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.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Noises and sounds surround us at all times, every day, everywhere at work, home and at school. The months of May and June most of us start to be outside more and thus exposed to more sounds. Lets look on what effect noise has on our ears and hearing.

Sound is created when a mechanical source disturbs the air and sets a series of pressure waves in motion. Noise the majority of time is an unwanted sound. The human ear hears frequencies of 250 Hertz (Hz) to 8000 Hz, with the greatest sensitivity between 1000 and 4000 Hz. Sound waves vary in intensity or loudness and are measured in decibels (dB) The upper limit of normal dB is 25
dB. Eight hours of exposure above 85-90 dB can cause hearing loss. High-frequency hearing losses are due to noise exposure to frequencies between 4000 and 6000 dB. This hearing loss does not affect one’s hearing speech sounds immediately, so this can go unnoticed for years. High-frequency hearing loss can gradually cause lower-frequency loss until speech is affected. What can
cause hearing loss? Repeated exposure to noise such as a saw. drill, gunfire, lawnmowers, loud music, etc. can damage the ear’s nerve cells, which can result in permanent hearing loss.

To minimize this exposure to unwanted noise, wear ear plugs or an approved ear protector when working or playing around intense noise. Also, have your hearing evaluated at regular intervals by your health care provider.

Lynne Martin
Parish Nurse

TREK-ONE TO GOOD HEALTH

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.

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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.

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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.

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IS IT A STROKE?

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.

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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

Blood pressures can be checked on Sunday mornings before early service, during fellowship time and on Tuesday mornings. Other times can be arranged by letting me know, leaving a note on my e-mail (lynne@gslc-arkansas.org)or leaving a note in the parish nurse office.

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The Seven Ups can help us start each day with a renewed spirit!

Seven UPs

  1. 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
  2. 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."
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Look up! To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
  6. 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
  7. Lift up! Your prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

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