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Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.3 Table of Contents 04: Dental Wellness 08: Chasing a Sun-Kissed Tan? What You Should Know. 12: Low Vision at a Glance 18: Understanding Glaucoma 22: A Holistic Approach to Health 26: Floyd’s Vibrant Colors 30: Strategies for Grief Management
Pg. 4 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News Dental Wellness When people think about health and wellness, they may not always think about their teeth. The phrase, “I have to go to the doctor,’ is more commonly associated with the health of parts of your body besides the mouth. This being the case, dentists are doctors and the mouth is a very important part of the body when it comes to a person’s overall health. People use their mouths a lot more than they might realize. There is the most obvious use of eating and drinking, but it goes beyond that. Talking is one of the most common uses for the mouth, as is breathing. When one considers the phrase ‘health and wellness,’ it is easy to inadvertently overlook dental health and wellness. William Todd Walker, DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) of Lincoln says that the mouth is “an easy part of the body to keep healthy.” Dr. Walker stated that one of the reasons that keeping your mouth healthy is so important is eating. He states that “having a healthy smile allows you to smile at the world.” However, this is not the only reason to keep your mouth and smile healthy, according to Dr. Walker. “Poor dental health is linked to cardiovascular disease and chronic inflammation,” Dr. Walker explained. “Good oral hygiene supports systemic health. It is not just cavities.” According to an article published by the American Academy for Oral and Systemic Health (AAOSH), a 501(c)(3) composed of doctors and dentists, there are many diseases that can be linked back to poor dental hygiene. This article, which cites information from several studies published in various medical journals, corroborates Dr. Walker’s statement, with its first disease being cardiovascular disease. This article states that periodontal disease, or diseases of the tissue surrounding teeth, “is directly linked to artery inflammation.” It goes on to say that bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, causing arteries to harden. This can then lead to a heart attack or stroke. Another disease the AAOSH’s article links to poor dental hygiene is Alzheimer’s disease. The article states that oral bacteria has been the subject of some studies on Alzheimer’s disease, with correlations being found. According to the article, the presence of these bacteria, called spirochetes, is “significantly higher in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.”
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.5 The article also states that poor dental hygiene can be linked to high-risk pregnancies. The article cites a study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, a peer-reviewed academic journal. According to this study, “women with periodontal disease are six times more likely to give birth prematurely.” It goes on to say that a specific bacterium, fusobacterium nucleatum, has been found in amniotic fluid, placenta, and the membranes of babies born prematurely. With all these diseases, and more, linked to poor oral hygiene, what can be done to maintain good oral health? According to Dr. Walker, brushing and flossing are the two most important things you can do, “... especially flossing.” Flossing is something that, according to a survey, most adults forget to do. Results from the 2014 Delta Dental Oral Health and WellBeing Survey showed that around 40 percent of Americans floss their teeth daily, with one in five people reporting that they never floss. Flossing is an extremely important part of dental health, however. The Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics published an article going into detail on why it is so important. According to the article, while brushing does a good job at cleaning the "visible surfaces” of teeth, it does not do such a good job cleaning between teeth. Flossing helps to remove food particles and bacteria that get left behind after brushing. These bacteria can become plaque, and if left alone, this plaque can become tartar. The article states that “tartar can’t be brushed away and needs to be removed by a dentist or hygienist during a cleaning.” According to the article, if tartar is left untreated, it can lead to gum inflammation, infection, and then eventually, gum disease. Regularly seeing a dentist is also an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene. According to Dr. Walker, that means making two to three appointments per year. This is something not enough adults do. While the numbers are better than flossing, there still seems to be a large portion of the U.S. population that does not go to see their dentist at least once per year. According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2019 to 2020, the percentage of people who saw the dentist at least once in a 12-month period decreased from 65.5 percent to 62.7 percent. The study did account for the fact that many things, like dentist office hours, were disrupted during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so that decrease should be taken with a grain
