Category: Health

Wheelchair Accessible Beach

Debbie Roney Smith on

Visit Panama City Beach partnered with Bay County to buy two new beach wheelchairs and a walker. They were purchased as part of the “Fun. For. All.” campaign; the campaign is designed to promote accessibility in Panama City Beach.

The walker and wheelchair are free to use and can be found at the M.B. Miller County Pier. Bay County Parks and Recreation Division Manager Vincent Martin said, “All they have to do is come up to the County Pier and request a unit if it’s available. They would sign a waiver obviously releasing that unit out there so they can use it for the day.” Visitors have reported that the equipment is easy to use. Stephanie Williams, a visitor from Tennessee, stated that she, “tested it out on the sand, and there was ease of movement.” 

However, the program is just beginning. The individuals behind the program want to see more accessibility equipment brought on board. Did you know that 12.1% of U.S. adults have a mobility disability with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs? Three accessibility tools are a drop in the ocean. Bay County and Visit Panama City Beach are working to install more Mobi-Mats while also working to secure the funding necessary to buy more wheelchairs and walkers.

Mobi-Mats provide a more stable walkway than trudging through the sand; these are useful not only for the disabled but also for young toddlers, individuals pulling carts, and more. Please note that if the walkways are congested, capable individuals should move aside for those with disabilities. 

 

Coping with Grief

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These days, we are all dealing with hard things and tough times. Grief is affecting communities at large. Have you recently lost someone close to you? Listed below are a few suggestions on how to handle the grieving process:

  • Allow yourself to feel. Try talking to those you trust, journaling, spending time with pets, or share your feelings with yourself by voicing them aloud. 
  • Keep your loved ones alive in your memory and life. Author Sir Terry Prattchet said, “no one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away.” An effective way to cope with grief is to find ways to remember the lost ones; tell stories, share introspection, plant memorial gardens, or do something that reminds you of your loved one.
  • Allow yourself grace. While scientists are just beginning to scratch the surface of the neurobiology of grief, they do know that it causes changes to established brain patterns, stresses the nervous system, and puts significant strain on the body. Treat yourself kindly; do your best to eat well, rest often, and stay hydrated. 

Sun Day

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Yesterday was Sun Day! Sun Day was proposed by Denis Hayes, an American environmental advocate, and established in 1978 by then-president Jimmy Carter. Celebrated every May 3rd, this annual celebration of the sun was established to help promote solar energy as a viable, environmentally sound energy source. Solar energy is one of the safest ecological energy sources as it does not pollute the environment nor have long-term side effects like fossil fuels. It is comparatively cheaper (especially in the long run) and can give an equal amount of energy to power stations around the globe. But the sun isn’t just a source of power for energy, it also has a positive impact on humans!

  • Support better sleep
  • Uplift your mood*
  • Increase energy
  • Improve symptoms of mental health conditions
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Lower risk of metabolic syndrome
  • Heal inflammation
  • Prevent cancer
  • Stronger bones
  • Extend life expectancy
  • Sunlight kills bacteria*

Caregiver Appreciation Day

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Caregiver Appreciation Day is a national celebration that recognizes the individuals who provide care services to people who cannot care for themselves. These people include the elderly, the disabled, and those who are hospitalized or in need of temporary care. There are a variety of caregiver appreciation days but it is generally celebrated on either November 13th and/or March 3rd. The value of services provided by informal caregivers has steadily increased over the last decade; worth $450 in 2009, $470 billion in 2013, and $375 billion in 2007.(1)

This annual celebration honors and thanks the selfless caregivers who give their time, effort, and emotional energy to those who need it. Caregivers work with a spectrum of individuals who need assistance due to different conditions; some individuals who require full or part-time caregivers are those living with disabilities, illnesses, and the elderly. There are over 40 MILLION caregivers in the U.S.A. They play an essential role in communities and often go unrecognized for their work.(2) 

National Blueberry Pancake Day

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Today is National Blueberry Pancake Day! Pancakes are one of the world’s oldest foods. According to historical evidence, humans have been making flat, fried dough cakes since the Stone Ages.(1)

The word ‘pancake’ first appeared in the English language in the 15th century. By the 19th century, ‘pancake’ experienced a steady incline in usage in the United States. Pancakes are also known as johnnycakes, hoecakes, griddle cakes, and flapjacks. Adding blueberries is a time-honed tradition. Blueberries are one of the only native North American berries to still be eaten today. Even better, there are a large number of Florida native blueberries that you can grow and harvest from. Spring is coming soon and is a great time to plant blueberries so you can benefit from the late summer-early fall harvest.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, packed with nutrients, and have been linked to a number of health benefits including lower blood pressure, improved insulin response, and reduced risk of cancer. There are three popular methods of adding blueberries to the pancakes: 1) fold them into the batter, 2) add them after pouring the batter into the pan, and 3) top the pancakes with whole blueberries. Consider adding nuts, chocolate chips, vanilla, blueberry syrup, or chia seeds for a little something extra. 

New Year Hikes

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Looking to stick to your new year goal of being more active? Want to spend more time outdoors? Come out to explore the Gulf Coast’s coastal beauty this January! There will be four different hikes guided by a ranger this month. The hikes will be on the beach at the Rish Recreation Area in Port St. Joe, so come prepared for sun, sand, and fun. The hikes will be held on January 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th. Visit the Florida State Parks website here to learn more or contact the organizers with questions. 

2023 New Year’s Resolutions

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Happy New Year! May your next year bring you happiness, lessons, and good memories. Did you know that people have been creating New Year’s resolutions for approximately 4,000 years?! The tradition has been traced back to the ancient Babylonians. They made promises to gain the favor of their gods in order to start the year off right. Reportedly, they vowed to do things such as paying off debts and returning borrowed farm equipment. It’s likely that the age-old custom of breaking one’s resolutions – a custom that befalls the majority of resolution makers, according to statistics – originated a few months later. New Year’s Resolutions often create nothing but a cycle of shame, embarrassment, and feelings of inadequacy.

Instead of creating a list of resolutions, create SMART goals. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. These elements help create a goal that is planned, clear, and trackable. This increases the likelihood of success because the goals become manageable and understandable. Visit Develop Good Habit’s website here to view downloadable SMART goal templates to help guide you into the future you want. 

Talk Lift Heal (GYM)

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There’s a new gym in Tallahassee. Talk Lift Heal is a trauma-informed gym located in Railroad Square. It is a gym that is dedicated to cultivating a space that helps improve mental health, physical health, creativity, safety, and healing. It is female-owned and operated, and is open to anyone and everyone! They’re focused on making gyms less intimidating for all bodies from all backgrounds. Talk Lift Heal offers individual services as well as trauma-informed group classes and nutritional coaching. 

Visit Talk Lift Heal’s Facebook page here to learn more or contact them to start your health journey. 

Blueberry Workshop

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The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a blueberry workshop this September. It will be held Thursday, September 29th at the ag center from 8am – noon. The workshop costs $10 per person; pre-registration is required. The workshop will feature several UF and FAMU specialists. They’ll cover soil preparation, soil health, insects, disease control, and more. There will also be updates about the emerging practice of growing blackberries in the Panhandle. 

If you can’t make the September class, it will be repeated on Tuesday, October 25th, at the Washington County Extension Office in Chipley. 

Nationwide Launch of 988

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In one month, on July 16th, a new hotline for mental health will launch nationwide! Congress mandated the launch of the 988 emergency number in 2020. However, financial funding was left in the hands of each individual state which delayed its establishment.

Since 2008, suicide has ranked as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.(1) The 988 hotline is designed to assist in suicide prevention and other mental health emergencies. It will provide 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works.