St. George Health & Wellness Magazine September/ October 2021

FITNESS | NUTRITION | CULTURE | HEALTH | ACTIVE AGING | MIND/BODY | ECONOMICS | FAMILY

DO YOU HEAR Precision Hearing Is Helping Southern Utah Residents Hear Every Sound

See Page 14 INSIDE: A Life of Gratitude: St. George Celebrates Debbie Zockoll / 18 Understanding the Value of Hospice Care / 27 The Tie That Binds All Autoimmune Diseases Together / 66 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

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sghw | TWA EB LL EL NO EF SCSO N T E N T S The Circle of Life and the Value of Human Connection......................... 53 Dixie State University’s Business Resource Center Helps Entrepreneurs Launch Toward Success... 54 Screen Time Versus Family Time.................... 56 Earning the Rank of Eagle Scout Taught Me to Aim for Success...................... 73

Health and Fitness SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

What a Pain! Causes of and Treatments for Lower Back Pain.............. 16 Time Is Running Out to Receive Downwinder Cancer Payout..................... 22

On The Cover: Front cover photo courtesy of Brendan Dalley

Featured Story Do You Hear That? Precision Hearing Is Helping Southern Utah Residents Hear Every Sound............................................... 14

Nutrition

Community and Culture

Letter from the Editor................................................ 7 Mayoral Message........................................................... 8 Trailblazer Nation: Letter from the President................................. 10 Dixie Technical College: Letter from the President..................................12

A Life of Gratitude: St. George Celebrates Debbie Zockoll.............................. 18 Senior Living: Why Sooner Is Better than Later.............................................. 24 The Blues? In Utah? Yes!...................................... 36 We Can Do That...................................................... 42 The Bulls Are Here.................................................. 44 Wade’s Walkabout: Roundup on the Western Desert........................................ 48

Riding from a Hub............................................. 25 Death with Dignity: Understanding the Value of Hospice Care.......................... 27 Exercise Is Medicine and Physical Activity Vital Signs..................... 33 Who Should Have a Personal Emergency Response System?.................. 38 Three Phases to Eliminate Your Pain........ 41 Great News for Those Under Fifty Suffering with Knee Pain............................ 52 Daytime Strategies for Sleeptime Success... 62 The Importance of Oral Hygiene for Children.............................................................. 63 What Can Occupational Therapy Do for You?...................................................... 64 The Tie That Binds All Autoimmune Diseases Together.............. 66

Tips for Enjoying Fall Hikes to the Fullest..................................................... 68

Overeating: the American Pandemic......... 34 Dining Guide...................................................... 58 Restaurant Journeys: Katering Koncepts....... 59

Mind and Body The Quarrelsome Quartet: Fear, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression.......... 28 Ketamine Infusions................................ 30

Can’t Sleep? The Best Long-Term Cure Is Closer than You Think.......... 50 Eat the Rainbow: Colorful Foods That Heal and Bless.......................... 60 A New Hope for Those Living with Depression.................................. 70 Seize Each Fleeting Day........................ 72

The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of St. George Health & Wellness Magazine, its owners, or its staff.

The way way we we talk talk about about sexual sexual violence violence matters. used to to foster foster a a culture culture of of The matters. Our Our words words can can be be used safety, respect, and before it happens.

Oror to to show support for safety, and equality equality that thatstops stopssexual sexualviolence violence before it happens show support survivors, shutdown and practive to practice healthy for survivors, shutdownharmful harmfulmisconceptions, misconceptions, promote promote consent, and healthy communication with with children.

Our voices matter now now moremore thanthan ever.ever.

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s ghw | MWEEELTLONUERS SS T A F F

Brendan Dalley Editor

W. Jared DuPree, PhD, MBA Executive Editor

Brigit Atkin Author, Mind and Body

Erin Del Toro Author, Mind and Body

Matt Eschler, PhD, LMFT Author, Relationships and Family

Tiffany Gust, MS, CISSN Author, Health and Fitness

Lyman Hafen Author, Community and Culture

Marianne Hamilton Author, Health and Fitness

Richard Harder Author, Mind and Body

Mark Wade Author, Outdoor Adventure

Bentley Murdock Author, Nutrition

Chad Olson, MS, LMFT Author, Relationships and Family

For information on advertising or other inquiries, visit our website at www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com, email diane.sghealth@gmail.com or call us at (435) 236-2966.

The publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the articles in St. George Health & Wellness Magazine. The information contained within has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this material. Appropriate professional advice should be sought before making decisions. Outside of our staff authors, articles written by providers or professionals are invited authors and represent the opinions of that particular individual, business, group or organization. If an article is a paid advertisement, we will place the word “Advertisement” or “Advertorial” to identify it as such. ©Copyright 2021.

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sghw | FWR EO LML TNHEES ESD I T O R

This issue of the magazine is near and dear to me. I am honored to share with you three articles that spotlight some special people that have passed from this mortal life to continue their influence and great work on the other side: Dr. Craig Booth, Debbie Zockoll, and Richard Harder. Many of you have been blessed in one way or another by the way they lived their lives, by their larger-than-life personalities, and by their acts of kindness, generosity, and service.

Reflecting on what they have done made me ponder about others who have impacted my life. Those that come to mind first are my family members and close friends. But there are many outside that circle who have crossed my path and guided me along my journey. One of them was Dixie Andrus, an extraordinary individual who came to my rescue when I needed it most.

The summer before my fifth grade year, my family and I moved from Sandy, Utah, to St. George. I had been going through some serious health issues and had been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis along with some other auto-immune disorders.

One of the reasons for our move was to help control the painful symptoms that often flared up with the colder weather and humidity in northern Utah.

Mentally and physically, I was a wreck. Because of the “disease,” I felt worthless and Dixie Andrus didn’t have much, if any, self-esteem. I believed I was just some freak kid that had trouble holding a pencil and sitting cross-legged for long periods of time. When I had a flare-up, my hands would swell like they had been run over by a truck. I can remember teachers singling me out in front of other classmates because they thought I was faking my illness. I hated going to school and wished I would die.

That all changed when I started fifth grade in Mrs. Dixie Andrus’s class. Through some unknown super power of hers, she made me feel good about myself. I began to like who I was and no longer felt like something was wrong with me.

The warmer weather helped my symptoms, but I now realize that much of my healing was a direct result of her ability to change the way I thought about myself. She genuinely cared about me, and her compassion literally saved me. I have tried to live my life by emulating her example.

One person can make a difference; one person has the ability to change a generation. I believe Dixie Andrus is one who has made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of those around her and in the community. I also know that those who are remembered in this issue have made a difference in this world. They will be missed and will not be forgotten.

Brendan Brendan Dalley Dalley Editor Editor

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 7

M AYO R A L M E S S A G E

Have you ever felt inspired and frustrated at the same time? One beautiful Saturday morning, I joined several

residents in a trash pickup along Interstate 15 here in St. George. These were civic-minded people surrendering time from their busy schedules to help keep St. George the beautiful, safe, and inviting place that we all fell in love with.

I shared many laughs, met some great people, and enjoyed some exercise. It was a fantastic experience. Yet I

couldn’t help but feel a tinge of melancholy. We picked up thousands of pounds of trash from a one-mile stretch of road. How much other trash sat throughout the city?

Out of this frustration grew optimism. I watched a small group make a difference. By increasing the manpower

exponentially, I know we can thoroughly rid this city of litter. I am confident that people will be less likely to leave trash if the streets are already clean.

Join me and, I hope, thousands of other volunteers from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on September 11, 2021, as we

participate in the National Day of Service by picking up trash countywide ahead of the Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Let’s welcome the world to a city with pristine streets.

As I write this, we are still working on details, so please check our homepage (sgcity.org) for the most up-to-

date information on how you can help. I know one thing for sure: we need you! As they say, many hands make for light work.

For those unavailable that day but still wanting to help, you are more than welcome to organize your

own cleanup. The non-profit organization Love Where You Live has great resources and tips (Facebook: @ LoveWhereYouLiveUtah).

I would also encourage you to volunteer for the Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World

Championship (September 17–18), the St. George Marathon (October 2) or the Huntsman World Senior Games (October 4–16). Consider volunteering for all three! The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship relies upon the efforts of 5,000 volunteers to put on a great event.

Mayor, City of St. George 8 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

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always the beginning a new academic I Excitement am thrilled to accompanies announce that as partofof a landmark year, and this fall, the momentum is multiplied by the addition and partnership, Dixie State University and the Greater Zion renovation of important spaces on campus. As we work toward our Convention & becoming Tourism Office a strategic strategic goal of the firsthave open,entered inclusive,into comprehensive, marketing university agreement thatentire will result Greater Zion receiving polytechnic in the nation,innew facilities provide the space offer our studentsmarketing amazing experiences more necessary than $2 to million in annual exposure that and exemplify ourStadium “active learning. active life.” approach to Stadium. education.

Trailblazer being renamed Greater Zion In addition to providing students in all academic disciplines with hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them to graduate The 20-year, $10 million agreement maximizes revenue career-ready, our polytechnic focus prepares students to fulfil the generated by visitors—not Washington County taxpayers—to healthcare, science, engineering, and technology workforce needs create superior experience for both visitors residents. that our aarea employers so desperately need.

Our and state-of-the-art The partnership is truly a win-win-win situation forthis everyone; Science, Engineering & Technology Building opened semesterit and will givethe students access to builds the cutting-edge equipment and promotes area nationally, the community, and fuels premier learning opportunities they needpeople to be prepared to meet economic growth by bringing more to our gorgeous this workforce demand upon graduation. Under construction since corner of the world.

October 2019, the five-story building offers classrooms and twentyeight specialized labs, such as a gross anatomy lab, that more than As part of this effort, the Tourism Office will establish a visitor triples the size of our current facilities. This functional facility will centerbecome at the astadium and information at other key quickly favorite study spot for many kiosks of our students. locations on campus to showcase visitor activities to all those Providing a home away from home for 534 Trailblazers, Campus View also opened thisDixie fall. Building off the success of the who Suites attendII events on the State campus.

Additionally, first Campus welcomed 352 students in Dixie State View will Suites betterbuilding, be ablewhich to tell prospective students 2016, this facility offers suite-style living quarters as well as common what an amazing backyard full of abundant recreational recreational spaces that certainly will facilitate DSU’s unique “active opportunities have when attend learning. active they life.”will experience.

In they addition to DSU. offering more

students the opportunity to experience the sense of community, The timing of this partnership couldn’t be more perfect, as it will assist Dixie State during our transition to NCAA Division I status through opportunities to expand athletic facilities. The university plans on adding state-of-the-art 10 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com www.saintgeorgewellness.com press boxes and comfortable event space to the existing

convenience, and increased retention Western Athletic Conference rates that accompany living on starting this July, Dixie State campus, the facility will feature a will take on competitors based hammock garden that will provide everywhere from Washington, the perfect spot for students to take aCalifornia, mental health break while Arizona, andbasking New in the St. George sun.

Mexico to Illinois, Missouri, and Across campus, we have partnered Texas.Intermountain This will give Healthcare Greater Zion with to access to would renovate theaudiences space just itsouth of Burns Arenaleave to create the Athletic otherwise unreached.

Training Center.

The center celebrates the tenthwith anniversary of Plus, partnering Greater our sports medicine partnership.

Zion is a natural fit for Dixie The 10,388-square-foot facility State University. offers more than The 400 Tourism studentOffice’s vision to “Inspire athletes Division I-level Greater. medical care, screenings, sports Experience Greater.

Livepsychology Greater.”

Richard “Biff” Williams services, rehabilitation, and more.

Additionally, the facility provides aligns perfectly with Dixie State’s “active learning. active life.”

President academic opportunities, as students in our Masters ofofAthletic approach to education. Both philosophies take advantage of the Dixie State University Training program work with and learn from Intermountain Healthcare beautiful, world-renowned professionals in this space. destination we live in by encouraging With Community classes, student performances and students, visitors, Education and residents alike to learn by exploring. games, and community events, there is always a perfect reason to Here at the University, we recognize that valuable learning come to campus and check out our new additions. See for yourself experiences take place inside and outside of the classroom. By why every day spent on the DSU campus is a great day to be a taking advantage of experiences available in Greater Zion, we Trailblazer! all can grow academically, actively, and holistically.

This unique, trailblazing partnership certainly will enhance our community for years to come. I can’t wait to see you at upcoming games, concerts, and community events in Greater

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | May/June 2021 11

Seasons are magical in the way they bring incremental yet very clear changes. I always welcome and celebrate the differences. My favorite season is either the one we’re in or the one that’s coming next. Winter holds the wonder of the holidays and the possibility of a short and sweet snowstorm or two. We bundle up against the cold and dream of t-shirt days. Spring days get longer, and the weather can’t seem to make up its mind: winter one day, summer the next. After lots of wind and a little spring rain (if we’re lucky), it’s suddenly hot and time for swimming, trips to the lake, vacations, and fun. Kids are out of school for such a short time, and before we know it, we’re shopping for school supplies and hurrying to squeeze in one more big activity before school starts. Nothing screams fall like going back to school!

Besides the kids starting a new school year, I can always tell when fall is coming by looking at the Dixie sky. Watch this year, and you’ll see what I mean. The summer sky is bright blue, but by October, the Dixie sky turns a beautiful periwinkle. The coming of fall announces the time to gather in the harvest and prepare for the season ahead when fertile land lies dormant. It signals a yearning for the end of daylight savings time, soups and stews, and warm bread right out of the oven. Shorter days seem to announce that it’s time to curl up with good books as if the “gathering in” extends to gathering new awareness and knowledge.

The season of “back to school” isn’t just for kids or young college students. It’s for everyone, even stay-at-home moms or dads whose children are finally in school and who want to get more education in order to get back into the workforce. This fall might be the time! For anyone thinking about updating or upgrading skill sets, there is no better time than the present.

Dixie Tech offers twenty-six fully-accredited programs specifically designed to get you into a career that you’ve always dreamed of.

Medical assistants, certified nurse assistants, and pharmacy technicians are in great demand right now in Washington County, with jobs waiting to be filled. Employers are always looking for welders, auto and diesel technicians, and collision repair technicians. These are just a few of the careers that you can prepare for at Dixie Tech. We have new cohorts starting on a regular basis. Schedule a tour, visit with our Student Services staff, and ask about the amazing scholarships available right now.

I know for sure that seasons come and go. Don’t let another season go by without doing something to move yourself ahead. The incremental growth you’ll realize by going back to school will bring very clear and beneficial changes to your future for years to come.

12 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

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DO YOU HEAR

Precision Hearing Is Helping Southern Utah Residents Hear Every Sound

By Diane Del Toro

The change in Dan Johnson’s* hearing was so gradual, he hardly noticed. He missed a sentence in a phone conversation with a friend or received a perplexed look from his daughter when he appeared to be ignoring her questions. Eventually, when he couldn’t hear enough of what was going on to be confident in social settings, Dan withdrew from friends and family members, preferring instead to stay in familiar environments.

After several years, Dan’s wife observed that he often “faded away” whenever they went to a restaurant or met up with friends. “I had such a hard time understanding what was being said,” Dan explained. “All the noise around me made it impossible to follow a conversation, so I’d mentally checked out. I always felt like I was missing something and even felt myself falling into depression.”

Dan’s experience is compelling because it highlights the social, psychological, cognitive, and health effects of hearing loss. Impaired hearing results in distorted or incomplete communication leading to greater isolation and withdrawal and therefore, lower sensory input. In turn, the individual’s life space and social interactions become restricted.

“A large number of people wait seven to eight years or more from the point that they first recognize they have a hearing loss to when they purchase their first hearing aids,” explained Ryan Gaines, owner of Precision Hearing.

“This is a tragedy since they might not be aware of the impact this delayed decision has had on their life and the lives of their family and associates.”

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Precision Hearing is located at 321 West Tabernacle in St. George, Utah.

Since opening its doors to the public in 1987, Precision Hearing has dedicated its efforts to helping southern Utah residents regain their quality of life after experiencing hearing loss by providing exceptional hearing care.

According to Ryan, there is a long list of ways that an individual can be impacted by hearing loss. This list includes embarrassment, fatigue, irritability, stress, anger, avoidance of social activities, withdrawal from social situations, depression, negativism, danger to personal safety, rejection by others, reduced general health, loneliness, social isolation, decreased alertness to the environment, impaired memory, diminished adaptability to learning new tasks, reduced coping skills, and reduced overall psychological health.

For those who are still in the workforce, uncorrected hearing loss has a negative impact on overall job effectiveness, opportunities for promotion, and life-long earning power. Few would disagree that uncorrected hearing loss is a serious issue.

That is why choosing a hearing professional is one of the most important decisions a hearing impaired person can make. Since a hearing aid fitting has many subjective patient-related components, proper hearing aid recommendation and adjustments are highly dependent on the judgment and skill of the professional selecting the instrument.

And this is where Precision Hearing excels.

Their services include comprehensive hearing exams, specialized diagnostic testing, advanced fitting of hearing instruments, and verification techniques.

They also repair hearing aids and work with all of the major hearing aid manufacturers including Oticon, Phonak, Signia, Starkey, ReSound, and Widex.

What is more, when compared to other local offices, Precision Hearing can provide their products and services at considerable savings, with patients saving upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 on premium products.

“Ryan at Precision Hearing has taken a genuine interest in my hearing problem,” said Rose Baxter, a local resident who is one of Ryan’s patients. “His expertise provided the very best solution for me; people don’t even notice that I’m wearing hearing aids. The pricing was very reasonable—much lower than other places I checked into. I’m very pleased with that.”

