P1/ Corn Maze Craze

Learn about the first corn maze ever created in this little touch of the world’s maze history.

P2/ Social Work Corner

Tis the month for grati-tude! Learn how beneficial it can be to your health here! Local support group information is on this page!

P3/ Eat & Laugh

Another scrumptious seasonal recipe provided by our Oncology Regis-tered Dietitian.

Comedy Corner is sure to make you chuckle!

P4/ Mellow Moments

Spending time in nature can provide several mental health benefits, read all about them here!

Stay entertained during your treatments!

Issue 32 November 2018

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Peals Family Chemotherapy Center | St. Joseph Hospital

CORNER

Inside this Issue

CHEMO

Nature’s Hidden Talents

Entertainment Guide Do you get bored during your chemo-therapy? Well lucky for you the Peals Family Chemotherapy Center is stocked FULL of entertainment options! Watch a movie on one of our portable DVD players, or read an enticing novel on one of our Kindle Fires during your treatment. We also have a cart stocked full of coloring supplies, word searches and Sudoku books! Be sure to take ad-vantage of these great offers each time you visit us for treatment!

The Chemo Suite has had many

beautiful visitors lately, not only

our patients, but a family of deer!

If you see them hanging around

be sure to take a moment to stop,

observe, and inhale their beauty!

We know that being out in nature can have awesome effects on our

body. We breathe cleaner air, get Vitamin D from the sun and are en-

couraged to focus on our fitness as we enjoy the great outdoors through hik-

ing, biking, walking and climbing. But what can Mother Nature do for our

mental health?

Here are 5 ways your mental health benefits from spending time in nature.

1 - Less Stress

Research shows that nature has a significant effect on reducing stress levels.

Interestingly, these results are apparent whether a person is spending time in

nature, looking at nature or simply hearing the sounds of nature. Any interac-

tion with nature can help to reduce stress.

The University of Exeter Medical School in England studied the mental health

data of over 10,000 city inhabitants. Their study found that people who lived

near green spaces had less mental distress. These results held regardless of

income, education level and employment.

In 2013 a study on the effects of nature sounds was carried out. Researchers

found that hearing recorded sounds of nature had a similar effect on stress

levels as looking at nature images or be-

ing out in nature.

2- Calming

Not only can nature relieve stress, but it

can go one step further and provide a

sense of calm.

3 - Increases Focus and Attention

Another awesome effect of nature on mental health is nature’s ability to in-

crease people’s focus and attention.

Studies show that those who are exposed to nature, even if it’s viewing a tree

from their window, perform better in school. The natural setting calms them

and sharpens their performance.

4- Increases Relaxation

Researchers at Japan’s Chiba University created a study to look at the powers

of relaxation found in nature. They had 84 participants take a stroll in the for-

est and 84 walk in a city center. Those that walked in the forest were noticea-

bly more relaxed than their city center counterparts. They had a 16% decrease

in the stress hormone cortisol, 2% decrease in blood pressure and 4% de-

crease in heart rate. Researchers believe we are more relaxed in nature be-

cause that is where we evolved. Our senses are adapted to interpret scenes of

plants and streams, not traffic and buildings.

5 - Better Moods

If nature can increase our calm and relaxation, it stands to reason that it can

also improve our mood. A comprehensive study in 2008 found this to be true.

Simply by viewing images of nature, participants had elevated moods.

In 2011, another study was done to look at the effects of activity, like walking

or running, in an outdoor vs indoor environment. According to the study,

benefits for those participating in outdoor activities included, “greater feelings

of revitalization and positive engagement, decreases in tension, confusion,

anger, and depression, and increased energy… Participants reported greater

enjoyment and satisfaction with outdoor

activity and declared a greater intent to

repeat the activity at a later date.”

How did the corn maze become a popular autumn event?

When the maze craze swept the nations, designers kept coming up with more and more

creative ways to build mazes. The mazes were built out of unusual materials, grown out of different

kinds of plants and trees, created virtually on the internet, and of course printed on paper. The de-

signs ranged from deceivingly “simple” paths twisted into squares or circles to shapes of animals,

household objects, vehicles, landmarks and more! There was no end in sight for the creativity that

could be presented through a maze design.

Don Frantz, a Disneyworld and Broadway producer had read about mazes in other countries, and

pondered the idea of creating a maze in a cornfield. After all, mazes had been carved into the ground

and hedges, what could be that different about doing it in a cornfield? When he pitched the idea to

Steven Sondheim over lunch one day, the Broadway composer suggested that Don could call it “The

A-maze-ing Maize Maze.” Franz said in an early interview, “If there was an American adaptation of

the European art, it would be a maze in a cornfield.”

