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Declutter Your Home & Your Mind

The dishes are piling up in the sink, the laundry baskets are overflowing and every surface in your home seems to be covered in clutter (and a thin layer of dust). If even just reading that made you feel stressed, you’re not alone.

Spring cleaning can be tough to tackle, but it’s a great way to create a fresh start, boost your productivity and improve both your mental and physical health. Coryell Health cares about this because according to a 2024 study from the National Cleaning Institute, nearly 9 in 10 Americans feel their best, both mentally and physically, when they have a clean home. The physical act of cleaning may even reduce the risk of experiencing depression or anxiety.

To help get the ball rolling, Coryell Health has compiled a list of cleaning tips and created the ultimate spring cleaning checklist! If you find satisfaction in crossing things off a to-do list, download and print the spring cleaning checklist PDF here.

Coryell Health’s Top Ten Cleaning Hacks

1. Purchase multipurpose cleaning supplies.

By using multipurpose cleaners that apply to various surfaces, you can spend less and create less clutter in your home! Buy in bulk for increased savings and opt for eco-friendly cleaning products without volatile organic compounds and other chemicals that may contribute to headaches and respiratory problems.

2. Invest in organizers.

Having a place for everything in your home is essential, and organizers provide a perfect way to accomplish this. Storage bins and containers allow you to decrease clutter effectively and know where everything in your home belongs. Use a few organizers to store a set of cleaning supplies in each bathroom and other rooms you need to clean regularly, like the kitchen and laundry room.

3. Use the Pomodoro® Technique.

If you find yourself distracted while working on a task, the Pomodoro® Technique may be for you. While cleaning, set a 25-minute timer. Once the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. After completing this process three more times, give yourself a slightly longer break each time. This method allows you to focus on the task at hand more easily.

4. Determine how much you actually wear your clothes.

Everyone knows about the keep, donate and trash piles when it comes to organizing your closet, but how do you know what clothes you actually wear? Turn all of your hangers in your closet backwards. Each time you wear an item, put it away with the hanger flipped around. This way, you can get an idea of what you actually wear.

5. Get the whole family involved.

Cleaning is a family affair, not a one or two-person game. Create put-away rules for the whole family to maintain a cleaner home with less effort. If you have younger children, gather items in a laundry basket and work together to put each item away.

6. Clean the kitchen sink daily.

The combination of moisture, food particles and other debris in the kitchen sink creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. By thoroughly rinsing it with hot water after each use and cleaning it each day, you keep your sink both sparkling clean and bacteria-free.

7. Do 5-minute cleanups every night.

Set a timer for five minutes and hit as many rooms as you can. Only focus on small tasks, like putting a piece of clothing in the right drawer or putting toys away in their basket. It may not seem like much, but it can make a world of difference to “reset” once a day.

8. Create a “junk” basket.

For quick cleanups, choose a basket and put any miscellaneous item you come across in it. When it’s full, find a home for everything in the basket. This way, you won’t get bogged down when you can’t find a place for something as you’re trying to do a quick clean of your home.

9. Invite guests over.

If nothing else will motivate you to clean, this will. By inviting people over, you’re more likely to finish certain cleaning tasks you’ve been putting off. You don’t need to deep clean your home, but it will prompt you to clean a bathroom that guests use, tidy the living room and more.

10. Check things off a to-do list.

Research shows that writing (or typing) down things you have to do unburdens your brain and allows you to be more productive. When you complete an item on your do-list and physically cross it off, it gives you a tangible sense of accomplishment.

Speaking of to-do lists, the checklist below may help you complete your spring cleaning this year. If you’d like to print this checklist with these 10 cleaning tips and tricks on it, click here.

