Page 26 - Boca ViewPointe - March '21

Page 26, Viewpointe March 2021

Mental Health Help:

How To Optimize Brain Fitness In A Pandemic

By Oris Martin, Social isolation has for many years been viewed as one Exercise – We all know that exercise is good for the
Fitness Director – Acts Retirement Life Communities of the primary contributing factors for cognitive decline. heart, but it also helps maintain blood flow to the brain
When coupled with lack of physical activity, which is and reduce risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other brain
COVID-19 has not only limited our abilities to remain considered a secondary risk factor, the consequences diseases. Aerobic exercise such as walking, bicycling,
physically fit, but it’s also negatively impacted our brain can be a significant decline in a relatively short period swimming, and group fitness classes, should be done five
fitness level. of time. days per week, 30 minutes a day.
What is brain fitness? It’s having the cognitive, According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are Social Activity – Engaging in social activity and
emotional, and self-regulatory capacities to succeed in four key factors which contribute to better brain health. maintaining strong, satisfying social ties, have also been
the environment you live in. Research shows that to have They are diet, physical exercise, social and mental tied to better brain health. Seeking volunteer opportunities
long-term brain health, we need ongoing engagement activity. both within and outside your community, maintaining
across the physical, intellectual, and social aspects of Diet – The mantra of the Alzheimer’s Association is emotional balance and having a positive outlook also
our being. “what’s good for the heart is good for the brain.” The contribute to cognitive health and overall well-being.
group recommends eating a variety of foods which are Mental Activity – Mental activity helps to build
low in fat and cholesterol, and high in B vitamins, folate, new connections and brain cells, which prevent mental
and antioxidants. Antioxidant-rich foods include fatty
Mayor’s Update: fish such as salmon, mackerel and dark-skinned fruits decline. Cognitive training can revive skills such as
attention, quick-thinking, multi-tasking and reasoning,
which often diminish with age. Continued creative and
and vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, beets, prunes,
State Of The raisins and berries. Healthy fats, such as those from olive intellectual challenges have been proven to improve
cognitive health.
and vegetable oils, and avocado, are a source of “good

Maintaining optimal brain fitness requires that we
cholesterol,” which may also protect both heart and brain
City Highlights health. The group cautions that you should avoid partially move often, eat healthy and continually stimulate our
hydrogenated oils (also called trans fats) found in baked
minds with new and interesting challenges. 
goods which can be damaging to both organs.
Scott Singer is the 35th
Mayor of Boca Raton.
A South Florida native, Living Well With Diabetes
attorney, mediator and
small business owner,
Scott and his wife, Bella, Submitted by Stratford Court • Check your feet every day. Make it an everyday
live in Broken Sound with habit to look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts,
their two young children. Diabetes becomes more common as we grow older. In swelling, and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms
the United States, almost one-fifth of adults over 60—8.6 of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help.
I’m pleased to report million people—have diabetes. But thanks to advances in • Take good care of your teeth. Brush your teeth
this last year has shown, medical science that have helped us better understand how twice a day, floss once a day, and visit your dentist for
more than ever, that the to manage and treat the disease, people with diabetes can a check-up and cleaning twice a year.
state of our city is strong, united and resilient. If you missed live active, fulfilling lives as long as they keep their blood Many of the steps that doctors recommend to help
the premiere of this year’s State of the City address, you sugar under control and take these simple precautions manage diabetes—exercising, giving up smoking,
can still watch it on your schedule at myboca.us/soc. This from the American Diabetes Association. reducing the amount of alcohol you drink—are the
year’s engaging multimedia presentation included video • Be sure to get your flu shot every year. Coming same for anyone trying to lead a healthier life—and the
segments from City of Boca Raton department heads and down with the flu is especially risky for people with benefits are the same. Manage your diabetes wisely,
visual tours of the newest things in the city you may have diabetes. Flu shots provide six months’ protection, so get and you’ll feel more active and energetic.
missed. You’ll see: your shot as early in the fall as possible. It also makes Free Diabetes News Delivered to Your Computer
• Updates on progress on major park, road, and sense to be vaccinated against pneumonia. For more information about living well with diabetes,
infrastructure project; • Make an appointment for a regular eye exam. consider signing up for a free e-mail newsletter from
• How our crime rate dropped again for the fourth year Visit an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, specialists the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes E-News
in row, more than 8 percent this year, and more than 25 who can dilate your eyes to detect signs of retinopathy. Now, featuring the latest information about diabetes, is
percent over the last four years, to lows we haven’t seen It’s not enough to have your eyeglass prescription tested published weekly. To sign up, visit www.diabetes.org
in more than 40 years! by an optician. and sign up for your e-newsletter. 
• Ways our community rallied and responded to help
during the pandemic;
• Proactive steps by the City to ensure the health, safety
and welfare of our residents and to speed recovery for
businesses;
• Why our low tax rate continues to attract businesses
and investment, and
• Many new innovations last year and for years to come.
Last February, we gathered together in the Mizner Park
Cultural Center for our inaugural address. I asked you to
imagine your ideal city, and the attributes it would have
– such as natural beauty, a diverse and growing business
base, arts and culture, history, and a spirit of community.
While it was easy to imagine all of those things – because
we have them all in Boca Raton, none of us could have
imagined what this year would bring. But the challenges Jeffrey S. Fromowitz, M.D., F.A.A.D.
of the pandemic have revealed the character and the heart
of the people of Boca Raton. It’s a pleasure to discuss the Board Certified Dermatologist Fellow American Society of Dermatologic Surgery
great work of our nearly 2,000 dedicated City employees Fellow American Society of Mohs Micrographic Surgery Fellow American Society of Laser Medicine Surgery
and many community leaders. We can be thankful for them Fellow American Academy of Dermatology Diplomate American Board of Dermatology
all.
Innovation is playing a much more important role in • General Dermatology • Chemical Peels
our recovery. In many ways, the pandemic forced rapid,
adaptive changes in our technology and services. The • Mohs Surgery • Laser Therapy
growing spirit of innovation and burgeoning buzz for Boca • Botox , Juvéderm , Restylane and Perlane ® • Licensed Aestheticians
®
TM
®
Raton are some of the reasons that our recovery will be
swifter, and our prospects have never been brighter. • Dysport , Radiesse ®
®
This past year is proof that in the face of adversity
comes opportunity. While we don’t know exactly where Medicare & Most Insurances Accepted
these “opportunities” will take us, we know that our city
has innovation in its history and at its core. As ever, we’ll All new patients receive a FREE Gift after your first visit!!
continue to prepare, adapt, lead and grow for a bright and
vibrant future. *Certain restrictions apply. New patients only
Please take some time to see more about the unseen Dermatology of Boca
stories of the last year by watching the video at myboca.us/
soc. As always, I’d love to see your comments, so please 4601 North Federal Highway • Boca Raton, FL 33431
email me at ssinger@myboca.us and stay connected with
me on social media @ScottSingerUSA on all platforms.  561-362-8000

Dermatology of Boca 14.pmd 1 1/19/2012, 9:22 AM