Because hearing loss can develop slowly over time, many people are not aware of the gradual changes to their hearing until hearing loss is pronounced. For this reason, there is a tendency to put off a hearing test, but an annual hearing exam is a very important step to overcoming a hearing problem. A regular hearing examination can:

• Identify medical conditions. Although most hearing loss is caused About the Author Diane Del Toro is the Director by aging, there are a host of medical reasons for hearing loss, such of Operations for St. George as diabetes or high blood pressure. Some patients are able to relieve Health & Wellness Magazine their hearing problem simply by treating the underlying medical and Southern Utah Business condition, or by removing earwax.

Magazine. She graduated from Dixie State University • Track hearing changes and potential problems. An annual hearing with a degree in English test tracks changes in your hearing and makes adjustments as you literature and is a freelance need them. writer and copy editor and • Prevent hearing loss from impacting other areas of life. When a piano instructor. Diane enjoys hiking, backpacking, hearing problems go undiagnosed and untreated, all areas of life are and quilting and loves every affected. And the loss of hearing can be linked to increased injuries second she spends with her as car horns, smoke alarms, sirens, and other six children and twenty-one sounds of danger may not be heard. grandchildren.

• Signal that treatment should begin.

The identification of even a mild hearing problem is a positive thing.

Treatment can begin at the moment hearing loss is identified.

Precision Hearing can provide hearing solutions as soon as possible.

They offer many different types and styles of hearing aids to assist a wide range of hearing losses. Ryan will walk you through the options, letting you know which device will best suit your condition as well as your lifestyle.

As for Dan Johnson, after years of living with hearing loss, his wife finally insisted he do something about it. He scheduled a hearing test, where he was diagnosed with high frequency hearing loss and fitted for hearing aids specific to his needs.

It didn’t take Dan long to realize that he had become used to a lackluster life. He is now reestablishing tattered relationships with family and friends. Regardless of the level of noise in a room, he and his wife socialize frequently with other couples, and Dan can hear every sound.

“It’s nice to feel included in the activity, especially when there are lots of people around,” he said. “Life is just so much happier when you can be a part of it.” *Name changed to protect privacy

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Precision Hearing at 435-767-0042 or visit www.StGeorgeHearingAid.com.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 15

What a Pain!

Causes of and Treatments for Lower Back Pain

By Southwest Spine & Pain Center

A staggering eighty percent of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. While the severity of back pain varies widely, according to the National Institute of Health, it is the top contributor to missed work days. Back pain does not discriminate by gender either, affecting both males and females equally. While most low back pain is acute, which is pain lasting less than twelve weeks, low back pain can become persistent and long lasting.

back pain? While anyone is susceptible, we do know there are certain risk factors that predispose individuals to low back pain.

These include advancing age, decreased fitness level, weight gain, genetics, pregnancy, and even certain occupations. Low back pain, especially acute low back pain, often can be treated with conservative management, which includes medications, physical therapy, spinal manipulations, massage, or acupuncture.

The back is made up of so many essential working parts that it is easily susceptible to injury. For example, the vertebral bones can develop arthritis, fracture, or slip on top of each other. They are also a common location for metastatic cancer to spread. All of these can result in pain. Disks can tear, rupture, bulge, or weaken. When this occurs, it can “pinch” nerves, limit motion, and cause severe pain. Muscles can also cause pain if strained, pulled, torn, or overworked.

Your doctor may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as lab tests, X-ray imaging, a CT (CAT) scan, or a MRI. The doctors at Southwest Spine & Pain specialize in back pain and are able to offer various non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures. In more serious cases, surgery may be indicated.

Regardless, there have never been more options to help control or treat your back pain.

So why is low back pain so common? In order to understand this, it is essential to know some of the structures that make up the lower back. These structures include five bones known as lumbar vertebral bodies as well as a larger bone known as the sacrum.The vertebral bodies wrap around and protect the spinal cord and nerves. Between each of these bones are soft, fibrous structures known as disks. The disks act as shock absorbents and help the back with bending and twisting. Muscles attach to the bones, produce movement, and help with stabilizing posture.

When should you see a doctor for low back pain? Some red flags include: • back pain due to a recent injury • back pain associated with fever or chills • weight loss that is unexplained • weakness or numbness • current or recent diagnosis of cancer • loss of bowel or bladder control • history of osteoporosis • back pain that limits your daily activities • back pain that lasts for longer than a month

These are just some of the many different ways in which the spine can be injured or cause pain. So who is at risk for low

If you are concerned about your back pain, speak with a physician at Southwest Spine & Pain to discuss what your treatment options may include.

At Southwest Spine & Pain Center, our double-board certified pain management specialists provide comprehensive pain care by using a wide variety of treatment options.This includes injection therapies, minimally invasive surgery, management of appropriate pain medications, and coordinating physical therapy and advanced imaging.

Whether you are suffering from acute or chronic pain, the pain management doctors at Southwest Spine & Pain Center are dedicated to help you live life to the fullest.

For more information or to schedule an appointment call (435) 656-2424 or visit www.swsp.com.

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2021 17

A Life of Gratitude: St. George Celebrates

DEBBIE ZOCKOLL

She had a smile that could vanquish the surliest of clouds, enthusiasm that was contagious, positivity that seemingly knew no bounds despite being severely tested, and physical achievements that defied description.

Debbie Zockoll was an icon, plain and simple. And those of us fortunate enough to have called her a friend were devastated in March when she passed away. That she won’t be at the starting line of this year’s 45th annual St. George Marathon…well, it’s just wrong. Debbie hoped it would have been her 300th race of the grueling 26.2-mile distance.

Shortly before her passing, I had the honor of sitting down with Debbie to talk about her life, her plans for the upcoming race, and how her illness had changed both. True to form, her smile never wavered; never once did she express anything but optimism for the future.

When the gun goes off on October 2, the community—runners and couch-potatoes alike—will be celebrating her life. There could be no more fitting acknowledgement. *******

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St. George Health & Wellness: So, let’s start at the beginning.

Are you a St. George native?

Debbie Zockoll: Yes, I’m a proud St. George native and a proud Dixie High School grad. Of course, there was only one high school back then. I’ve always loved this community.

SGHW: Were you always an athlete?

DZ: I figured out early on that I needed to move. If I didn’t move, people didn’t like me as much, so I moved. I grew up in an era where women always wore dresses, even to high school games; no pants were allowed. So growing up in that era, I sort of had to work my way into moving. It was a big deal. My first running companions were always men because women didn’t run. I remember when I ran pregnant with my first son. People would stop and say, “You need a ride. Get in.” I’d tell them, “I’m fine; I’m fine.”

SGHW: When did you decide that you liked distance running?

DZ: I don’t think it was ever a conscious decision. When the first St. George Marathon took place, I was working for the City at the pool. Sherm Miller from Leisure Services was the race director. He told all city employees that he was putting on a marathon, and he needed all of us to sign up. I was a rule-follower; I’m a first-born, and I’m a school-teacher, so I said, “OK, I’ll do it.”

SGHW: Let’s talk about your career in education. When did that begin?

DZ: I started teaching when I was twenty-two. That was sort of who I was. It was during my last couple of years in college that I ran the first St. George Marathon. I was a wife, and a runner, and then an educator, and then motherhood came down the road. I taught first grade for thirty-one years. I loved first-graders; I think I’m six at heart.

SGHW: When did you retire?

DZ: My retirement was pretty short-lived. I was in such a sweat thinking, “What am I going to do? I can’t retire; I am going to go crazy?” Then I ran into the owner of Movara, who asked, “Can you come to work on Monday?” So my retirement was two days.

When I started working there, I did everything from serving food to cleaning. When we got so big, we could all sort of choose our own areas. I chose to lead hikes, which has been very good for me. Being with their guests is the best part. They’re people from everywhere, so they’re so thankful for the beauty of our area. I’m so proud of the beauty that we have here, and I love to show it off, as if I created it, which obviously I didn’t. But I love to say, “This is my place; this is my canyon; this is my hill.”

Another girlfriend who worked for the City and I trained, sort of.

We went to Picketts Hardware on the Boulevard and bought some big, tall socks and some men’s basketball shorts; there were no women’s running clothes back then. We went to Sears and ordered Kangaroo shoes. That’s what we ran the first St. George Marathon in, and that was the day I got hooked on distance running.

SGHW: What was your training program like, and was it effective?

DZ: It was never efficient, and probably not effective. We did one twenty-mile charity walk on a Saturday. I woke up on Sunday with my legs stiff as boards and thought, “Yeah, I don’t think I have six more miles in me.” I didn’t dare tell my friend— didn’t dare tell anyone— that I might not be able to do this.

We showed up at the starting line; there were forty-eight of us and only four women. I thought, “I could be last.” But I came in second in the women’s. There weren’t that many of us, so you can always kind of “rise up” to a challenge.

SGHW: How did you feel during that first marathon?

DZ: Oh, I felt terrible! I remember lying down at the park afterward thinking I was going to die, and that I’d never do it again. Someone came by and said, “I have a flyer for a marathon in Las Vegas.” I said, “When is it?” I knew then that I was hooked.

SGHW: Which brings us to an interesting point: You’re now at marathon number…?

DZ: I have finished 298. I’ve got my fingers crossed for two more (at least). This year will be my 45th St. George Marathon. I hope to do a marathon between now and then, so St. George will be my 300th.

My plan is to run the entire marathon distance and have my whole family help me out.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 19

SGHW: What’s helped you muscle through all of this and keep putting one foot in front of the other?

DZ: I think there are a lot of things. Sometimes you have a gift: you just do what you’ve gotta do like “I have to wake up, and I have to do this.” The other thing is that I have a wonderful family who always supports me. I have friends who are always willing to do this or that. The combination of marathoning and cancer has really helped me because I know there’s a finish line. No matter how hard I’m working or what I’m doing, there’s always a finish line. I’ll get there. Some days I think, “No, I’m just too tired, and this is a day when I have to stay in bed, but I’ll be okay tomorrow.”

SGHW: What would be your dream for this year’s 45th anniversary of the St. George Marathon?

DZ: Here’s what I do when I lie in bed at night, particularly if I start feeling depressed: I close my eyes, and I see the finish line. I think, “That’s my dream; let me see that finish line one more time.” I’m going to try to be there.

SGHW: How has the athletic community supported you over the years?

DZ: A lot of the people I ran the first St. George Marathon with are no longer alive, but they were great examples for me. They taught me many, many things. Two of the people I run with now are ladies who were first-graders of mine. My world has come full circle. They’ll be running with me in October.

SGHW: What about the Huntsman World Senior Games? You’ve been involved with them as a race director for a long time now.

DZ: Yes, right from the get-go. I oversee the 10K, 5K, and halfmarathon. I’ve met wonderful people through the Games from all over the world who’ve really taught me a lot of wonderful lessons.

SGHW: You’ve made it through a lot of events that would take most people down. What would your message be to anyone who’s experiencing severe challenges?

SGHW: One of the things that you and I unfortunately share, in addition to being involved in the athletic community, is that we’ve both dealt with breast cancer. You’re facing another challenge in your life now.

Can you talk about that a bit?

DZ: My breast cancer was in 2005. You know, like I do, that with every ache and pain, you think, “Oh no; it’s back.” But by the time that 2016 rolled around, I figured I was invincible again.

I was running the Boston Marathon, and I had this terrible pain in my stomach. I thought, “What in heck could that be?” I ran with my sister. She said, ‘Let’s just stop; you don’t need to do this.” We were at mile eighteen, and I was vomiting; I was really sick. She said, “This is silly, let’s stop.” I said “This might be my last chance to do Boston. I’m with my sister. We’re going to finish this.” We finished the race. I was flying out the next day, and I promised her I’d see the doctor when I got home. I did…I had a ruptured appendix.

They took that out, but they found a tumor in my appendix, which sent us into a tailspin. There was more surgery to make sure they’d gotten everything: they took out lymph-nodes and a foot and a half of my colon to make sure everything was clean. I have basically been on chemo since 2016…and the last couple of treatments have kind of worn me down.

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DZ: My message would be stay positive, stay hopeful, and have a lot of gratitude. Many, many people care about you even when you don’t think they do. My running community, my family, St. George—all have all been so wonderful to me that I could never let them down.

I just have a heart full of gratitude for what I have in my life. I think that’s the way you get through hard things. ******* The City of St. George is selling “Debbie Zockoll racer tanks” to raise funds for a scholarship to be awarded to a future runner. To order, visit http://haku.ly/dd040a97.

About the Author Marianne L. Hamilton is a veteran journalist and marketing writer whose work appears in regional and national publications. When not race walking, hiking, or teaching water aerobics, she is Board Chair of Art Around the Corner and the Special Events Manager for DOCUTAH. She and her husband, Doug, are also coadministrators of the St. George Wine Club and race directors for the Huntsman World Senior Games and National Senior Games. Marianne was crowned Ms. Senior Italy Universe 2019–2020 and the Senior Pageants Group’s 2020–2021 Senior Games Ambassador. She is a proud breast cancer survivor.

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 21

Time Is Running Out to Receive

Downwinder Cancer Payout

By Lisa Larson Cancer. It’s nearly impossible to find a person who hasn’t been impacted by the word in some way.

But if you lived in parts of southern Utah, northern Arizona, or eastern Nevada during the 1950s and 1960s, there may be an additional risk.

They’re known as Downwinders, a term identifying the thousands of individuals exposed to nuclear testing at the Nevada Test site in the 1950s and ‘60s.

In 1990, the federal government formally recognized the increased cancer risk for this group by enacting the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act for qualifying individuals to receive a one-time payout of up to $50,000. This act was amended in the year 2000 to add a few more types of cancer and additional counties, but time to file for this compensation is running out.

That’s where Becky Barlow and the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Clinic (RESEP) at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital come in. It is Barlow’s job to get people screened and through the paperwork in time to qualify for the money they are owed.

“Unless the law is amended, it is due to expire in 2022,” Barlow said. “It’s important for us to get as many people who qualify their compensation before the deadline runs out.”

Barlow said she absolutely thinks the law needs to be extended, particularly since the youngest 22 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

Becky Barlow

people who qualify will only be sixty years old when the time limit runs out. In the meantime, she’s focused on spreading the word to help those who qualify receive the help they need.

All services at the RESEP Clinic are free of charge to those who qualify.

“Our program is two-fold,” Barlow said. “First, we provide cancer screening physicals for people who lived in one of the affected counties during the nuclear testing in 1951 through 1958 or July 1962. We want to give them information about their increased risk of cancer.”

The second part of the services offered at the RESEP Clinic is to assist people in filing the application and providing the proof necessary to qualify for the government compensation.

“Qualifying individuals must show a diagnosis of one of nineteen qualifying cancers as well as proof of living in the affected areas for a total of twenty-four months from 1951 to 1958—not necessarily consecutive—or just the month of July 1962,” Barlow said. “You’d think it would be fairly easy to prove, especially just one month in 1962, but a lot of people were sent to the area to stay with grandparents or other relatives during that time, and there is no record of it.”

According to Barlow, the impacted counties in Utah include Millard, Sevier, Beaver, Piute, Wayne, Iron, Garfield, San Juan, Washington, and Kane, along with Apache, Coconino, Gila, Navajo, Yavapai, and Mohave county north of the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Lincoln, Nye, White Pine, Lander, Eureka, and a small part of Clark county in Nevada.

Barlow said there are a lot of misconceptions about the program, and if people have any questions, they can call the RESEP office at 435-251-4760 to clarify.

“If at all possible, the government wants to give the money to the person who contracted cancer,” Barlow said. “But if they’ve passed away, the family can apply in a certain order, starting with the legal spouse, followed by the children of the person impacted, and then grandchildren. You are not allowed to apply for a sibling, however.”

Because of the time it takes to review and adjudicate the claims, Barlow strongly recommends anyone who is interested in applying to try to have the paperwork filed by January 2022.

“Time is of the essence,” she said.

About the Author

Lisa Larson is a freelance writer with a background in public relations and public speaking who has a passion for sharing great stories. You might spot Lisa with her husband and three children enjoying the downtown carousel or exploring one of the area’s hiking trails. She also enjoys reading and baking, and she is looking to rekindle her romance with running.

You can find Lisa on Twitter @LisaGLarson or at www. facebook.com/larsonlisa.

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• Better Sleep • Managing Stress

We also focus on helping athletes, at every level, perform at their best with sports medicine specialists and our sports performance labs, now including golf fitness programs.

Come discover for yourself why we are able to help so many get well, stay well, and live well!

Call or email to find out how we can help.

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 23

Senior Living:

Why Sooner Is Better than Later

By Emily Havens, Executive Community Relations Director, Ovation Sienna Hills

About the Author Emily Havens is the Executive Community Relations Director for Ovation Sienna Hills. Prior to developing her marketing career, Emily spent three years at The Spectrum and Daily News as a local journalist. Emily has garnered several awards from the Associated Press, Utah Press Association, and Nevada Press Association. In addition to her contributions to journalism and the digital marketing world, Emily is also a local nonprofit chapter president.

It’s the age-old question: When should I start looking for a senior living community? Many older adults start considering a move to a community when they realize their current living situation no longer aligns with the lifestyle they desire or need. Sometimes, it’s simply time for a new adventure, a new change in scenery and people. And, unfortunately, at times it is due to a painful physical or emotional change in circumstance.

In many cases, folks start investigating senior living communities after experiencing difficulties—physically and mentally—while living in their home. Folks who begin finding it extra burdensome to keep up with the responsibilities of maintaining their home, for example, often ponder the hassle-free lifestyle senior living affords.

In other cases, feelings of isolation may have crept in after seeing friends or family move away. Perhaps your neighborhood no longer feels safe and secure.