Pg. 6 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News of salt. Still, the initial pre-pandemic number shows that only about two out of every three Americans saw their dentist once per year. Dr. Walker stated that, apart from trauma such as a broken tooth, “the vast amount of dental problems are completely preventable.” Dr. Walker continued, these issues “can be prevented by brushing, flossing, and being responsible with your diet habits.” Dr. Walker recommended that people watch the sugar content in the beverages that they consume. “The people around you will appreciate your fresh breath and a nice clean smile.” For anyone wanting to make an appointment, the best way to reach Dr. Walker is to call his office located at 604 N Union Street, Suite 4 in Lincoln, IL at (217) 732-4307. [Matt Boutcher] Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not in any way be considered professional medical advice or medical advice of any kind. Lincoln Daily News is not responsible for any health issues that arise as a result of reading this informational article. Sources: 15 Diseases Caused by Poor Dental Hygiene Oral Health Resolutions Why Flossing Matters (Yep, Even If You Brush!) Dental Care Utilization Among Adults Aged 18−64: United States, 2019 and 2020
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Pg. 8 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News Chasing a sun-kissed tan? What you should know. Do you know what UV exposure means? Every summer, reminders about sunscreen seem to come from everywhere: doctors, family members, public health messages, and weather reports. Those reminders matter because ultraviolet, or UV, radiation can damage skin even when the day feels mild or cloudy. According to the Mayo Clinic, a tan is evidence of skin injury rather than a sign of health. That matters because the appeal of a tan can make UV damage seem harmless, even though the color change reflects stress on the skin. UV exposure means the skin or eyes are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, an invisible form of energy from the sun or tanning beds. There are two main types that matter for tanning and skin damage: • UVA rays: These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are strongly linked to tanning, wrinkles, aging, and some skin cancer risk. • UVB rays: These rays affect the outer layers of skin and are the main cause of sunburn; they also raise skin cancer risk. In other words, tanning is not the skin becoming healthier; it is the skin producing more melanin after UV exposure has already caused damage. UV exposure is also cumulative, meaning repeated small amounts can add up over time. A person may not burn every time they are outside, but that does not mean the skin has avoided damage. Regular unprotected exposure can contribute to changes in skin texture, uneven pigmentation, and a higher risk of developing skin cancer later in life. This is why a “base tan” is misleading. A light tan may make someone feel less likely to burn, but it does not provide reliable protection from UV radiation. In some cases, it can create a false sense of safety and lead people to stay outside longer without enough sunscreen, shade, or protective clothing. Why suntanning is not risk-free There is no truly safe way to suntan from UV exposure, whether from the sun or from tanning beds, because tanning shows that skin cells are responding to injury. The damage may not always be visible right away, but the long-term risks are significant: •Skin cancer risk: UV exposure increases the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.9 • Premature aging: Tanning accelerates wrinkles, dark spots, and loss of skin elasticity. • Sunburn: Even one severe burn can raise future skin cancer risk. • Eye damage: UV exposure can contribute to cataracts and other eye problems. For time outdoors, the safer approach is to use broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear protective clothing, seek shade, and avoid peak UV hours. Indoor tanning is not a safer alternative. Tanning beds and sunlamps also use UV radiation, and the exposure can be intense. Because the skin may darken without an immediate burn, people may underestimate the harm, but the underlying UV damage still contributes to aging and cancer risk. How to lower your UV risk Avoiding intentional tanning is the safest choice, but if you spend time outside, these steps can reduce UV-related skin damage: Sunscreen is important, but it should not be treated as permission to stay in the sun indefinitely. It works best as one part of a broader protection plan that also includes shade, clothing, hats, sunglasses, and attention to how long you have been outside. • Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and reapply it after swimming, sweating, or extended time outdoors. • With all medications, you should be reading or asking your doctor or pharmacist if there are any implications of being exposed to UV rays. Some medicines can trigger adverse side effects when a person is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, primarily long-wave UVA rays. There are dozens of common medications that can trigger these responses, including specific antibiotics (like doxycycline), NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen), blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering statins, and retinoids. So be safe and check with the professionals before taking any meds. • Avoid prolonged sun exposure in one session because sunburn may not be obvious until later. • Wear a hat and sunglasses with 99–100% UVA and UVB protection to protect the scalp and eyes. • Drink plenty of water and take regular breaks
