Creative Solutions to Stay on Track

During this unprecedented situation, we are all looking for ways to stay healthy and keep our basic routines going as much as possible.  One bright spot is the creative solutions provided online.   We will attempt to share them with you as we find them.  In the meantime, stay safe and stay healthy!

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For the Body

It’s essential to maintain your fitness regimen.  We have been using online workouts and outdoor walks to keep ourselves active.  Here are some resources for you to do the same:

Our former neighbor and all-around good guy Jason at Fuse Fitness Studio is offering two weeks of free fitness coaching.

IC Fitness instructors are providing online workouts via Facebook Live.
Check out Fitness Fun with JulieFitness_Wave with  Michelle, Ali- Barre and TBC with Ali or TIFFIT Virtual Classes.

Venture Outdoors has transitioned its outdoor youth programming into an interactive learning tool. Activities can be completed on a short social distancing walk in your yard or from the inside.   They also offer ideas for short hikes that you can do while maintaining proper social distancing.

For the Mind – Keep the mind healthy while social distancing…

This is tough on everyone mentally.  In addition to worrying about the health of our family and friends, we are all struggling with fear of the unknown – fear about what happens to our jobs, our businesses and the economy when this is over.   We are, however,  working very hard at keeping our spirits positive.

First and foremost, we have our faith.  Many faith-based organizations and churches are streaming services online, so be sure to connect with yours.

Take time to appreciate something that you don’t usually have time to do.  How about some art?   Have you ever been to the Frick Museum?  Whether you’ve seen their collection in person or not, you can truly appreciate the detail of all these paintings through this virtual exhibition.    Click here for a full list of virtual offerings from the Frick, including kids’ activities, virtual exhibitions, and virtual tours.

In fact, with Google Arts and Culture, you can visit museums around the world from your home.

Artwork Archive offers up ideas on how to experience arts and culture virtually.

Local photographer, J.P. Diroll, offers up Pittsburgh Coloring Pages.

Read!  In our house, we are getting caught up on all those piles of books we’ve been wanting to read.  If you are in the market for a new book, consider your independent bookseller.  

Music can lift your spirit…

The Pittsburgh Irish Festival will live stream Irish music on their Facebook page starting tomorrow  (3/25)  evening.

Do you or your kids play an instrument?  Follow along with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’sPractice Practice Practice learning opportunity.

Do you have an idea?

What’s keeping you sane during the shutdown?  I’d love to hear from you.  Send emails to drtim@drtimsciullo.com.

*This post will be updated frequently, so check back often!

Photo by Andrea Leopardi on Unsplash

Coronavirus Update

With the concerns around the Coronavirus, we have put measures into place that will allow Dr. Sciullo to continue to serve patients while adhering to protocols to protect the community.

We’ve already taken precautionary steps to make sure we are providing a clean and safe environment for patients. Also, we will be making some other changes to office procedures at this time.  These changes include pre-appointment screening, forehead temperature scanning, requiring patients to hand-sanitize and wear masks upon entering the office.

Important

Effective immediately, Dr. Sciullo can no longer accept walk-in patients. Before coming in, please call the office at 412-343-2006 to make an appointment.

For more information and news related to the Coronovirus, please visit the Center for Disease Control.

The Importance of Vitamin D

I’ve been getting a lot of questions from my patients about how they can boost their immune system.  So, I’m going to focus on a few posts around this subject.

Boost Your Immune System with Vitamin D

One of the best ways that you can boost your immune system is with Vitamin D.  The best way to get it is from natural sunlight.  Now, coincidentally, it is a beautiful sunny day here in Pittsburgh, and I’ve been making a point to step outside myself today to get some rays.  Even if you can only grab ten minutes at a time, it can help.

One of the challenges of living in Pennsylvania is that we don’t have daily access to natural sunlight.  Here is a good overview of the importance of and how to get Vitamin D into your system in other ways as well, from an article published in the Washington Post back in January. 

Since we are heading into spring, and hopefully there will be more sunny days, take advantage when you can of that natural sunlight.

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Things We Love: Wild Orange Oil

From time to time, we want to share products that we love with you.  As mentioned before, we now offer doTerra products in our office, as this is a product that we use consistently in our home and think it is worth sharing.

