HEALTH & FITNESS

Leaving Work BEHIND (Cont.)

1Set an out-of-offi ce automated reply

that includes a coworker’s contact

information—not your own. If customers or other employees need assistance while you’re away, ask a coworker to cover for you and include their email address in your out-of-offi ce auto reply. When you do this, “you don’t feel like you have to worry since someone else is taking care of your business while you’re gone,” says Mitchell. (The Expedia survey also found that 63 percent of Americans add their own cell phone numbers to their out-of-offi ce auto replies. Don’t be one of them!) Leave your phone in your room. You may be tempted to bring your phone when visiting local attractions for quick family photos, selfi es, and social media posts. However, Mitchell says, we often end up checking our work email or responding to job-related texts and calls. If you have trouble separating work and play, consider

designating one person in your group to carry their phone, or try bringing a separate camera. 2 Schedule time for working. Sometimes, work is unavoidable. But, that doesn’t mean it needs to constantly interfere with your trip. If you’re needed on the job, Mitchell 3 suggests checking emails and completing tasks at designated times that minimally aff ect your vacation, like while your companions are asleep. The rest of the time, relax and enjoy your days off .

THE MAP FOR NAPS

A new baby often means little sleep for new parents. In fact, a recent study of German families found that parents’ sleep not only signifi cantly declined following the fi rst three months of signifi cantly declined following the fi rst three months of childbirth but also, in some cases, took six years to return childbirth but also, in some cases, took six years to return to normal. After babysitting her cousin’s 8-month-old for a weekend, Naples resident Jenica Blechschmidt realized an app might help. Soon, Lovebug was born. Instead of reading long books that off er, as Blechschmidt Instead of reading long books that off er, as Blechschmidt puts it, “a degree in baby sleep,” the handy app provides puts it, “a degree in baby sleep,” the handy app provides a simplifi ed, personalized approach. “We give every family turn-by-turn directions on how to help their baby learn to sleep,” she says. Lovebug adjusts to diff erent ages and to changes in sleep schedules, such as when your baby is sick or during family vacations. The app can also track other aspects of your baby’s health and includes video lessons that teach about sleep habits to keep improving rest. “When you haven’t slept for a couple days, you’re a diff erent person,” says Blechschmidt. “We get calls from people talking about how we’ve changed their lives.” (getlovebug.com)

30 YEARS STARTED WITH A SINGLE STEP

Walking has many health benefi ts, and you don’t have to do it alone. The Naples Walking Club meets several times per week and has for decades. “I just walk for the love of it and just taking in the beauty,” says Margo Peyrot, one of the club’s original members and a former club president. “You can’t imagine what you’ll see when you walk. You miss so much driving in the car.” Peyrot, who’s now 94, walked with the club until a few years ago when she started having trouble maintaining their pace. She now continues to walk on her own but keeps up with the club in other ways, including through attending their thirtieth anniversary celebration this year. “It’s still growing, and I’m so delighted that the younger ones are taking over,” she says, noting that the club has expanded to more than 70 members. She has decades of memories with close friends in the club doing everything from hiking to volunteering to going on trips—and, of course, walking. “When you’re walking and talking,” she notes, “it’s just a great way to get to know somebody.” (nplswkgclub.clubexpress.com)

DEFEND YOUR HEALTH WITH HEALTH WITH MEDICALERT MEDICALERT DEVICES

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU FELL AND NEEDED HELP, OR IF YOU WERE UNCONSCIOUS AND COULDN’T TELL PARAMEDICS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH CONDITION OR ALLERGY? HOPEFULLY, YOU’D HAVE A MEDICAL ALERT DEVICE AND MEDICAL ID BRACELET. THE TWO ARE SOMETIMES REFERRED TO INTERCHANGEABLY, BUT THEY MAY EACH BE ESSENTIAL DEPENDING ON YOUR HEALTH SITUATION. “MEDICAL ALERT DEVICES ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR THOSE AT HIGHER RISK OF FALLS WHO ARE ALONE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS,” EXPLAINS ERIN A. WHITNEY, MD, A DOCTOR AT NAPLES PREMIER CONCIERGE. ON THE OTHER HAND, SHE NOTES, “MEDICAL ID BRACELETS ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR PERSONS [WHO HAVE] DIFFICULTY COMMUNICATING WITH EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.” FOR MEDICALERT AWARENESS MONTH IN AUGUST, CONSIDER USING ONE OF THESE DEVICES, WHICH COULD INCLUDE A SMARTWATCH THAT DETECTS FALLS OR A BRACELET YOU ORDER ONLINE. AND IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BUY A BRACELET, YOU CAN STILL RECORD YOUR ESSENTIAL MEDICAL INFORMATION IN A DEVICE YOU CARRY EVERY DAY. “WE SHOULD ALL CONSIDER AT A MINIMUM ENTERING OUR BASIC INFORMATION INTO THE MEDICAL ID FEATURE OF OUR PHONES,” WHITNEY ADVISES. SHE EXPLAINS THAT THE FEATURE SHARES IMPORTANT INFORMATION WITH EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WITHOUT THEM NEEDING YOUR PASSCODE. THESE DEVICES AND FEATURES CAN POTENTIALLY SAVE LIVES, SHE ADDS, SO SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY BOTH THIS MONTH AND BEYOND. (NAPLESPREMIER CONCIERGE.COM)

FOOD FUEL NUTRITION

FOR STRENGTH

Strength training isn’t just for bodybuilders; it’s essential for everyone, including older adults. According to Lisa Reed, owner of Lisa Reed Fitness in Naples, strength training can improve all areas of your health, from maintaining a healthy blood pressure to improving your balance and increasing bone density. But lifting weights alone isn’t enough. Reed says nutrition is just as important to get all the benefi ts. Protein, of course, is a staple. For this, Reed recommends eating eggs, chicken, fi sh, and meat. For the best results, though, you need a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and grains. Don’t try to eliminate entire food groups, she adds; carbs are important for energy and may improve gut health. Also critical are serving sizes. For a healthy and balanced mini meal to complement your strength training, try Reed’s spinach salad. (lisareedfi tness.com)

LISA REED’S FAVORITE SPINACH SALAD

Use your choice of walnuts or almonds and feta or goat cheese. Reed uses strawberries, but feel free to substitute with your favorite fruit.

1 cup (40 g) spinach 1/2 cup (20 g) mixed greens 2 oz. grilled chicken 2 large strawberries 1/8 cup (14 g) goat cheese 1/2 oz. walnuts

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients, and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: 260 CALORIES | 16 G PROTEIN | 7.75 G CARBOHYDRATES | 9.5 G FAT

FITNESS Rest and Reset

It’s frustrating when you’re working out daily but stop seeing results. This stall in progress, also called a fi tness plateau, is common and can occur if your body has adapted to repetitive workouts, says Brennan Repp, owner of and lead trainer at ReppFit in Naples. To stave off a stall or to move on from one, Repp says variety is key. This means taking rest days and switching up everything from your number of sets to the types of workouts you’re doing. It may seem counterintuitive to achieve more by doing less, but your body needs time to recover. “Take one step backward to take two steps forward, just to allow your body to do a little bit of a reset,” Repp explains. If you’re not sure how to switch things up, Repp recommends getting creative with a fi tness class or workout that’s outside of your comfort zone. And try not to get discouraged if you experience a plateau. “They can be overcome,” he notes. “It happens to us all from time to time.” (reppfi t.com)