Pg. 10 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News to help reduce the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion. • Seek shade or go indoors if skin starts to look pink or feel sore. People with darker skin may not notice visible color changes. Reapplication matters because sunscreen can wear off with sweat, water, towel-drying, and time. Even a good sunscreen is less effective if too little is applied or if it is not reapplied during long outdoor activities. Protection also matters when sunlight feels less intense because UV exposure can happen indirectly: • Sand, snow, and water can reflect UV rays and increase the risk of sunburn, even in shade. • UV rays can penetrate clouds, so sunburn can still occur even when the sky is cloudy. • Trees, umbrellas, and canopies help, but they do not provide complete UV protection. It is also important to pay attention to early warning signs. Skin that feels hot, tender, itchy, or sore after sun exposure may already be irritated or burned. If symptoms are severe, including blistering, fever, chills, confusion, dehydration, or eye pain, a person should seek medical guidance. A lesser know complication of being in the sun too long is Actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis. This is a rough, scaly skin patch caused by years of ultraviolet exposure from the sun or tanning beds, most often appearing on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, scalp, neck, forearms, lips, and backs of the hands. These patches may be flat or slightly raised, dry, itchy, crusted, or wartlike, and can vary in color from pink or red to brown. They usually develop slowly and are more common in people over 40, especially those with fair features, frequent sunburns, or weakened immune systems. Because untreated actinic keratosis can sometimes develop into squamous cell carcinoma, Mayo Clinic recommends having new or changing skin spots checked by a health care provider. Choose safer ways to get that bronzed look For people who want a tanned appearance, sunless tanning products such as sprays, mousses, and lotions offer a safer option because they add temporary color without intentional UV exposure. Most sunless tanning products contain dihydroxyacetone, which darkens the surface of the skin temporarily; however, it does not create UV protection or replace sunscreen. For the most natural-looking result, people often do best by applying sunless tanner evenly, washing hands after application, and continuing to use sunscreen when going outdoors. The internet is filled with places that now offer spray tans which are safe, fast, natural-looking, and reasonably priced when compared to the time it takes to lay outside or the time and cost of tanning packages at a salon. Every tanning artist may use different methods such as a spray tan booth, spray tan gun or by airbrushing. Therefore, each artist will need to give direction on how to prepare before and after the process based on the mode of application. Typically, the actual application takes 15-30 minutes with 5-10 minutes of drying time before dressing. Usually, the tan can last 5-10 days and costs vary from $25- $85 per session but can depend on the artist’s mode of application and experience. The goal is not to avoid outdoor activities, but
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.11 to enjoy them without relying on intentional UV exposure for color. The bottom line Temporary color is not worth long-term skin damage: there is no risk-free UV tan. For a safer glow, skip intentional tanning, protect your skin with sunscreen, shade, and protective clothing, and choose sunless products when you want a bronzed look. The best sun routine is one you can repeat consistently, every time you spend time outdoors. Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not in any way be considered professional medical advice or medical advice of any kind. Lincoln Daily News is not responsible for any health issues that arise as a result of reading this informational article. [JA Hodgdon-Ruppel] Sources: Mayo Clinic | Sun Damage AAD | Sunscreen FAQs Be Safe in the Sun Spend Time Outside and Stay Sun-safe National Cancer Institute | Sunlight How to Safely Get a Tan in the Sun Faster Sun Safety Facts Sun-Sensitizing Drugs The Ultimate Guide to Spray Tanning: Everything Beauty Students Need to Know
Pg. 12 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News Low Vision At A Glance Low vision is a vision problem that makes it hard to perform everyday tasks. This problem can’t be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or other standard treatments like medication or surgical procedures. You may have low vision if you are having trouble seeing to drive, read, clearly see people’s faces, recognize and distinguish colors, or clearly see the television screen. The type of low vision that you have depends on the underlying cause. Types can include central vision loss (losing the ability to see things in the middle of your vision), peripheral vision loss (not being able to see out of the corner of your eye), night blindness, or blurry vision. Many different eye conditions can cause low vision, but the most common causes include age related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma. Low vision is more common in older individuals because the conditions that lead to low vision are more common as we age. Eye and brain injuries and genetic disorders can also cause low vision issues. Your doctor will check for low vision as part of your routine dilated exam. Unfortunately, low vision is permanent, but there are options to help you do everyday activities. The Educational Center for the Visually Impaired is based in Springfield, Illinois. Their mission is to provide education, training and resources to the visually impaired so
