12 Days of Wellness - Thump Your Thymus for Immune Health

Cold and flu season is upon us - Are you taking steps to avoid illness?

Simple lifestyle habits can strengthen your immune system and protect your health. Health choices such as avoiding tobacco, eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, maintaining a healthy weight, and if you do drink alcohol...drink in moderation. These lifestyle practices can have a powerful and positive impact on your health.

Additional steps to prevent illness include:

• Spending time in nature (think forest bathing!) and enjoying moderate time in the sun.

• Drinking herbal teas.

• Meditation, prayer, and deep breathing techniques.

• Thymus Thumping. Learn about this lymphoid organ and how thymus thumping can benefit you and your family. Check out this video demonstration and/or these easy to follow steps on a patient education sheet from the Seattle Children’s Family Resource Center, titled, The Three Thumps, here.

This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Take what is useful, investigate these options, and speak to your physician before incorporating something new into your personal wellness plan.

Be Well. ~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES

Founder, Anderson Therapeutics

*This post is an excerpt first shared in the September 2019 Anderson Therapeutics monthly newsletter, emailed to subscribers, and archived online. Please note that monthly newsletters shifted to seasonal/quarterly editions beginning March 2020. Read the September 2019 issue in it’s entirety here.

Image courtesy of Adobe Free Stock photos. https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=thymus+gland

Living Wills - An Act of Generosity

In my December 6th, 2018 wellness blog I discussed estate planning and end of life care. Some may find this topic inappropriate during the holiday season, though I disagree. Families and friends tend to spend more time together this time of year. What better time to have candid discussions regarding end of life plans with those closest to you? Plus, depending upon your spiritual and/or religious beliefs…this is a time that the acts of birth, death, and renewal are on the minds and hearts of many.

The last task I completed on my estate planning to-do list was to finalize what will happen with my body after I have passed away. I decided to donate my body to science, specifically, to the University of Utah medical school anatomy lab. I am an alumni of the University of Utah, understand the importance of research, and received some of my own training in a cadaver lab. Coincidentally, the December 2018 edition of the University magazine Continuum included a 6-page article discussing the importance and purpose of the body donor program. The article speaks of this type of donation as a “final act of generosity”, and I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. My family and I appreciate that by donating my body to science I am providing future healthcare practitioners a vehicle in which to learn from. In exchange, I receive free embalming, cremation, and requested that my ashes are returned to my son after the work my body provides is complete. If you are interested and wish to learn more, follow this link:

https://continuum.utah.edu/features/a-virtuous-circle/

Be Well!

~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES

Founder, Anderson Therapeutics & Author, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide to Hip Replacement Surgery

Wishing You and Yours a Healthful Thanksgiving...

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

Dine Well.

~The Anderson Therapeutics Team

Enjoy these healthful resources and holiday recipes:

Forks Over Knives

Anderson Therapeutics - 3 Key Concepts to Improved Health

The Starch Solution - Plant-based recipes

Plant Strong Foods

Joint Replacement Resource Guide - Meet the Author!

Saturday, December 2nd 2023 is Utah Author’s Day. Tiffany Anderson will be at the Golden Braid Bookstore in Salt Lake City from 2:00 - 4:00pm signing copies of her book, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery.

This resource guide shares tips that are helpful for nearly any type of surgery.

If you or a loved one are facing hip replacement surgery, you may feel overwhelmed, unsure of what to expect, and have plenty of questions. Receiving artificial joints is a life-changing procedure. Butternut to Bionic is author Tiffany Anderson’s personal experience of recovery from serious illness leading to dual hip replacement. Drawing on her 20 years of professional experience in the field of health, she has written this book from the patient’s perspective and shares guidance, support, and encouragement—preparing you to face the challenge of hip replacement surgery. Step by step, the author helps you understand your medical team, better prepare for surgery, and improve and accelerate your recovery time. Personal anecdotes, candid observations, and private details add to the unique approach of this guide that hip replacement recipients will find reassuring and beneficial. Each chapter offers a variety of resources, suggestions, and checklists to help you achieve a successful outcome and return to a high quality of life. Hip replacement recipients, family members, caregivers, and healthcare providers will find this book intriguing, insightful, and useful.

We hope to see you there!

~The Anderson Therapeutics Team

Join Me on Utah Author's Day - December 2, 2023

Have any book lovers on your holiday gift list? Utah Author's Day is Saturday, December 2nd 2023! Come meet amazing local authors at a variety of locations around the state. Golden Braid Bookstore is hosting myself and other authors from 2:00 - 4:00pm that day, and is located at 151 S 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102.

Hope to see you there. Be Well.

~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES

Author, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery

Follow the link for list of authors and participating book stores.
https://lnkd.in/gi4AqwQe

#utahauthorsday2023 #utahauthorday2023 #UAD2023 #utahhumanities #LeagueOfUtahWriters #goldenbraidbookstore

Falling Asleep - Staying Asleep

Fall…the perfect season to focus on improving sleep. Darker days and cool temperatures naturally beckon us to a deep state of slumber. Sleep is essential for good health and crucial to those of us who are managing chronic conditions.

For decades I struggled with sleep deprivation. After making a few lifestyle changes I currently experience the best sleep of my life! Check out the Rest section of my 3 Key Concepts where I share resources and tips that help me to fall asleep and stay asleep. Consult your doctor to see if my resources may help you as well. I find that sleeping between 5-7 hours per night is best for me. Here are a few quick tips…

• Cutting down on caffeine - Caffeine is a tough addiction though I feel better and sleep more soundly when I avoid this powerful stimulant. Added bonus is that I no longer experience high blood pressure.

• Scheduling relaxation time - Sleep rituals and nightly routines guide me towards better sleep. This time can be as short as the time it takes to brush your teeth. I wind down using meditation with healing sounds, guided imagery CD’s, and music designed for deep sleep.

• Eating a small plain baked potato or other fat-free starch an hour or so before bedtime eases anxiety or the blues, provides 100-200 nutrient rich calories, and helps me to sleep more soundly.

Be Well and Sleep Well! ~ Tiffany

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

This post first published on October 11, 2018.

Managing Inflammation...

Inflammation is a common symptom and often a symptom of behavior. Depending on how I am taking care of myself and managing my chronic conditions, I can easily experience swollen ankles and puffiness around my eyes. To alleviate these complaints, I typically reach for ice. Elevating my legs and feet help to reduce swelling, and of course, watching my diet is key. Ideally…I do my best to avoid inflammation.

This inflammation response shows up in our bodies due to a variety of factors…such as injury, chronic conditions, infections, side effect of certain medications, and specific ‘trigger foods’ that can cause bloating.

Rather than reaching for another pill, I opt for natural remedies and lifestyle practices to avoid and manage inflammation.

Inflammation is a reaction that we have control over. We take control when we educate ourselves and become a more active participant in our healthcare practices. Check out the article (link below): Inflammation 101, by Andrew Beauchesne who received his master’s in Nutritional Epidemiology from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. The article describes the mechanics of inflammation and how to better manage it.

Be Well. ~Tiffany

*This blog first posted November 29, 2018