-479-6434 Providing whole person care by integrating primary care and behavioral health at one location, during one visit. Our services encompass individualized treatment, health education, and community assistance from a team of providers that include physicians, nurses, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), community health workers, and peer support specialists. M-F| 7 am - 6 pm amchc.org See pg 16

SeniorLiving BLAIRSVILLE

Wesley Mountain Village / Simpson Estates 493 Wesley Mountain Drive

706-745-5565

The independent lifestyle you’ve been looking for! Enjoy your own home in the mountains without the burden of lawn care and maintenance (for those 55+) simpsonestates.org / wesleywoods.org See pg 11

HAYESVILLE

Clay County Care Center 86 Valley Hideaway Drive

828-389-9941

Skilled Nursing Facility providing rehabilitation, long term care, respite care, Alzheimer’s and dementia secured care. Clay County Care Center is a place to get better, a place for living. centers.consulatehealthcare.com See pg 15

10 Highroads Living - Volume 10 • Issue 6

HighroadsLiving.com

3 E

vents from the past year have all of us reconsidering what we want and need out of our homes. From work and play to wellness, our homes have become the epicenter of, well, everything - leading to an emergence of design trends focused on adapting to a new normal. The design experts at Wilsonart, a world-leading provider of engineered surfaces, have identified three new lifestyle trends that are affecting lasting design changes.

1. Back to Nature It’s no secret that nature has the power to inspire, invigorate, restore and refresh. Research has shown that interacting with nature can offer mental health benefits, including decreasing stress and relieving anxiety. Likewise, incorporating elements of nature into the home has been proven to improve happiness and well-being.

Whether as a room’s canvas or a pop of color on an accent wall, paint is an easy and affordable way to bring nature’s beauty into the home with colors that evoke a sense of calm and serenity. “Dark blue hues reminiscent of water and the sky are trending, along with lush greens that infuse spaces with the fresh essence of grass and foliage,” says designer

Emerging design trends for today’s lifestyles

Gwen Petter. “Earthy neutrals, such as tans and beiges, are also in high demand for their ability to ground us and surround us with soothing natural tones.”

Beyond color, 40% of people report that they want a connection to nature, particularly in their kitchens, according to a survey by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Homeowners are choosing nature-inspired materials for focal areas like countertops, cabinets and islands. Wilsonart® Home offers beautiful, on-trend options for virtually every surface in the home with performance features and price points to suit any lifestyle and budget.

The expertly curated collection includes environmentally sustainable materials such as high-pressure laminates and performance veneers that deliver the authentic looks of exotic woods, stone-inspired solid surface options and nonporous engineered quartz.

2. “Resi-mercial” and Rustic Fueled by the drastic decline in domestic and international travel during the pandemic, homeowner interest in replicating the sophisticated style and comforts of an upscale hotel or luxury resort in their home has continued

HighroadsLiving.com Volume 10 • Issue 6 - Highroads Living 11

to grow. From plush towels and perfectly plumped pillows to spa-worthy bathrooms and chef-quality kitchens, commercially inspired designs are increasingly crossing over into the residential arena.

Carrara marble continues to be one of the most soughtafter surfaces to achieve this clean, sophisticated, “resimercial” look, but not everyone desires the cost and maintenance that comes with the natural stone. The Wilsonart® Solid Surface Crafted Collection combines nature’s beauty with cutting-edge design innovation to deliver the look of authentic marble in an ultra-durable acrylic solid surface. This series of movement designs captures the beauty and drama of marble typically only seen in natural materials like quartz and stone with virtually limitless design applications for the kitchen, bath and beyond.

Scandi Noir is another “resi-mercial” design approach that is gaining traction, particularly in kitchens. This style features looser rules and is characterized by the use of dark cabinets combined with dark countertops or contrasting dark and light surfaces. “Kitchen cabinets are still predominantly white, but more homeowners are adding a pop of color with contrasting island cabinets. In fact, searches for black and navy kitchens are up significantly,” notes Petter.

3. Sustainable Style As our lives become increasingly home centric, our homes need to perform on a level they may never have before, and this includes incorporating materials that work as hard as we do. “Today’s homeowners are seeking surfaces that will live up to the rigors of everyday life,” explains Petter. “There also is growing interest in sustainable alternatives to natural products, which can contribute to deforestation and degraded air quality from sourcing and mining operations. Human-made composite materials offer appealing options that often outperform natural materials, delivering greater durability, less ongoing maintenance and fewer harmful environmental impacts.”

Alternative materials like laminate, solid surface and quartz mimic the best of Mother Nature without impacting the environment, offering appealing options for ecoconscious consumers. Many of these engineered surfaces are UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified to meet low chemical emissions limits for better air quality. Additionally, many laminate products are made with a combination of fibers from FSC-certified, fast-growing, sustainably managed woods and post-consumer recycled content (PCRC). For more information and inspiration, visit Wilsonart.com.