While there is no hard-and-fast rule for knowing when to look for a community that’s right for you, knowing the risks and rewards of doing so sooner can position anyone to make a better decision overall. In general, the happiest seniors we see are those

who openly embrace a vibrant senior living lifestyle by making the move before circumstances dictate they must.

Statistics show seniors move into these communities when they reach seventy-five to eightfive years of age. However, senior living has changed for the better.

With added amenities, robust staffing ratios, and an overall rejuvenation of the senior living model, the industry has seen an influx of younger move-ins due to the lifestyle newer communities have to offer.

Quiz: Should I move into a senior living community?

• Do I want to meet new people and effortlessly build an enriching social circle?

• Do I find it more and more difficult to maintain and care for my home?

•D oes my current lifestyle reflect my true desires and passions?

•A m I struggling physically in my current living situation?

• Do I want peace of mind knowing I made a decision before my children or family members had to do so on my behalf?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, it’s likely a strong indicator that senior living can offer you a more relaxed and rewarding life.

At Ovation, we meet folks from all walks of life and in all types of situations. But there are far too many who come to us in a time of crisis. Their spouse just died and they are making this move all on their own. A recent stay in a rehab center jolted them to the realization that their physical care needs are increasing. They have found themselves in a depressive state after realizing their social “cup” has been empty for far too long.

There are many reasons why moving into a senior living community can be a positive experience. Ensuring that it is requires taking an honest look at what you imagine your ideal retirement would look like.

Your ideal retirement should include invigorating social experiences.

It should include having control over your finances. You deserve to feel safe, secure, and physically and intellectually stimulated.

Work smarter, not harder, by making the move to a senior living community sooner rather than later. Ovation’s team members are experts in ensuring you have the tools to make a decision that’s the right fit for you—at the right time.

If you would like to talk with a representative from Ovation Sienna Hills about enhancing your life, please call (435) 429-0000, go to their website at www.ovationsiennahills.com, or visit their community on the corner of Washington Parkway and Telegraph Street at 1525 East Ovation Place in Washington, Utah, 84780.

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Riding from a Hub

By Jay Bartlett

When taking a cycling getaway, it’s best to be able to make the most of the time you’ve allotted, especially if you’re just doing a weekend getaway for a needed decompress from the day-today mess that life can be. You want to be able to access trails without a lot of drive time eating into your bike time. Staying at a “hub” allows you to take to the trails quickly and easily.

For example, there is a condo I like to rent in Park City that has a paved city path right outside the door, making “commuting” to a trail easy without even loading up the car. In Moab, I like staying in the downtown area, which makes accessing trails easy no matter what direction you go. And on Gooseberry Mesa, my friends and I have a camping spot we’ve actually named The Hub because of its proximity to a major trail intersection.

I was recently invited to ride some new trails near the Three Peaks Recreation Area in Cedar City, Utah, being built on private land at the Iron Springs Resort, which turns out to be a great hub. The best part is that the resort’s land butts right up against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land that is the multi-use and mountain bike playland: Three Peaks. You want to hit some trails? Step out the door. Mount your bike. Start pedaling. Simple. The trailhead is

just across the parking lot, and the Iron Springs trail connects you to the Petrified Whales section (aptly named for its rock formations) of Three Peaks, which then opens up many loop options from there.

Along the way up the Iron Springs trail, the M & M trail intersects in for a fun, five-ish mile loop. It’s nice to have an easier option in case you have other plans About the Author for your day or if you have burned too Mountain bike veteran, many matches from your energy match amateur filmmaker, and lover book in the rides preceding. of long rides, Jay Bartlett has A very cool fact about the M & M been riding trails in Southern trail: trail builder Earl Grimshaw named Utah for over thirty years.

Jay has over a decade of the trail after Mike and Morgan Harris. experience as a bike mechanic These two locals are well known as the at St. George’s oldest bike shop, builders of the Gooseberry Mesa trail Bicycles Unlimited. system as well as other trails in our area, and the trail’s name is a nice tribute to early influencers of mountain biking in our area. Earl and I both have stories of being introduced to now-famous trails for the first time by these two.

Once you’ve arrived in the Petrified Whales area, there are two purpose-built downhill runs back down to Iron Springs Resort (Sidewinder and Yes, Please) that were designed for the Youth Enduro series. (Enduro racing consists of non-timed climbs up to timed downhills; the lowest time wins.) So there are options for those who like to hammer it on the descents!

Also, being built as of this writing is Mother Load, a loop that cuts off from the south end of Three Peaks Loop. Thanks to the two abutted trail systems, it won’t be long before there will be even more options for longer loops!

As with any good hub, getting to other trail systems on longer vacations is key, and Iron Springs Resort is just a short drive from the Iron Hills trails on the south end of Cedar City—one of the best trail networks in southern Utah.

Having to drive a little way to a gem of a trail certainly isn’t a bad thing. After all, it’s a good trail! But if you want to make the best out of your precious vacation time, choose a rental that is also a hub. You’ll find it much easier to get out and ride!

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 25

26 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

Death with Dignity:

Understanding the Value of Hospice Care

By Logan Winterton, RN, BSN The number of seconds between John’s* breaths was growing longer and longer; I knew from experience his time was near and beckoned his family closer. We held our collective breath as John took his last, and I stepped back to give his family space to grieve. As a nurse, I have been present during hundreds of passings, but this death was different: it was my first as a hospice nurse, and it fundamentally changed how I perceive the dying process.

About the Author Logan Winterton received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern Utah University and has worked in a variety of settings, primarily intensive care. Three years ago, she made the shift to home health and hospice and assisted in starting Dixie Palliative Care. She finds deep satisfaction in making a personal connection with those she cares for and hopes to empower her clients through education to make positive changes in their lives.

Hospice is a Medicare-elected benefit provided to those diagnosed with a life-limiting disease. Many people are familiar with the time frame of “six months or less,” but this is a common misconception because many more people can qualify for hospice. Hospice is often underutilized until the final weeks of a person’s life, robbing that person and their family of support and improved quality of life. Additional qualifying criteria include frequent hospitalizations in the past six months, recurrent infections, weight loss, or a significant change in cognitive or functional abilities. If you have questions regarding eligibility, talk with your primary care physician.

Hospice care is a collaborative effort and delivered by a core team that includes the hospice nurse, aide, social worker, chaplain, and volunteers. A hospice medical director is available and directs how pain and uncomfortable symptoms are managed. In my experience, earlier involvement with hospice care leads to better outcomes. It allows the patient and family to build a rapport with the team so that when the hard times do come, they feel comfortable leaning on the hospice team for support and trusting their medical advice. It also allows more time to establish goals of care and provide education to families on how to care for their loved one.

No one can prevent the inevitable, but the skilled, compassionate care provided by a hospice team makes all the difference in the final days. After many years working in the Intensive Care Unit, I was able to say with confidence that I helped someone achieve a “good death.” To the credit of those who work in hospitals, staff members try to make it a more comfortable setting. But there is truth in the saying “There’s no place like home.” Instead of the beeping of monitors and lying surrounded by wires and tubes, John spent his final moments hearing his granddaughter play piano while his wife and adult children reminisced by his bedside. Everyone involved knew what to expect, and knowledge removes so much fear from an already difficult situation. I won’t romanticize death, but having experienced both ends of the spectrum, I know what I would choose for myself and family.

Dixie Hospice consistently goes above and beyond in all aspects of patient care. Their team is dedicated and ready to serve each patient and family. Dixie Hospice is happy to answer any questions you have regarding hospice care at (435) 627-2724. Omnia Care is their new expansion into Mesquite, Nevada, which was recently established to better serve the local community. Contact Omnia Care at (702) 849-0585. Trust Dixie Hospice with your and your loved one’s care today! *Name changed for patient privacy.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 27

The Quarrelsome Quartet:

Fear, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

By Bentley Murdock

What Are They (Really) and How in the World Do We Navigate Them?

28 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

Some of the most prevalent “Dis-Ease” symptoms in today’s world (on top of the smattering of physical maladies burdening the masses) are within the more cryptically elusive mental and emotional areas of unrest. At the top of a long list, we’ll always find varying degrees and unique combinations within the same quartet: Worrisome Fear, Excessive Stress, Polarized Anxiety, and Chronic Depression.

Each one of these is nothing more than a verb, very much in-motion and at work within each of us, communicating the criticality of its existence and why we should lean in with more than just an ear of validation. Our bodies, hearts, guts, and minds all speak boldly and communicate powerfully with surprising efficiency and clarity. Yet how often do we actually stop and listen? Let’s break down each of these into more in-depth and more digestible terms.

Worrisome Fear is “the primarily unnecessary (and often unavoidable) preoccupation with all the worst-case-scenarios that have an astronomical probability of never happening at all.” The short answer is this: Thoughts Become Things. Universal law teaches us (all day long) that we will continue to receive only those things, people, and experiences that are each in harmony with our predominant thoughts. Hence, the more we focus on fear and worry, the more experiences are going to show up about which we’ll be choosing (again) to worry, and the cycle continues.

We have to approach it like a diet within the appetite of the mind because old habits die so hard (or not at all, for those who are a bit too attached to let go). If we continue only observing and assessing what shows up, then we’ll never find out what could have potentially been within our power to attract into our lives. So begin obsessing over all the ideal, best-case scenarios you can think of, and replay those mental video-clips as frequently as you’re able. In time, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what materializes— but only if you’re not simultaneously allowing toxic fear and worry pollution to continue sneaking in through the back door.

Excessive Stress Perception is “the inevitable weight and pressure placed upon us by ourselves and others for thousands of various reasons, all to be perceived through numerous lenses to determine whether or not it’s beneficial or detrimental.” (Run-on sentence? Why, yes! I do! Thank you for noticing!) In other words, stress becomes what we think it is, and it does exactly what we think it will.

The creative imagination within the human mind is infinitely powerful, so use yours to your benefit, not to your detriment. For some, stress invigorates and drives them to personal victory (defying all odds), while others are entirely broken underneath similar stressors and die at a young age of what seemed like something as simple as stage-fright.

Consider this applicable fact: every finely tuned musical instrument (anywhere in the world) is under constant and immense stress and pressure every second it performs. This is also the only obvious reason why collective harmony can be the product of the combined stressinduced efforts of all instruments working tirelessly in concert with one another (The musicians do help a little, too.) Keep that in mind when life starts to feel a bit too tense or “high-strung.”

Chronic De-Pression is “the persistence of active Sup-Pression of genuinely honest and personally transparent Ex-Pression, regardless of the type of content or particular avenue of delivery.”This one’s even more basic and simple than all the others. (Simple, yes. But definitely not easy.)

Consider the truths that are yours that have been aching to be set free. What might it feel like to express each of them completely and entirely? What experiences have you witnessed and endured that were never fully validated nor reconciled? How might things have been different for you if you had given yourself exclusive permission to express your thoughts and feelings openly and freely at any point you felt it necessary and/or helpful to do so?

Polarized Anxiety is “the persistent presence of two (or more) entirely opposing forces, thoughts, ideas, beliefs, or concepts within the constructs of one’s own heart and mind.” In other words, feeling diametrically opposed inside is what’s at the root of any and all anxiety we feel.

Here is an applicable example: put your two clenched fists together, pushing equally hard against one another. The discord of these opposing forces is what millions of people have going on inside them right now (and all day long, for some). When opposing forces push back harder, panic arrives. When we entertain both opposing perspectives equally, giving full permission for each to be entirely right and true, anxiety will always persist being a stubborn chunk of our lives (and perpetually draining any and all resources).

However, if we openly validate each concept, idea, thought, and belief, yet only give one of each opposing pair exclusive permission to bask in the mental spotlight of the mind, the lesser opponent starves and falls away, leaving the polarized anxiety dead in the water. The next time you feel “at war” in your own head or heart, carefully pick a side (one side), and fight to the death. The side that wins will always be the one you were secretly rooting for all along.

In hindsight, we often wish we had responded differently. Keep in mind, simply finding the courage to stand up for one’s self and risk everything in the name of self-respect can be a remarkably difficult journey over the course of years (and even decades, for some).

Whatever truths your mind and heart demand be released, whether they prefer to be spoken, sung, danced, painted, penned, screamed, sculpted, or whispered, let them all out…And breathe freely for once, knowing that you have finally expressed and communicated peace with your past experiences as well as with any and all people “interminglingly” associated with them. Genuine healing will always be a complex and multi-faceted journey, so never underestimate the infinitely powerful impact of all your seemingly intangible emotional and relational efforts.

About the Author

Bentley Murdock is a wholistic lifestyle wellness specialist and #1 best-selling author. His primary areas of focus are disease symptom reversal, disease prevention, and sustainable wholistic healing methods. As Director of Wellness with Alive & Well HealthCARE, he leads local and remote clients (on personal, familial, and corporate levels) to take full ownership and responsibility for the future healing and wellness they desire. For more info, call 866-396-8742 or email Aloha@HealisticVitality.com.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 29

Ketamine Infusions

By Raquel Wall MSN, APRN, FNP-C Ketamine infusions for mood disorders have become a more favorable treatment over the past few years in treating treatment-resistant depression. There have been many studies and much research into patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and postpartum depression who have benefited from ketamine IV treatments.

About the Author Raquel Wall MSN, APRN, FNP-C has worked as a registered nurse for the past twenty-five years. She spent most of her time as a critical care nurse and in other areas of nursing, including home health and hospice, hospital supervisor, life flight, and intensive care. Raquel founded Beauty Restored and Wellness approximately five years ago and built her business while she continued her education, graduating with her MSN degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Raquel accepts new patients in her primary care practice. She works collaboratively with mental health providers to help patients with all aspects of their care.

The Beauty Restored and Wellness has highly trained professionals to administer your ketamine treatment.

There are minimal side effects with ketamine IV. Ketamine patients will generally respond relatively quickly, even with their first treatment. The response from ketamine has been shown to benefit some individuals faster than other traditional medications that may take weeks or even months to start working.

How does ketamine work?

Ketamine targets NMDA receptors in the brain. The action of ketamine is impressive compared to other antidepressants such as SSRIs. When other medications have not been successful, ketamine can be remarkably effective.

Ketamine raises the unconscious mind to awareness and is remarkable in the way it allows for the processes and patterns in the brain that are tucked away from the conscious mind to create new pathways. It is beneficial for treatment-resistant conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, postpartum depression, anxiety, PTSD, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Recent research shows a greater than 70% response rate after just one session of ketamine IV. The remission rate has been shown to improve 40–50% for treatment-resistant depression over antidepressants and therapy alone.

What is the process?

• You will first have a consultation with one of our specialists.

• You will need a referring mental health provider, or we can provide one for you.

• Before your appointment, you must be without food for 4 hours and without liquids for 2 hours.

• Each treatment lasts approximately 1½ hours.

• You must have a responsible person available to drive you home.

We recommend 6 treatments in the loading phase. The loading schedule will start with 2–3 sessions per week until the loading series is complete. After the loading series, we recommend maintenance doses, which may be needed anywhere from one month to a one year, depending on your specific needs.

What Our Patients Are Saying “I wish they would have had this treatment when I first got out of the military.”

“I am not so angry. My family has been noticing a difference in me.”

“Everyone with depression should get ketamine!”

If you suffer from treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, postpartum depression, or other mood disorders, give Beauty Restored a call and see if you may benefit from ketamine.

30 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

• We offer one-on-one infusion monitoring in a private room.

• Our affiliate mental health provider for psychiatric

mental health is Clint Martineau, PMHNP-BC, provider at St George Children & Family Psychiatric Center.

• Mental Health therapists are available, including trauma therapists.

• Urgent appointments are available.

• Package discounts are available when purchasing all 6 treatments at one time.

• All major credit cards accepted including HSA/FSA. • We offer a 6-12 month payment program.

• Optional payment program does not include the

discounted price and will be determined on a case to case basis.

• 10% discount for all members of the military, police officers, and veterans.

Mood Tracker App Mood monitoring is included in your treatment and includes regular scheduled PHQ9 forms and journaling with alerts to let us know how your mood is. We will share your reports and updates with your mental health provider for continuity of care.

For a free and private consultation, call

435-359-3115

Beauty Restored & Wellness 1490 E Foremaster Drive STE 360 Saint George, Utah 84790 Visit our website at www.beautyrestoredut.com/mental-health

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 31

Do you ever feel like something just isn’t quite right?

You do your best to take care of yourself...

But sometimes, it just isn’t enough.

Amino acid nutrient depletion can sneak up on you in the form of sleeplessness, mood swings, anxiety, depression, headaches, body and joint pain, brain fog, and more.

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and Physical Activity Vital Signs

By Tiffany Gust, MS, CISSN, CHWC Are you looking to live a healthier life? Exercise is a component that will ultimately provide you with longevity and improve your quality of life. The Exercise is Medicine (EIM) initiative was started by American College of Sports Medicine’s president Dr. Robert E. Sallis in 2007. EIM grew into a global health initiative from 2007 to 2017, with a presence in more than forty countries worldwide. EIM calls for physical activity to be included as a standard part of medical treatment and the patient care process.

Physical Activity Vital Signs (PAVS) Vitals signs taken by your physician may include heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, height, weight, and respiration rate. The EIM initiative now incorporates physical activity vital signs (PAVS). The following questions are used: 1. On average, how many days per week do you engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity (like a brisk walk)? _____ days 2. On average, how many minutes do you engage in physical activity at this level? _____ minutes Total minutes per week of physical activity (multiply the answer to question one by the answer to question two): _____ minutes per week The national guidelines recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity. That’s just two and a half hours out of 168 hours in a week! In place of moderate-intensity activity, you can complete seventy-five minutes of vigorous-intensity activity or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity.

One minute of vigorous activity is equal to two minutes of moderate activity.