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.13 that they can live safe, independent lives. Peggy, Dyson, the Executive Director of the ECVI says that “our eyesight is one of the ways we can interact with the world we live in. It helps us recognize faces, read information, work, learn, participate in social activities and understand our environment and surroundings.” Peggy leads a group meeting every Monday at the Oasis Senior Center in Lincoln. To set up an appointment please contact Bobbi Claypool at 217-454-9330. The team will evaluate and see how they can help. There are also meetings in Decatur at the American Red Cross and Springfield at the ECVI center on Hedley Road. In 2025, more than 500 people benefited from the services of the ECVI in Springfield, over 170 in Decatur, and over 80 in Lincoln. Their services are tailored to meet the specific needs of the visually impaired. Program topics and workshops focus on building connections, cooking, daily living skills and tasks, group social activities, wellness, tool time, faith and friendships, and meta glass class. “We have group activities for our participants where they can socialize, learn from community leaders and from each other. One group activity is Faith and Friendships, and the bible verse we use is We Walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).” When you lose your vision life becomes a challenge. Some common challenges that people face with low vision are cell phone use, cooking, curbs or steps, and even everyday tasks like putting toothpaste on your toothbrush. “Cooking becomes difficult because they cannot read the recipe, see to use the correct measuring cup, see how to turn on the stove or push the right buttons on a microwave”, says Peggy. Safety is a primary concern as they learn how to care for themselves. Emotional wellness is also a concern. Many low vision patients feel isolated and afraid to navigate the outside world. Of course, mobility becomes challenging because they cannot drive anymore and must rely on others to take them places. “All of these challenges can impact a person’s independence and confidence. What they used to be able to do for themselves, is now difficult and life changing.” says Dyson. The ECVI provides hope. Peggy and her team aim to give people with visual impairments “a new lease on life” by providing the tools and tips needed to manage daily life. “We give individuals a can-do attitude and hope for their future.” Can you imagine living without your eyesight? There are many ways you can help Peggy
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Pg. 16 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News and the ECVI continue to provide these life altering services free of charge to those who need it. If you are a medical professional and would like to partner with the ECVI to provide education on physical and emotional wellness please reach out to Peggy at www. ecvispringfield.org or pdyson@edcentervi. org. Your donation could help provide talking thermometers, talking blood pressure cuffs, white walking sticks, and much more. To learn more information or to get involved, you can contact the ECVI or 217-303-9062 or info@edcentervi.org. If you or someone you love has low vision, there are ways to make the most of your vision and keep doing the things you love. If your vision loss is minor small changes can help you see better. You can try using brighter lights, wearing anti-glare sunglasses, using a magnifying glass for up close activities and reading, and changing the settings on your computer screen and phone to increase contrast, make the text larger, read out loud to you, and more. If vision loss is getting in the way of daily life, talk to you doctor or reach out to the Educational Center for the Visually Impaired. You are not alone. There are people and programs ready to help. Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not in any way be considered professional medical advice or medical advice of any kind. Lincoln Daily News is not responsible for any health issues that arise as a result of reading this informational article. [Lesleigh Bennett] Sources: Peggy Dyson, Executive Director of the Educational Center for the Visually Impaired National Eye Institute | Low Vision
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Pg. 18 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News Understanding Glaucoma
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.19 Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that damages your optic nerve. Fluid builds up in the front of your eye, increasing the pressure, and damaging the nerve. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60. Your eye constantly makes aqueous humor. That is the clear, watery fluid that fills the front chamber of your eye. It maintains eye pressure and shape while nourishing the cornea and lens. Continuous production and drainage regulate this fluid. Blockages, reduction, or overproduction can potentially cause glaucoma. There are two major types of glaucoma. Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common type. It happens gradually and is the result of the eye not draining fluid as it should. As a result pressure builds up and damages the optic nerve. Because it is painless and advances slowly there are typically no warning signs until peripheral vision has been totally lost. It may begin with blind spots developing in your peripheral vision. Having regular eye exams can help detect any problems. Angle closure or Closed Angle Glaucoma occurs when the Iris is very close to the drainage angle of the eye. The iris essentially blocks the drainage, much like sliding a piece of paper over a drain. When the drainage angle is blocked eye pressure rises very quickly. This leads to an acute attack. Symptoms of an acute attack include: sudden blurry vision, severe eye pain, headache, nausea, and colored rings or halo developments around lights. You can also develop closed angle glaucoma slowly. This is then called chronic closed angle glaucoma. There are no symptoms, so damage is usually severe by the time an attack presents. Sometimes, there are signs of glaucoma like blind spots in vision or optic nerve damage with normal eye pressure. This is referred to as normal tension glaucoma. Who is at Risk For Glaucoma? Some people have a higher than average risk for developing glaucoma. These include people who have: - high eye pressure - are farsighted or nearsighted - have had a serious eye injury - have used steroid medications long-term - have corneas that are thin in the center - have thinning of the optic nerve - have a history of diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, poor circulation - are over 40 - have a family history of glaucoma - are of African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage The only way to diagnose glaucoma is with a thorough and complete eye exam. A glaucoma screening often just checks the pressure and is not enough to accurately diagnose the condition. An ophthalmologist will measure your eye pressure, inspect the drainage angle of your eye, examine the optic nerve and check for damage while also taking pictures and measurements of the nerve, and measure the thickness of the cornea. Glaucoma damage is permanent and cannot be reversed. Medications and surgery are used to prevent further damage. Eye drops are used to control glaucoma. These drops are used every day to lower eye pressure. Some do this by reducing the amount of fluid the eye produces, and some do this by helping the fluid flow better through the drainage angle. All medications have side
Pg. 20 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News effects. The eye drops may cause burning and stinging, redness around or in the eye, changes in your pulse or heartbeat, changes in your energy level, breathing changes (especially if you have asthma), dry mouth, blurred vision, changes in the skin around eyes and changes to eye color, and eyelash growth. It is important to give your doctor a list of all of your current medications and make sure that you never change or stop taking your glaucoma drops without talking to your ophthalmologist. Laser surgery There are two major types of laser surgery used to treat glaucoma. Trabeculoplasty is for open angle glaucoma. The surgeon uses a laser to make the drainage angle work better. It ensures fluid flows properly out of the eye and that the pressure is reduced. Iridotomy is used for closed angle glaucoma. The surgeon uses the laser to crate a tiny hole in the iris to help fluid flow to the drainage angle properly. Operating Room Surgery Some glaucoma is treated with surgery done in an operating room. Trabeculectomy can be done in the operating room. The surgeon creates a flap in the sclera (the dense white outer coating of the eyeball). This creates a bubble or pocket in the conjunctiva (the thin mucous membrane that lines the inner eyelids and the sclera) called a filtration bleb. This lowers eye pressure. The incision is hidden under the eyelid so it cannot be seen. In the bleb, fluid is absorbed by surrounding tissues. Glaucoma drainage devices may be used. The surgeon may place a drain tube in your eye. The tube send the extra fluid to a collection area where it is absorbed into nearby blood vessels. Cataract surgery is necessary when the Iris and cornea are too close together. Removing the lens with cataract surgery can correct the narrow angle and lower the pressure in the eye. Treating glaucoma successfully is a team effort. You, your doctor, and your ophthalmologist will work together to diagnose and treat your glaucoma. It is up to you to follow your ophthalmologist’s instructions and take your prescribed medications. You can expect to see your ophthalmologist every 3-6 months. Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not in any way be considered professional medical advice or medical advice of any kind. Lincoln Daily News is not responsible for any health issues that arise as a result of reading this informational article. [Lesleigh Bennett] Sources: Dr. Anju, Goval Understanding Glaucoma: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
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Pg. 22 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News A Holistic Approach to Health With chronic illness on the rise, such as autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue, metabolic syndrome, and persistent inflammation, more people are beginning to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of their health. While conventional medicine remains a necessity for acute trauma, surgery, or crisis management, people are looking for a more simplistic approach to their health. Holistic and integrative practitioners take a different approach from conventional doctors. They spend more time exploring a patient’s history, lifestyle, and habits to find the root cause of illness and help heal it naturally. Kimberly Martin had 13 years of nursing experience, including 7 years as a nurse practitioner. She has experience working in small, critical access hospitals and Level 1 trauma emergency rooms. She found her true path, though a difficult one, after her son Mikah was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Now, as a Christian nurse practitioner, she operates MTM Wellness, where she educates, empowers, and helps heal her patients with a holistic approach to healthcare. Through her practice of helping on their journey to healing, she honors the memory of her son. Martin’s approach centers on addressing the root cause of illness rather than managing symptoms. Martin says that symptoms are often the body’s way of saying that