Coryell Health’s Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

Entry Hall

• Declutter closet
• Wash rugs
• Wipe down doors
• Wipe down furniture
• Dust baseboards
• Vacuum floors

Living Room

• Wipe down furniture
• Declutter drawers
• Get rid of unwanted toys
• Clean windows
• Dust blinds
• Dust baseboards
• Vacuum floors

Dining Room

• Declutter and dust cabinets
• Clean windows
• Clean dining room table
• Dust baseboards
• Vacuum floors

Kitchen

• Organize and declutter pantry, cabinets and drawers
• Deep clean appliances
• Clean behind refrigerator and oven
• Dust baseboards
• Vacuum floors

Laundry Room

• Clean washing machine
• Clean lint trap
• Declutter cleaning supplies
• Dust baseboards
• Vacuum floors

Bedrooms

• Declutter closets and drawers
• Dust fans
• Wash bedding
• Clean windows
• Dust baseboards
• Vacuum floors

Bathrooms

• Replace items in your home’s first aid kit
• Declutter medicine cabinets
• Clean showers
• Clean sinks
• Deep clean toilet
• Wipe down mirrors and countertops
• Dust baseboards
• Vacuum floors

Garage

• Declutter storage bins
• Declutter and reorganize outdoor equipment and tools
• Dust shelves
• Sweep floor

With plenty of tips and a checklist in hand, you’re now ready to take on the task of spring cleaning. Take it one step at a time, play music or your favorite podcast and find joy in creating a cleaner space! From all of us at Coryell Health, happy cleaning!

Your Path to Sustainable Weight Loss Starts Here

Are you struggling in your weight loss journey? Not enjoying your once-favorite activities due to a lack of energy? Not sleeping well? Make 2025 the year you stop wrestling with your weight with help from Coryell Health’s nonsurgical and surgical weight loss solutions.

Ideal Protein

Mardi Mason, Coryell Health’s Ideal Protein coach, lost 63 pounds before her wedding by following the Ideal Protein program, and she can help you achieve similar results.

Ideal Protein is a science-backed three-phase program designed to help your body burn fat as a primary energy source. Our medically supervised weight loss and lifestyle management Ideal Protein program features one-on-one coaching that will guide you every step of the way. The program is twofold, not only teaching you how to live a healthier lifestyle but also teaching you how to maintain it after the program ends. Coryell Health’s Ideal Protein program provides:

• A personalized approach to setting weight loss goals
• A fundamental knowledge of how your body gains and loses weight
• Delicious meals that are both affordable and easy to prepare
• Lifestyle education and guidance to help sustain your weight loss
• One-on-one wellness coaching throughout the program

To schedule a consultation with Coach Mardi and learn more about Ideal Protein, call (254) 404-2556 or email weightloss@coryellhealth.org.

Weight Loss Medication

For patients considering medical support for weight loss, board-certified bariatric surgeon Dr. David Gochnour provides expert guidance on options like Ozempic, which has been making waves among celebrities and average Americans alike.

“Ozempic is safe for weight loss—it’s been well-studied,” Dr. Gochnour says. “You can expect approximately 10% of weight loss when you take Ozempic. However, if you weigh 300 pounds and lose 30 pounds, that will be beneficial, but it won’t significantly impact your health and longevity.”

According to Dr. Gochnour, it’s important to remember that both bariatric medicine and bariatric surgery can help treat the disease process of obesity. Medical therapy may be used in conjunction with surgical therapy to maximize weight loss results. However, bariatric surgery tends to be a more durable and cost-effective solution for long-term weight loss.

Bariatric Surgery

Unlike other medical weight loss programs, Coryell Health’s bariatric program is led by a physician. Dr. Gochnour combines bariatric surgery, expert nutritional advice and behavioral health counseling with competitive pricing to maximize results and maintain your weight loss post-surgery.

Coryell Health’s da Vinci Xi surgical system allows our bariatric team to perform gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures using minimally invasive techniques. Here’s how robot-assisted surgery with Coryell Health works:

• The surgeon creates several small incisions and uses a high-definition 3D camera for a magnified, clear view of the surgical area.
• Using the camera, the surgeon guides the instruments to perform the procedure.
• The da Vinci system translates the surgeon’s hand movements in real-time, bending and rotating the instruments so he or she can operate on the digestive system.

