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

Gardening- Good for the Brain & Body!

Gardening- Good for the Brain & Body!
Gardening is an activity that many people enjoy, but did you know that it can be good for your brain and body too?
Gardening has been found to have positive effects on human health, according to a meta-analysis of 22 studies comprising 76 comparisons between control and treatment groups. The studies showed that gardening reduces depression, anxiety, and body mass index, while increasing life satisfaction, quality of life, and sense of community. Despite the presence of publication bias, the study provides robust evidence for the positive effects of gardening on human health.
 
A recent study conducted in South Korea found that gardening for 20 minutes can improve cognitive function in seniors as it increases the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and platelet-derived growth factor related to memory. The study suggests that gardening could be a worthwhile and enjoyable activity for seniors to enhance their overall well-being.
 
So, whether you have a green thumb or are just starting out, here are some reasons why gardening is a great activity for both your physical and mental health...
Listen to a great discussion about this during this podcast. To learn much more and contact us just go HERE: https://www.drjohnhayesjr.com/gardening-good-for-the-brain-body
 

What The Heck Happended to Health Care In The USA?

 In this episode, I do a deep dive into a lot of the background of what the heck has happened to health care in the USA, and what our practice is is doing about it. Lot's more to come next week. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is healthcare that focuses on a direct relationship between the patient and the primary care physician, without involvement from insurance companies. Since we have received so many inquiries recently, here are some patient advantages of Direct Primary Care in my practice specifically:
 
1. Affordability:
- DPC in our practice is a monthly or annual fee, eliminating the need for copays and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for routine visits. This can make healthcare much more affordable for so many patients.
 
 
My Direct Primary Care Practice
 
 
2. Accessibility:
- You have enhanced access to me as your primary care physician. Longer appointment times and the ability to communicate easily with me personally through electronic means (email, text, or video calls) contribute to vastly improved accessibility.
 
3. Preventive Care:
- We have for many years emphasized preventive care and wellness, as opposed to a fee-for-service traditional healthcare model that may prioritize treating illnesses. Regular check-ups and proactive health management can lead enormous health benefits and peace of mind you just will not find elsewhere.
 
4. Personalized Care:
- With a smaller patient load, I can spend more time with you, getting to know much more personally, your medical history, lifestyle, and most especially your care preferences. This allows for more personalized and much more comprehensive care if you choose.
 
5. Focus on Patient Education...

Direct Primary Care & Why I Only Work For My Patients

 
Reduced Administrative Burden:
- I have a much lower administrative overhead, and don't deal at all with the complexities of insurance billing. This allows me to spend so much more time on your care rather than administrative tasks.
Coordination of Care:
- I can play an active role in coordinating your overall healthcare. I work closely with specialists and to ensure continuity of care with those who respect and advocate a much healthier holistic approach to health.
 Extended Appointment Times:
- Longer appointment times allow for a more thorough examination and discussion of health concerns. Patients are much more satisfied with their healthcare experience when they don't feel rushed during appointments.
 No Insurance Hassles:
- You never have to navigate the complexities of insurance claims, approvals, and denials. This can reduce stress and frustration tremendously that is endlessly associated with the traditional healthcare system.

None of The Typical Insurance Based Patient and Physician Hassles

In this episode, Rob, Beth and I discuss callers and patient feedback about both quality of care and range services available in our Direct Primary and Neuromusculoskeletal Care practice.   -In my practice, I get to prioritize the quality of your care over quantity of patients. There are no third party mandates on my time, how many patients I need to see, and so many more. In essence I have none of the patient or Physician hassles typically encountered in insurance based primary care.-Enormous Range of Services: I offer my patients a far broader range of services than any other primary care practice including nutrition, weight loss, spinal manipulation and expanded optional pain management now for so many conditions as well as neuropathy care plans. These services can give you more convenient and often far less invasive or risky options for receiving care for health issues which now plague so many.
-Every Patient Gets Concierge Care Without The Concierge Price Tag: My patient panel size is very limited and I personally choose who is best suited to join our practice. The typical insurance based PCP cares for 2500 and commonly many more patients. You read that right. ~ Thanks for listening and all your kind social media comments, texts and emails! If you are not yet a patient and are interested in getting started while openings exist, just follow the enrollment instructions completely HERE

Understanding Your Heart: Essential Facts Everyone Should Know

Understanding Your Heart: Essential Facts Everyone Should Know
The heart is often referred to as the body's engine, tirelessly pumping blood and ensuring that oxygen and nutrients reach every cell. Understanding how your heart functions and recognizing the factors that affect its health is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore essential facts about heart health that everyone should know, aligning with the holistic approach of Dr. John Hayes Jr.'s practice.
The Heart's Anatomy and Function
The heart is a muscular organ divided into four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles (lower chambers). It operates through a complex system of valves and blood vessels:
Right Atrium: Receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
Right Ventricle: Pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
Left Atrium: Receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs.
Left Ventricle: Pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
How the Heart Works
The heart beats approximately 100,000 times a day, circulating about 5 liters of blood per minute. This remarkable efficiency is vital for delivering nutrients, hormones, and oxygen while removing waste products like carbon dioxide.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Risk factors include:
High Blood Pressure: Often called the "silent killer," it can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol Levels: High levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) can clog arteries.
Diabetes: Increases the risk of heart disease due to damage to blood vessels.
Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats that can affect how well your heart pumps blood. While some are harmless, others can be life-threatening. Recognizing symptoms like palpitations or dizziness is essential for timely medical intervention... Learn much more as well as preventive strategies HERE: https://www.drjohnhayesjr.com/understanding-your-heart

Prediabetes AKA Metabolic Syndrome

Most everyone knows how devastating diabetes is and can be. What a lot of people don't know however is that prediabetes also known as metabolic syndrome is extremely devastating, and can be a cause of not only chronic pain but neuropathy and other illnesses. In this session  I review specifically what you need to know most about prediabetes and next week I'll spend time on diabetes prevention, treatment and the latest advances.