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.23 something deeper needs to be investigated. She says it is important to understand why the symptoms developed. She explained that there are several underlying contributors including inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, gut dysfunction, toxins, chronic infections, metabolic imbalance, and chronic stress. Her approach doesn’t stop at diagnosis, she works to identify the barriers that prevent the body from functioning properly. Terrain health is one way Martin helps. Much like healthy soil helps a garden thrive, Martin says our internal terrain, such as our cells, gut, immune system, metabolism, detoxification pathways, hormones, and nervous system, helps our body function. She goes on to explain that the human body is much like an ecosystem, where everything is connected, and that our modern environment disrupts our internal ecosystem with factors like processed foods, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyles, poor sleep, environmental chemicals, and others. Martin explained her favorite analogy for terrain medicine is a fishbowl. If you have a sick fish, it is reasonable to examine its environment. Instead of medicating the symptoms the fish is experiencing you would address its environment by cleaning its water, ensuring it has enough oxygen, and providing appropriate nutrition. For humans, Martin says, improving the terrain includes proper nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress management, reducing toxic burden, and supporting the gut and immune system. Martin explains that she does not “heal” her patients; she simply helps remove the barriers that may interfere with the body’s natural healing process. She says that our bodies know what to do because God designed them with
Pg. 24 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News the capacity for healing, and she helps identify and remove those barriers. While her approach focuses on holistic care, Martin believes that utilizing the strengths of both conventional and holistic medicine is important. She believes that patients benefit from having both in their corner, creating an optimized approach to health with conventional medicine assisting in emergency care, diagnostics, and surgery, and functional and integrative approaches exploring lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental factors. She stresses that her practice does not replace a primary care doctor but it offers a comprehensive approach that helps patients build resilience, understand the factors that contributed to their diagnosis, and work in harmony with traditional medicine. When conventional medicine had exhausted all avenues for her son, Martin turned to integrative practitioners who continued to search for answers and explored every avenue for healing. Martin explains that conventional medicine is often divided into specialties and while each specialist plays an important role, they are not stepping back to see the big picture or how each system influences the others. Because our systems communicate and are connected it is important that treatment is not confined to a single system. Martin said that small changes can have a profound impact on one’s health. She helps her patients understand how their bodies work and why certain recommendations are made. This helps her patients make informed decisions regarding their health. Instead of thinking of it as “eating healthy,” her goal is to have her patients understand why certain foods are needed. This helps her create a “culture of health”. She believes when people see why change is necessary, and how their choices impact their bodies, it becomes more sustainable for them rather than forced and it helps them become stewards of their health. Martin says that her mission with MTM Wellness is to “help people build a strong foundation for health.” She believes that proper nutrition, restorative sleep, movement, stress resilience, clean air, clean water, meaningful relationships, and faith create an environment where healing can occur. Her experience in both traditional and holistic care helps her “understand the strengths and limitations of each approach,” and she has dedicated her career to educating and empowering people to make better decisions for their health and peace in their lives. Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not in any way be considered professional medical advice or medical advice of any kind. Lincoln Daily News is not responsible for any health issues that arise as a result of reading this informational article. [Joli Boerma Crane]
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Pg. 26 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News Floyd’s Vibrant Vibrant Colors As people age, they can start to lose independence. This can come in both physical and mental forms. It could be things such as arthritis keeping people from the things that they used to love to do, or it can be things such as dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. When someone gets to a point where living on their own is no longer feasible, moving to an assisted or skilled nursing facility might be something they and their family have to consider. Castle Manor and St. Clara’s Rehab and Senior Care are examples of these facilities in Lincoln. Facilities such as these have their obvious benefits. According to the National Institute on Aging, skilled nursing facilities usually offer “nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day, and assistance with everyday activities.” St. Clara’s tries to get seniors engaged in activities as well, with an activity room where they hold bingo. Leisure activities like bingo are exceptionally important as people get older. According to a study titled “The impact of leisure activities on older adults’ cognitive function, physical function, and mental health” published in the National Library of Medicine, these activities are very good for older adults. The study’s abstract says “engagement in leisure activities has been claimed to be highly beneficial in the elderly. Practicing such activities is supposed to help older adults to preserve cognitive function, physical function, and mental health.” This study goes on to state that their study confirmed all of these things. Lincoln local Floyd Davis has found a leisure activity of his own that has helped him. Davis was a farmer for most of his life. His job included working with hay, harvesting, grain elevators, and even “skunk killer,” according to his daughter Diana Pickett. He worked in farming until the age of 74, having also spent 25 years working at a grain elevator. In addition to farming for work, he always had a garden to provide his family with fruits and vegetables. Davis is a man who is very used to working with his hands. After a particularly bad fall that broke his ribs, punctured his lungs, and tried to take his life, the decision was made to move Davis into St. Clara’s, a skilled nursing facility. Davis admitted that he could no longer take care of himself, needing the 24-hour care that St. Clara’s provides. In addition to this, arthritis started to keep Davis from working with his arms and hands the way he used to. This led to Davis becoming bored. “After a life of purpose and independence,” Pickett wrote, “he became bored and aggravated with