You can perform activity in multiple “bouts” of any length throughout the day to add up to the recommended 150 minutes per week.

Although light-intensity physical activity (such as a casual walk) is not assessed by the PAVS, it positively impacts health. Wherever you are on your physical activity journey, you are encouraged to become and remain active. Engaging in active living throughout the day will reduce sedentary time and minimize screen time!

What is moderate intensity? You can talk but not sing while performing the activity. Examples include brisk walking, slow biking, doubles tennis, various forms of dance, active home chores, and gardening.

What is vigorous intensity? You can no longer talk easily and are somewhat out of breath during this activity. Examples include jogging, fast bicycling, singles tennis, aerobic exercise, and swimming laps.

If you are interested in an exercise program that will assess your current fitness level and provide you with a customized exercise prescription, come visit us at the LiVe Well Center of Intermountain Healthcare in the Health and Performance Building on the lower level.

We would love to provide you with more information when you stop by to visit, or you can call (435) 251-3793. Don’t miss the opportunity to use exercise as medicine!

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 33

g n i t a e r e v O

The American Pandemic

By Coleen M. Andruss, MD

Are you aware that 74 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese?

It is interesting to study the eating habits of societies throughout history.

In the not-so-distant past, people were in survival mode, living in huntergatherer communities where extra body fat and weight could make a difference in their longevity. Those who ate a greater volume of food did not gain weight.

About fifty years ago, large food manufacturers started to change the way foods were packaged and processed. The goal for these companies was to make foods taste better. Over time, the food industry created more flavors and a greater variety of foods, most of them ultra-processed and caloriedense. These foods use flavors that mimic tastes and smells, which allows them to be manufactured cheaply. Manufacturers have made food ubiquitous, ultra-convenient, and continuously available. What is more, they know what they need to do with their advertising to get us to eat, even when we are not hungry, by playing to our busy lifestyles.

34 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

All of this has had a devastating effect on our eating habits and our health. With the temptation to eat continuously, we have become a nation of snackers. Convenience foods make it easier to eat while doing other things, like computer work or watching television. But when you are eating and doing other things at the same time, the brain does not pay attention to the “full” signals it receives, and most people overeat. For a society that is always on the go, these foods lend themselves to unstructured eating, eating alone, and eating in a hurry, which then leads to overeating.

Chronic diseases associated with obesity have become more real and more prevalent.

High-calorie, ultra-processed foods contain very little nutrient value. A study from 2019 demonstrated that study subjects, when given the opportunity to eat as much as they wanted in a controlled environment, consumed 500 calories more per day if they chose ultra-processed foods versus non-processed foods.

500 calories per day is 3500 calories per week, which means one pound gained in one week. In one month, if allowed to eat only these ultra-processed foods, you would gain four pounds and in six months, you would gain twenty-four pounds.

Caloric density is the number of calories in a given portion of food. If people would eat foods that have fewer calories per bite, they would eat fewer calories per day and therefore, not gain weight. They may even lose weight.

As an example, one and a half chocolate squares and three small squares of cheese have the same amount of calories as six cups of cucumbers or two cups of baby carrots. Why do people over consume these calorie-dense foods? Sugar is heavenly. Fat is

what makes food melt in your mouth (ultra-processed foods are loaded with fats). Salt is the flavor burst as it is a surface item and is the first thing that hits your mouth. But the “wow factor” is when you combine all three! The combination of these irresistible foods stimulates people to overeat. No one ever really overeats when they have a plate of cucumbers or apples in front of them.

So get rid of ultra-processed foods in order to cut the cravings. Get rid of the calorie-dense foods that add up fast, even when you’re not overeating. Load up with fruits and vegetables that are simple, clean, and unprocessed. Load up on proteins, such as chicken and fish, that are healthy and clean and not ultraprocessed. Stay away from the middle aisles in the grocery store where you find all the boxed or bagged foods. Forget about variety! Food is fuel! Eat to live; don’t live to eat!

About the Author Dr. Coleen Andruss practiced as an internist for ten years and has specialized in weight management for twenty-six years. She and her staff have personally experienced weight management issues and have a compassionate understanding of patients in the Healthy Lifestyles program. Dr. Andruss’s internal medicine background helps her to see underlying medical problems when formulating individual plans that work.

Let’s work together to get rid of the national obesity pandemic and commit to becoming a healthier society by changing our food choices.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 35

INTO THE FIRE A UTAH BOY'S LIFE

The Blues? In Utah? Yes!

By Della Lowe

IN THE BLUES

What do Utah, a landfill, and the blues have in common? Quite a lot it seems, at least according to Dick Ericksen and his band, Dick Earl’s Electric Witness. Dick Earl Ericksen grew up in Moroni, Utah, a rural community located in East-Central Utah, by no means a hotspot for the blues. Dick’s story will be told on November 1, 2021, in Into the Fire: A Utah Boy’s Life in the Blues, the opening film of the 2021 DOCUTAH International Documentary Film Festival. If you think that music is the universal language, bringing people of all ethnicities, all political stripes, and all religions together, this film will cement that idea.

Now back to the landfill. One day, when Dick was very young, his father found a Muddy Waters cassette among the trash, and he brought it home to his son. That tape started a musical journey for Dick, taking him through his time in the United States Navy, his LDS Mission, and some serious health issues.

Utah is a western state, not really known for its involvement in blues music, but somehow, Dick became fascinated by its sound and what he and his musical family could add to that sound.

The entire Ericksen family participates in the band, but Dick’s son Isaac, who studies music, thought his father’s story would make a great documentary. But how to do that? The answer: team up with the professionals and students from the Dixie State University film program. The result is a rollicking documentary filled with music and the story of a life well-lived.

“I always had an attraction to music, always carried a harmonica with me as a boy working on farms, in the Navy to pass the time, on breaks from work and even through my illness, which caused me for a time to have to give up music,” remarked Dick. “But it was that illness which really let me know that life is short, and I should do something I loved as a vocation instead of a pastime. I became a full-time musician, working gigs and picking up work with other bands along the way.”

Since then, Dick has gone on to tour throughout North America, becoming an educator on the subject.

ONE MAN’S JOURN MORONI TO MEMEPY FROM HIS World P

featuring Dricemiere + Live Blu e k Earl’s Elec tric Witnesss Nove movie screember 1, 2021 Pineview M ning starts at 7:00pm egaplex , St. George, UT

He found his own unique sound and style of blues while incorporating modern techniques of live looping and sound modification. It digs deep into the roots of what the blues is all about: being able to get back up when life tries to put you down.

The film follows Dick Earl’s trip from St. George, Utah, to Memphis, Tennessee, as he attends and judges the International Blues Challenge, an esteemed competition for blues bands from all over the world. Viewers experience the people and places of the blues and get a closer look into the life of the original Utah Blues Man, Dick Earl Ericksen.

Before the world premier of the film, fans can join DOCUTAH and other film FANatics at the Dixie State University Eccles Fine Arts Center for a ticketed WINE & SOUTHERN COOKIN’ appetizer reception to celebrate the festival opening. Information on ticketing will be posted and announced.

Full information about the 2021 Festival can be found at docutah.com. Ticket sales start in September.

About the Author Della Lowe is an Emmy Award-winning network news producer who worked at ABCNews for twenty-three years. She is currently the Marketing Director for the DOCUTAH Film Festival at Dixie State University.

36 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 37

Who Should Have a Personal Emergency Response System?

There are many different circumstances contributing to the need for a medical alert system. If someone is at risk of losing their independence or their opportunity to make choices or if they are alone for any part of the day or night, they are candidates for Rescue Alert of Dixie’s personal emergency alert services.

For seniors, falls in and around the home have serious consequences. You may not realize that: Falls are one of the most serious health risks among seniors over the age of sixty-five, affecting more people than strokes and heart attacks combined.

Falls are the leading cause of death due to injury in people sixty-five and over.

Those who fall are two to three times more likely to fall again.

Many chronic medical conditions place millions more seniors at risk.

Cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, diminished hearing and eyesight, and Parkinson’s disease all leave seniors vulnerable to helplessness at home.

There is some positive news.

Some falls are preventable. Falls caused by environmental factors (like fall hazards in the home) or from the side effects of medication can be foreseen and avoided.

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Getting help quickly after a fall reduces the risk of hospitalization by 26 percent and death by over 80 percent You can’t always prevent a fall, but you can always be prepared for one. Help is on the way!

Some of the things that makes Rescue Alert of Dixie better than the other companies are features like the panic button range, battery monitoring, and microphone sensitivity, all of which provide usability and increase the reliability of the system as a whole. Our response centers are EMD certified, which means that when you press your button, you are speaking to someone who is a certified emergency medical dispatcher. Additionally, we manufacture our own units right here in Utah, so we are not buying them from overseas like a lot of

our competitors. Our in-house design and engineering team customizes our system to fit your needs, enabling the savings to be passed on to you!

There are no long-term contracts, and the service is very affordable (less than a dollar a day). Rescue Alert of Dixie is a local company, providing a wide range of options, such as in and around the home services, mobile units that work everywhere, medication dispensers, and fall-detect buttons.

Researching personal emergency medical alert systems can be an overwhelming task. When it comes to you and your loved ones, you cannot afford to settle for anything but the best, especially when it comes to a personal emergency response system. Call Rescue Alert of Dixie at (435) 986-1735 for your free consultation today!

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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 39

40 www.saintgeorgewellness.com

Let’s be real. Pain is not fun. I struggled with back pain from an old injury for years. I tried many treatments. Some were helpful for a while, but then the pain would return. Other treatments were completely unsuccessful. Even the most innovative and productive treatments lacked long term effectiveness because of one consistent issue: lack of process. I went years without pain resolution until I understood this concept and found a process that worked for me.

Now, I can bike, run, and play ball just as I did before my injury.

To eliminate pain and restore health, the Three Phase Approach is the most effective form of treatment.

Phase One: Remove Inflammation and Put Out the Fire Think of your body as a house. If your kitchen is on fire but you don’t like the way your porch looks, should you remodel the porch before putting out the flames in your kitchen? You would want to extinguish the fire and fix the damage in the kitchen before turning your attention to the porch. Similarly, you must look at the body as a whole and put the fire out internally. There is comprehensive blood chemistry testing that is important to review when uncovering the causes and finding ways to resolve inflammation.

Phase Two: Repair the Damage Once you’ve discovered the source of the fire and put it out, it is time to repair the damage that has been done. Be aware that this is the phase most treatment providers jump into before uncovering the source of the problem. While this phase is important, the results will typically be less effective unless phase one has been completed.

In phase two, multiple treatments may be right for the individual. These treatments, which include ozone therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapy, and injection therapies, can all be helpful, but when combined with phase one, they can be even more transformative.

Phase Three: Rebuild and Regenerate In this phase,we start to make enhancements on our house and really make it shine internally and externally. In the rebuild and regenerate phase, innovative and regenerative treatments are used to help your body recover fully with the appropriate ingredients.

Just as in phase two, many treatment providers might use only this phase in their treatment plans. However helpful this may be, without phase one and two, you risk short term results and prolonged pain.

Anodyne Pain & Wellness has perfected this process over time, and we want to help as many people as possible get out of pain and move toward wellness. We love helping patients feel better, and we often hear, “I wish I would’ve done this years ago” or “I feel like I did twenty years ago.” Helping our patients live life to the fullest is what drives us.

Call us and reference the Three Phases Approach in the St. George Health & Wellness Magazine for a complimentary consultation and a free book: Your Health Transformation. Visit www.acueastwest.com or call (435) 773-7790 for more information.

Three Phases to Eliminate Your Pain

By Cade Archibald, Wellness Provider, Anodyne Health & Wellness Solutions

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 41

We Can Do That By the Spilsbury Mortuary Staff

“Daddy always wore a hat.” That was the first thing she said when we sat down together. Her father had lived well into his nineties. He was of the generation that dressed up to go on airplanes or to take a rare visit to the department store. She wanted to put his brown fedora in the casket with him, but she thought the request was out of the ordinary. “We can do that,” we reassured her.

She wanted everything for her father’s service to be perfect, but there were a few details about which she and her sibling disagreed. Getting the service just right is very difficult when the person you are honoring is no longer present to make decisions. What means something to you may be trivial to a sibling. Yes, there are strong opinions surrounding the arrangements—and strong emotions. “When I’m done with this funeral,” she went on to say, “I think I’ll write down my own wishes so that my kids don’t have this kind of stress.” I looked at her and smiled. “We can do that for you.”

She was genuinely surprised to have that option, but who could blame her? Most people don’t think about funerals until they are forced upon them, and they don’t spend enough time planning for their own. There is a lot to think about: getting the will right, choosing the plots, and allocating the funds to pay for it. We try to make it easier.

That woman came back a few weeks later. First, she wanted to thank us for being patient with her and her family. Then, she wanted to pre-plan her own service. I think she was worried that if she suddenly died, her sister would plan the funeral and get it wrong. As we sat down with her and helped her through the process, she enjoyed thinking about her favorite things, the people who have meant a lot to her, and the kind of music she loved.

During the hour we spent together, she reminisced and remembered stories and details she hadn’t thought about for years. When we were done, she left feeling completely content, knowing that the service would be just as she planned it and that her children wouldn’t be strapped with the expenses. We also found an affordable plan she could pay on monthly.

Our business is all about feelings: acknowledging loss, respecting families, and helping people process their emotions at a stressful time. It’s not always about grief. Some people feel guilty about feeling relieved at the death of a loved one who suffered for years with a debilitating illness. Some people deny all feelings. But one thing is certain: nearly everybody who pre-plans their service feels a sense of contentment, even happiness, at taking control of their last goodbye.

42 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

OUR FAMILY

SERVING

YOUR FAMILY 435.673.2454

110 South Bluff Street St. George, UT 84770

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 43

The Bulls Are Here

Dr. Craig and Maureen Booth

By Lyman Hafen Every year during those dazzling days of midSeptember, you counted on it. We were two long weeks into the school year. The scorching air of summer was just beginning to wane under the new slant of the sun.

Then the trucks rumbled into town, and a battalion of boys and girls swept through the neighborhoods as fast as they could pedal yelling, “The bulls are here!”

Swanee Kirby’s hulking stock trucks growled onto the rodeo grounds and lurched to a stop at the stock pens on the north side of the Lion’s Dixie Sun Bowl. Before the first trailer gate was lifted, the fences were already lined with wide-eyed girls and boys from every sector of town. A sigh of delight and terror rose from our chests as the bulls rumbled out of the trailer one by one, briskets waggling, snot blowing, throats gurgling as they trotted heavily down the ramp to their pens.

And there they stood like alien monsters in the golden afternoon, shifting from side to side, twitching their massive humps, pitching their high-racked horns, claiming their territory as the sunlight glinted in their eyes the size of cue balls.

It was an annual rite of fall for a kid growing up in 1960s St. George. In recent years, I’ve learned it was the same for St. George kids growing up in the 1950s. It all became clear to me a few years ago when I received a text out of the blue on a mid-September day.

It simply said, “THE BULLS ARE HERE.” I didn’t recognize the number, but I heeded the call. With no bike at hand, I jumped in the car and drove straight to the Sun Bowl. I walked up to the stock pen 44 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

fence and stood near a man whose hands gripped the top rail. He was looking into the dusty pens and smiling at the massive animals shuffling in the dirt. He turned his face to me and smiled even wider and said, “I figured you’d come.”

I knew him immediately. He was Doctor Craig Booth, someone I’d admired all my life. Over the next few minutes, we reminisced about our common memories—mostly about the joy of rodeo week when we were little boys in St. George. His memories were from the 1950s, mine from the 60s. Those were transcendent minutes as we shared almost identical feelings about the sheer ecstasy of rodeo week in our quiet little town. Both of us had treasured those memories all our lives, and there we stood in the same place we stood as kids.

The next year, I got another mid-September text from Craig Booth. This time we agreed to meet before daylight at Denny’s on the south end of town. We could have breakfast, get to the Sun Bowl as the sun broke over the east black ridge, have a good look at the bulls, and get to work on time. Breakfast was a literal and figurative grand slam that morning. We shared boyhood memories and compared notes on the larger-thanlife people we’d both known. I was amazed at Doc Booth’s breadth of experience and knowledge and the endless number of people he knew, places he’d been, and things he’d experienced. He was just as interested in my stories, and all our stories seemed to intersect in uncanny ways.

At one point, I asked him about the merciless nature of pancreatic cancer. I had two friends who’d recently suffered from it. He knew them both. One had died within a year of diagnosis, as most victims do. The other had miraculously survived. Doc Booth asked me for my pen. He switched into a seriously focused mode, unfolded a napkin, and drew the outline of a pancreas. He had not been their doctor, but he knew the details of both cases, and on his napkin, he showed me in thirty seconds where the cancer had occurred in each man’s pancreas, all the while sketching away like a kid with crayons. He showed me how the one cancer was inoperable and how the other, because of where it occurred, was successfully, though also miraculously, removed.

We talked about our mutual love for the Arizona Strip that morning. He wanted to know more about our family ranch in Nevada.

And I chided him about how he had single-handedly introduced to the world the iconic hike in Zion known as the Subway. In the early 1980s, before anyone knew about the route, Craig Booth began taking his friends and neighbors through the magical narrows of the Left Fork of North Creek off the Kolob Terrace of Zion. He made the hike scores of times, sharing the route with hundreds and hundreds of fellow hikers. It went viral from there, making it necessary over the last several decades for the National Park Service to limit access through a permit system.