Wild Orange Essential Oil is one of those products.

wild-orange-essential-oildoTerra’s Wild Orange Essential Oil is cold-pressed from the peel.  Diffuse wild orange for an energizing citrus aroma.

Also, if you use natural cleaning ingredients in your home, wild orange makes a great addition to your mix.

Would You Like to Sample Wild Orange?

We are giving away 5ml bottles to the first ten people who request them!  Just email or give us a call, and we will have one waiting for you in the office.  We will take the first 10 requests until supplies are gone.   Your sample must be picked up in the office at 4136 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA.   Give us a call at 412-343-2006 or email us at drtim@drtimsciullo.com.

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Make your spaces smell like this orange grove with Wild Orange Essential Oil

 

Photo by Max on Unsplash

Get Better Sleep with Lavender

lavender-15ml (2)Lavender is one of the most popular and conventional essential oils.   It is useful for many different things, and one of the most common reasons to use it is to promote a restful night’s sleep.

Here are a few ways that you can use Lavender essential oil to aid in relaxation for a better night’s sleep.

  1.  Add a few drops to your pillows or bedding so that you inhale the aroma as you are drifting off to sleep.
  2. Apply Lavender oil to the bottoms of your feet as a part of a relaxing bedtime ritual.
  3. Add a few drops to a diffuser.

In addition to offering single bottles of pure Lavender Oil, doTerra also offers the following products.

doTerra Lavender Touch roller bottles for easy topical use.  

doTerra Serenity – a supplement to promote restful sleep

If you’re interested in learning more or trying a sample, stop in the office or ask us on your next visit.

Traveling with Essential Oils

Don’t Leave Your Oils Behind this Summer

TravelEssentialOils (1)Is your summer vacation pack list together?  If essential oils are a part of your daily health and wellness routine, don’t leave them behind.  Consider what you need to pack to maintain your physical, emotional and mental well-being on the road.

We always take essential oils with us when we travel.  We’ve even been known to stow a diffuser in a suitcase, although this is not always practical.  Here are some ideas on what we take and how to take them with you safely.

What to pack.

1. Include a bottle of something to purify and cleanse the air.  doTERRA’s Breathe is a good choice.  Or, take along an introductory kit, which includes conveniently sized smaller bottles of lemon, lavender, and peppermint.  Diffuse the oils by simply putting a few drops on sheets in your room.  Here are a few other ideas.  

2. Don’t forget your calming oils.   We love doTERRA Balance to keep us calm and grounded.  The 15 ml bottle is small enough to carry on a place.  We typically stash it in a carry on or purse.

3.  Beat the bugs.  doTERRA TerraShield Spray also comes in a bottle that you can pack in a carry-on bag.  Or make a super TerraShield mix by adding lemongrass and eucalyptus to TerraShield in a spray bottle.  We have tried this spray on mix already this summer and it works great.

4.  You’ve probably read the stories about the horror of germs on airplane surfaces.  To cleanse and purify surfaces in public transportation areas, make a simple DIY spray. Combine 2 fluid ounces water and 24 drops tea tree essential oil in an approved travel mist bottle, which can be found at most drug stores.  Lavender oil can also work well for this.  To use, shake bottle, spray surfaces and wipe down with a paper towel or napkin.

5.  Last but not least, don’t forget your Deep Blue Rub, for any aches or pains while you travel.  We have small sample sizes in the office and would be happy to give you one for your upcoming trip.

How to Pack Essential Oils for Travel

1. Wrap anything breakable in a cushioned sleeve, but not so securely that you can’t easily access it.  A small piece of bubble wrap or tissues can work for a small bottle.

2. When packing in luggage, we double pack liquid items in sturdy resealable plastic bags and place it in a protected area of the luggage or car.

3. You can purchase small drams on Amazon, and make mini size bottles for your trip.  If you have repackaged something, make sure you label it.

Use these ideas to make a list of what you would like to take with you.  Prepare anything that you need in advance of your trip, and you’ll be good to go!

Wishing you safe and happy travels this summer!

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash