healthbriefs


Arts and Nature A


Arden Fekett Music in Nature


Music experienced in the outdoors can be sublime. Music has been said to completely gather people’s focus and transport them to different states of mind. Whether walking with headphones through a natural setting, hearing a concert in the mountains or on a beach, gathering with friends for a shared musical experi- ence, or singing alone as the breeze is going through the trees, music paired with nature is summer’s gift.


Art in Nature


When an artist takes an easel outside, the natural lighting in the sky allows for the artist to fill his/her pallette with colors that the artist can’t achieve with interior lighting. Whether in a backyard, by the shore or in a garden, the communing with the world around people can have a way of freeing us in a way that is expressive and can even serve as a kind of meditation.


Drama The world of drama is uniquely enhanced when placed in the outdoors. NYC hosts Shakespeare in the Park every summer to enormous crowds. The combination of theater in a beautiful park appeals to people. Around Long Island, there are theater groups as well as therapeutic drama groups that work in outdoor settings where they may feel more uninhibited and free.


Source: New Horizons Through Arts and Nature event takes place every Thursday at 10 a.m. at The Merrick Business Center, 2369 Merrick Ave., Merrick. For more information, call Arden Fekett, MPS, LCAT, at 516-655-0573, email Arden@ArtsTherapy.us or visit ReachingOutTherapy.com. See ad on page 25.


ADHD Meds Weaken Kids’ Bones A


new study announced at the 2016 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons


shows that drugs prescribed for attention deficit hyper- activity disorder (ADHD) can weaken bones in children during a time of critical growth. This study tested 5,315 kids between 8 and 17 years old and compared the results to a subgroup of 1,967. Each child was given a bone mineral density scan on the femur, femoral neck and lumbar spine. The children taking ADHD medications of Ritalin, Focalin, Dexedrine, Strat-


tera and Vyvanese had lower bone mineral density in the femur, femoral neck and lumbar spine. At least 25 percent of the youngsters taking these medications were categorized as having osteopenia. According to a 2014 Express Scripts study, prescriptions of ADHD medica- tions to children in the U.S. grew by 36 percent between 2008 and 2012.


14 Long Island Edition www.NaturalAwakeningsLI.com


s the outside world comes alive with green and infinite shades of red, yellow, purple and blue, people come alive


as well. A kind of special energy emerges as winter coats are put away for a while and a spirit of openness, fun and adventure fills the air. In this setting, there exists an opportunity for increased emotional and physical well-being through the combination of arts and nature.


Summer Sun Friendly Tips I


t’s important to get about 15 minutes of daily sun exposure without sun- screen. Sun exposure has been shown to help prevent high blood pressure, other cardiac issues, multiple sclero- sis, osteoporosis, diabetes, as well as many other diseases. However, do not get sunburned and have your doctor monitor your vitamin D levels to make sure they are within optimal limits. It’s helpful to eat foods that are high in antioxidants, such as leafy greens, raspberries, blueberries and gooseber- ries. It’s also beneficial to eat foods that are high in omega-3s, like mercury-free fish. All of these foods help to protect the skin from oxidizing and becoming damaged. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin C, selenium, vitamin E and beta-carotene, as well as fish oil, can help strengthen skin cells. These supple- ments can decrease the risk of sunburn when taken appropriately.


Source: Dr. Jillian Finker, of Finker Well- ness, located at 2308 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 516-765-3272 or visit DrFinker.com. See ad on page 27.


THINK make the


green choice.


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