20 Aug Doing Your Own Thing by Ashton Jones
I recently heard a couple of funny quick jokes: Mother Nature: “One cannot have all four seasons happen in the same day.” Georgia: “Hold my sweet tea!” Also, did you hear that the groundhog did not see his shadow? That means an early spring for everyone… except Georgia – we do our own thing here!
Undoubtedly, you have noticed the ever-changing ‘seasonal’ weather happening across the nation. It amazes me when I leave the house in a jacket and scarf, eat lunch in a tank top, and then must swim home through the torrential downpour … all in one day! But the effect on my wardrobe pales in comparison to the effect on my mind, body, and soul. The constant changes in weather have a significant impact on your hydration levels, your mood, your internal pressure system, and your overall activity level.
As the weather changes and the world transitions into the next season, what can we do to make our own individual worlds better, happier, and healthier? Ultimately, we have no control over the weather or the traffic or the last-minute meetings at work, but we can at least plan ahead for them! Meal prepping is a big trend right now, one of which I am a huge fan. This enables you to have a buffer system. Let’s say there is an office meeting thrown onto the schedule at lunch and everyone is ordering from the nearby restaurant. If you have taken your time and money to prep a lunch, one that you may have been looking forward to, you are less likely to spend the money and calories on take-out.
What about the conference calls that we all adore … I mean, look forward to… I mean, come across from time to time? Or the times we need to make calls that we know will have us on hold for forever? Use these short bursts (God willing!) to do some rounds of simple exercises. Partial squats, lunges, heel raises, knee extensions, single leg balance, planks, jumping jacks… the list is endless! Goodness, even sitting in traffic is a good time for abdominal bracing and focusing on your breathing – long commute? Hold your abs tight for a mile and then release for a mile – baby steps!
So, those ideas are great for people that may work outside of the house, but what about everyone else? Don’t you run errands? Doesn’t the weather still affect your day-to-day activities? Plan ahead and plan for changes! As a physical therapist, I hear daily that people didn’t have time to do their exercises. But then they tell me about something funny they saw on Facebook, and I often smirk and ask which exercise they were doing while they skimmed through Facebook… A blush is telling of so much!
The weather is going to be screwy and do its own thing, so why not say “screw it” and do your own thing! Make time for yourself and you will find that there is more than enough time for yourself!
Ashton Jones
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Born and raised in Roswell, GA, Ashton grew up dancing and enjoying numerous outdoor activities. Her zest for competition and social interaction with fellow athletes led her to the realization that a career in physical therapy would continue that satisfaction. Having recovered from multiple foot, ankle, and low back issues, Ashton is acutely aware of the demands athletes and other patients encounter. By combining her years of dance experience, along with the empathy necessary to work with various personalities and background, she has been able to relate to and better treat the patients that she encounters. Not only has Ashton been both a patient and a therapist in the clinic, but she has also spent time on the road as a therapist with several National Tours, including Wicked! and FELA! When not in the clinic, she can be found hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, playing her dog Daisy, organizing/cleaning, or simply spending time with her family and friends.
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She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from North Georgia College and State University in 2010. She is currently certified in Dry Needling, FMS, SFMA, and is an Emergency First Responder. Up next she plans to get certified to be a hand therapist!
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