BPT

Senior Living in the North Georgia Mountains

BRANAN LODGE

An affordable community of apartments in a beautiful mountain setting.

(Federal rental assistance for those 62+ or mobility impaired.)

SIMPSON ESTATES

The independent lifestyle you’ve been looking for! Enjoy your own home in the mountains without the burden of lawn care and maintenance. (for those 55+)

leaders in senior living

493 Wesley Mountain Drive, Blairsville, GA 30512 www.wesleywoods.org 706-745-5565

More than just a magazine!

highroadsliving.com

12 Highroads Living - Volume 10 • Issue 6

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Everthing Dental Voted Best Dentist for 12 Years by Readers Choice of the Cherokee Scout American Dental Association • International Association for Orthodontics Fellowship Status with Aacademy of General Dentistry Fellowship Status American Orthodontic Society American Academy of Implant Dentistry International Congress of Oral Implantologists American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry

Welcome Dr. Courtney Marshall to the Team!

828-837-3577 | 1-800-544-5840 96 Central St., Suite 201 • Murphy www.MimsFamilyDentistry.com

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HighroadsLiving.com Volume 10 • Issue 6 - Highroads Living 13

SPORTS INJURIES: Treatment & Prevention

Sports injury is the most common reason for physical therapy in young athletes.

Broken bones, fractures, and concussions are common athletic injuries that require the care of a physical therapist.

Strains, Sprains, and Bruises You see them more in contact sports but, muscle strains, ligatment sprains, and bruises can happen in any type of activity. These acute injuries lead to swelling, limited mobility, and pain - which may not go away on their own. Things like hamstring strains, ankle sprains, or bone bruises on the knee are helped by PT. Manual therapy helps restore normal range of motion and reduce swelling. Therapeutic exercise and neuromuscular reeducation can help children regain normal strength, balance, and movement patterns. This paves the way for af ull return to activity without limitations and decreases the risk of re-injury.

Pro Motion Rehab Physical, Occupational, & Massage Therapies 2810 US Hwy 64 W Suite 1 Murphy, NC 28906 828-837-0400 Fax: 828-837-0404 pt@promotionrehab.com

ProMotionRehab.com

Overuse Injuries An overuse injury occurs gradually over time due to imbalances in the body after doing repetitive motions.

Tendonitis, bursitis, and other overuse injuries are common in the era of sports specialization. The year-round focus on one sport means young athletes are repeating the same motion, like throwing a baseball. Rest and a brace can help but the injury can crop up as soon as your child starts playing again.

Physical therapy plays an important role in overcoming the recurring pain and inflammation, restoring normal range of motion, and building the strength and body mechanics needed for a full return to activity.

For more information: Pro Motion Rehab: 828-837-0400

14 Highroads Living - Volume 10 • Issue 6

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How to enjoy the holidays without overloading your New Year’s resolutions

F

ace it, everyone’s done it - abandoned wellness goals over the holidays, hoping to make up for it with New Year’s resolutions.

According to a recent study, half of Americans have broken a diet due to the holidays. In the fifth annual “Writing Off the End of the Year” survey, commissioned by Herbalife Nutrition, the average respondent expects to gain eight pounds over the holiday season. But most aren’t worrying about the weight gain, and instead plan on enjoying the season without sticking to their diets. What’s their solution? More than 60% say they will wait till the new year, making that extra weight next year’s problem.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Putting those extra holiday pounds on your New Year’s resolutions just makes it harder down the road.

And unfortunately, the pandemic has compounded the problem. For 40% of respondents, the extra weight they anticipate is in addition to weight they’ve already gained during the pandemic. The stress of the past year and a half has spurred many to overeat, with 65% feeling like they “deserve” treats this year more than previous years.

Between the pandemic and the holidays, how can you avoid piling on the pounds - and overloading your 2022 resolutions?

“Holiday celebrations don’t have to destroy your healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Kent Bradley, chief health and nutrition officer, Herbalife Nutrition. “Focus on your long-term goals, so you can make more thoughtful choices.”

Here are tips for staying on track over the holidays - and making resolutions you can keep all year.

Plan ahead.

Don’t arrive hungry. Eat a high protein snack, to give you energy and keep you from overindulging at a party. Snack on hard-boiled eggs, lean lunch meat, low-fat cheese, yogurt or a handful of nuts. Other

great options are Herbalife Nutrition’s protein Shakes or Protein Bites, a bite-sized protein bar.

“By focusing on proteins over carbs, slowing your eating pace and making sure you don’t go to the party hungry, you can enjoy yourself and minimize weight gain,” adds Bradley.

Stay hydrated.

The body can mistake thirst for hunger, which may lead to overeating. Staying hydrated with plain or sparkling water also helps you feel fuller. Sip on a glass of water between snacks to slow down and enjoy the day.

