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Specializing in Compounding For: • Veterinary Prescriptions • Hormones for Men & Women • Autoimmune Diseases • Mast Cell Activation • Allergy Tolerable Doses In collaboration with Hydration Hookup Voted Best Pharmacy By Press Banner 2020, 2021, 2022 Modern media gets real about death, dying & grief For something that affects everyone, it's baf- fling how little we Amer- icans talk about death and dying. For decades, our discomfort with and silence on the topic have been mirrored in the me- dia. Often dramatized and inaccurately portrayed, depictions of the dying process and grief as they are actually experienced have been largely taboo in popular culture. But that's changing. Conversations around death and dying are popping up in unexpected places. On social me- dia, @hopsicenursejulie tries to normalize death through short videos answering followers' questions. Death Doula and founder of Going with Grace, Alua Arthur, shares on Instagram about sup- porting people as they an- swer the question "What must I do to be at peace with myself so that I may live presently and die gracefully?" In the Netflix series, From Scratch, an episode entitled "Between the Fire and the Pan" beautifully demonstrates the power of hospice care when a character becomes critically ill. Is this trend caused by the growing Baby Boomer population? Boomers in the US will be 65 or older by 2030, so the realities of life and death are front and center for a large part of the population as never before. Perhaps, as a soci- ety, we long to share our experiences, talk about our loved ones who have died, and be seen and heard more fully in a dras- tically changing world. Have we grown weary of By Sally Green feeling alone and ill-pre- pared for something that happens to each of us? Whatever the reason, it's heartening to see popular culture give credence to our shared experience of death, dying, and grief. In the podcast All There Is with Anderson Coo- per, self-described as a deeply personal explo- ration of loss and grief, Cooper hosts a series of conversations about the people we lose, the things they leave behind, and how to live on. In an early episode, "Facing What's Left Behind," Cooper describes how he withdrew into himself and felt alone after his father's death when he was just 10 and again when his brother took his life when Cooper was 21. "I couldn't speak the same language as other people," shares Cooper. He talks about traveling to "places where the language of loss was spoken," and how those experiences helped him learn how to survive after his significant losses. In recent years, many movies have explored themes of grief, death, personal choice, remem- bering those who have died, and finding meaning at all stages of life. Disney Pixar's Coco and Soul, though billed as children's films, appeal to all ages. The film Farewell depicts death, multiculturalism, and family dynamics when a Chinese family decides not to tell the grandma that she has cancer. Each of these films is relatable and moving in its own way. Including conversa- tions around death in our cultural zeitgeist can influence how we live and die. For instance, studies show a disconnect between where people say they want to die and where they actually die. According to research from the Stanford School of Medicine, although an overwhelming majority of Americans—about 80%—would prefer to die at home, just 20% do. By normalizing realistic de- pictions of end-of-life and the options available, we can bridge the informa- tion gap and learn how to advocate for our choices and those of our loved ones at life's end. The podcast, End of Life University, hosted by Dr. Karen Wyatt, bills itself as real talk about life and death. Barbara Karnes, RN, her guest in episode 384, discusses how she regularly sparks conversa- tions in public by wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "People Don't Die Like They Do in the Movies." Karnes and Wy- att talk about how when people rely on what they see in movies or televi- sion, they are often upset and scared by their actual experiences. They're on a mission to educate people to understand what happens so they can be more present and pre- pared when a loved one is dying. If you're interested in exploring on your own, check out www.thecon- versationproject.org, an Institute for Healthcare Improvement website designed to help people share their wishes for care through the end of life. Join Hospice of Santa Cruz County for the West Coast Film Pre- miere of Hospice Care in America Today streaming on KQED (www.video. kqed.org) beginning in May 2023. This 1-hour documentary defines the difference nonprofit hos- pice makes stepping into the daily lives of those who care for our loved ones as they transition from the life they have lived. Filmed in three communities across the U.S., including Santa Cruz, it features Hospice of Santa Cruz County staff and local families. measures of success in the meantime. For example, your jeans may be fitting better or you may have more energy. These non- scale victories are just as valuable as a number on the scale. 5. Other Lifestyle Fac- tors. Lack of sleep can disrupt weight loss. The National Sleep Founda- tion recommends sticking to a regular sleep sched- ule. Limit caffeine and screen-time in the hours before bed. The light emitted by screens on electronic devices reduce your body's production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep and wake cycle, according to Harvard Health. You can also try a before bed exercise routine. Did you know that chronic stress can halt weight loss? Address your stress with self-care. Try meditation, daily exercise and breathing techniques. You should also seek out a support system and en- gage in your community. Feeling overly stressed? Be sure to speak with your doctor. 6. Illness or Injury. A recent illness or injury can cause increased inflamma- tion that results in water retention. Additionally, injury or illness can de- crease daily activity and overall calories burned. Some medications may also stall weight loss. Keep in mind that your overall health should always take precedence over the number on the scale. Consult your doctor. It may mean modifying your weight loss program temporarily. This setback is not the end of your jour- ney though. Once you've recovered, you should be able to start where you left off, pending your doctor's approval. "Ultimately, your goals should be realistic. Don't expect the pounds to fall off instantly. Have patience and give your- self some grace. If you're doing the work, that's all that matters," says Mohr. Adobe Stock photo Plateau..continued from page 4

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