Recent update on the WWTP Program: Co-Founder, Steve Kappes, recently returned from a trip to the US Open as he serves on the USTA Adaptive Tennis Commitee. The following is a recap and overview about… More
Tech Tuesday: Innovations in Technology
Tech Tuesday
For Better or Worse, Innovations In Technology Continue To Affect Our World
Whether you are all in or want nothing to do it, technology is here to stay. There is no doubt huge benefits have resulted from new technologies today. And these benefits have not only impacted the health care industry, but nearly every aspect of our lives have been affected in one way or another.
I am very intrigued by new technologies, computers, and inventions, etc., but I also want to maintain balance and wellness in my overall life. I do minimize the amount of technology and electronics that I use in my daily life to help keep me focused, mindful, and minimize stress levels. Although there may be many benefits of technology, there can also be negatives. Most people with cell phones feel that when a text is received that one must respond within minutes. Or your workplace contacts you for important documents that you need to send to them as soon as possible; this can bring stress into your body.
But besides the possible negatives of technology, there are definitely those innovations in technology that have changed the world. There have been inventions of medical devices that can help blind people see, software apps to help motivate others, and a chatbot that can help with mental health.
Incredible innovations and inventions, programs and software can change one’s life. According to this article on technologyreview.com, artificial intelligence, language translation ear buds, and zero carbon natural gas are just a few of them. Read complete article here:
Source:
Technologyreview.com
Worst Habits For Your Mental Health
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The world today is a much more stressful place to exist in than in years past. Which can bring along alot of challenges and obstacles that many people may need a little help conquering. Some of the factors of the onslaought of mental health struggles are sometimes beyond one’s control, and overwhelming, but you can make small changes that help deal with some of these challenges that you may be facing.
But as you strive to continuous improvement and maintaining mental health wellness, it is important to know the worst habits for mental health. This article in health.com explains the 12 worst habits for your mental health:
- Hang on to your happiness
- You slouch when you walk
- You take photos of everything
- You let a bully get the best of you
- You don’t exercise
- You procrastinate
- You’re in a toxic relationship
- You take life too seriously
- You don’t sleep
- You’re never along
- You don’t actually talk to anyone
- You multitask
Each of these are very interesting, and it’s important to understand that these habits can be changed for the better and possibly lead to more positive things. Read complete article here:
Another factor in maintaining mental health wellness, is to know the characteristics of Mental Health. As healthylife.com explains, that mental health is not just about illness, its also about how you feel about yourself and how you react to life occurances, and events, etc. This article also mentions the fact that some folks might be afraid or hesitant to use mental health services because the stigma that might be associated with this topic. Some may even think that asking for help is weakness, but actually this article explains that those who do seek help are signs and characteristics of strength.
Learn more about these characteristics of mental health here:
Please feel free to comment or contact us for anything, we love to hear from you. Please follow and subscribe to our blog, and we thank you for reading and all your support.
Wednesday Wellness: Love Where You Live
Love Where You Live:
Do you find yourself complaining about your neighbors, or local costs of living, and even the weather? If you do, then you may want to think about the things that do make you happy, and possibly consider moving to a new place. Or perhaps try to identify and recognize all the good things that surround you as well.
Whether you are someone who is an outdoor active person or enjoys indoor activities, where you live can make you feel happier or not. For me, I find that living in a warmer climate where I see morning sunrises each day helps me feel excited about the day that is to come. I become enthusiast about the activities I plan to do that day, then I am also motivated to make goals or create a to do list for that day as well. I feel all around happier. According to a recent blog article by Fitlife360.net, recent survey resulted a causal link between community and individual health.1. Read complete article here:
Therefore, the more happy I am, the better I feel healthwise. I am more energetic, I am motivated to exercise so I can get my blood circulating and give my heart a worked out. I am more inclined to be active in this type of climate versus a colder one. Thus, helping me maintain a healthier lifestyle and lowering the risks for chances of getting a disease or becoming ill. Or perhaps its healing for those who are not in perfect health.
But many folks enjoy a cooler climate where some of the most invigorating activities are done outdoors, but these people make the most of the indoors as well. Activities such as skiing, ice skating, walking or hiking, and many other activity types bring a lot of enjoyment to these folks. Then reading a book by the fireplace, playing card games, playing a musical instrument, or attending a fitness class at the gym, are also great indoor things that people enjoy doing also. Enjoying the activities they do, brings satisfaction, thus can result in more feelings of happiness. Happiness equals wellness.
Now many of these activities can be more difficult to do for those higher in age. So how can we still maintain wellness as we age. The National Institute of Wellness (NIW) puts it this way: “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”2
I found a very interesting article on whereyoulivematters.org, and the article explains the dimensions of wellness and the importance of wellness as we age. Here are a few notes I’ve taken on these:
- Emotional
- Physical
- Intellectual
- Occupational
- Spiritual
- Social
Read complete article here:
Sources:
1. Fitlife.net
Padres * Warrior Tennis Night
Are you ready for a night full of fun and friends?
Join the Padres and the San Diego Tennis Community for Tennis Night at Petco Park, San Diego, California on Saturday, June 30th vs the Pittsburgh Pirates! First pitch is at 7:10 PM and stay after for a post-game laser show! Every fan in attendance will receive a Trevor Hoffman 500th Save Commemorative Bobblehead! In addition, $2 of every ticket purchased will help support the San Diego District Tennis Association Wounded Warrior Tennis Program. This will be a popular game since Trevor is being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year and our Tennis Night discounted tickets are first-come, first-serve. Tickets may be purchased at https://groupmatics.events/ event/ustatennisnight.
Memorial Day: More Than Just Picnics & Parties
Memorial Day: More Than Just Picnics and Parties.
In honor of Memorial Day; I recently had the honor of assisting the (WWTP) Wounded Warrior Tennis Program’s Annual National Tennis Camp in San Diego. This program offers Tennis lessons and skills training for wounded, ill, and injured military veterans. They also provide tennis clinics every Tuesday at the Balboa Tennis Club of which tennis isn’t the only thing this program is about.
Tennis is an activity that provides a means for many lessons, in both sport and life. The participants in the camp came from many different backgrounds to share an experience of a lifetime together. It was a week of activity and exercise; from dancing to yoga and eye-hand coordination to on-court aces! There was sportsmanship and competition as well as camaraderie and double faults. Whatever the challenge, the veterans learned how to deal with it and continue on with the game.
I saw passion and devotion by instructors, volunteers, and campers alike. It was an extraordinary sight to see. Instructors sharing their knowledge of skills and love for the game of tennis that was equally matched by the veterans who played with all heart! Massage therapists gleamed with honor as they provided healing recovery for the players.
Volunteers anxiously await the arrival of the campers every morning offering hugs and smiles to start the day of tennis. You can clearly see that these volunteers would not have wanted to be anywhere else in the world but here with nothing but their hearts, smiles and hugs.
The annual camp also provided many opportunities for social interaction and fun activities for all involved. From the dinners and conversations together to getting up close and personal with the zebra’s and giraffes at the zoo. Sometimes stepping out of their comfort zones and the incredible interaction and bonding of these military veterans, instructors and volunteers paved the path to helping build confidence, friendships, and hope. See more photos here:
The WWTP Annual National Tennis Camp offers one stand out warrior an inspirational award every year. The Lam Le Award is named in honor of Sgt. Lam Le, US Marine veteran who after experiencing deployments and duties of protecting our country, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
Le was a patriot who loved tennis and had an upbeat attitude and personal warmth that was undeniable. This is how those who knew him described Le accompanied by tears and smiles as they share stories about him.
Le passed away in 2013 and left emptiness in the warrior tennis clinics and the annual camp. From what I learned about Le recently, those lucky enough to have known him would say he exemplified honor, hard work, overcoming challenge and adversities. He also had passion and a desire to improve his quality of life, which is where tennis comes in. Holley Anne; Le’s widow, describes this honorable award inspired by her husband, as “This award recognizes those who live out their lives genuinely, fearlessly, fully.”
Please see the presentation of the award and special heart felt video by Le’s widow, Holly Anne below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hkhds15sdsjg7bu/Holly%20Anne%20Video.mp4?dl=0
So as you might imagine, the farewell banquet for the annual tennis camp is a night of laughs and smiles, as well as tears and honor. This year’s recipient of the Lam Le Award went to Adam Navarro from Chicago.
Lam Le’s memory continues to inspire family, friends, warriors throughout the tennis community. Le’s memory thrives through close friend and tennis instructor Spike, and Steve Kappes; co-founder of the Wounded Warrior Tennis Program, San Diego; as well as fellow warriors and annual campers. Please see the farewell video that captured the entire week of the camp below:
For me, the Wounded Warrior Annual National Tennis Camp was quite an extraordinary experience. Witnessing remarkable things such as camaraderie, friendships, laughter, competition, and a lot of passion and heart definitely touched a chord in me! This year, Memorial Day brings a little different meaning for me. Remembering those who made unimaginable sacrifices and feeling pretty darn thankful for the freedoms I get to enjoy every single day. Thank you for reading.
To learn more about the program, please visit: sdwoundedwarriortennis.org.
How You Can Be Mentally Resilient & Happy
MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY:
Easy Things That Can Make You Mentally Resilient and Happy!
*Travel: When I think of travel, the first thing that comes to mind is how to get there. If its flying, then it seems the storm comes before the calm. Meaning, the stress of flying that might include waiting in long security lines, sitting in cramped quarters, and the chance of getting ill. But wait; I also think about this as being only short term and there are several things you can do to prepare and avoid getting sick during travel. According to Fitlife360.net blog; you can stretch, do low impact exercise, and breath during your travel. This includes pre-flight, during flight, and post flight. Read complete article here: How To Stay Well During Travel.