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.27 nothing really to do.” She wrote that they tried to take him to bingo, ice cream, and errands, but those activities did not fill the entirety of the day. Several months back, a family friend introduced the idea of coloring to Davis as an activity to help keep him active. He was initially dismissive of this idea, saying that he “threw it back in their face.” He thought that he would not be able to do it and wrote it off. After considering it, Davis decided to give it a try, and has been on a roll since. In the past two and a half months or so, Davis has completed over 70 pictures, hanging each one on the wall of his room. Pickett even stated that they had to rearrange his room to get all of the pictures put up. Davis says that, when he gets started, he does not think, he just colors. He picks a color at random to start with, and then matches the rest of the drawing to that initial color. That leads to some unique color choices, like birds that are mostly orange and yellow, or flowers sporting both warm and cold colors on their petals. Davis says that coloring is something that has helped him pass the time. It’s “something to do. Something to keep you busy.” It’s more than that, though. Davis showed that he has been able to stretch out his fingers more than he used to. Before, Davis said, they curled back some, but now they can almost completely extend again. He said that it has helped improve his outlook. Pickett has noticed the impact it has had on her father. She shared that there have been times that Davis’ nurses have come in to give him medicine or dinner. In some instances, those where Davis is “furiously” working on his coloring, he has informed the nurses that he is too busy. “He gives us beautiful things to look at,” Pickett said. “It’s food for the soul.” The journal Nature Medicine published a study on the association between elders having hobbies and positive outcomes in their lives. The study looked at people from sixteen countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. What the researchers found is that, for people aged 65 and older, engaging in hobbies kept them from showing symptoms of depression. It also had a positive impact on their selfreported health, their happiness, and their life satisfaction. It seems that the science is in Davis’s favor and he is definitely on to something. Hobbies do not have to be coloring. They can be reading, knitting, or anything else that engages
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Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.29 the brain in a meaningful and positive way. One of Pickett’s reasons for supporting her father’s coloring is the ability to show “the fruits of your labor.” She said that she and Davis will have conversations about the pictures, which ones they like best, and why. At the age of 91, Davis is proof that it is never too late to find a new hobby that you can fall in love with. Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not in any way be considered professional medical advice or medical advice of any kind. Lincoln Daily News is not responsible for any health issues that arise as a result of reading this informational article. [Matt Boutcher] Sources: Long-Term Care Facilities: Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, and Other Residential Care The impact of leisure activities on older adults’ cognitive function, physical function, and mental health Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries
Pg. 30 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News Strategies for Grief Management When we lose someone, we grieve! It is abnormal not to grieve. However, it is important to find ways to manage grief so it is not debilitating. Fortunately, there are many helpful strategies for dealing with loss. This article looks at the grief management strategies offered in several helpful sources on grief. The article “Understanding Grief: How We Mourn, Heal, and Move Forward After Loss” lists several common grief symptoms. Feelings often include shock and numbness, denial and disbelief, anxiety, fear, and distress, intense sadness or longing, anger and rage. Though some may not go through any of these stages and others only experience a few, it is helpful to realize these are all normal stages of grief. The grieving process may make you feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster. As the article “Coping with Grief and Loss: Stages of Grief, the Grieving Process, and Learning to Heal,” affirms, “Instead of a series of stages, we might also think of the grieving process as a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, highs and lows. Like many roller coasters, the ride tends to be rougher in the beginning, the lows may be deeper and longer.” Additionally, the first article on understanding grief notes that, grief can cause physical symptoms due to stress from the loss. These may include a lack of appetite, trembling, sleep disturbance, breathing problems, pressure in the chest, stiffness and headaches. Most of these symptoms are caused by stress and are likely to diminish over time. When you feel both emotionally and physically spent, it can be a challenge to keep up with your daily routine. In the midst of grief, some people withdraw from social
