Care Ministries
Summer Field Trips with
Adult Ministries
Two Great Opportunities!
Visit the MN Landscape
Arboretum on June 19
Join the Free Spirits on Monday,
June 19 for a visit to the beautiful MN
Landscape Arboretum. Meet at the
Minnetonka Campus at 10:45 am
to carpool, arriving at the Arboretum at
Noon. Admission at 12:00 Noon is free.
Purchase your own lunch at the
Arboretum cafeteria. After lunch you
may choose to walk the paths or take
the tram. Tram rides are $5.00, first
come first served.
Visit The American Swedish
Institute on June 20
8 Steps for Summer Living
Simple Ways to Enjoy Summer!
In the warmer, longer, lazier days
of summer, the living may not be
easy, but your life probably feels less
chaotic. Even adults tend to adopt a
"school's out!" attitude in summer.
That's why this is a perfect time to
improve your health, so seasonally
laid back you'll barely notice the
effort.
1. Give Your Diet a Berry Boost
Have a cup of mixed fresh berries - blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries -
every day. They'll help you load up on antioxidants, which may help prevent
damage to tissues and reduce the risks of age-related illnesses. Berries are tops in
fiber, which helps keep cholesterol low and may even help prevent some cancers.
2. Get Dirty and Stress Less
To improve your stress level, plant a small garden, cultivate a flower box, or if
space is limited, plant a few flower pots -- indoors or out. Just putting your hands
in soil is "grounding." And when life feels like you're moving too fast, being
mentally grounded can help relieve physical and mental stress.
3. Floss Daily
You know you need to, now it's time to start: floss every single day. Flossing
reduces oral bacteria, which improves overall body health, and if oral bacteria is
low, your body has more resources to fight bacteria elsewhere.
4. Get Outside to Exercise
Pick one outdoor activity - going on a hike, taking a nature walk, playing games
such as tag with your kids, cycling, roller blading, or swimming…And remember,
the family that plays together gets fit together. It's a great bonding time.
5. Be Good to Your Eyes
To protect your vision at work and at play, wear protective eyewear. When
outdoors, wear sunglasses that block at least 99% of ultraviolet A and B rays.
Sunglasses can help prevent cataracts, as well as wrinkles around the eyes.
And when playing sports or doing tasks such as mowing the lawn, wear
protective eyewear. Ask your eye doctor about the best type.
Enjoy a Swedish meatball lunch at the
Minneapolis campus 11:30-12:30 pm,
then depart by carpool to the Institute
to view exhibits on Swedish folk
costumes, photography, installations,
and more! $15 per person, payable at
lunch. Please reserve your space by
June 15. Register online at bethlehem-
church.org or call the church office,
612.312.3400.
For more information on The American
Swedish Institute and the exhibits,
visit http://www.asimn.org/exhibits-
collections. Questions? Contact Pam
Gerber at [email protected]
or 612.312.3366.
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6. Vacation Time!
Improve your heart health: take advantage of summer's slower schedule by
using your vacation time to unwind. Vacations have multiple benefits. They can
help lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones such as cortisol,
which contributes to a widening waist and an increased risk of heart disease.
7. Alcohol: Go Lite
Summer's a great time to skip drinks with hard alcohol and choose a light, chilled
alcoholic beverage (unless you are pregnant or should not drink for health or
other reasons). A sangria (table wine diluted with juice), a cold beer, or a wine
spritzer are all refreshing but light. In moderation, defined as one to two drinks
daily, alcohol can protect against heart disease.
8. Sleep Well
Resist the urge to stay up later during long summer days. Instead pay attention to
good sleep hygiene by keeping the same bedtime and wake-up schedule and not
drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime. Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD