Our Parish Nurse,
Lynn Martin, lynne@gslc-arkansas.org,
provides blood pressure checks, medication consultations, information
groups, home and hospital visits. Lynn will be available on selected Sunday
& Tuesday Mornings. If you would like help at a different time, send
her an email by clicking on the underlined email address above.
Today with all the rushing around, meeting appointments, listening to
discouraging events in the news, one may develop "an attitude."
This attitude may not be positive or be an example of our walk with the
Father.
FYI! FYI! With a variety of activities now taking place daily at the church, keep in mind we have two (2) first aid boxes available. One is under the usher's stand and one in the wellness room (classroom #3).
Stop by GSLC Classroom # 3 and check out the health magazines and newsletters, The health monitors available for your taking include: monitor for diabetes, arthritis, heart and allergies.
Other items for reading are newsletters from Mt. Sianai School of Medicine at John Hopkins, Harvard and the New England Journal of Medicine.
Drug information is also available.
Following Christmas, the church celebrates the season of Epiphany. The
word Epiphany means "to make known" and during this season
we celebrate the full measure of God's glory in the birth of Jesus.
Epiphany is also a time of lights. The true light of the world has come
to us and destroyed the darkness that lives in our human heart.
In Isaiah 42:1-7, we learn God has called and enabled us to be His light,
in our dark world. It reads we are " ... to open the eyes that are
blind, free the captives from prison and release from the dungeon those
who sit in darkness." we are to be recipients and reflectors of
God's healing light.
We first need to make sure we are in a right relationship with God. Eyes
can be blinded physically and spiritually. Second, our God can use us
to help others to know the light of His love as we care for them. Third,
we can speak God's word of healing grace to others.
Our spiritual life is a blessing God has given us to share with others.
It is a lifestyle which we reflect the healing nature of Jesus Christ
as we use our gifts to care for others in a time of need. (Mt. 25:40)
As
we move into new goals and directions, I would like
to have you think about a new trek-one to good health. One of the best
ways to protect and promote health is by staying active. There is scientific
evidence to support for most, walking can be an excellent form of exercise
Healthy eating along with physical activity such as brisk walking can
reduce the likelihood of experiencing a chronic disease by 50-70%. To
get the most benefit 110,000 steps a day are recommended. Without an
intentional exercise program, most of us only take 4-6000 steps. You
can gradually reach this goal by increasing 200-500 steps a week. Consider
multitasking for this, like walking the dog, walking and visiting with
a friend or simply using this time for your personal meditation.
It has been said, the best health advise is to take all our
steps, no matter how large or how small, hand in hand with the Lord.(Gal.
5:2) With each step, challenge yourself to intentionally recognize the
power of the Lord by your side. If I can be of help to you in your walking
or in your walk, please contact me. I would love to share in your physical
and spiritual walk.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE
As we look towards Thanksgiving
we are humbled by the bountiful
harvest our Lord provides for us.
We are thankful for many things,
among them is the gift of our days
All of our days are a gift from God.
Whether we live a long or short life
all our days are in the Lord’s hands.
At times, it is very hard to
understand why some die at a
young age, while others live longer
with difficult health problems. Our
comfort is that the circumstances
and length of our lives is not an indication of God’s level of
love for us.
(Rom. 8:28, 35-39) He can make something good out of our most difficult
problems.
What can you do to improve the quality of your life as you age?
First: we can remember that all of our
days are a gift from God.
Second: we can respect the life God has blessed us with.
This can include doing things to protect our physical, emotional, and
spiritual health.
Third: we can accept that life means change. If we can develop a flexible
and positive attitude, often our adjustment is easier.
Fourth: we can value the past and learn from it. By
taking our past with us
into the future, we create a more meaningful future!
Fifth: we can turn to our faithful God for help. The
same God who gave us
life and quided us in our youth, is present to embrace us during
difficult times, and and gently bring us to Him.
DOCUMENTS/NEWSLETTERS IN THE WELLNESS ROOM
(Classroom (#3):
Diabetes Wellness News
Focus on Healthy Aging
John Hopkin's Health after 50
Healthy News from the New England Journal of Medicine
and
Diabetes Interview.
HEALTH NEWS:
HOW CAN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BECOME A WAY OF LIFE?
If you are not in the habit of being physically active, you are probably
being told you should start. As you know is because physical activity
reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke by helping reduce high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, excess weight and also diabetes
BUT HOW DO I START:
-- Talk with your physician before starting if you have been inactive
for a long time
or if planning a vigorous exercise program
--choose activities you enjoy
--pick a day that fits your schedule and gives you enough time to begin
--wear comfortable shoes and clothes
-start slowly and do not overdo
--try to exercise at same time daily so becomes a regular part of your
day
--drink lots of water before, during and after exercise sessions
--having a buddy go with you may help to motivate you and
--if you miss a day, plan a make-up day. Do not double your exercise
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
-try not to compare yourself with others. Your goal should be your
personal plan for
your health and fitness
-think about whether you like to exercise alone or with other people,
outside or
inside, day and time
--if you think about quitting, remind yourself of all the reasons you started.
Also
think about how far you have come. --do not push yourself too hard. You
should
be able to talk during exercise
If you do not feel recovered within 10 minutes after stopping, you're
working too
hard.
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke have been difficult to identify. Sadly though, the lack of awareness may prolong the initiation of treatment and serious problems may result from the delay.
Now professionals as well as lay people can help recognize a stroke by asking the following three simple questions:
**ask the individual to smile
**ask him or her to raise both arms
**ask the person to speak a simple sentence
If anyone has trouble with any of these three tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
Non-medical persons can commit these questions to memory and by knowing them this could result in a more prompt diagnosis and earlier treatment which could help prevent brain damage.
GUIDELINES FOR A HEALTHIER HEART
**do not smoke
**have your blood pressure checked regularly
**eat foods low in saturated fats and cholesterol
**stay physically active
**maintain proper weight
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The Seven Ups can help us start each day with a renewed spirit!
Seven UPs
- Wake up! Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
- Dress up! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart."
- Shut up! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3
- Stand up! For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good." Galatians 6:9-10
- Look up! To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
- Reach up! For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6
- Lift up!
Your prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT
EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6
.