“

Through his entire adult life, Do Booth was focused on healing oth physically, emotionally, spiritua

When we got to the Sun Bowl that morning, we were suddenly little boys again. We were as mesmerized by the bulls in the twenty-first century as we’d been in the twentieth. Looking out over the Sun Bowl, Craig recalled his days playing high school football there. We both laughed as we remembered setting up on the line of scrimmage on the weekend following the rodeo. It always took a week or two to finally clear off all the little piles of fertilizer the horses and bulls had left on the turf.

Craig shared his memory of a tragedy that haunted him all his life. During warmups before a football game in Milford, Utah, on October 27, 1961, his teammate and friend Wendell Hafen collapsed on the field. Craig worked shoulder to shoulder with Coach Walt Brooks to revive him. At the time, there was no hospital in Milford, so they took him to a doctor’s office, but it was too late. Wendell had suffered a heart attack and had died there on the field.

That’s when Craig Booth began to imagine becoming a doctor—something he accomplished several years later— but not before graduating from Dixie High School, attending Dixie Junior College, and Continued on Page 46

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 45

Continued from Page 45

serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North Central States Mission. He married Maureen, the girl he’d adored since junior high school, before entering medical school at the University of Utah, where he was student body president.

He could have gone anywhere and made his mark as a great doctor, but he chose to return home to St. George at a time when you could count the number of doctors in town on one hand. What he and his dear and talented wife, Maureen, achieved here over the next forty-plus years cannot be captured in words. I can think of no one who touched more lives individually or impacted a community more broadly than Craig Booth. He was president of the Utah State Medical Association from 1987 to 1989. He was Utah’s Doctor of the Year in 1994. He was medical director of the original Dixie Regional Medical Center and helped design the new campus of the medical center in St. George. He and Maureen served as mission presidents of the Arizona Phoenix Mission from 2002 to 2005. After that, he worked in the regional rehab center. Ever the healer, he worked in the wound clinic for several years, then the Doctor’s Free Clinic, then the Booth Wellness Center at Dixie State University.

Through his entire adult life, Doctor Booth was focused on healing others— physically, emotionally, spiritually. At the same time, he was always busy making this a better place to live. He was one of the most ardent fans and generous supporters of Dixie High School and Dixie College sports. He was a founding member of the St. George Exchange Club, a long-time member of the St. George Water and Power Board, a temple worker at the St. George Temple, and the designer and funder of the magnificent flag pole that stands on the Red Hill at the head of Main Street where a glorious American flag waves above the city.

“

“

Through his entire adult life, Doctor Booth was focused on healing others—physically, emotionally, spiritually.

I’ve only mentioned a few of Craig’s deeds. Countless more, like the hundreds and hundreds of babies he delivered, wounds he healed, and lives he saved, are known only to those who were the beneficiaries of his competence and compassion.

For the next few years after our first encounter at the Sun Bowl stock pens, Craig texted to let me know the bulls had arrived. We’d meet for breakfast before daylight, and as the sun rose, we’d be looking through the fence at the bulls and catching up on shared memories of the town we both love.

He won’t be there this year. Sadly, he left us just a few weeks ago. The shock of his passing still hovers over old St. George. He is genuinely missed and has left a gaping void, wide and deep, the kind of wound only his Christ-like compassion and skilled care could heal. For those of us who knew him, we turn to the faith in Christ we shared with him for peace, comfort, healing, and for some kind of answer.

I plan to be there this year. I’ll walk up to the fence and look through the rails at the bulls on those hallowed grounds where every September since 1934 our community has gathered to revel in the pageantry of rodeo, where every year we try to hold onto something that seems to be slowly slipping through our fingers.

After I’ve taken a good look at the great and terrible beasts pawing the dirt with their huge hooves, I’ll turn and look up toward the Red Hill. There, at the head of Main Street, I’ll see the magnificent flag waving over our hometown.

About the Author Lyman is the author of a dozen books intent on connecting landscape and story in the American South­ west. He is executive director of the Zion National Park Forever Project, and is past president of the national Public Lands Alliance.

He’s been writing and publishing for more than 35 years, with several hundred magazine articles in publications ranging from Western Horseman to Northern Lights, and was the founding editor of St. George Magazine in 1983. He’s been recognized on several occasions with literary awards from the Utah Arts Council, and won the Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. He lives in Santa Clara, Utah, with his wife Debbie, and together they have 6 children and 15 grandchildren.

46 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

Best of Southern Utah 2021

Get to know the BEST of Southern Utah Find the best businesses in Southern Utah voted by the community. See who offers the best in service, care, and skill. If you are looking for a new doctor, restuarant, landscaper, or golf course, just visit BestofSouthernUtah.com

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Lifestyle & Beauty

Medical

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Visit BestofSouthernUtah.com for Magazine Pick Up Locations St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 47

Roundup on the

Western Desert

By Mark Wade

About the Author Mark Wade is active in hiking, writing, photography, and videography. He works as a tourism marketing consultant, for which he has won numerous awards.

He is a weekly guest on the KSL Outdoors radio show.

Mark is the former Director of Tourism for southwestern Utah and has served on the board of directors for various tourism associations.

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Growing up in another country around cows and sheep may have been one of the things that contributed to my interest in cowboy life here in the U.S. My fire was likely also fueled by hundreds of western movies, western novels, and the opportunity to work for years around horse wranglers, young and old. Local authors, such as Lyman Hafen, have also fed my interest with stories of raising and herding cattle in this area’s backcountry.

With this background in mind, I was not surprised when, on a recent drive home from the east side of Zion National Park, I found myself captivated by the scene of three cowboys, each on a beautiful horse, who were pushing a herd of cattle at a good speed. I was headed west in the Kanebeds area along the Utah-Arizona border, and they were headed east. I thought to myself, “I’m in no hurry to get home; there’s time to see what they’re up to.”

I made a quick U-Turn and parked my truck across the road from what appeared to be a truck and cattle trailer that belonged to these cowboys. The trailer was situated just inside a large gate, and it appeared that these three cowhands were determined to fill up the trailer with at least some of the cattle they were herding. I should clarify that two of the three were cow-boys and one was a cow-girl.

All seemed equally capable, and they had the additional assistance of what proved to be an experienced dog.

At first I didn’t understand exactly what they were trying to accomplish. Perhaps it was a spring round-up: time to move the animals to higher and greener pastures. But before long, the three drovers had singled out one large bull. I watched as they pushed this bull from a very open range area toward a corner in the fence line that must have been the boundary of their rangeland.

The bull was huge, savvy, and not about to be cornered let alone pushed into a trailer. Time and again these three wranglers on their able-bodied horses jolted left and right, trying to contain the bull.

Multiple times the horses had to race beyond the bull and head him off, forcing him to stop and stare them down in utter contempt.

As if it was a movie, I gazed with strict attention to the unfolding scene as the dog, horses, and riders continually cut off the bull’s

escape on two-sides while using the two converging fence lines as the containment on the other. Twice I observed the bull assail the horses, angrily putting his hornless head down in an attempt to push the horses aside. Each time, the horse and rider adroitly side-stepped the attack. Soon the massive tiring bull paused more frequently while the round-up crew patiently stood their ground.

The team moved slowly forward in unison, pushing the bull toward the corner in the fence lines right where I was positioned in my truck, a spot that seemed best to remain so as not to alarm the bull. As this massive black beast approached, I could hear his labored, powerful exhales through his nostrils. It sounded much like the exhaust of an arriving steam locomotive. The bull made another attempt to break containment, but one of the cowboys threw a rope around his enormous neck, wrapped the rope around his saddlehorn, and set his horse back on its haunches. Dust was flying, and the bull bellowed in resistance.

I immediately worried that the bull would charge the rope thrower and his mount, but I was made privy to an athletic endeavor that seemed to surpass all I had witnessed. The second male, on the back side of the bull, threw a loop of his rope to the ground directly at the animal’s right heel and, like an angler setting the hook, he snagged his leg. Now the two horses worked in tandem, countering each other’s motions, and the bull bellowed in opposition but could go nowhere.

The woman dropped to the ground in readiness to throw another rope if needed, but it was becoming obvious that the bull was exhausted.

Soon the wranglers dropped their ropes, and I heard one say, “Let him go.” Sure enough, the bull bolted rather quickly into the back of the trailer. He’d had enough.

As the crew loaded up this first bull, I pulled my truck around and said to them, “That’s the best show I’ve ever seen—better than a rodeo.” They just gave me smiles of satisfaction and continued to prepare the trailer for the next round. As I drove away, I marveled at the way the three horses, the riders, and their dog had worked in such an efficient and coordinated manner and felt a renewed appreciation for the life of the American cowboy.

Wade’s Walkabout Finding Meaning and Healing in the Outdoors Follow Mark's outdoor escapades...

www.RoadTrippinWithBobAndMark.com Also on Facebook and Instagram

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 49

Can’t

Sleep?

The Best Long-Term Cure Is Closer than You Think

By Erin Del Toro, Clinical Hypnotherapist

By Erin Del Toro, Licensed Clinical Hypnotherapist

Does this sound familiar? ”It’s 1:30 am...If I can fall asleep right now, I’ll get 5 hours and 30 minutes of sleep.” At 2:20 a.m….”If I fall asleep right now, I’ll get 4 hours and 40 minutes of sleep. I’ll be ok. I’ll get through the day, and then I’ll go to bed early, and it will be fine.”

At 2:45 a.m....

2:45 a.m. + eternity + 3:23 a.m. + eternity = What It’s Like To Have Insomnia. This nighttime plague increases in the U.S. as the decades roll on, and formulas like this one are all too familiar to many.

If you find getting a good night’s rest to be a challenge—whether you have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up too early, or not sleeping deeply enough—you’re in big company. It’s estimated that between 10 percent and 30 percent of adults in the U.S. struggle with chronic insomnia and 30 percent to 48 percent of those over forty years of age suffer from the condition.

Struggling with getting a good night’s rest is, at best, frustrating.

But when sleepless nights become more frequent, mental, emotional and physical health problems begin to take a toll. The issues stemming from not getting enough sleep start their leak in the central nervous system and brain, and then the effects spill into nearly every possible area of the body.

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During sleep, the body heals itself; the brain not only wires in new thought connections and memories, it also restores itself to proper chemical balance. Without these key components of healing, the brain and body begin to slip in their proper functions, causing immediate problems such as an increase in accidents and brain/body miscalculations, short term memory loss, difficulty focusing and learning, and episodes of microsleep (falling asleep for a few seconds at a time throughout the day).

As sleepless nights continue, those suffering from insomnia also experience suppressed immune systems, weight gain due to lowered insulin levels, weight gain due to low impulse control and binging on empty calories, and higher heart disease rates due to cortisol changes.

Because the brain is not directing the endocrine system correctly, insomnia also causes changes in hormone levels as well. The final tipper is that people who do not get enough sleep also have shortened life expectancies.

Once you are caught in a pattern of poor sleep, the brain is often so fired up over the challenge of the falling-asleep process, it has a difficult time sorting itself back to its normal state: getting hormones and thought patterns into a healthy place and connecting correctly with the body so that natural sleep patterns can be reestablished.

and body have become so reliant on sleeping pills that you can’t fall asleep on your own. Whether you are dealing with a prescription dependency or a long-term sleeping issue without them, you are up against the challenge of getting your brain and body to work together to release the right chemicals at the right time to induce natural sleep.

Luckily, research over the last decade shows promising results beyond medication in two surprising forms: cognitive behavioral therapy and clinical hypnotherapy. Both have been proven to be equal to or more effective than sleep medications. And for long-term results, they both outrank medications, hands down. These types of therapies teach you to recognize and change beliefs and expectations that affect your ability to sleep, naturally shifting and rewiring your brain to control or eliminate negative thoughts and worries that keep you awake. They also eliminate the cycles of fear created over not being able to fall asleep.

Working with a clinical hypnotherapist for sleeplessness is a rapid way to get to the root of the problem. During this type of therapy, corrected neural pathways in the brain deepen quickly and more permanently, shifting thought patterns, feelings, chemical imbalances, and hormonal problems and elevating health to a higher plateau in general. As the brain begins to realign, the body begins to heal naturally.

Before long, you’ll be getting relief, sleeping more soundly, and having energetic days filled with clarity and brightness. Even better, after you complete therapy, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that if you do find yourself on an insomnia treadmill again in the future, you have the tools to switch your thoughts and brain pattern on your own to get right back into a healthy sleeping cycle.

If you’ve struggled to get a decent night’s sleep for a while, there’s no need to wait. Start your journey toward a balanced and healthy life today. A new love affair between your head and your pillow awaits.

When the brain isn’t balanced by sleep, it can’t balance the body, and when the body isn’t balanced, the mismatch in hormones begins confusing the brain about whether sleep should happen at all. The paradox of being exhausted yet unable to sleep brings overwhelming frustration and disheartened feelings to most. Even for those who usually don’t struggle with mental health issues, depression and anxiety can spike, and those with more serious mental health challenges, such as bipolar or borderline personality disorder, can be more extremely affected.

“When you have insomnia, you’re never really asleep, and you’re never really awake. Everything’s a copy of a copy of a copy,” explains Edward Norton’s character in the movie Fight Club.

It’s no wonder that even if you’ve done all the obvious things the internet and your doctor say to do and nothing has changed, you may be at your wits end.

If you’ve found rest through medications but you’d like to be free of them, you may be facing a similar conundrum. Often, your brain

About the Author Erin Del Toro is a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist for True North Mind Management. She is passionate about combining eastern and western medicine, changing the effects of trauma, and helping others unlock the power of their true potential.

When she’s not reading and learning about the mind, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, training for ninja warrior competitions, and staying active in the great outdoors of Southern Utah.

For more information about the benefits of hypnotherapy, call or text (435) 429-2560, email Erin at truenorthmindmanagement@gmail.com, or visit www.truenorthmindmanagement.com.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 51

Great News for Those Under Fifty Suffering with Knee Pain:

It’s Time to Start Enjoying Life Again By the St. George Surgical Center

Do you know that you no longer need to wait until you are fifty, sixty, or even seventy years old to have your knee replaced? This is great news for those under the age of fifty suffering with knee pain who have been waiting to have joint replacement surgery.

This is possible through the new NAVIO and its successor, the CORI robotic system, used

by Dr. Gregory Hicken at the St. George Surgical Center (SGSC) in St. George, Utah.

Dr. Gregory Hicken The technology of the NAVIO/ CORI robot has completely changed the long-term outlook for those having a knee replaced. Furthermore, Dr. Hicken is one of only two surgeons in southern Utah certified to use this system, and SGSC is the only facility in the region where it can be found. The NAVIO/CORI robots for knee replacements have demonstrated to the Food and Drug Administration that its enhanced level of accuracy and the design of the implants give patients a better longterm outcome.

In the past, most patients with knee pain and disability were not recommended for replacement surgery until they were between the ages of fifty and eighty because knee replacement implants were not as durable and would eventually wear out.

Additionally, the technology available did not allow for the high degree of accuracy and precision that the NAVIO/CORI system has, making it likely that another surgery or a revision would have to be performed later in a person’s life. Consequently, knee replacements were not recommended frequently for younger patients.

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The CORI robot changes all of that.

With the NAVIO/CORI robot and the longevity of the new ceramic knee implants, it is now “one and done”: a thirty-, forty- or fifty-year-old individual could possibly go the rest of their life without another joint replacement surgery. Here is why: • The NAVIO/CORI system uses an OXINIUM ceramic-coated implant rather than metal joints that risk metalon-metal micro flecks being introduced into the patient’s body.

• The NAVIO/CORI robotics-assisted joint replacement surgery uses a custom 3-D digital model of the patient’s knee during the actual surgical procedure in the operating theater. This 3-D view helps the surgeon finalize and verify the right size implant for each patient and creates a detailed surgical plan to optimize movement and function.

In most cases, it also eliminates the radiation exposure and the costs of the CT scan before surgery.

• The CORI robot operates faster than the NAVIO so that the patient is under anesthesia for a shorter period of time.

In most cases, Dr. Hicken completes the procedure inclusive of the 3-D digital modeling and a customized surgical plan in about an hour and with more accuracy than non-robotics-assisted knee and hip replacement surgeries frequently performed elsewhere in southern Utah.

Before having knee replacement surgery using the NAVIO and the OXINIUM implant, Dr. Maria Todd was told by several physicians in Florida, Nevada, Colorado, Maria Todd and Utah that she

would have to wait for a knee replacement until she was older. A former firefighter and an active participant in tennis, skydiving, and sailing, she lived with seven knee surgeries, pain, and disability for forty-two years. Since her NAVIO total knee replacement, she is finally living pain free and is well on her way to a more active lifestyle. “I wish I would have had this surgery available to me years ago,” she said. “I have lived for years with disability and pain. The knee replacement feels like my own knee, and I’m finally getting back my quality of life.”

Dr. Hicken’s outcome was similar to Maria’s. He had eight knee surgeries prior to his total knee replacement with the NAVIO system. As an active cyclist, the knee replacement surgery has been a life changer for him.

There is no need to suffer with knee pain for years when there is a solution. If you have been experiencing joint pain, regardless of your age, it’s time to start enjoying life again.

For more information, call the St. George Surgical Center at (435) 705-7039 or Robotic Orthopaedic Institute at (435) 523-3378.

You can also visit SGSC’s website at www.stgeorgesurgical.com.

Join St. George Surgical Center for Dinner with the Doc where Dr. Hicken will explain the advantages of robotic-assisted knee and hip replacement and answer questions. Locations and times are listed below. Attendance and your meal are included at no charge.

To reserve your seat, RSVP by calling 435-705-7039. Call today. Seating is limited!

Upcoming Dates: • September 15, 2021 at Magleby’s Restaurant in St. George, Utah; 5-6:30 p.m.

• October 20, 2021at Magleby’s Restaurant in St. George, Utah; 5-6:30 p.m.