Pace yourself.

In the survey, 48% admitted they’ve eaten so much during the holidays, they had to undo the button on their pants or loosen their belt, and 45% have eaten more than one of the same meal in a day such as multiple lunches or dinners. Others said they’ve eaten until they feel sick, unwell or full to bursting - or they deliberately wore stretchy clothes to accommodate overeating (both 39%).

If you’re hosting a gathering, start a holiday singalong, set up a fun craft or suggest a walk outside. If you’re at someone else’s shindig, take breaks from eating treats by talking to people or playing games.

Food doesn’t have to be the centerpiece of every get-together.

Make your resolutions count.

In the survey, 2/3 of respondents (64%) said they’re actively delaying attempts to be healthy over the holidays - and of those, 56% said they’ll begin postponing their wellness efforts by mid-November.

But many said they’ll pick healthy habits back up in the New Year.

The study found that 39% plan to make a New Year’s resolution

HighroadsLiving.com Volume 10 • Issue 6 - Highroads Living 15 for 2022. The top goal? Exercising more (27%), followed by eating healthier (25%) and focusing on self-care (22%).

Make your resolutions concrete, realistic and attainable - so you can keep them well past January.

“The most successful New Year’s health resolutions combine nutritious balanced diets and exercise, have specific, achievable goals - and activate a community of like-minded supportive people,” added Bradley.

Live Well

Here’s how to make effective New Year’s resolutions: * Make them simple and concrete: “30 minutes of exercise per day” or “Add 1 vegetable to meals,” for example. If you’re starting an exercise program, check with your doctor first. * Don’t overload yourself: Start with only 1-2 goals, or you can feel overwhelmed. * Use the buddy system: Find a friend or group of like-minded people to support you and help keep each other accountable.

Chatuge Family Practice A non-profit organization

828.389.6383 Teresa A. Heavner, M.D.

www.chatugefp.org

Don’t give up on your wellness before New Year’s, and use resolutions to focus on small, reachable goals, so you can build on that success all year long.

Learn more about Herbalife Nutrition products to support your goals by visiting iamHerbalifeNutrition.com.

BPT

Quality Care

241 Church Street, Hayesville, NC 28904

Jill M. Brinke, M.D.

Sally Cody, FNP-C

Justin Roby, M.D.

Services Offered CDL Exams Preventative Care Laboratory Work Minor Surgery

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs: 8 am - 6 pm Wed and Fri: 8 am - 4:30pm

Sports Physicals Acute & Chronic Disease Management Weight Loss Management

Acupuncture Dermatology/Skin Checks Medication & Medical Assistance Programs

Serving Your Loved One for a Better Quality of Life

24-Hour Skilled Nursing Care 20-Bed, Quiet, Secured Unit for Dementia Care Therapeutic Recreation & Activities Respite Care for Care Givers Who Need A Break

Comprehensive Rehabilitation & Therapies Physical, Occupational, Speech, & Respiratory Therapy; Short Term “Rehab-to-Home” Programs; Post-Surgical, Orthopedic, Neurological, & Cardiac Rehabilitation IN2L Touchscreen Technology to Keep Families Connected & Offer The Interactive World To All Residents

CLAY COUNTY C A R E CE N TE R a Consulate Health Care Center

Tours Welcome

86 Valley Hideaway Drive Hayesville, NC 28904 828.389.9941 • 828.389.3712 fax

Peachtree Community Health Center 16 Highroads Living - Volume 10 • Issue 1

HighroadsLiving.com

WHOLE PERSON WHOLE FAMILY

HEALTH CARE

EVERYONE IS WELCOME! PRIMARY CARE | BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Whole Person Healthcare Includes: • Preventive Care • Complete Physical Exams • Treatment for Acute Illnesses and Minor Injuries • Women’s Services • Minor Office Procedures • Chronic Disease Management • Mental Health and Behavioral Health Services • Care Management for Primary Care: • Resource connections • Care plans • Basic counseling services • Medication monitoring and management • Medical appointment coordination Peachtree Community Health Center participates in a Medicare Shared Savings Program, resulting in coordinated care and additional resources for our Medicare patients.

• Home visits • Pharmacy reviews • CaraMedic programs that integrate paramedics into the multidisciplinary care team - bringing compassionate care truly closer to home.

Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted.

Self-pay and sliding scale options available.

PEACHTREE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 4048 E US 64 Alternate, Suite 1 Murphy, NC 28906 Phone: 828-837-8131 Fax: 877-930-7732 Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Murphy, Cherokee County) An affiliate of

amchc.org TALLULAH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 409 Tallulah Rd. Robbinsville, NC 28771 Phone: 828-479-6434 Fax: 828-479-2917 Monday-Friday | 7 am - 6 pm (Robbinsville, Graham County)