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Join us for our NEW Lyme Disease Support Group

Join us for our NEW Lyme Disease Support Group

Chronic illnesses have become more prevalent in recent years. It’s so common to hear of or witness someone faced with the unpredictable onset of recurring symptoms and the adverse effects of the negative impact it causes in all aspects of daily life.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with Lyme Disease? We are here for you!

Freshlife Wellness Coach Sandy Fidler’s passion has always been to help others on their path to wellness and recognizes that there is much more to wellness in addition to treating symptoms. We are pleased to announce that Sandy will be hosting our very first monthly Lyme Disease Support Group here at Freshlife:

SATURDAY, JULY 15TH, FROM 9AM-10AM (Doors open at 8:45am)

Please read Sandy’s Mission Statement for the support group below for more information:

Long before becoming a Freshlife Wellness Coach, I have always observed a correlation between the quite profound, long-term physical, emotional, and psychological effects of long-term illness. I noticed a focus being placed on medically improving their health, but sadly that typically was only sustaining the sub-degree health the patients were enduring. Medical treatment certainly could help, but there was still something missing. People with chronic ailments become fighters for improvement without losing themselves to the identity of the disease. Unfortunately, I am seeing no changes in providing additional outreach and resources to help chronically ill patients and their loved ones on the journey back to reclaiming joy in their lives.

These past experiences that I personally observed motivated me to obtain a degree in Psychology. Even after receiving my degree, it was still not enough to satisfy my passion for helping others improve themselves and make them feel whole again. My steadfast belief is “To be a healthy individual, you have to have your mind, body, and soul all in sync toward good health, or you cannot reach your optimal life.” Reaching your optimal life makes you more of an asset to society instead of a liability. This concept is not limited to more positive health in our society but can lead to a positive improvement in all aspects of society as a whole. Certainly, how we feel mentally affects how we feel physically and vice versa.

Fortunately, my current position as a Wellness Coach has helped me continue my research and further my education into how the whole body influences our ways of accomplishing overall wellness.

How can the mental and the physical work together in wellness? When you are chronically ill, you are always in a “fight or flight” mode, which can cause multiple chain reactions in your body. It’s ok to be in that state for a short period of time because it is meant to save us. When you are experiencing chronic illness, your body is constantly fighting, and as a result, it is making you more ill. Therefore you are fighting double trouble. It will affect you and your loved ones mentally and emotionally, resulting in additional physical ailments that are not related to the disease but are brought on by the trauma you are experiencing.

Sharing your experience with others in the same plight can be very beneficial. Mirroring each other and knowing there is an understanding without explanations will help your fight or flight mode to take a break and become relaxed. The more you become relaxed, the closer you are finding yourself again. The closer you become to yourself, the easier the fight will be. Besides the comradery in this support group, there are other important opportunities for all members, including updated information, techniques to reduce stress, activities, and possible professional networking. All in all, it is just a way for your body to work toward healing.

Compassion, empathy, and understanding are the key to unlocking the void that is needed for everyone to be healthy. I feel those will aid, enhance and parallel the medical approach. That is what motivated me to form this Support Group. With comradery, there will be compassion, empathy, and understanding in a sincere approach that will allow each individual to intuitively have empathy for their co-supporters.

INTERESTED IN ATTENDING?
Please call 570-322-8280 for more information and to sign up!

Did you know that we have a Far Infrared Sauna available as well?
Many of our clients with chronic illnesses have experienced benefits from scheduling sauna sessions.
Get more details about our sauna and book sessions as you see fit!

LEARN ABOUT OUR SAUNA
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Aging Well with a Healthy Diet

Aging Well with a Healthy Diet

What is a healthy diet? According to the dictionary, a healthy diet maintains or improves our health. Its purpose is to provide our body with proper nutrition, fluid, macronutrients like protein, micronutrients like fiber, vitamins, and food energy.  

WOW! What I eat can put pressure on my overall health??? Does that mean no more ice cream, birthday cake, or Thanksgiving stuffing and pumpkin pie? Do I have to eat vegetables only? Well, maybe, and maybe not. 

Thanks to our free living when we were younger, as we get older, we have to be more aware of the nutritional value of our food choices. Because of different health issues, now our bodies CRAVE healthy nutrition. 

So what diet is the best?  First, consult your doctor or practitioner if you have any underlying health challenges. Then, aim for variety when following these guidelines:

  • Choose organic and naturally colorful. 
  • Always shop in the produce aisle when at the supermarket. 
  • Try to buy local and seasonal (farmer’s markets are a good resource). When buying in season, you naturally supply your body with the proper nutrition.  
  • In regions with a short growing season, consider buying an excess of fresh food and freezing it yourself. Frozen produce actually holds the nutrition in the food until eaten.

Why buy seasonal?  

Spring offers us vegetables and fruits to detox us from our flu season in winter, such as asparagus, onions, and strawberries. Summer supplies us with hydrating and cooling produce such as watermelon, cucumbers, and lettuce. Fall offers us nutrient-rich produce high in vitamin C, like squash, and fiber from apples to prepare for the flu season.  Winter months provide us with grounding and sustaining root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and beets. 

To make your choices fun and easy, put a color chart on your fridge and check off each color daily. This could be a healthy exercise for everyone to learn more about wellness. To learn which fruits and vegetables are the best for you, resort to the RAINBOW FOOD CHART. It will show you the colors and the food in that category and their nutritional profiles, like red for vitamins A, C, potassium, and antioxidants. Yellow/orange are loaded with vitamin A and C. Blue/purple for urinary tract and memory function. White for heart and cholesterol. Green for vitamin K and healthy blood clotting, strong bones and teeth, and vision support. Dark green foods provide fiber and are high in antioxidants. 

Also, what is really neat is that certain foods portray the part of the body they are good for! 

Like walnuts for your brain. 

Carrots, when sliced, resemble eyes. 

Ginger is shaped like our stomach. 

Green leafy vegetables have veins, similar to our circulation system.

Clams resemble testicles. 

Broccoli is like trees that breathe like lungs. 

Sweet potatoes resemble our pancreas and are great for our tissues. 

Grapefruits are round and have limonoids that help to fight breast cancer. 

Tomatoes have chambers like our heart. 

Celery is high in silica and shaped like our bones.

Food can be fun!

We can’t just stop at the color and shapes because it’s entertaining. We need to include food that is mainly fiber and protein too. Fiber gets to the nitty-gritty of our dirty work. Some of the foods listed above contain fiber and protein, but what really gives us a bang for our buck is to include grains, lentils, and beans. Eating a variety of these will supply us mainly with plant fiber and protein. 

Prefer meat? 

Choose lean, hormone-free, grass-fed, and local. Protein will help our body utilize all of those fantastic colors in our food through our cells and muscles. Of course, you need healthy oils like olive, coconut, and grapeseed to help the rest of your body. They help lubricate your joints, make your skin younger and grease the brain gears. Don’t forget dairy –  just go for low-fat or non-dairy when needed. If you read our recent Fresh News on Hydration, I don’t need to remind you that pure water will be the carrier for all! Without enough pure water, we cannot transport nutrients to our cells, remove waste from them, or maintain healthy circulation. Click here to read the full article.

Remember, we are what we absorb, not just what we eat. So talk to us about which enzyme and probiotic supplements are right for you to maximize your absorption of nutrients. And, for those of you following a colorful, plant-based diet, along with regular exercise, a little sweet treat can be enjoyed on occasion. So savor that slice of birthday cake or scoop of ice cream.

Be well and have fun doing it!

Sandy Fidler, Wellness Coach 

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Aging Well with Better Sleep, Part 2

Aging Well with Better Sleep Part 2

Last week, we covered the importance of getting a good night’s sleep, including REM sleep. Today we would like to share more practical pointers on how to improve your sleep quality naturally. 

Avoid stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, sugar, and take your B Vitamins early in the day. Also, alcohol before bed is a no-no. It may not be a stimulant, but drinking it before bed will keep you from entering into a deep sleep. Another suggestion for sleeping well is to avoid eating no less than 4 hours before bed and keep it light. Try to stick to an early dinner whenever possible — which supplements the end of your day with nutrition. Avoid eating less than 4 hours before bed. If you do need a late-night snack, keep it light and nutritious. Apples, bananas, tea or warm milk, and honey are excellent bedtime food and beverage choices.

Keep your wake/sleep schedule consistent. 

EXERCISE. Ah! Yes! Research shows exercising decreases the amount of time it takes to go to sleep but increases the length of sleep by 40 minutes longer. That is important because the longer you sleep the more likely you will fall into a deep sleep which is your memory fixer! Also, getting to sleep faster avoids you lying there to think and toss, leading to more anxiety. This brings us to another suggestion — try to be tired when going to bed, keep lights dim, focus on monotonous tasks, listen to white noise or soft music. 

Do not lay in bed for more than 20 minutes. If you have trouble falling asleep, get out of bed and do something simple like reading until you feel sleepy. 

Your bed and pillow should be soft or to your liking. 

Do nothing but sleep in your bed, other than intimate relations. 

Avoid your phone before bed (it’s another blue sight stimulant), but you may choose to keep a phone by your bed, so you don’t have to wake yourself by getting out of bed to answer your phone when needed.  