• November 17, 2021 at Magleby’s Restaurant in St. George, Utah; 5-6:30 p.m.

About the Author

By Dr. Paul Gooch

Dr. Paul Gooch grew up in Mona, Utah. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the University of Missouri–St Louis, College of Optometry. He started SouthWest Vision in January of 1998 and has grown his practice to include Dr. Ryan Robison as partner in 2006 and Dr. Eric Drake in 2013. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Utah Optometric Association (UOA). He served Utah Optometry as a UOA Trustee for eight years. He is currently an adjunct professor at Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Gooch is twice past president of the Rotary Club of Dixie Sunrise and past president of the SouthWest Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen. Dr. Gooch has been the recipient of the Young Optometrist of the Year Award and the TLC Humanitarian Award. His loves include raising a family, training mules, dabbling in politics, and flying powered parachutes.

The Circle of Life and the Value of

Human Connection

The human mind is an amazing thing.

The ebbs and flows of our humanity are deeply influenced by the way we remember things. One of the most fascinating elements of human memory is“situational memory,” which is the effect of environmental context on how we recall things. This effect is why it is easier to remember acquaintances in the places that we know them rather than when we run into them randomly.

One of the greatest pleasures of my job as an optometrist is that I get to witness the circle of life unfold in front of me, in my exam chair, one patient at a time, as if I am watching a movie of a mighty tree growing in time-lapse style. Because we get to see our patients on some regular cycle, usually yearly, we get to experience this time-lapse effect in what feels like real time. As my patients and I get to know

each other over the years, the sensation I feel when they sit in my exam chair is “Really? It has been a whole year since you were here? It feels like yesterday!”

And then I get to learn their tragedies and triumphs while we are catching up during the exam process. From birth to death and everything in between, life is on full panoramic display. Situational memory. What a gift we possess—one among the many…

Because I love word play, I often tell people that I bend light in an optometric sweat-shop for a living. But it is so much more than that.

As I flip “better one or two” dials and operate marvelous technological machinery to understand the health of your vision, it really is just the circle of life on display. It is the value of human connection. It is friendship. It is the breathtaking vista of interesting people who live interesting lives, seen one patient and one year at a time.

Let us help your eyes throughout the circle of life. Call us at 435-673-5577 to schedule an appointment or visit us online at www.SouthWestVision.com.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 53

Dixie State University’s Business Resource Center Helps Entrepreneurs Launch Toward Success

By Allie Garrow

About the Author After graduating with her associate degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho, Allie Garrow transferred to Dixie State University to become a Trailblazer. Now a senior at DSU, Allie is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in media studies with an emphasis in public relations.

She is also minoring in communication studies and marketing. When Allie’s not hitting the books, she enjoys hitting the road in pursuit of adventure.

Did you know a 2020 report by WalletHub ranked the city of St. George, Utah, number one in the nation for the best small cities to start a business?

If you have an awesome invention or business idea but have no clue where to start, the Business Resource Center (BRC), located at Dixie State University’s Atwood Innovation Plaza, has the resources and information you need to create and launch your business.

The BRC offers the Launch Series, designed to teach new business owners and entrepreneurs in southern Utah how to successfully launch and grow a business. This four-week virtual series and follow-up business advising are free thanks to a grant provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Participants learn about market testing, business development, financial strategy, and more.

CEO and founder of OG Creative, Oreo Ogunsola, is just one example of how the Business Resource Center has made a difference.

The BRC has not only increased his knowledge but also molded his future as a digital design business owner.

“I developed a business model that I believed had good potential, but there was still a lot of uncertainty,” said Oreo. “The Launch Series helped clear my clouded vision about starting an actual business, providing me access to valuable resources, mentorship, and a good platform to grow a business from the ground up.”

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After moving to St. George from Nigeria in May of 2017, Oreo started his college career at Dixie State University with big dreams.

Participating in the Launch Series provided Oreo with opportunities to collaborate with other business professionals. Now finishing his senior year, Oreo spends most of his time hitting the books and building his business, OG Creative.

OG Creative is a Utah-based digital marketing agency that partners with brands and agencies to create effective and sustainable strategies for all aspects of digital marketing. They focus on search engine optimization, logo creation, content marketing, and websites.

Their recent Take Off initiative is a pricing package designed to help startup businesses.

BRC Outreach Manager Colette Cox expressed delight in the diversity they’ve seen since the program launched in October 2020.

“One notable highlight is that 49 percent of the Launch Series participants are women, and 28 percent of participants are minorities, which is outstanding considering our service area make up has only an 8 percent minority population.”

Within the past six months, Innovation Plaza has provided 316 business consultations and is home to nearly thirty incubating companies, including OG Creative, Eden Tech, SoftCell, and the Trula Foundation.

“My greatest accomplishment is witnessing these businesses succeed,” Cox said, “Even through the challenges and difficulties of launching our program during COVID-19, we have found much growth and success; however, it feels like we are just getting started.”

To learn more about the Launch Series, visit innovation.dixie.edu/ business-resource-center-at-dsu/brc-launch-series/. For more information about OG Creative, go to ogcreative.net/.

You’re invited to a FREE

Dry Eye Seminar DATE: TIME: VENUE:

October 20th, 2021 6:00pm–7:00pm SouthWest Vision 965 E 700 S, Ste 100 St. George, UT 84790

PLEASE CALL TO RSVP: (435) 673-5577

MOST AWARDED

EYECARE and OPTICAL CARE DOCTORS IN SOUTHERN UTAH

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 55

Brigham Young University and American Family Survey tell us that the overuse of technology has moved into the number one spot in our “things to worry about.” American Family tell us that drug abuse, bullying, and sex all take a back seat to screen-time fears in the minds of parents and educators.

A knee-jerk reaction to our fears is to limit or get rid of the item causing concern—to throw away cell phones and keep them out of the hands of our children until they are at least thirty-three years old or to move televisions, phones, game consoles, and anything with a screen to the center of the living room so that we can be there when a child is looking at a screen. Once we start down the road of limiting, monitoring, or leaving behind all technology, we realize that we (husbands, wives, and older adults) are having the same complications with screen time as our children are having.

How many times have you walked through the tables at restaurants and noticed a table of eight or nine adults all sitting with a phone in their hands and their eyes on the screen, ignoring everyone at the table? One researcher calls this phenomenon FOMO: the fear of missing out. FOMO is, according to the slang dictionary, “a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent.” This is a form of social anxiety. FOMO anxiety is characterized by an overpowering desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing. This is so real and so pervasive that people are often “with other groups” while sitting face to face with a spouse or a child.

In 1982, American parents were inundated with research that promoted limiting television use. At that time, most homes had one screen: a television. The television was usually a cumbersome, heavy box sitting in the living room. Wealthy families may have had two or three televisions. People with vision would state that some day, every room of a home would have a screen. I remember laughing at how silly that would be.

Well, here we are in 2021. Not only do we have a screen in every room of our homes, but 72 percent of children who are eight years old and under have a screen in their front pocket or hands. 84 percent of teens who are twelve to eighteen years old use screens to do all social messaging and are on a screen eleven hours a day.

Surprisingly, adult screen-time use is about the same! In 2014, adults spent thirty-nine minutes on a screen each day. A recent survey of adults showed that their screen time had increased to eleven hours a day, an increase of over ten hours a day in just four years! Adults check their phones every four minutes and feel rude if they don’t respond to every message immediately. We have neck pain, headaches, and social anxiety because of our attachments to our electronic devices.

All of this being true, screens are here to stay in some form or another.

Technology shouldn’t be stuffed back into a bottle and shelved because of our fears that our children will misuse it. Our children organize track meets, sporting event practices, service projects, and school work on their phones or phone apps. We find our spouses and our children through phone calls, texts, and tracking applications. Phones are part of our education system. Homework is sent electronically, and grades can be accessed immediately by concerned parents.

In his book The New Childhood, Jordan Shaprio tells us that we will be ahead of the screen game if we stop thinking about limiting use and start thinking about enhancing use. Shapiro believes that parents should allow their children to begin their digital experience earlier in their lives and then stay involved every step of the way. I agree with this idea!

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Screen Time

versus

Family Time

By Matt Eschler PhD, LMFT

When children are very young, they love to show off any newlyfound skill. If I insert myself into their digital world at this stage of their lives and begin teaching screen ethics and screen discipline while interacting with them, I have years to teach important skills: paying attention to what’s in front of me versus half attending to a screen while half attending to a face-to-face experience. In other words, you will have much more success teaching cell phone, gamer, and social media ethics to your children when they are young rather than waiting until they are teenagers after they have decided they don’t need your involvement any longer.

One important caveat to this suggestion is that parents like myself need to display screen ethics to teach screen ethics. We need to remove screens from our rooms and banish them from the dinner table. Married adults need to go on couples date nights with no screens. Everything we do or don’t do with our phones and social media is sending a message to others and teaching our youth about screen ethics.

This fall, I suggest that we take a deep breath and decide to connect with our lovers and loved ones. Relationships are a key ingredient to healthy screen use. We always thought limiting use would be a key factor in safe screen usage, but limiting screen use doesn’t really work.

Relationships with each other that are deep and rich are what actually works. Using screens, games, and social media to add depth and fulfillment to your key relationships will potentially harness screens for your good. As parents and adult role models harness technology and show healthy ethics, the rising generation will follow in their footsteps.

The following are some ideas for screen time ethics:

• Ask questions about what is on your child’s screen. Don’t lecture; inquire.

• Show interest in what youth are looking at, playing, or discussing at a very young age. Don’t wait until they are teens to begin screen interactions.

• Play games with your kids. Join them in their chosen games and comment on them. If games are violent or games glorify negative themes, resist giving a lecture, and instead, have a discussion.

• Limit family screen times in a logical fashion.

• Bedtime means no screens in anyone’s room—even parents’ rooms.

• Have a central charging station for everyone.

• Dinner time discussions can include screen time if it enhances the family discussion. Remember, if dad is on a work-related call through dinnertime, the kids take note of his screen time ethics.

• Parents must actively teach youth empathy, tolerance, and inter­ personal skills as well as how to engage in face-to-face conversations.

• Don’t be “absent present.” This is when you listen to your child or spouse while a screen is in sight. When a screen is in sight or checked during a conversation, meaningful conversation becomes surface conversation. Deep disclosures end due to the fear of being interrupted or a belief that they won’t be a priority.

• Married parents should not take their cell phones on a date. This teaches that human face-to-face contact is important to you. Your children will probably live without contacting you for four or five hours while you’re on the date.

These suggestions are a short list for your consideration, but you can add your own “family flavor” to the list of screen ethics. As you leave the era of consequencing, limiting, or abolishing screen and social media use, remember that you are entering new territory, and be patient as you work through the rough patches. Screen ethics are a completely new discussion for most families.

I’ve been a marriage counselor for thirty years. I’ve talked with hundreds of couples and their children. One thing I know for certain is that if we constantly consider the health and quality of our three key relationships, God, spouse, and children, we will harness technology and use it to build deeper, more connected relationships with everyone around us.

About the Author Matt lives in St. George, Utah, where he and his wife, Chris, are enjoying their life with each other. Since their children have grown up and moved out to pursue their dreams, Matt and Chris travel the world. They want to visit 200 countries before they are done. Matt and Chris are active in their community and enjoy working out, training for marathons, and spending time participating in numerous activities with their adult children. Matt received a PhD in psychology. He is focused on the arena of resolving personal conflicts and improving interpersonal relationships. In addition to his doctorate degree, Matt has earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, studied criminal justice and received a category one license with Peace Officer Standards and Training, and received a degree in the Arts of Business Management. Matt is a professor at Dixie State University and hopes to be part of the positive growth of southern Utah.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 57

Dining Guide St. George

Angelica’s Mexican Grill

101 E. St. George Blvd., St. George, UT 84770 | 435-628-4399 Mexican | Vegetarian and Vegan Options | Family Friendly | $ Mon.–Sat., 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Closed Sun. Located Downtown on St. George Boulevard, Angelica’s Mexican Grill serves fresh, made from scratch authentic Mexican food. The flavor driven and nationally recognized menu provides everything and more that you would expect from a Mexican restaurant, including street tacos, Mulitas, Tortas, Sweet Carnitas, Machaca, and their famous salsa bar. Vegan and Vegetarian dishes are always available. Seating is available inside and also outside on the spacious patio. Catering & To-Go ordering available.

Benja’s Thai and Sushi

2 W. St. George Blvd. #12, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-628-9538 Thai | Sushi | $$ Mon.–Sat., 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.–8:00p.m.

Hungry for sushi? Hungry for Thai curries? Benja’s Thai and Sushi, in the heart of downtown at Ancestor Square, will satisfy your craving with fresh sushi, curries, noodles and a great beer and wine menu. Stop in with business colleagues, friends, a date or the whole family, and be sure to come hungry – in addition to curries, noodles and sushi, Benja’s salads, soups and sticky mango rice are not to be missed.

Magleby’s

1450 Hilton Dr., St George, UT 84770 | 435-652-9600 American / Dine-In | Catering | $$ Mon.–Sat., 11:00 a.m.–9:00p.m.; Lunch Buffet, Wed., 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Closed Wed. 2:00–4:00 p.m. and on Sunday With over thirty years of catering experience, we guarantee to make your next event magical! Everything we do we do with love, and you won’t find another catering company with as many homemade recipes or fully customized options. If you’re looking for a culinary experience creatively tailored to fit your event, we’re at your service.

Red Fort Cuisine of India

148 S. 1470 E., St. George, UT 84790 | 435-574-4050 Indian | Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free Options | Healthy | $$ Mon.–Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; Closed Sun. Located in the shopping and dining hub just north of St. George Boulevard, Red Fort Indian Cuisine is the only authentic Indian restaurant in St. George. The flavors are unique and harmonious, and many of their menu items are vegan, vegetarian or gluten free. Stop by and experience the delicious flavors of authentic East India. The elegant and inviting atmosphere paired with their kind and friendly staff, is sure to provide for a relaxing, enjoyable dining experience.

The Painted Pony

Cappeletti’s

36 E. Tabernacle, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-986-4119 Italian | Steak | Seafood | Contemporary | $$ Lunch: Tues.–Sat.,11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Dinner: 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Centrally located in historic downtown near Town Square, Cappeletti’s is a favorite for casual business lunches, friend and family gatherings, and romantic evening dining. Authentic Italian pastas like gnocchi bolognese or cannelloni will comfort and satisfy, but if you’re not in the mood for pasta, the fresh fish of the day, tender Black Angus flat iron steaks, market fresh meats, and poultry are all prepared daily and presented beautifully. In this quaint and cozy family owned and operated restaurant, plan to settle in for warm, friendly Italian cuisine with an Argentinian flair, and leave satiated in body and soul.

2 W. St. George Blvd. #22, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-634-1700 Steakhouse | Seafood | Contemporary | Healthy | $$$$ Lunch: Mon.–Sat., 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Dinner: 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; Sun., 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

In the heart of Ancestor Square, the Painted Pony delights with an upscale menu, full beer and wine list, cocktails and exceptional service. Prepare for a sensory experience with complex flavors, top-notch presentation and a beautiful atmosphere. Evening ambiance complete with soft lighting, fresh flowers and patio dining. Locally sourced, organic, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available for every palate.

Pizza/Pasta Factory

Pasta Factory: 2 W. St. George Blvd. #8, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-674-3753 Pizza Factory: 2 W. St. George Blvd. #8, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-628-1234 Pizza Factory Express: 1930 W. Sunset Blvd., St. George, UT 84770 | 435-634-1234 Pizza Factory Pineview: 2376 E. Red Cliffs Dr., St. George, UT 84790 | 435-688-2656 Pizza | Pasta | Dine-In | Take-Out | Delivery | Salad Bar | $$ Mon.—Sat at 11:00 a.m.

The Pasta Factory, with its year-round, climate controlled outdoor patio dining wows with custom-made pasta, soups, sandwiches and salads. The Pizza Factory offers three locations with the best and freshest salad bar in town; homemade soups, sandwiches, famous bread twists and Southern Utah’s favorite pizza combinations.

Katering Koncepts, Inc. – Full Service Catering & Event Rentals

1495 S. Black Ridge Dr., Suite A210, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-574-0059 Menus include buffet options, breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, and gourmet lunch boxes.

Call Katering Koncepts when it just has to be Perfect! We will customize any menu just for your event. Serving the St. George and surrounding Southern Utah areas. Katering Koncepts sets a new standard in private, corporate and wedding events. We have a full line of rentals including tables, chairs, linens, formal dishware, decorations, dance floors, tents, serving dishes and many other items to help make your event a success. Call us or visit our website at www.kateringkoncepts.com for a complete list.

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Twenty-Five Main Café

25 Main Street, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-628-7110 Cafe | Coffee Shop | Gourmet cupcakes | $ Mon.–Thurs., 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

Visitors step from the streets of St. George to an atmosphere reminiscent of a Soho cafe when they stop by this counter-style downtown gem for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Delectable salads, panini sandwiches done to perfection, and pasta are the featured menu items, but most diners frequent the café for its cupcakes. Twenty-Five Main is perfect for a business lunch or breakfast, a get-together with friends or a quiet spot to relax in the evening before absorbing the downtown art-walk in St. George.

In addition to offering exceptional food, Katering Koncepts also has everything necessary to create an environment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They provide tables, chairs, linens, formal dishware, tableware, barware, serveware, and more.

RESTAURANT JOURNEYS:

KATERING KONCEPTS WHEN IT JUST HAS TO BE PERFECT Ten years ago, Kelly Shannon and Doug Naetzel shared the vision of creating a catering business that would provide for people a gold-standard experience for both private and corporate events. Kelly and Doug have always enjoyed entertaining. Long before Katering Koncepts was formed, Kelly used her culinary arts degree to host huge Christmas parties for family and friends at their home. With hundreds of guests in attendance, their parties became legendary.

