Living & Practicing by Design™

Food & Mood: A Journey to Wellness

Food & Mood: A Journey to Wellness
Are you seeking ways to improve your mood, manage stress, and develop healthier eating habits? The Food & Mood program is designed to provide the tools you need to make meaningful changes to your lifestyle. Whether you’re an emotional eater, coping with a chronic condition, or exploring the benefits of medication-assisted weight loss, this 6-week program is here to guide and support you.
What is Food & Mood?
The Food & Mood program is a psycho-educational course designed to help participants:
Develop positive coping skills.
Address emotional and stress-related eating.
Enhance the effectiveness of weight loss medications or procedures.
Understand the health benefits of imagery and relaxation techniques.
This program is ideal for individuals who:
Use or avoid food as a coping mechanism.
Have a chronic illness that requires lifestyle changes.
Are you considering or have undergone bariatric surgery or medication-assisted weight loss.
With its focus on both emotional and physical well-being, this program emphasizes sustainable lifestyle improvements. To register for the upcoming session and to learn much more go HERE

Vitamin A, The Forgotten Key-Nutrient

This essential nutrient is responsible for healthy skin and epithelial cells. Those little guys are the cells that line our mouth, Gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and lungs. Hence the reason for many skin lotions and skin drugs with Vitamin A derivatives. Vitamin A is also essential for a normal and healthy immune system. We often suggest patients take large amounts of this vitamin, although for a few days when infected.
 
However, serious CAUTIONS with Vitamin A and its precursor beta carotene supplementation exist:
 
If you are female, pregnant, or of childbearing age ingesting Vitamin A might be teratogenic, meaning it can cause birth defects. Hence our reason for advising childbearing-aged women to take natal-only formulas and be sure these are used exclusively for at least six months before conception. In addition to having limited Vitamin A, these formulas also contain extra Folic acid that helps prevent birth defects.
 
An additional CAUTION is that excess Vitamin A can be TOXIC, causing liver damage. The reason is that Vitamin A is one of the fat-soluble vitamins, so it hangs around in our bodies a bit longer than other vitamins like Vitamin B.
 
So, please work with your physician on what dosages are healthy for you. Deficiency of this "key" nutrient is more likely to cause malabsorption syndromes and bowel diseases.
 
Carotenes, especially those found in leafy green and brightly-colored vegetable, is a good source of Vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are also one of the best sources... Read much more and contact us HERE https://www.drjohnhayesjr.com/vitamin-a-the-forgotten-key-nutrient

Looking Ahead to the Holidays:Tips for Cultivating Gratitude and Staying Healthy

As the holiday season approaches, it’s essential to focus on gratitude while prioritizing our health. The hustle and bustle can lead to stress, but with some thoughtful strategies, you can navigate this festive time effectively.
Set Realistic Expectations
Manage your expectations by being clear about what you can realistically achieve. Create a prioritized list of essential activities to pace yourself and reduce pressure. Remember, the holiday "season" spans several weeks, so spread out your plans for greater enjoyment.
 
Practice Mindfulness
Stay present during the holidays. Instead of getting lost in preparations, fully engage in each activity, whether decorating or cooking. Practicing mindfulness enhances your experience, allowing you to savor joyful moments rather than merely preparing for them.
 
Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care often takes a backseat during the holidays, but it’s vital to carve out time for relaxation. Whether enjoying a quiet moment with a book or going for a walk, make self-care a priority. This will help you recharge and manage holiday stress effectively...You can read and lean so much much more and also contact us at https://drjohnhayesjr.com
 
 
 
 

A Different Experience At The Doctors Office

 My patient Jean sent this to WATD 95.9 FM where I do my Thursday Mornings segment while we were on the air. I am humbled and grateful to say the least. Thank you so much, Jean and a big shout out to Rob Hakala and Beth Foster for helping spread that our Direct Primary Care practice truly is "A Different Experience At The Doctors Office".
 
"I would like to give a big shout-out for Dr. John Hayes Jr.
 
This past summer, I became a patient of Dr. Hayes. I was introduced to the notion of becoming one of his patients after listening to WATD one June morning. Rob, you were interviewing Dr. Hayes and he sounded like he had the qualities that I was looking for in a primary care doctor. At that time, I was somewhat dissatisfied with my current doctor . So I took the plunge and went over to Dr. Hayes office to see if he was taking new patients. I was lucky enough to catch Dr. Hayes at the front desk. I asked him if he was taking new patients, and he said yes and was kind enough to say, "Come on in and we'll talk". He brought me into an exam room and said "tell me about yourself ". I gave him a synopsis of my medical health and I think he spent almost 1hr with me...You can read much more and contact us HERE: https://www.drjohnhayesjr.com/a-different-experience-at-the-doctors-office