LIMIT NAPS! It is OK to nap, but try to nap for only 20 to 40 minutes. The time of day to nap is important. Good times are between 2 and 5 P.M. In some countries the workplace allows napping in the afternoon to improve work performance.

Remember when I said digestion is a sleep deterrent? Yes, your gut bacteria when deficient or in despair can keep you awake. Also, not eliminating properly daily will keep your body awake because it is working on that problem. Taking a good probiotic can be one of many solutions for improved sleep. Talk to us about which formula may be right for you.

Take your magnesium before bed. Magnesium relaxes our muscles and can relieve pain. Magnesium is also great for bowel elimination and relieving restless legs. 

Supplemental melatonin is another great sleep regulator for those who are deficient and works best when taken at the same time every day, typically an hour before bed. 

While there is no simple “cookie-cutter” or one fits all solution for every person living with sleeplessness, there are many lifestyle modification options. DON’T LOSE ANY SLEEP OVER IT! Come talk to us and see how our Wellness Coaches can help you find personalized solutions to age well with better sleep. 

Rest well, 

Sandy Fidler, Wellness Coach

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Aging Well and Hearing Part 2

Aging Well and Hearing Part 2

Last week we talked about the indications and common causes of age-related hearing loss. (Read the full article here) So how can we prevent, or slow down, age-related hearing loss? Here are some ideas:

  • Wear earplugs to drown out or soften loud noises at home, work, and play. 
  • Get regular checkups. The longer you let ear infections—or other ailments that negatively impact hearing—go untreated, the harder it will be to hear better, even with hearing aids. 
  • Keep the sound volume at a safe level when watching TV or listening to music. 
  • And don’t smoke.

Determining an appropriate remedy for hearing loss depends on the cause, the extremity of the loss, and your financial situation. Routine maintenance such as removing excess ear wax by ear candling and using ear oil formulas, both easy home remedies available at Freshlife, can be a good start. Hearing aids, Cochlear Implants, and Assisted Living Devices(ALDs), which are amplified sound through technology like TV, telephone, and other personal devices, are used for more extreme hearing loss cases.  

If left untreated, long-term hearing loss can cause complications in understanding information from medical, financial, and legal professionals. It limits the person’s interactions with family, friends, and agencies. The results are isolation, loneliness, and depression. It is even found that you are at more risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s with uncorrected hearing loss. It can cause you to be less motivated to keep appointments like medical follow-ups because of fear and embarrassment. You may also find yourself in compromised safety if you cannot hear smoke alarms and car horns. 

How you can help yourself is to let those around you know that you are experiencing some hearing loss. Explain that shouting isn’t necessary, but facing you and speaking loudly and clearly can be beneficial. Turn off the TV when not watching it to cut down on background noises, and simply be more aware of your environment and what is around you. 

Don’t be embarrassed or scared to reach out to an Audiologist or an Ear, Nose, and Throat  Doctor (ENT) for help. You will live a more productive and happier life when you can hear what you could be missing.

“Can you hear me now?” Hearing the good in things is another way to achieve overall wellness.

Sandy Fidler, Wellness Coach

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Aging Well with Oral Care

Aging Well with Oral Care

Improper oral care can negatively impact your daily quality of life. Your mouth is the gateway to your gut health. An unhealthy mouth – caused by not brushing and flossing, eating a healthy diet, and missing yearly exams – can result in major health problems.

Keeping your teeth as long as possible leads to better aging and all-around better health. Worried about looking older? The structure of your jaw and facial shape stay as long as you keep your original teeth. Partials and dentures are not a good substitute because they may not completely fill the space where your natural teeth were, causing bone loss or collapse.

Medications commonly used by seniors for conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, and depression – as well as Rx painkillers, diuretics, and antihistamines – can contribute to premature tooth decay because of the side effect of dry mouth. Without adequate saliva secretions to protect your teeth, excess harmful bacteria form plaque. Dry mouth also causes bad breath; and once your dry mouth is a chronic problem, it may only take 3 months to form new cavities. 

Calcium Channel Blockers, or Anti-Seizure medications, may cause red, puffy, inflamed gums which in turn can cause gum disease, leading to sore, bleeding gums, and possibly tooth loss. 

What other factors contribute to poor Oral health and tooth loss?

SMOKING! CHEWING TOBACCO! SUGAR! ALCOHOL! Tobacco use causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, impairing the healing of the gums, and possibly resulting in oral cancer. Sugar attracts bad bacteria that can cause gingivitis, gum disease, and receding gums. Alcohol and other acidic drinks and food such as citrus fruit and juices, wine, tomato products, carbonated beverages, pickled products, and cranberries will weaken tooth enamel. 