When physicians utilize the precise capabilities of the da Vinci surgical system, patients typically have a shorter recovery post-surgery. Dr. Gochnour, our lead bariatric surgeon, underwent specialty fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery, robotics and bariatric surgery at UTHSC, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Texas Medical Center.

Call (254) 404-2555 to learn how bariatric surgery with Dr. Gochnour could change your life for the better.

Coryell Health Medical Clinic – McGregor is now open and proudly serving the community with comprehensive primary care services. The clinic is currently accepting both scheduled appointments and walk-ins, ensuring flexibility and convenience for patients.

The clinic offers a broad range of primary care services, including:

WHY to visit us:

Acute Illness and Minor Injury Care

• Common illnesses; such as colds, flu, sore throats, fever
• stomach virus
• migraines
• allergies
• lacerations or cuts
• sprains/strains
• Urinary and bladder infections
• Contusions, mild concussions
• Migraines, dizziness without loss of consciousness
• Insect bites and stings, poison ivy
• Pink eye
• Dehydration

Routine Check-ups and Wellness Exams

• Management of Chronic Conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, asthma)
• Preventive Care (e.g., vaccinations, screenings, and health education)
• Pediatric and Adolescent Care
• Care for Chronic Conditions
• Laboratory Testing and Diagnostics
• Sports and School Physicals
• Behavioral Health Support
• Women’s Health

Dr. Colby Cessnun and our team of dedicated healthcare professional are here to support the health and well-being of the McGregor community and surrounding areas. Whether you’re seeking routine check-ups, preventive care, or treatment for acute or chronic conditions, Coryell Health Medical Clinic – McGregor is here to serve you.

Coryell Health is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Luby’s proudly serving Starbucks, a new coffee shop located within the hospital. Designed to serve patients, visitors, and staff, this welcoming space offers a much-needed oasis of comfort, convenience and community.

A Welcoming Addition to our Community

“We’re excited to enhance the experience for everyone at Coryell Health,” said David Byrom, Coryell Health CEO. “This new coffee shop is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee. It’s a space for connection, comfort, and care—values that align closely with the mission of Coryell Health.”

The We Proudly Serve Starbucks operates from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday -Friday.

Payments of cash, credit card (same as the Coryell Cafe), and employee payroll deductions are accepted. We cannot accept Starbucks gift cards and are not connected for orders on the Starbucks app.

In partnership with Coryell Health, Luby’s Culinary Services is thrilled to share that a new “We Proudly Serve Starbucks” coffee shop is now in the hospital lobby of Coryell Memorial Hospital.

“We are looking forward to announcing a grand opening in January as we are currently in the process of training our staff to extend services to the public,” said John H. Hinton, CDM®, CFPP®, Regional Director of Operations, Luby’s Culinary Services.

“We are excited that this service will be a welcoming space designed for visitors, friends, and family members who are here to support their loved ones. Whether you need a comforting cup of coffee, a light snack, or a moment to relax, our coffee shop will help you recharge during your visit. We can’t wait to serve you!” 

Please note our holiday hours:

Coryell Coffee Shop Holiday Hours
12/24/2024 Christmas Eve 6:30am -10:am
12/25/2024 Christmas Day Closed
12/31/2024 New Years Eve 6:30am -3:30pm
1/1/2025 New Years Day Closed

Coryell Health is thrilled to welcome Dr. Lauren Riddle to our Waco clinic! Dr. Riddle is a board certified family medicine physician with over 10 years of experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and completed her residency with Waco Family Medicine.

Dr. Riddle is dedicated to providing comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages and loves building long-lasting relationships with patients and their families to address their healthcare needs over time. She offers a variety of services, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, chronic disease management and acute care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dr. Riddle accept my insurance?

