How to Shake the Winter Blahs

About the time we have to set our clocks back, and the days begin to grow darker – quicker – many people tend to slide into a condition commonly referred to as “Seasonal Depression”.  Don’t give in to the “blues” … get up and take some very positive steps towards the sun … literally!  We are so fortunate to live in Florida where the sunny days outnumber the cloudy ones.  When things are dreary, immediately turn on the lights, go for more walks on the beach when the sun is out, or if your condition is really severe, you can invest in a Light Box, which is said to boost serotonin levels.  Regardless, get access to good light within an hour or two of waking. 

Some doctors feel a diet rich in figs (Vitamin B6), Swiss Chard (Magnesium), and dried, dark cherries (Melatonin) will also help this condition.  You might also consider having your levels of Vitamin D measured.  Setting regular times to sleep, and getting up at the same time each morning, will also help.  (If you have a hard time getting to sleep, a one (1) mg tablet of melatonin can be purchased across the counter.) 

 

It may also help to insert bright colors into your wardrobe, followed by trying to keep a “sunny” attitude!  Consider keeping a journal on the days when you feel “down”, recording your emotions within its pages.  It’s just like free therapy, because once you begin to focus on the good things in your life, you find that behind every cloud there really is a silver lining!  If you do all of the above and depression and/or anxiety persists, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your physician.  Dr. Crayton and his staff at The Arthritis and Infusion Center welcome any questions you might have about your health. We’ll address those topics in future blogs, e-newsletters, or our print edition of the practice newsletter.  Remember:  Pain is not normal.  Let us help!

How to Make the Holidays Less Harried

During Christmas and the entire holiday season, everyone’s schedule ramps up with huge expectations and crammed to-do lists.  The Arthritis and Infusion Center would like to remind you that this should be a time of celebration!  So, look at your plans and see what you can do to simplify.  Dr. Crayton would like to suggest that you don’t over complicate things.  Stop to recognize your family and friends, especially the seniors in your life, making them the focus of your time and holiday spirit.  Then, don’t over extend yourself … physically or monetarily.  One way to help with this issue is to become more organized and follow a set budget.  If you are experiencing unhappy emotions, it is actually healthier to notice and verbalize your feelings to someone who is close to you.  Of course it should go without saying that you should exercise, eat correctly, and get the appropriate amount of sleep each night.  Finally, take the focus off yourself and transfer it to others.  Even the smallest gesture toward others will be one of the best gifts you can give yourself … and a side benefit will be comfort and joy during the holidays.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Dr. Crayton and his staff.

DR. CRAYTON SPREADS Seasonal WARMTH!

Dr. Hulon Crayton, Rheumatologist and owner of The Arthritis and Infusion Center, is all too aware of the need for senior citizens to stay warm.  “As people age, their blood and skin thins, and certain medications, especially those used to treat arthritis, can also cause the person to feel perpetually chilly.  When we became aware of the opportunity at Community Health and Rehabilitation Center, we felt we had to get involved by purchasing extra lap robes for the residents to utilize,” said Dr. Crayton.

Betty L. Smith and Dr. Crayton

Marianne Martin, Administrator, at the Community Health and Rehabilitation Center was very grateful to Dr. Crayton and his team.  “We appreciate the extra lap robes, as our Residents enjoy the extra warmth they provide when navigating from room to room around our center.  We are so very grateful to Dr. Crayton for this donation,” said Ms. Martin. 

This winter, The Arthritis and Infusion Center would like to encourage Bay County residents to clean out their linen closets or purchase NEW lap robes and blankets for Dr. Crayton and his staff to distribute to area nursing homes.  “We’d like to continue to ‘spread the warmth’ as much as possible.  People who are interested in helping us with this important project can drop blankets at our medical practice any Monday through Thursday, 2917 Highway 77 in the Baldwin Plaza,” said Dr. Crayton.  “Help us continue to spread the warmth during this entire winter season!”

In addition to tangibly taking the chill off, the center’s residents will also enjoy a surprise musical concert from Dr. Crayton, who will play his saxophone to add emotional warmth to the holiday season.  (Dr. Crayton performs jazz concerts under the stage name of HULON with his On-Call Band.)  Dr. Crayton will be delivering, and performing, at the Community Health and Rehabilitation Center (3611 Transmitter Road) Friday, December 9^th, 2:30 p.m.

How can you spread seasonal warmth?

TheArthritis and Infusion Center will collect blankets to distribute from December 1 until March 31 at their medical practice.