Dr. Jen Is Now on Tour!

Life is a journey. We hope to follow a smooth route, but there will always be unexpected roadblocks and detours. And 2020 was one bumpy ride! As the pandemic spread last year, the world was forced to make big changes. Our lifestyles slowed down, our work and social connections shifted to online, and we had to reinvent our usual habits for good health. 

Before the pandemic, I lived with my husband on a farm nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We grew much of our own organic food, hiked among the redwood forests, and enjoyed a supportive community of friends and neighbors. As the pandemic forced us to work online and our community retracted, it became harder to sustain our lifestyle. We longed to see our families elsewhere in the country. So we decided, “Why not? Let’s try something new!”  

At the start of 2021, we downsized into a 5th Wheel Trailer and hit the road full time. Our home is now 8x30 feet, and we have a new view to enjoy every week. The transition has been a roller coaster of high “highs” and low “lows.” Every day has been its own adventure. 

Now we are traveling throughout California to visit friends and family in a ‘COVID-safe’ style. After our tour of California, we’ll head East to reconnect with loved ones in the rest of the country. 

You’re invited to join me throughout the journey. Every month, my On The Road To Better Health newsletter will share healthy lifestyle tips and exercise opportunities I learn during my travels. Each week we’ll experience beautiful landscapes as the backdrop to my online fitness classes.  Members of www.DrJenPT.com will enjoy exclusive on-demand workouts and health tips filmed on location in scenic parks and wilderness areas.

Want to reconnect in person? I’ll be hosting health and fitness events at every stop throughout my tour. Check www.DrJenPT.com for a calendar of classes and special events to reserve your spot when I come to a town near you.

It's My 10 Year DPT Anniversary!

Let's Celebrate! 

Time flies when you’re having fun! I have loved practicing PT since becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy 10 years ago. To mark this milestone, it is my pleasure to invite you to Treat Yo Self, an online celebration to stimulate the mind and senses. Saturday, May 22nd will be a day of indulgence and mindfulness. Let's give thanks to our favorite things, and nurture our spirits at this virtual event. 

And what's an anniversary celebration without presents? Register at https://www.jennifersylvesterdpt.com/special-events for your tickets and you’ll receive a gift box filled with special surprises. You must register by Monday, May 17th to get your present. Save your gift box goodies for Treat Yo Self - together we’ll enjoy a guided chocolate tasting led by master chocolatier Jen Ashby.

Lessons From The Road:

Finding Balance in Joshua Tree

People living with arthritis (such as myself) are 3 times more likely to fall than their peers. I was acutely aware of this when I’m trying to keep up with my husband as he hopped from rock to rock without a worry in the world in Joshua Tree National Park.  The amazing rock formations are what make Joshua Tree famous. They look like a perfect playground for climbing and exploring, but I get paralyzed with fear every time I get on top of a boulder.

The physical therapist in me knows to seize opportunities to sharpen my skills. So my exercise of the day was to climb onto a rock and practice balance exercises. Although I tried to stand on the flattest spots, even tiny variations in a rock’s surface made it more challenging to keep weight centered across my foot. Fear of falling added another level of difficulty. Exercises that I practice every day were nearly impossible when my mind was distracted with thoughts of falling onto the rough granite surfaces beneath me. However, with cautious practice, my fear diminished and my body felt a greater sense of control. 

Fear of falling is sometimes as debilitating as the injuries from an actual fall. People who are afraid of falling tend to move less and less, weakening their balance skills, and driving a downward spiral toward immobility. This phenomenon has been well studied by movement scientists. Researchers find that those who practice balance skills regularly have less risk of falling and tend to enjoy a better quality of life as they age. You don’t have to practice on a stack of rocks - standing on one leg for 30 seconds while waiting for your morning coffee to brew, or dancing to your favorite song can have profound effects on your postural stability. The important thing is to challenge yourself a little bit every day. The benefits add up over time, and your older self will thank you. 

If you want to build your balance skills safely, I’m here for you. Schedule a consultation at www.DrJenPT.com for a fall risk assessment and customized balance training program. 

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