Positive Summer Strategies

And thinking about positive health behaviors and attitudes, are there any that feel especially relevant for you in summer? And if so, why, why that one? I think the most positive thing is just, again, keep saying the same thing, but just getting out and enjoying the outdoors. I mean, for me, that's the biggest boost to my mental and physical health, have a Volkswagen Beetle convertible. So putting the top down and going for a ride is a lot of fun, too, which I'll probably do as soon as we get off this call. And have you discovered any strategies that help you stay on track with your health in summer? Sort of what works for you and would you recommend anything to others? I always keep up with all my doctor's appointments and I have an annual since I had the bariatric surgery. I had that at Northwest. So I have my annual follow-up every year. It's coming up in June, I think. So that gets the summer started off right. I sit down with the bariatric nurse practitioner and the bariatric nutritionist, and any questions or any things that have come up since I saw them a year ago, dietary concerns or health concerns or anything. And that, I find that very helpful. You know, when I first had the bariatric surgery and they said, you have to come in every year for a checkup for the rest of your life. I was like, really? But it's very helpful. And it just so happens to be, you know, right at the beginning of the summer when I have that annual appointment. So that really helps me, you know, keep my mind focused on where it's supposed to be and stay on the right track for the coming months. How do you stay supported or connected with your community or care providers during the summer months? What role do they play? We have a lot of social gatherings with my kids, my daughter, her husband, and my daughter-in-law all have birthdays right around the 1st of June. And two of my best friends also have birthdays that same week. So I always have a big cookout to celebrate all of their birthdays. Unfortunately, my daughter-in-law won't be here this year because she's in Germany right now. But just having that social outlet and being able to celebrate everyone's birthdays and get together and just have a good time. What would a healthy summer look like for you personally? What are you hoping to achieve or maintain this season? The biggest thing for me, again, just getting outside is going camping. It's going hiking. That's so good for my mental health that that just makes my physical health better. So I would be out there at the campgrounds every weekend if I could, but, you know, there's other things that have to be accomplished to housework and laundry and all that stuff. But maintaining good mental health really helps my physical health. Amazing. Thank you so much, Kathy. I'll stop the recording there.