Guests raved about the decadent food, magical ambiance, and festive atmosphere they created. In 2009, when Doug’s construction business was impacted by the downturn in the housing market, the couple decided to turn their passion for entertaining into a business, and Katering Koncepts was established. Their family-run business has been serving southern Utah and the surrounding areas ever since.

Katering Koncepts offers mouth-watering buffet-style break­ fasts, lunches, and dinners as well as elegant sit-down meals.

Their menu selection provides a variety of choices that have a touch of both comfort and elegance and were developed to satisfy a broad range of pallets.

While the menu selection is vast, Kelly willingly creates new food items to match a client’s theme or special request, ensuring a unique experience for each event. Clients can rest assured that Kelly will carefully consider their individual wishes and customize the event to suit their unique desires.

Kelly and Doug credit a large portion of their success to their ability to play to their own strengths. Doug’s strength is relationship building. His genuine interest in people and his ability to connect and carry on a conversation with anyone has lent itself well to helping Katering Koncepts establish connections with businesses, vendors, and people throughout the communities they serve. Kelly’s strengths lie in her exceptional culinary skills, her organizational skills, and her attention to detail.

As clients describe their needs and desires, Kelly masterfully transforms their vision into a sensational experience that is appealing and tasteful to all.

Guests are astonished by the remarkable display and incredible food, which often becomes a conversation piece.

Whether serving a group of 2000 guests, as they did at the St. George Air show, or providing a romantic moment for two, as they did when they decorated

an entire hotel suite, complete with everything from appetizers to champagne to rose petals for a couple’s wedding proposal, Katering Koncepts’s commitment to consistently providing exceptional service and client satisfaction is always their number one priority.

For more information or to view sample menus, go to www. kateringkoncepts.com or call 435-574-0059.

Let Katering Koncepts take the stress out of your holiday season.

Reservations are filling up quickly, so book your holiday event today!

Katering Koncepts is now a full-service catering and rental company, a one-stop shop for everything needed for a party or event. Although events differ in size and scope, decor, and guest expectations, clients can entertain with confidence knowing Katering Koncepts has taken care of each detail from set-up to clean-up.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 59

“It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so entwined that we cannot think of one without the other.”

MFK Fisher, American Food Writer My friend Sharon and I catch up with each other by going to lunch on a regular basis. So when she suggested I write about food and mood, it seemed the perfect topic, especially since we are heading into fall and harvest time.

What is so important about the color of food? Food is natural medicine, and certain foods heal specific things. The color of each individual food indicates the part of the body it will target on an energetic and physical level. For example, you have seven energy centers (commonly known as chakras) that run along your spine.

They are: • Root chakra (Red)—located at the base of your spine.

This is your connection to earth; it is your foundation. It is responsible for your sense of being grounded and financially secure. Obesity and autoimmune disorders are just a few issues that begin here.

• Sacral chakra (Orange)—located just below the navel.

It represents creativity, intimacy, and connection. Kidney stones, water balance, and bladder problems originate here.

• Solar Plexus (Yellow)—located just above the navel.

Self-worth, confidence, and power connect to the solar plexus. If this is out of alignment, you might experience digestive disorders, diabetic tendencies, and food allergies, just to name a few.

• Heart chakra (Green)—located along the spine in the center of the chest.

This is your love, compassion, and forgiveness area. The thymus gland (a huge part of your immune system) is here along with blood, circulation, lungs, heart, and collar bones. High blood pressure, insomnia, and breathing issues might be a problem for you if this is out of balance.

EAT THE RAINBOW Colorful Foods

That Heal and Bless

By Brigit Atkin

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• Throat chakra (Blue)—located at the center of your neck.

This chakra is associated with your voice, expression, and communication. Your thyroid sits right in the middle of this chakra, so metabolism can be affected. If this is blocked, you’ll have a difficult time speaking up for yourself.

• Brow chakra (purple)—located in the middle of the forehead.

It is also called the Third Eye and corresponds with your imagination, intuition, “seeing the bigger picture.” If this area is blocked, you might be prone to headaches and glaucoma, and you will probably have a hard time concentrating as well as following your instincts.

• Crown chakra (violet/white)—your spiritual wisdom.

If this chakra is struggling, you may feel exhausted or be prone to seizures and migraines.

In a lot of ways, we are what we eat. As you look to foods to help you regain your balance and heal yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically, consider the following: • To balance the root chakra, think RED: red apples, beets, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, pomegranates.

Also think “root” vegetables: sweet potatoes, rutabaga, and carrots. Affirmation: I am Safe.

• To balance the sacral chakra, think ORANGE: oranges, mango, orange peppers, peaches, apricots, sweet potatoes, salmon, flaxseed. And since this is a water center, stay hydrated with plenty of clean water, coconut water, or herbal teas. Affirmation: I am Life.

• To heal the solar plexus chakra (gut), think YELLOW: bananas, pineapple, corn, lemon, yellow squash, yellow curry. Also think grains: oats, spelt, rice, sprouted grains, beans. As an added bonus, yellow is a natural mood lifter. Affirmation: I am Will.

About the Author Brigit Atkin–Brigit of Brightworks helps improve the lives of others facing challenges and difficulties. She is certified in the SimplyALIGN™ method and was trained by founder Carolyn Cooper herself. For more information, visit www.brightworksbybrigit.com.

• Heart help is GREEN: Kale, broccoli, spinach, garden salads, greens, celery, cucumber, zucchini, green beans, lime, mint, kiwi, peas, green apples, pears, avocado. There are a lot more out there, but this is a great start. Green is a universal healer. Hospitals generally use lots of green (think scrubs) to encourage healing. Affirmation: I am Love.

• To help the throat chakra, get creative finding BLUEish foods: blueberries, blackberries, eggplant. Also helpful are chocolate, herbal teas, and raw honey (think of soothing a sore throat). Affirmation: I am Sound.

• To balance the brow chakra, think PURPLE: purple grapes, berries, eggplant, purple kale, cabbage. Cacao is also a great brain food.

Affirmation: I am Light.

• And finally, to balance crown chakra, think WHITE: There are no foods here. Instead, think fasting, meditation, prayer. Medicinal herbs or essential oils, such as sage, lavender, frankincense, and juniper, are wonderful in helping balance this very important part of your body and energy. Affirmation: I AM.

Food should be your friend. Food is what connects you with your loved ones. Food heals, soothes, and energizes. Food also influences your mood, your sleep, your recovery. If you have trouble with food, pay attention to what specifically is bothering you. As you learn to pay attention to your body and its messages and to your emotional and mental needs, you’ll acquire the ability to intuitively know what food you need for healing and general well-being.

All this talk of food is making me hungry. I think I’ll go to lunch with a friend.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 61

Signs of autumn may be subtle in southern Utah, but as temperatures decrease, daylight wanes, and school bells ring, you may find your energy dragging as you transition away from lackadaisical mornings, leisurely afternoon naps, and late summer nights.

About the Author Margaret Liederbach is a fourth-year medical student at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Prior to medical school, she assisted Dr. James B. Maas, former Cornell University Chairman of Psychology, in sleep and performance research, consulting, and education.

With the school year and autumn activities in full swing, it may be time to take a look at your sleep schedule and the habits that are preventing you from feeling rested and energized throughout your day. Adopting these daytime strategies will prepare your body and mind for optimal sleep and a rejuvenated tomorrow.

1. Timing is Everything The single best thing you can do to improve your sleep is to establish a consistent schedule. Unfortunately, your circadian rhythm does not accommodate the whims of your social life nor your procrastination, so it’s important to retire and wake up at the same time each day. Schedule a minimum of 7.5 hours (9.25 for teens and adolescents), set bedtime and wake-up alarms, and earnestly give your brain and body a couple of weeks to adapt to the new routine.

2. Say Goodbye to the Snooze Button Pressing “snooze” affords you only a few additional minutes of fragmented rest, which leaves you feeling groggier than you otherwise would. Bite the bullet and wake up on the first alarm, then plan for a power nap, and adjust your scheduled sleep time to accomodate a greater sleep need.

3. Get the Right Light Your circadian rhythm is synced to the environment through external cues. By exposing yourself to bright (ideally natural) light for fifteen minutes in the morning and avoiding light (especially blue light) for at least an hour before bedtime, you encourage your brain to activate for the day and produce adequate melatonin for sound sleep at night.

4. Dial in your Diet The major aim is stabilizing blood sugar, decreasing inflammation, and obtaining necessary micro and macro nutrients to support your body’s metabolic demands. Seek out protein, fiber, and healthy fats, decrease portions, avoid processed foods and added sugars, and abstain from spicy and fried foods before bed.

5. Cut the Caffeine, Alcohol, and Nicotine Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants. Caffeine remains in your system for six hours, so forgo that afternoon cup of joe and beware of more covert sources of caffeine like chocolate and even decaffeinated products which may contain up to one milligram of caffeine per ounce.

Daytime Strategies for Sleeptime Success

By Margaret Liederbach

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If you’re one to partake, you know that alcohol can make you drowsy.

But don’t be fooled. Alcohol disrupts REM sleep, so always drink in moderation and refrain three hours before your intended bedtime.

6. Move your Body Regular exercise staves off insomnia, decreases snoring and sleep apnea through weight loss, and improves restfulness through improved respiration and circulation. However, it takes approximately five hours for core body temperature to normalize following exercise, so aim for morning and afternoon workouts to ensure that your core temperature drops in time for bed.

7. Train your Brain Prayer, meditation, and yoga have been linked to sounder sleep.

These practices diminish the release of sleep-disrupting stress hormones and enhance neural plasticity, optimizing the seamless transition into sleep and between sleep phases.

The Importance of Oral Hygiene for Children

By Johnson Pediatric Dentistry

When making important decisions about the health and wellbeing of your children, don’t forget about their teeth and gums.

Compared to children with poor oral health, children who establish good oral hygiene habits at a young age are more likely to continue excellent brushing and flossing as adults, experience far fewer dental problems throughout life, maintain a positive self-image, and perform better in school. Parents play a vital role in helping children establish proper dental care and smiles that last a lifetime.

Early Dental Care Prevents Dental Diseases Developing good oral hygiene is also the first line of defense against many common dental issues, such as plaque buildup, gum disease, and cavities. Studies show that dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S. and left untreated, may lead to pain, infection, and premature tooth loss that can cause issues with speaking, eating, and overall health.

Teach Children the Importance of Good Oral Hygiene The good news is that cavities are almost completely preventable with regular visits to the dentist and consistent dental care at home.

Parents can help their children maintain healthy teeth and gums by encouraging the following habits: • Begin good oral health habits as soon as your baby’s teeth are visible. Start by using a washcloth to gently clean your children’s teeth and gums.

• Teach your children to brush all surfaces of their teeth twice a day for two minutes. Assist your children until they are able to brush by themselves.

• Floss between your children’s teeth and along the gum line to remove trapped food and plaque that lead to gingivitis and decay.

• Make oral hygiene fun by letting your children choose their kid-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste in their favorite color, character, or flavor.

• Encourage your children to brush their teeth immediately after drinking juice or eating candy to prevent decay.

• Avoid giving children too many sugary foods, snacks, and drinks that cause decay and damage enamel, like fruit snacks, juice, and soda.

• Increase water intake throughout the day to help neutralize the acids that cause cavities.

Establish a Healthy Relationship with Your Child’s Dentist Finally, one of the most important ways for children to maintain a healthy smile is to schedule regular checkups with their dentist.

Choose a dentist who understands the unique development of a child’s smile and focuses on dentistry for children from infancy through adolescence. Following a thorough cleaning and evaluation, your child’s dentist can discuss proper cleaning techniques for keeping your child’s teeth cavity free as well as answer any questions concerning your child’s overall oral health.

Schedule Your Child’s Dental Visit Today Do you have more questions about your child’s dental health?

At Johnson Pediatric Dentistry, our team has the experience and commitment to educate young patients and their parents on good oral hygiene. Keeping a mouth healthy requires regular attention. We focus on teaching our patients healthy habits for the other 363 days of the year that we don’t get to see their smiling faces. Remember, better habits plus regular checkups equals fewer cavities. Together, we can establish a firm foundation for a lifetime of good dental health.

To get answers to your questions about your child’s dental health or to schedule an appointment for your child, call Johnson Pediatric Dentistry at (435) 628-0511 or visit www.drcodykidsdental.com.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 63

What Can Occupational Therapy Do for You?

About the Author Matt and KerryAnn Humphrey have fifty-five years combined experience in occupational therapy (OT) practice. They met at UTMB-University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in Galveston, Texas, and have been married for twenty-seven years. Matt and KerryAnn have three adult children. They have lived in the southern Utah area for twenty-seven years.

They recently ventured into private practice in Hurricane, Utah, and are owners of Unity Health and Wellness.

By Matt and KerryAnn Humphrey

From a premature infant with feeding difficulties to a senior citizen having difficulty retrieving a golf ball out of the hole, the realm of occupational therapy (OT) spans the life cycle. Occupational therapist’s work with a variety of clients in multiple settings. Their primary goal is to understand a person’s needs and develop an individualized treatment plan with strategies that allow them to function at their maximum.

Understanding a client’s motivations and values is a key component in the process of achieving success in an OT program. Treating clients with pain, injury, and illness, assessing and maximizing strengths ahead of deficits, enables a person to live a higher quality

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258 W. State Street, Hurricane, Utah unityhealthutah@gmail.com

64 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com

of life and meet their goals. The client’s mental, psychosocial, and physical needs are also central to this process.

So, what can OT do for you? OT can help you in almost all areas of life ending in “ing,” such as dressing, walking, cooking, or golfing. The primary goal of OT is to assist people in accomplishing whatever it is they want to achieve. Areas of focus can include such things as relieving pain from musculoskeletal/orthopedic injuries or improving function in order to successfully complete daily self-care activities. Tools in an occupational therapist’s belt include modalites to assist in pain management, strategies for compensation, and education to prevent complications and assist with the management of injuries. OT can enable someone to drive a car, brush their teeth, or get a golf ball out of the hole after sinking that birdie putt.

OT also focuses on client mobility, helping individuals learn how to safely and effectively get around in their space. Interventions include safety assessments, effective use of adaptive equipment, energy conservation recommendations, and home evaluations.

Clients benefit from therapies for fall prevention and mobility independence. Improvement in the areas of dynamic balance and education on safety during functional tasks can allow a client to stay in their home, get out to their car, or enjoy that back patio sunset that they were afraid to access for a fear of falling.

Occupational therapy specializes in training family members and caregivers on how to safely take care of a loved one needing assistance. Whether someone is at home, living in an assisted living center, or in hospice care, we can educate and support family members by providing strategies for increasing safety and completing tasks in an effective manner. Functional training tasks assist caregivers in utilizing therapeutic techniques, such as transferring a person with back precautions or assisting a loved one with the use of their walker.

Collaboration is another key to helping clients maximize their potential.

As with most professions, there is a vast array of specialty training and credentials that allow an OT to assist you within numerous niche areas. Specialties such as lactation, pelvic floor disorders, lymphedema management, and hippotherapy (incorporating equine movement into therapy) require significant continuing education.

There are many ways that OT can maximize your areas of competence as well as address areas of need. If you have questions or want further information about occupational therapy, please contact Matt or KerryAnn Humphrey at Unity Health and Wellness: (435) 703-6600 or unityhealthutah@gmail.com.

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The Tie That Binds All Autoimmune Diseases Together

By Koby Taylor, PharmD As a pharmacist, I don’t have many patients who aren’t suffering from some form of an autoimmune disease. Statistically, autoimmune diseases are on the rise in the United States, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the stress of recent years hasn’t increased this statistic. By definition, autoimmune means the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells, resulting in an autoimmune disease. Some commonly known autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

While every autoimmune disease is different by name, autoimmune diseases affect every system of the body: circulatory, digestive, endocrine, integumentary (hair, skin and nails), immune, muscular, nervous, renal, reproductive, respiratory, and skeletal.

Symptoms of autoimmune disease can vary widely, but they do have many similarities, and one common similarity is inflammation.

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Figuring Out the Why and How It’s no secret among the medical community and autoimmune patients that autoimmune disease is a mysterious and mischievous house guest. If you fall down and the result is a broken arm, you know exactly how and why the event happened.

You would also race to get your arm treated.

Autoimmune disease is not so simple. It’s slow moving, slow to show symptoms, and in most cases, it’s rarely known exactly why your autoimmune disease presented itself.

Could a diagnosis also be pointed to an underlying trauma? Sure. Family genetics?

Yes. Environmental toxin exposure? Again, yes. Stress? Absolutely. But autoimmune disease can also appear out of nowhere, leaving you bewildered as to how or why it’s happening.

What is more, having a predisposition to autoimmune disease could be caused by your age, gender, and ethnicity. For example, Graves’ disease is more common among

women than men. However, AfricanAmerican and Asian/Pacific Islander women are at higher risk for multiple sclerosis.

While it can appear at any age, it is far more likely to strike adults between twenty and forty years of age and is more common in women than men.

With so many anomalies, figuring out the why and how are almost impossible.

If you are someone who is dealing with an autoimmune disease, chances are that by the time you figure out your illness, you’ve left the how and why behind and are running toward “What do I do now?”

Treating One Common Symptom May Help Treat Them All To describe symptoms for each and every autoimmune disease would require volumes of medical notes and research. But there is one symptom that stands out above them all—one symptom that is the common thread tying all autoimmune diseases together—

#FusionIsBetterMedicine

and that is inflammation. For those of you who aren’t suffering from autoimmune disease, inflammation might mean something different to you. The common headache is an inflammation symptom, easily treated. Whereas, for those of you who have autoimmune disease, that headache might be chronic, may turn into a migraine, and may even then turn into a full body pain attack complete with nausea and light and sound sensitivity. For autoimmune patients, inflammation begets further inflammation.

