West Newsmagazine 11-27-19

More documents

Recommendations

Info

32 I HEALTH I November 27, 2019 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE @WESTNEWSMAG WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM The Experts in Finding the Right Senior Living Community, For FREE! Sharon Balleau Senior Care Advisor Transitions For Senior Living has done the legwork of local Assisted, Skilled Nursing and Independent Living Communities, and can simplify your search. We understand the differences in care levels and take the time to explain those differences; so you can make the best decision. We personally evaluate your physical, cognitive and social care needs, narrow down your choices to the best 3 to 5 options and accompany you on tours of communities...Completely Free Of Charge! Whether you are in a crisis or planning ahead, give us a call. We are a local, family-owned service. Personalized Service, because every situation is unique! (314) 606-8531 | www.STLsenior.com A few key strategies may help manage feelings of stress and depression which are common during the holiday season. health capsules By LISA RUSSELL Your holiday mood: “Joy to the World” or “Bah Humbug?” In addition to visits from family and friends, the holiday season can often bring unwelcome guests: anxiety, fatigue and depression. The holidays come with a long list of demands, and keeping up with them along with the realities of daily life – all while trying to make things “perfect” – can become overwhelming. Some practical tips, courtesy of health experts from American Psychological Association and the Mayo Clinic, may help to keep stress and sadness from taking over during the busy weeks ahead. • Acknowledge and accept your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season. If you’ve recently lost someone close to you, you can’t be with loved ones or you’re dealing with other personal problems, it’s normal for feelings of sadness and grief to be magnified this time of year. • Be realistic, not rigid. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like those of the past. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. • Lend a helping hand. It’s hard to feel unhappy while you are busy helping someone else. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, wrap gifts for less fortunate kids, or spend time with an elderly relative or friend. • Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to your expectations. Let grievances go until a more appropriate time. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes wrong; chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress, too. • Stick to a budget. Decide in advance how much money you can afford to spend, and be disciplined. Don’t try to buy happiness with a pile of gifts. • Learn to say no. Saying yes to commitments when you don’t want to can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. If it’s not possible to say no to certain things you’d rather not do, try to remove something else from your schedule to make up for the lost time. • Don’t abandon healthy habits. Allowing the holidays to become an eating and drinking free-for-all only creates additional stress, guilt and later, regret. Continue to make healthy meals, regular exercise and plenty of sleep a priority. • Take a breather. Remember to regularly make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, doing something you enjoy, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do and restore feelings of calm. Study points to downside of Daylight Savings Time After “falling back” nearly a month ago, most of us probably believe our bodies have fully adjusted to the reduced amount of sunlight that comes with the end of Daylight Savings Time [DST]. Not so, says researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who claim that setting the clocks back an hour has a harmful longterm impact on many peoples’ brains. Sleep specialists at the university analyzed a group of large studies on DST, publishing an article in a recent issue of JAMA Neurology in which they advocated for ending the practice completely. They suggested that by reducing the amount of bright morning light critical for synchronizing the body’s biological clock, DST can cause it to be chronically out of alignment. In addition, they said the “transition seasons” immediately after the one-hour change that occurs every spring and fall lead to sleep deprivation in many, as well as increased risks for heart attack, stroke, accidents caused by daytime sleepiness and other serious issues. “People think the one-hour transition is no big deal, that they can get over this in a day, but what they don’t realize is their biological clock is out of sync,” said Dr. Beth Ann Malow, a professor of neurology and pediatrics in the center’s Sleep Disorders Division. “It’s not one hour twice a year. It’s a misalignment of our biologic clocks for eight months of the year … It impacts brain functions such as sleep-wake patterns and daytime alertness,” she added. Vanderbilt’s home state of Tennessee is one of many states that have either proposed or passed legislation to end seasonal time changes, by either eliminating Daylight Savings Time or making it permanent. However, officially enacting the change would require federal approval. Earlier this year, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2019 was introduced in the U.S. Senate, and is currently undergoing review. How to keep a “silent killer” from invading your home As West County residents focus on keeping their families warm and cozy despite plunging temperatures, it’s also important to think about keeping them safe. Carbon monoxide gas, known as a “silent killer” because it is odorless, colorless and undetectable if not monitored, is responsible for the deaths of more than 400 Americans every year, according to the CDC. Carbon monoxide poisoning also causes more than 4,000 hospitalizations and over 20,000 visits to the emergency room annually. Unfortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning can often be mistaken for the