Community Matters The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
February 2017
4 ways to beat the winter blues When the sun wakes up late and slips away before the workday ends, when many a day is dark and gray, when it’s Groundhog Day and even an early spring seems far away, many large, hairy mammals — Punxsutawney Phil, included — choose to hibernate. But not us! We slog through, knowing that the passage of time will bring brighter days ahead. But we can do more than wait it out. Here are four easy ways to beat the winter blues and create a little sunshine of your own: 1. Bring light to others’ lives “I’m 87 years old and I can still finish The NewYork Times Sunday crossword puzzle,” a friend wrote in a holiday note to me. She added, “And I love hearing from you!” My aunt, who is 86 and lives in rural Illinois, also likes hearing from me. The joy is evident in her voice when WINTER, continued on page 2
Residents create art with donated supplies Bethany Holohan, activities director in independent living, donated to Valley Glen (memory care) a beautiful book of paper flower ideas along with fancy crepe paper and other supplies for making flowers. Residents were asked to make as many flowers as possible by May to decorate the Art is Ageless® reception. The residents in Valley Glen have really enjoyed cutting out flower petals, and staff have been getting their creative juices flowing assembling the flowers. About 20 flowers are made during each session. At this rate, the Art is Ageless reception will be a masterpiece in and of itself!
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I call to report any new funny stories about my grandson or even when I call just to say hello. I care about both these women, and about other distant friends as well. Talking with them brightens my day and theirs, too. No matter how behind in life you are, consider making time right now to pick up the phone and bring some sunshine into the lives of your older relatives and friends. After the call(s), keep that smile on your face. Research shows that when you smile, your mood elevates and you feel less stressed.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. James “Jamie” Kneen, executive director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Loretta Cutler, health care lifestyle coordinator, lcutler@pmma.org. Telephone: 314-909-6010 Address: 505 Couch Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
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In an article for Forbes, Roger Dooley writes that if you smile in public, those around you will be lifted as well. “UCLA scientist Marco Iacoboni notes that our brains are wired for sociability,” Dooley reports. “In particular, if one person observes another person smile, mirror neurons in that person’s brain will light up as if he were smiling himself.” (Or herself, I’m certain.) 2. Open a box of light In mid-December, my friend Carol Porter posted this on Facebook: “I’m enjoying an early Christmas present to myself — my new light box! I sit next to it for 30 minutes daily, relaxing with coffee, calendar, notepad, tablet, organizing my day and thinking beautiful thoughts as the bright light bathes my retinas.” When Carol complained of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — also known as the winter blues — her doctor gave her a brochure about a company that makes several varieties of high-powered therapy lights and lamps. “A light box mimics outdoor light. Researchers believe this type of light causes a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood and eases other symptoms of SAD,” says the Mayo Clinic. A light box may be an effective treatment on its own or, the Mayo Clinic adds, “in combination with an antidepressant medication or psychotherapy.” Think you may suffer from SAD? The Mayo Clinic lists these symptoms: • Irritability • Tiredness or low energy • Problems getting along with other people
Community Matters February 2017
• Hypersensitivity to rejection • Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs • Oversleeping • Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates • Weight gain Carol likes her lamp a lot. Sitting by it, she exhorts, “SAD, be gone!” 3. Light up the night Me, I like the dark. (Cue “Over at the Frankenstein Place,” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which starts out with this evocative line: “In the velvet darkness of the blackest night…” What, you’re not a fan?) Night is when I write, read, listen to music and relax. I also like vanillascented candles, and one recent rainy evening I gathered up five of them, put them on a placemat in the middle of my dining room table and lit them all. I turned off the lamps and then, with a clear sight line from the living room couch, I sat with a glass of wine, enjoying my impromptu candle party and the subtle scent of vanilla. 4.Treat your ‘defects’ lightly “The truth is that the older I get, the more I like my defects. Old age is the best moment to be and do whatever you enjoy.”That’s Alma speaking. She’s WINTER, continued on page 4 Like us on Facebook
Toys bring loads of joy to Kingdom House John and Alice Mohr, along with their friends at Aberdeen Heights, made these fun and sturdy wooden trucks, which were donated to the Early Childhood Center at Kingdom House. Kingdom House is a non-profit organization which aims to “promote empowerment and growth in individuals and families. We help the economically disadvantaged achieve economic independence, self-sufficiency and a path out of poverty.�
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the 81-year-old main character in Isabelle Allende’s book, “The Japanese Lover: A Novel,” about a woman who carries on a secret affair well into her later years.What’s especially intriguing about Alma’s quote is the encouragement to embrace our flaws and emphasize our eccentricities. Another important self-improvement tip comes from a recent book by Allen Klein, who insists it’s time to stop blaming other people for anything. “You Can’t Ruin My Day: 52 Wake-Up Calls to Turn Any Situation Around” is Klein’s 25th book on harnessing the power of humor to make a better life. “You are the only person who can ruin your day,” Klein writes. He says our reactions to any thought or action determines how we perceive that thought or action, and we have ultimate control over our reactions. To bolster his case, Klein, 77, quotes rabbis, Japanese proverbs, Desmond Tutu, Chinese philosophers, Pema Chodron (an American Buddhist nun) and even Alexander Pope, the 18th century poet.
Volunteerism and you
We will focus on volunteerism in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. Where have you volunteered your time? Why do you volunteer? What are the benefits for you? If you’ve got a story to share, contact Health Care Lifestyle Coordinator Loretta Cutler, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters February 2017
The gist of Klein’s message? Lighten up.
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