If cared for properly, your teeth are designed to last a lifetime. 

How can you maintain Oral health, and help keep your teeth?  

  1. Get regular checkups: Once a year, preferably twice. Include cleaning and x-rays. As we age the nerves in our teeth get smaller, therefore causing our teeth to be less sensitive. Without regular checkups, your teeth may be decaying without your knowledge, leading to tooth loss. (Statistics show 1 in 5 seniors have lost all their teeth.)              2. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes, especially before bed. Use an electric toothbrush if possible.
    3. Floss at least once a day, preferably before bed. Use a waterpik after flossing.
    4. Use mouthwash to remove leftover food particles after brushing and flossing.     
    5. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are worn.
    6. Avoid tobacco usage.
    7. Drink plenty of water, especially with dry mouth. Swish the water around before swallowing.
    8. Maintain a nutritional diet and supplement with Vitamin D, calcium, and other minerals. Magnesium may help decrease plaque build-up.              9. Chew your food well enough to use and produce more saliva.

Concerned with the cost of dental care?  Here are some options to consider for help with the rising cost of dental care:

  1.  Inquire about Medicare dental coverage
  2.  Consider a Medicare Supplement package
  3.  Look into services provided by dental schools and colleges
  4.  Sign up for clinical trials
  5.  Ask if your dentist has any Financial Assistance Programs
  6.  Contact the United Way
  7.  Veteran Resources 

Our Wellness Coaches are ready to assist you with your dental health needs, and help you choose from our top list of recommended products available here at Freshlife:  

  • Fluoride-free toothpaste
  • Prebiotic mouthwash and toothpaste
  • Naturally antibacterial toothpaste
  • Bamboo toothbrushes
  • Tongue scrapers
  • Mineral supplements such as Trace Minerals, Calcium, Vitamin D, and Magnesium
  • Ice Chips or Spry Gum which contain xylitol to help prevent cavities and help with dry mouth
                                                                                                                                         

Wishing you better health,
Sandy Fidler, Wellness Coach

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Aging Well and Hearing Part 1

If you’ve had any of the following thoughts or had them said to you by someone you know and love, these practical tips might help alleviate the frustration and strain age-related hearing loss can cause in relationships and life.

 “I get so tired of repeating everything I say!”

  • Try to help by facing the person and speaking clearly.

“I notice they can hear most of the time but not when I talk.”

  • If you are a female, you are more difficult for them to hear. Men’s voices are easier to hear. Also, the S, T, and SH sounds are hard for hearing loss due to age. It is hard to distinguish the clarity of those sounds when talking.

“Why don’t they go places with me?”

  • They may avoid public places or crowds with a lot of activity and different background sounds because it is hard for them to understand words with all the background noise. They don’t want you to be annoyed by constantly repeating yourself. They want you to enjoy their company as much as they enjoy spending time with you. 

So how can you tell if your loved one is experiencing age-related hearing loss when they may not even realize they have a hearing issue starting? 

There are several indicators. 

Maybe you are talking to them, and they say, “quit your mumbling” or “I can’t understand you,” even when you know you are not mumbling. Certain sounds might seem overly loud or annoying that have not been in the past, like children laughing and playing loudly (which could be why they suddenly isolate themselves at family events). Sometimes high-pitched sounds, like phones ringing or even the simple pleasures of hearing birds chirping, are hard to hear. Another indication that your loved one may be experiencing hearing loss is when they need to increase the volume on the TV.  Lastly, if they have ringing in one or both ears (tinnitus), you can be sure of some hearing loss.

What causes us to lose our hearing as we age? 

Our ears change on the outside as well as the inside. The outer ear becomes larger, therefore accumulating more ear wax, diminishing our ability to hear. Repetitive loud noises such as city traffic, motorcycles, lawnmowers, emergency vehicles, and rock concerts—or any scenario that presents 85 decibels or more for long periods of time—will cause hearing loss. Prescription drugs such as pain medications, aspirin, antibiotics, and chemotherapy may also contribute to hearing decline. 

We have sensory cells in our inner ear, which die off as we get older. They are essential for sending sound signals to the brain. Hence, as the cells reduce, the amount of signals reaching the brain diminishes, reducing that area of the brain, causing further cognitive decline from our impaired senses. 

Unfortunately, hearing loss has a lot more to do with genetics and the death of our cells, which we do not have much control over.  What we do have control over is our whole body health by avoiding smoking, controlling diabetes, reducing high blood pressure, and prolonged exposure to loud noise.

Concerned about your own hearing loss or that of someone you love? Tune in next week for  more tips on improving hearing naturally or preventing hearing loss in the first place.
Until then, be patient with yourself and others.

Sandy Fidler, Wellness Coach

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