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.31 activities they previously enjoyed or lose interest in their work or hobbies. With your loved one gone, normal activities do not feel the same. To effectively cope with grief it is important to find strategies to alleviate the symptoms. For example, discuss with those close to you how you are feeling and work to develop closer bonds with them. Having support from your friends and family is very important as you work through your grief. Dare to allow yourself to experience the pain of the loss rather than attempting to avoid it. When you ignore the feelings brought about by the loss, it can actually prolong the process of grieving and make it even more difficult to move forward. One helpful strategy may be to find ways to pay tribute to the person you lost. Donating money, starting a scholarship in their name or volunteering for a charity they supported are ways to honor their memory. Planting a tree or garden in their memory, making a scrapbook or photo album, putting together a memory box or writing about them in a journal are other helpful ways to pay tribute. Another list of coping strategies encourages, “exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest, breathe deeply, use relaxation skills, cut back on commitments, limit sugar, alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine use.” Take care of yourself even when you don’t feel like it. Self-care can reduce stress and improve both your physical and mental health. Make sure to spend time with family and friends and not isolate yourself. Though it is fine to say “no” to some social functions, withdrawing too much from social life can lead to loneliness and depression. As you give yourself time to grieve, you may also take breaks from grieving to counter being overwhelmed emotionally and
Pg. 32 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Lincoln Daily News physically. Meditation, yoga, spiritual reading, listening to music and crafting are good ways to refocus. Find ways to manage daily life and its demands. Another article, “When Grief Makes Everything Hard: Managing Daily Life After Loss,” advises that, “you manage daily tasks during bereavement by radically lowering expectations, simplifying decisions, accepting help, and treating yourself with the same compassion you would offer a dear friend in crisis.” Even when you try to manage your grief, there are times when it may seem overwhelming. The article “Understanding the Stages of Grief: Practical Steps for Healing” suggests that you consider seeking help from a mental health professional if you are experiencing the following: • Your sadness feels overwhelming most days • You struggle to function at work, school or home • You feel hopeless or numb for an extended period • You find yourself withdrawing from people you care about • You have thoughts of harming yourself. There are resources available to help when your grief becomes unbearable: “GriefShare” offers thirteen-week, faithbased support groups for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Each week, participants watch a video with grief recovery experts sharing their experiences followed by a group discussion time. A companion guide provides exercises intended to help participants learn valuable healing strategies. GriefShare Programs are offered at both JeffStreet Christian Church and Open Arms Christian Fellowship twice a year. For those 55 and over and on Medicare, the Senior Life Solutions group at Lincoln Memorial Hospital has both group and individual therapy sessions. Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services offers individual counseling services. There are also many reading materials designed to help people through their grief. For instance, “Is My Grief Normal?”: 51 Questions People Are Asking About Loss,” written by grief experts, provides answers, insights, stories and encouragement to those dealing with grief. "Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief" has short reflections that offer comfort. "It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand" by Megan Devine clarifies how complex grief is and shares ways to manage it. People process grief in their own unique ways and what works for some may not work for others, but finding ways to manage grief will bring you closer to healing from the loss. The darkness of grief can become a passage through which you pass, but it need not be a pit from which you never emerge. Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It should not in any way be considered professional medical advice or medical advice of any kind. Lincoln Daily News is not responsible for any health issues that arise as a result of reading this informational article. [Angela Reiners]
Lincoln Daily News 2026-27 Health & Wellness Magazine Pg.33 Sources and Contact Information: Coping with Bereavement and Grief Understanding Grief: How We Mourn, Heal, and Move Forward After Loss Coping with grief and loss Understanding the Stages of Grief: Practical Steps for Healing When Grief Makes Everything Hard: Managing Daily Life After Loss JeffStreet Christian Church 1700 North Jefferson Street Lincoln, IL (217) 732-9294 Open Arms Christian Fellowship 1321 Route 10 Lincoln, IL (217) 732-4800 Lincoln Pastoral Counseling 1700 N. Jefferson St. Lincoln, IL 62656 Phone: 217-732-4445 Senior Life Solutions Lincoln Memorial Hospital 200 Stalhut Dr. Lincoln, IL 62656 217-605-5750
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