*Train Your Mind: Another technique I practice is I train my mind to think about what’s on the other end. Excited to see a new place, explore new grounds, or just simply sitting by the pool on a beautiful day. Then I can truly say, that travel makes me happy. Of course, flying isn’t the only means of travel. You can take a road trip, or even just simply taking a walk in nature can spur those emotions of happiness. 
*Visit Someplace New: Feeling happy has an incredible effect on your body. It helps to lower cortisol levels to then make you feel more calm and relaxed. Thus, lowering the stress element in your body or mind that you might be dealing with. Happiness isn’t the only benefit that can result from travel. Visiting or moving to a new destination can be both exhilarating and intimidating. But it also toughens you up both emotionally and mentally. This is something I am all too familiar with. I have lived and moved around a few times while in the military, but I’ve also moved as a civilian, coast to coast; twice!
*Make a Change: Facing a new environment or culture, or even just dealing with change, almost forces you to learn to adapt and adjust to a life that might be out of your comfort zone. You learn to become more patient, and emotionally strong when coping with change or new surroundings. Read the complete article “Five Reasons Why Travel Is Good For Your Mental Health.”
There are so many other acts or tasks you can do that can make you as happy as you can be. I found a fantastic article in rd.com (Readers Digest); and here are some ideas that you can do starting right now to bring happiness into your life.
- Smile in the mirror.
- Hang out with happy friends
- Want what you already have
- Take a five minute break
- Call an old friend
- Treat yourself
- Make a list of traits that are uniquely you
- Go for a short jog
- Do a little dance
- Take a deep breath
These are only a few things that you can do starting right now. Make small changes now and it can bring huge results! Read complete article here: https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/how-to-be-happy/
Sources:
Fitlife360.net
Forbes.com
rd.com
Forbes.com
rd.com
Is The Internet Bad Or Good For Society?
TECHNOLOGY TUESDAY
Is the Internet bad or good for society?
I think long and hard about this question on so many levels. Realizing how the advancement of technology has made incredible strides in industries such as healthcare, business, and other fields; I still have many reasons to say how the Internet can be bad for humans. Today, humans seem to have less social interaction in person, yet we are the most social we’ve been in history. We share our lives on social media, we share car rides, homes, and our food! Yet, communication among humans might be considered worse than its ever been.
Many times at restaurants when I am eating out, well, I take that back; the few times I do treat myself and eat out, I will look around and see so many people and families with their heads down in their smart phones. Basically not talking to each other at all. It is quite a scene.
When I see these things like the folks sitting in the restaurant not talking to each other, it reminds me to do better in my own personal life. I do not allow my phone or notebook to control my life. I make sure I maintain a balance amount of human interaction and my technology. I make sure I get together with a friend for lunch or conversation every week. I try to plan a hiking trip each week in the local area and get outside to enjoy natural living things like plants and flowers, and the fresh outside air.
One other thing I do is read one book a month. I feel these things help me to live a more balanced and healthy lifestyle; both mentally and physically.
I found an interesting article on USNews.com, where a survey was conducted and resulted in some interesting responses. The question asked is: “Has the Internet been a good thing or bad thing?” You can read the survey results and complete article here:
Sources:
USNews.com
How You Can Improve Your Memory
MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY
How to improve your memory:
Life today has certainly become more complicated with all the distractions being thrown in our faces. There are the electronics, social media, new technologies, and more people in the world in general. Granted, some of these things have complimented our lives and made things more convenient. However, convenient isn’t always better.
On a daily basis, people are dealing with raising children, healthcare, activities, events, and so much more. Our minds are being challenged and we do tend to forget sometimes. It happens to all of us at one time or another. If I don’t write down a to do list for the day, I may end up forgetting to take care of one thing or two. But this may not really be a big concern at this time. As we grow older, our minds age as well. I notice as I am getting older, my mind doesn’t seem as sharp as it did when I was younger and serving in the military. I have been researching and reading books about how I can exercise my mind to improve memory skills and sharpness. I found a few other ideas that might help as well with respect to improving memory and help fight the aging process of the mind.
Here are a few ways that can help improve memory.
- Eat less sugar:
- “Studies have shown that people, who consume added sugar regularly, may have poor memory and lower brain volume than those who consume less sugar.”
- Try fish oil supplements
- Meditation
- Mediation and relation techniques have shown in studies that it improves short-term memory in people of all ages.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get enough sleep
- Practice mindfulness
- Mindfulness is a mental habit you can use in any situation…https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-improve-memory#section6
READ COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE:
Sources:
Healthline.com
Stress Management with Tai Chi
Wellness Wednesday:
Stress Management with Tai Chi: Often described as meditation in motion, Tai Chi has been traditionally practiced as a means of self defense. Today, it has become a graceful form of exercise and movements that can help reduce stress levels and offer other health benefits. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that involves low impact series of movements that are slow and focused along with deep breathing. Practicing Tai Chi can help lower stress levels, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve flexibility. It can also be inexpensive and safe low impact form of exercise and can be practiced indoors, outdoors, or at work. Read complete article