flu in its early stages. Its symptoms include headache, weakness, dizziness, upset stomach and vomiting, chest pain and shortness of breath. Once the gas builds to a high level, it causes mental confusion, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness and death. By taking the following steps recommended by the CDC, you can prevent carbon monoxide from invading your home this winter: • Have your home’s heating systems, including chimneys and vents, professionally inspected and serviced annually. • Install carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup outside each sleeping area. • Always open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire, and keep it open until the ashes are cool. An open damper can help prevent build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide gas. • Never use portable generators inside homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open. If operating a generator, keep it well away from your home. • Never bring a charcoal grill into the garage or home for cooking. • Never use a gas range or oven for heating. • If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get outside into fresh air immediately, then call 911.
FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM On the calendar An American Red Cross community blood drive is on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Gershman Commercial Real Estate, 16253 Swingley Ridge Road in Chesterfield, Ste. 400. Appointments are not necessary, but may speed the donation process. Register for an appointment time online at redcrossblood.org. • • • St. Luke’s Hospital offers a free information session, Weight Loss Surgery: Transform Your Life, Restore Your Health, on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 6-7 p.m. at St. Luke’s Des Peres, 2315 Dougherty Ferry Road, in the MyNewSelf Education Room [Medical Arts Pavilion, Ste. 104]. Tired of struggling with your weight? The MyNewSelf weight loss surgery program offers several options including low BMI lap band, gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and duodenal switch. Learn more from a St. Luke’s medical team about how one of these procedures can start you on a journey to a healthier, more active life. Register at stlukes-stl.com; call (314) 966-9639 with questions. • • • St. Louis Children’s Hospital sponsors a Babysitting 101 course on Monday, Dec. 30 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Wildwood Municipal Building, 16860 Main St. in Wildwood. Kids learn how to entertain the children in their care while attending to their needs. Topics include the business of babysitting, child development, safety and first aid, and fun and games. A workbook and snack are provided. The course fee is $30 per person. Advance registration is required by visiting StLouisChildrens.org/ Registration. • • • St. Luke’s Hospital offers Cholesterol and Glucose Wellness Screenings on Friday, Dec. 20 from 7-10:30 a.m. at the St. Luke’s Resource Center, 101 St. Luke’s Center Drive in Chesterfield. Get your cholesterol and glucose numbers in a one-onone consultation with a registered nurse/ health coach, which also includes blood pressure and body composition measurement. The cost is $20. An A1C blood test is also available for an additional $12; this test is designed for people at risk for type 2 diabetes or those with a history of diabetes who wish to better manage their health. Register online at stlukes-stl.com. • • • St. Luke’s Hospital holds a Sitter Skills class on Monday, Dec. 30 from noon-2:30 p.m. at the hospital’s Institute for Health Education, 222 S. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield. Topics include safety, first aid and child development. The course fee is $25. Advance registration is required at stlukes-stl.com. Gills Tree Service • Tree Removal • Tree Trimming • Tree Pruning • Stump Removal • Emergency Tree Service FREE ESTIMATES SAME DAY AND EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE! November 27, 2019 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 23 YEARS! Whether your tree is hazardous, interferes with your view, or just isn’t aesthetically pleasing, we have the experience and the equipment to remove it safely and securely. If you are considering removing a tree, speak with our team of St. Louis tree removal experts. 636.274.1378 • Gillstrees.com I HEALTH I 33 ENTIRE STORE SALE 12% INSTANT REBATE - NO LIMIT! INCLUDES CARPET, WOOD FLOORING, LUXURY VINYL, CERAMIC DATES: 10/19 - 11/30 • EXTENDED THRU 12/31/19 SELECT WATERPROOF FLOORING, CARPET AND HARDWOOD IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION. **AREA RUG GIVEAWAY – FIRST 10 CUSTOMERS ONLY** BLACK FRIDAY, NOV 29TH, CUSTOMERS HAVE THEIR CHOICE OF IN HOUSE AREA RUGS (UP TO 100 SQ FT) More 5 star ***** reviews than any other flooring company! 12 MONTHS FREE FINANCING Lifetime Warranty on all installations. No subcontractors, hourly paid employees only. Visit our beautiful showroom and schedule a free in home consultation with a free complete estimate. No high pressure sales - we are here to assist you in any way. Open 7 Days a Week • 14932 Manchester Rd., Ballwin, MO 63011 OPEN BLACK FRIDAY 10 - 3PM 636-230-6900 • www.allsurfaceflooringstl.com
Page 1 and 2: Vol. 24 No. 28 • November 27, 201
Page 3 and 4: FACEBOOK.COM/WESTNEWSMAGAZINE WESTN
Page 5 and 6: Happy Holidays! Business Shirts Lau
Page 18 and 19: 18 I SCHOOLS I The Elegant Child No
Page 20 and 21: 20 I SCHOOLS I November 27, 2019 WE
Page 22 and 23: 22 I SPORTS I November 27, 2019 WES
Page 24 and 25: 24 I SPORTS I November 27, 2019 WES
Page 26 and 27: 26 GIFT GUIDE I Call or visit Charl
Page 28 and 29: 28 GIFT GUIDE I November 27, 2019 W
Page 30 and 31: 30 I EVENTS I November 27, 2019 WES
Page 34 and 35: 34 I SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY I Nove
Page 36 and 37: 36 I November 27, 2019 WEST NEWSMAG
Page 38 and 39: 38 I EVENTS I November 27, 2019 WES
Page 44 and 45: w -S Tues 44 I November 27, 2019 WE

West Newsmagazine 11-27-19

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?