“The purpose of National Therapeutic Recreation Week is to enhance public awareness of therapeutic recreation programs and services, and expand recreation and leisure opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Therapeutic recreation uses treatment, education, and recreation services to help people with illnesses, disabilities, and other conditions to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance their health, functional abilities, independence, and quality of life. National Therapeutic Recreation Week, which was established by the National Therapeutic Recreation Society, has been celebrated during the second week of July every year since 1984. Each year, NTRS develops press releases, proclamations and program ideas to help agencies observe the celebration.”NRPA has also put together a list of 31 ideas for things you can do to celebrate during the week. I highly suggest you do your part and help someone in need have a very fun-filled week of therapeutic recreation. Not only will it get your heart racing, it’ll also provide support for someone who could use a helping hand.

-Jess

A few months ago (much to my excitement), we added degradable supply bags to our product line. These bags are supposed to degrade after approximately one year.  The plastic will become brittle and quickly disintegrate into brittle flakes.  So, being a skeptic, I’m testing three samples of these bags to see if this will really happen:

• Bag 1 is at my desk.
• Bag 2 is being used periodically.
• Bag 3 is on the roof of our building weathering the elements.  This post will also catch you up to the real time of the experiment.  Due to the launch date of the blog, we are actually four months into this experiment. 

Now the exciting update!

Bag 1 is still in great condition. The plastic is still sturdy and there are no holes.

Bag 2 has been carried around and has been hanging on a hook with samples in it for the last four months. The plastic is a little crinkled from having things in it, but that is normal for any plastic bag. Another thing to note is the handles on this bag they are holding up fantastically. Despite being used, I would say this bag is still par for the course.

I am happy to report that Bag 3 is no longer a foot deep in snow. However, the past three months have still given the bag a run for its money. It has seen some very tumultuous weather – a lot of rain, wind, tornado warnings, and even hail. This bag is no longer usable. The handles ripped as soon as I tried to pick it up and the plastic has also gotten very thin.

I think the bag on the roof is going to degrade sooner than the year mark and I think the other two bags will begin the degradation process as planned.

This makes me really happy because with regular usage of these bags you get the bargain you planned for – a reliable plastic bag that will last for a year and then disintegrate. However, if the bag is thrown away or in a landfill sooner than this, it will disappear sooner than later! It’s the perfect combo.

I would love to hear your predictions of what will happen to these bags. Post a comment if you would like to share.

-Mary

This is the second post in an ongoing series of posts. Check back monthly for updates on our very own “Disappearing Act“.

     Have you ever purchased degradable bags?

So, while we’re talking men’s health, Men’s Health Magazine is actually one of my favorite men’s magazines. (I guess when you consider the other options you can understand why.) They have great articles on everything from fitness and style to what they call “Guy Wisdom,” which, even after looking through it, I’m not really sure what it all encompasses.

Anyway, one blog post Men’s Health Magazine has up right now is called “Eat This, Not That,” based on a book of the same name. I actually own the book – my husband picked it up for both of us – and have found it to be very informative. It goes through a ton of bad foods and tells you alternative foods that you should eat instead, discussing the whole food and not just the calories or the fat content. Not just why this food is better than other foods, but what you can add to the food to make it a tasty snack or meal. Everything in the book is interesting (including the top 20 worst foods in America), but it’s the theory behind it is what drew me in. I have a friend who, whenever we go out for burgers, always orders a veggie burger, then loads it with everything. Her thought is, “At least it’s better than the 1/2 lb. burger my husband ordered.” The book talks about the little things you can change at each meal, just like my friend does. After reading the book, my husband and I now investigate everything on the menu at a restaurant and try to determine a better meal choice. It’s something small you can do with the men in your life to get on the road to healthier choices.

                                                             -Jessica Dembo
                                                               Associate Media Manager

A health poll just for fun!  Cast your vote today!  We will reveal the answer in two weeks.

Actually, it’s mostly about stress. The National Headache Foundation says stress is the most common cause of headaches. Not a surprise. Stress creates muscle tension, which causes pain that leads to headaches. It might be impossible to live a stress-free life, but it is possible to deal with stress in a healthy way and reduce stress headaches.

There’s always aspirin, of course, but if you don’t like taking pills, try lying down or taking a warm bath or shower. Or, if you’re at work and don’t have bed or shower access, give your eyes a rest from the computer screen for a few minutes. Exercise is also a great stress reliever, and overtime can reduce tension and headaches.

Avoid smoking if you can. A lot of people smoke to relieve stress, but nicotine and odor in burning tobacco can actually give smokers and non-smokers a headache.

Click here for more information and other interesting facts about headaches.

                                                                                              -Aaron Weisman
                                                                                              Product Team Specialist

Let us know!  How do you educate your patients about headaches?  Do you  have any secrets on how to relieve headaches?  Share your thoughts by posting a comment.