Where Whole Health Starts: In the Gut As I have been working closely with patients with many autoimmune diseases, the first thing we always tackle is the gut.

Autoimmune disease affects the gut and its normal function. If you’re on medication for your illness, the best path to keeping symptoms of inflammation at bay is through your gut. We first start with some housekeeping of the diet. By including more fiber, more greens and vegetables, and more water, your gut will have the right cleaners to naturally sweep itself of toxins and food waste. By eliminating carbohydrates, gluten, sugar, and processed foods, we take away the very things that collect in the gut and cause inflammation.

Adding digestive enzymes assists the body in processing food and allowing it to absorb vital nutrients. I also like to recommend apple cider vinegar to promote healthy stomach acid. Many autoimmune patients experience frequent heartburn and indigestion, and while it may seem counterintuitive, more often than not, heartburn is a result of not enough stomach acid instead of too much acid.

Antioxidants to the Rescue Antioxidants are your tireless weapons against inflammation. Taking a daily protocol of antioxidants not only aids in decreasing inflammation (because they help to eliminate free radicals) but also aids in increasing circulation throughout the whole body. Better blood flow means more oxygen saturation to your cells, which helps fight inflammation.

Here are a few examples of my favorite antioxidant powerhouses: glutathione (made from amino acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamate), vitamins A, C, D, and E, fish oil and/or Omega 3 fatty acids (also found in plant sources), and tumeric. CBD, while technically classified as anti-inflammatory, does have tremendous antioxidant properties and is as potent as vitamins C and E.

Look to food sources rich in antioxidants.

Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, prunes, artichokes, and walnuts are just a few on the list of good sources. These also illustrate that consuming whole food is not only easy but is also delicious.

Compounded Medications All autoimmune patients suffer varying degrees of brain fog. A recent case I’ve been working on is with an elderly gentleman with multiple sclerosis. Many of the things I described above are part of his daily protocol, and he is able to more easily manage his condition. He is careful of his diet and has felt the amazing effects of his antioxidant intake. To help him combat his pain and essentially reboot the pain receptors in his body, he is on a prescription of low-dose naltrexone (LDN). Studies surrounding LDN are finding breakthroughs for patients with autoimmune diseases.

Synapsin nasal spray (ginsenoside and nicotinamide) is another compounded medication that not only has been shown to help brain fog but may also help with mental acuity and memory functions.

For more information on gut health, LDN, or Synapsin, visit my website at www.FusionSpecialtyPharmacy.com.

About the Author Koby Taylor, PharmD, is the owner and pharmacist of Fusion Pharmacy. Working as a retail pharmacist early in his career, Koby began to see that pharmacy patients needed to have access to available alternative medications. He realized that pharmacy in its truest form is compounding, and he wanted to be able to provide patients with customized medications. He also desired more personalized interactions with patients in order to truly help their health and wellbeing. To fulfill his passion for improving the health of patients and educating them about compounding, Koby opened the doors of Fusion Pharmacy in 2013. Today, Fusion is nationally accredited with PCAB and NABP. It is licensed in and ships to 27 states. Fusion is proud to have two locations to better serve the southern Utah community. Koby graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in molecular biology in 1995 and from the University of Utah with his Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2000.

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 67

Hiking is more about the journey than the destination, and now that the weather is cooling off, there are many journeys to be taken on the hiking trails of Utah. However, before you meet your friends at the trailhead, you’ll want to be physically prepared to fully enjoy your adventures this fall.

While hiking is a workout in and of itself, there are a few gym-based exercises that you can do between hikes that will make your outings more enjoyable and less strenuous.

1. Use different types of leg-based cardio to get your heart, lungs, and legs ready for the journey ahead of you. Walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, and cycling are the easiest to rotate through to prevent boredom and overtraining in one area. The more variety you include in your weekly cardio workouts, the better you’ll be able to handle the ever-changing terrain on a trail.

Start with ten to twenty minutes at a time, and once you’re able to knock out thirty consecutive minutes of cardio exercise, increase the intensity. This can be done by increasing the speed or incline on the treadmill, the resistance or RPM on the bike and elliptical, or the step speed on the stair climber.

2. Train up your backside. From the upper back to the glutes, these big muscle groups will help you stay upright and keep your pack (back or fanny) from irritating your low back and hips. Known as the posterior chain, the upper back, lats, glutes, and hamstrings also help with overall posture.

With better posture comes better breathing, which is especially important at higher altitudes and during more strenuous activities.

A few good exercises to include in your strength workout each week are seated rows, glute bridges, RDLs (Romanian Deadlifts), lat pulldowns, and face pulls. Squats and lunges are also great to include since they utilize all the muscles of the lower body.

3. The warm-up is the most crucial piece of the entire puzzle when it comes to doing what you enjoy most. For both hiking and gym workouts, preparing the body to do work is one of the best ways, if not the best way, to avoid injury.

A good warm-up should take ten minutes or less and move the body through ranges of motion that will be encountered in the workout. Foam rolling is a great way to get the body to relax before stretching; rolling the body over the roller and hanging out on any tender spots helps the muscles relax.

Stretching and finding the deepest position with good posture will help improve range of motion during strength work. It will also create efficient movement during cardio. Once you’ve stretched one to two muscle groups, practicing the big movements you have in your strength work—without any weight—is crucial. The goal is to find the deepest range of motion you have available for that movement.

The last step of the warm-up is to get explosive! Jumping rope or medicine ball tosses are awesome ways to get the body working as a unit and ready for your workout.

These tips should help you stay safe, get strong, and help you enjoy those scenic hikes this fall.

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Tips for Enjoying Fall Hikes to the Fullest

By Gini Grimsley

About the Author Gini Grimsley is the Director of Fitness Product for VASA Fitness where she is known for creating cutting-edge fitness programming for VASA’s clubs across six states.

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W W W. S TA R 98 1 .C O M St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 69

A New Hope for Those Living with Depression:

Transcranial Magnetic Therapy (TMS) Kim B’s Path with TMS

• Non-drug, non-invasive treatment • A typical treatment course consists of five treatments per week over a 6–8 week period • More than three million treatments performed • Widely covered by insurance

I have been depressed for most of my life. I started on Prozac when I was seventeen years old, which made life somewhat survivable for a time. Relentlessly, I searched for the magic pill that would fix my depression. I lived with unwavering feelings of sorrow and worthlessness, feebly grasping for hope. Invariably, that thread of light from which I desperately clung would be eclipsed with profound despair.

I attempted to end my life, ending up in a hospital. Anesthetized by medications and professing a newfound sense of hope, I’d start the cycle over. At thirty-nine years old, I had my daughter. Like any new mother, I expected to feel overwhelming joy and hope. Instead, my life shattered; I shattered. I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and suffered unfathomable misery. I spent another decade in the dark. My world was so small and my problems seemed so big.

Then I found out about TMS. After several treatments, the world started to shine brighter. With each treatment I felt lighter. TMS was like getting a new contact prescription. The world became much more crisp and focused.

As my depression lifted, I still didn’t know how to live or what to do. I was introduced to the Premier Life Design program (PLD). On paper, it sounded good.

PLD offered an eight week program that included weekly personal fitness, nutrition coaching, guided meditation, yoga, fit classes, melody healing, energy healing, and support groups. There was a part of me that knew this was exactly what I needed. The other part of me was terrified. I felt overwhelmed and intimidated. I hadn’t worked out or stepped foot in a gym in decades. Other than my daughter and husband, I had no social life. I realized I had let my life get very narrow. In spite of my fears, I signed up for the PLD program.

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TMS provided the lens from which I could see life with hope and light. The PLD program became the catalyst for holistic change.

The eight week program focuses on healing the mind, body, and soul. It helped me develop the skills I needed to actually live life, not just survive it. In the women’s group, I learned how to communicate with my husband. From the group exercise classes, group therapy, and meditation, I discovered an important truth: I am not alone and others have felt what I have. Sharing with others and hearing their struggles helped me realize my problems were solvable when I thought they weren’t.

With Premier Life Design, the world became bigger. My problems got smaller. The Life Design team is amazing. They shared some of their struggles and helped me put a face to mine. Premier Life Design, used in conjunction with TMS, provided the blueprint for my healing. It’s hard to express how much this has changed my life. If you are reading this and can relate to my story, I promise you can find light. You can live your life, not just survive it. TMS and Premier Life Design work.

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Premier Life Design St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 71

S eizeEach F leeting Day

By Richard K. Harder

It seems like only yesterday that I was playing on my high school baseball team, surfing waves along the California coast, completing my college undergraduate and graduate studies, fulfilling an overseas military assignment, getting married, and soon thereafter, watching our three daughters ride their Big Wheels (remember those?) down the sidewalks in front of our Southern California home. These are precious memories.

What seems like moments ago, my wife and I were celebrating our 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries, our daughters’ college graduations and weddings, the arrivals of our grandchildren and their college graduations and marriages, and the births of our greatgrandchildren. These are precious memories as well.

Yesterday’s count, fifty fleeting years ago: My wife and I, three daughters, and a cat. Today’s count, fifty fleeting years later: My wife and I, three daughters, their husbands, fifteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and three dogs within the expanded family.

The fleeting nature of time is similar to how a recorded movie races ahead when pushing the fast-forward mode on the remote control unit. Days, weeks, and years can seem like yesterday. Thus, my message today focuses on the importance of seizing each day and being grateful for every moment of each day.

One of the startling facts of life is that time moves on. It never stops; it is non-recoverable, irreversible, fixed, and limited. We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day and the same 168 hours in a week at our disposal—thus the importance of seizing the gift of each quickly vanishing day.

The latin term for “seize the day” is carpe diem, which is a phrase used by the Roman poet, Horace (65 BC) to express the idea that “one should enjoy life while one can.”

Wise planning for the future is a good thing and is a good investment of time. I do this a lot. But doing so at the expense of spending quality time in the moment with our beloved family members, close friends, neighbors, and work associates can be regrettable. Choose to seize every precious moment of every day!

We can begin a renewed commitment to seize each fleeting day and enjoy an enhanced quality of life by approaching each day with optimism, expressing love often to those that we love, expressing gratitude for the beauties of nature, spending more quality time with family members and other loved ones, and being kind, respectful and helpful to others. Simply speaking, do good things as you seize each and every fleeting day and enjoy an elevated quality of life.

Richard Harder began writing articles for the St. George Health & Wellness Magazine in 2017. His articles taught life skills, refocused thinking on relationships, and provided motivation and encouragement for life’s challenges.

Sadly, Richard passed away on July 26, 2021. As a valuable member of the St. George Health & Wellness team, he will be greatly missed. We include this article, published previously in this magazine, as a tribute to and reminder of the way he lived his life.

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Earning the Rank of Eagle Scout Taught Me to Aim for Success

By James Pearce, Recent Desert Hills High School Graduate

About the Author James Pierce just graduated from Desert Hills High School and is preparing to serve an LDS mission in Osorno, Chile. He enjoys fishing, hunting, and making memories. After his mission he hopes to study business/ entrepreneurship.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest achievement earned in the Boy Scouts of America program.

Through hard work, determination, and a great desire, I was fortunate enough to earn my Eagle Scout at the age of twelve. Partnered with a handsome patch and neckerchief, the award is welcomed with a gracious invitation into the Eagle’s Nest, where I found a unique brotherhood surrounded by like-minded people.

The scouting program gave me an easily accessible way to be introduced and exposed to all sorts of different hobbies and potential passions through the merit badge program. Merit badges are awards earned by scouts after completing a list of requirements within an area of study.

Currently, there are over 130 merit badges a scout can earn, ranging from rabbit raising to rifle shooting and from public speaking to space exploration. Through these activities, I was able to find a huge love for the outdoors: fishing, camping, and hunting. I also grew to love welding, woodworking, and craftsmanship.

After moving through the ranks of scouting, I reached the point where I needed to find and pursue an Eagle project. I wanted to do something that would be a challenge for myself but would also benefit my community. I decided to restore a handful of suffering almond trees that were over one hundred years old. Thay had been planted by my ancestors when they established my hometown, LaVerkin, Utah.

In order to start my project I needed to seek clearance from the property owner, call a tree arborist (to instruct and inform), and find a handful of volunteers to help out.

At the work site, the arborist gave us a tutorial on how to properly and safely prune the trees. We were then able to preserve the healthy limbs and discard the unhealthy

limbs. Lastly, I inserted a drip system so the trees could continually receive the nourishment needed.

Being a scout and earning my Eagle taught me many life skills. Along with the astounding gifts of earning my Eagle, the most important thing I took away from my years of scouting is a mindset yearning for growth and development. I learned the process of searching for something that I enjoy and figuring out a productive plan to use it to better myself, my community, and the world.

Sadly, today’s world does not promote this idea of striving for self mastery or a productive lifestyle. Idleness is plaguing the modern world. Many people find themselves trapped in the mundane reality of waking up, going to school or work, and then returning home to watch television, eat dinner, and retire to bed. They wake the next day and repeat the motions of the day before. Individuals trapped in this crippling routine often struggle to break this pattern.

I believe the scouting program helped me to avoid this cycle and instead helped me to seek self-fulfillment and personal success. Scouting introduced me to my hobbies and passions and a way of developing goals. Being able to learn these valuable lessons at a young age helped me experience “victories,” sometimes small and other times big. Most importantly, it gave me momentum and a hunger for more growth. This way of living has greatly impacted me and helped me to avoid an “idle” life.

Not only does this help me stay productive and healthy, but this mindset provides me with joy, confidence, and self fulfillment. Lou Holtz said, “If you’re bored with life, you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things; you don’t have enough goals.”

St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | September/October 2021 73

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Hearing aid technology and design is constantly But,every every Hearing aid technology and design is constantlyevolving. evolving. But, so so often, a breakthrough everything.

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In the case of new Augmented Focus technology, it’s the clear,way organized wayare sounds are delivered. technology, it’s™the clear, organized sounds delivered.

Typical hearing Typical hearing aids all sounds theconversation same way, so the aids process all sounds theprocess same way, so the inconversation front of youin and front of you andthat the background thatroom fills thecompete rest of the room the background noise fills the restnoise of the with compete each other with other – proving to beWith distracting at times. With Augmented – proving to beeach distracting at times.

Augmented Focus™, speech and ™ , speech and noise and can separate from each other, so wearers noise and Focus can separate from each other, so wearers can better understand can better understand speech in quiet, mild and loud environments – from a speech in hushed quiet, mild and loud environments – from a hushed café to a buscafé to a bustling family reunion and everywhere in between. In fact, tling familywearers reunion and everywhere between.

In fact, wearers experience experience greater thanin25% better speech understanding in noise greater than 25% better understanding in noise compared to their compared to theirspeech own hearing aids.* own hearing aids.*

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Helping you live life to the fullest.

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Imagine at yourself at a family gathering.

You’respeaking speaking directly with youryour son son Imagine yourself a family gathering.

You’re directly with onyour the sofa, your grandkids are playing feetaway away and melodies of a of a on the sofa, grandkids are playing 1010feet andthe the melodies dinner party fill playlist the surrounding speakers. You You deserve to focus on the dinner party playlist the fill surrounding speakers. deserve to focus on the conversation with your son, while still enjoying the sweet laughter and happy conversation with your son, while still enjoying the sweet laughter and happy tunes that accompany the room. Augmented Focus™ technology makes that a tunes that reality. accompany the room. Augmented Focus™ technology makes that By processing speech separately from environmental noise, it can help a reality. Byyou processing speech environmental noise, it can increase your focus onseparately conversationfrom you want to hear by bringing speech help you increase yoursilencing focus on want to hear by bringing closer, without theconversation sounds that still you matter. speech closer, without silencing the sounds that still matter.

If you have to start somewhere, make it here.

The only way to fully understand your hearing loss and your options is to talk to a hearing care professional.

We’re ready and excited to answer your questions, walk through an action plan and test your hearing to better understand your needs. Annual hearing screenings are widely recommended to track your hearing levels year over year.

A dinner with family may not be an environment you consider extremely loud.

A dinner with family may not be an environment extremely But 85% of our time is spent in mild to moderateyou noiseconsider environments, meaningloud. ™ thetime times is when environmental is crucial Augmented Focus But 85% ofit’sour spent in mild toawareness moderate noisethat environments, meanproves truly impactful. awareness is crucial that Augmented ing it’s thetechnology times when environmental Focus™ technology proves truly impactful.

Clarity without compromise.

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While Augmented Focus™ delivers outstanding speech clarity, it doesn’t While Augmented Focus™ delivers outstanding speech clarity, it doesn’t compromise on comfort or awareness. Rather than completely drowning compromise on comfort or awareness. Rather than completely drowning out out background noise, it simply tunes it down, allowing for a more familiar backgroundand noise, it simply tunes it experience, down, allowcomprehensive listening ing for a more familiar and comprehensive listening where you can once again choose what you experience,want where youon. canAnd once choose what to focus you again can experience technology through Signia’s new, you want to this focus on. And you can experience this rechargeable Pure Charge&Go AX hearing Pure technology through Signia’s new, rechargeable feature a slimmer Charge&Goaids, AX which hearing aids, whichdesign, feature a slimmer streaming compatibility with iOS andand Android design, streaming compatibility with iOS Android and high satisfaction. Plus, they come with a and high satisfaction. Plus, they come with a sleek sleek portable charger for convenient carrying portable charger for convenient carrying and a battery and a battery boost on the go.

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