In 1993, Don Frantz and Adrian Fisher (the world’s leading maze designer) collaborated to create the

first interactive corn maze at Lebanon Valley College: a 142,713 square foot maze in the shape of a

dinosaur named Cornelius the Cob-asaurus. The idea for the maze grew out of Franz and student

Joanne Marx’s desire to bring people together in an effort to raise money for flood victims in the

Midwest. Though hedge mazes were popular in Europe, the idea had not yet caught on in the United

States. The first corn maze took weeks to create, and was only open for two weekends in the fall, but

drew over 6,000 people in the first weekend alone and raised more than $32,000 for the Red Cross.

The success of the first corn maze led to another, and another, and another, and soon Don Frantz

and the American Maze Company had taken the nation by storm. Though he and Adrian Fisher only

collaborated for a few years before Fisher went back to England, both played a huge part in making

the corn maze industry what it is today. Other corn mazes began to crop up across the US, as well as

other maze companies like The Maize Company, Maize Quest, Maze Play and more. Corn mazes be-

came a integral part of the agritourism movement that was sweeping the country.

Gertie is ready to do some trick

or treating!!!! (She’s hoping for

mostly anchovies.)

Comedy Corner

WHAT TO EAT GRATITUDE By April Alexander, MSW, ASW – Oncology Social Worker

INGREDIENTS: 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 Tablespoon butter

¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can peas, drained

1 can French cut green beans, drained

1 can yellow corn, drained

5 carrots, chopped

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

1 lb. lean ground beef

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 Tablespoon Ketchup

¾ cup beef broth

Provided by Whitney Terry, RD Oncology Dietitian for Cancer Support Services

All Cancer Support Group 3rd Thursday each month Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm St. Joseph Hospital Call April Alexander for Location (707)445-8121 X 6349

Head & Neck Cancer Support Group 2nd Thursday of each month Time: 5:30pm—6:30pm St. Joseph Hospital 3rd Floor, Classroom #2 Call April Alexander for more info (707)445-8121 X 6349 Redwood Ostomy Group 2nd Saturday of each month Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm St. Joseph Hospital 3rd Floor, Classroom #1

Support Group Information

Hosted by Breast & GYN Health Project: Please call to confirm times or for more information if you’d like to attend a group: (707) 825-8345 Breast Cancer Support* 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm Advanced Disease: Stage 4* Every Monday Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm Gynecologic Cancer* 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm Writing & Living with Cancer* 1st & 3rd Monday of each month Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm *These groups are for cancer patients only

Prostate Cancer Support Group 2nd Wednesday of each month Time: 6:00pm—7:00pm St. Joseph Hospital Conference Room #3 Leukemia & Lymphoma Cancer Support Group 1st Tuesday of each month Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm Call Amanda @ (707) 616-1116 American Cancer Society Support Group 4th Tuesday of each month Time: 6:30pm—8:00pm 2942 F Street, Conference Room For more info: (707) 443-9522

INSTRUCTIONS: Makes 6 servings 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook un-til tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and mash. Mix in butter, ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. 2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain carrots and add peas, green beans, and corn. Stir until mixed. 3. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Pour off excess fat. Stir in flour and cook for another 1 minute. Add ketchup and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. 4. Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish. Next, spread a layer of mixed vegies. Top with the mashed potato mixture – if desired may top potatoes with any extra shredded cheese. 5. Bake in oven for 20 minutes at 375 degrees, or until golden brown. 6. ENJOY!!!

Nutrition Facts per Serving: Calories 452, Total Fat 17g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Sodium 295 mg, Total Carbohydrates 52.5g, Fiber 7.3 g,. Protein 23.1g, Sugars 6g

Research over the past few decades has consistently

found that people who practice gratitude on a regular basis

see substantial positive benefits in their lives. This includes less de-

pression and anxiety, more optimism, stronger relationships, sounder

sleep, and many other positive impacts. Gratitude is defined as “an

emotion expressing appreciation for what one has”, (Psychology To-

day, 2017). Practicing gratitude is so powerful that it can actually in-

crease our well-being and happiness. Additionally, expressions of gratitude toward others are associated

with increased energy, optimism, and empathy.

One study by Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough in 2004 included subjects keeping a journal list-

ing of five things per day they felt grateful for. This was done once per week, and each item was written

about in one sentence. After two months there were significant effects. Compared to the control group,

those who practiced regular gratitude were more optimistic and felt happier. The people who practiced

gratitude also fell asleep more quickly at night, slept longer, and woke up feeling more refreshed. A re-

cent popular gratitude challenge includes naming at least one thing you’re grateful for per day. People

have used social media such as Facebook for accountability purposes, and many have found this chal-

lenge increases their happiness levels while decreasing feelings of negativity.

In the midst of a major illness such as cancer it can be difficult to find a silver

lining. Practicing gratitude on a regular basis can help to lesson stress levels

and increase positivity during this difficult time. Though attempting to show

gratitude can be challenging, ultimately the long-term rewards and benefits are

worth it.