Coryell Health accepts self-pay and most major insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. Please see Coryell Health’s full list of accepted insurance here.

Dr. Riddle has been my primary care physician. What will the transition to Coryell Health look like for me?

Coryell Health handles the transfer of new patients’ records. Call (254) 248-6401 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Riddle. Fill out the new patient paperwork before your appointment or in person, and we’ll handle the rest!

The Impact of Hearing Loss & What To Do About It

If you’re constantly turning the volume up, asking your wife to repeat herself or having trouble catching the play-by-play, those are signs of hearing loss you can’t afford to ignore.

October is National Audiology Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to face the facts: men are almost twice as likely as women to experience hearing loss among adults ages 20-69.

Hearing Loss: What’s the Big Deal?

Our ability to hear affects more than meets the eye. For a start, those with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from dementia.

Hearing loss may contribute to faster brain atrophy, negatively impacting memory. A study from Johns Hopkins found that mild hearing loss doubled the risk of dementia, moderate hearing loss tripled the risk of dementia, and those with severe hearing loss were five times more likely to suffer from dementia than those with no hearing loss.

Additionally, hearing loss impacts the ability to engage in conversation, contributing to social isolation. This may lead to depression, which is a common risk factor for dementia. A 2019 study found that people with hearing loss over the age of 65 are more likely to have depression than their peers without hearing loss.

Our brains also heavily depend on our vestibular system, located within the inner ear, to maintain balance. Hearing loss leads to fewer auditory signals traveling to our brain, causing the brain to process less spatial information. As a result, our equilibrium can be thrown off, resulting in an increased risk of balance issues, dizziness and falling.

“Many people don’t realize how closely our balance is related to our inner ear,” Dr. Brindley says. “Dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness are all signs you need to see a physician, who sends a referral for a visit to an audiologist. If you experience recurring ear pain or pressure in the ears that isn’t due to an ear infection, an audiologist can evaluate whether it’s related to a hearing or balance issue.”

All of these side effects amount to a loss of independence. By attempting to stay strong and brush off signs of hearing loss, you actually deprive yourself of the autonomy you’re after.

Hearing loss affects you physically, mentally and emotionally, and once the damage is done, it’s irreversible when caused by aging or prolonged exposure to loud noises. However, by acting now, you can preserve your hearing and slow its decline.

What Can I Do About Hearing Loss Right Now?

Talk to your Coryell Health primary care physician about seeing an audiologist. Dr. Brindley offers diagnostic hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings and treatment for tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Scheduling a hearing evaluation determines a baseline, and it’s easier to track hearing loss over time when there is data to compare. A hearing evaluation may seem inconvenient, but you’ll thank yourself for it later.

“Many patients try to ignore signs of hearing loss or are not aware of signs,” Dr. Brindley says. “These include persistent ringing, buzzing or hissing sounds in the ears. These can be a sign of hearing damage or another issue that an audiologist can help evaluate. If excessive earwax is causing discomfort, hearing issues or infections, an audiologist can safely remove it and check for any related hearing concerns.”

What Can I Do About Hearing Loss In the Future?

Using adequate hearing protection when exposed to loud noises reduces the risk of hearing loss. If you purchase custom hearing protection and are worried about its quality, Dr. Brindley can verify if your hearing protection is working properly.

For more ways to protect your hearing, take a look at some of Dr. Brindley’s hearing preservation tips.

Meet the Doctor

Dr. Ashley Brindley, Au.D., is an audiologist with over a decade of experience caring for both children and adults. She earned her associate degree from Victoria College and her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from the University of North Texas. Dr. Brindley also received her doctorate in audiology from the University of North Texas. She’s certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Texas Academy of Audiology.

Healthy hearing positively impacts brain functioning, memory retention, the ability to connect with the world around you and so much more. Hearing loss in men may be more difficult to detect due to reluctance to admit symptoms of hearing loss. Admitting to signs of hearing loss isn’t weakness—it’s taking care of your health! Call (254) 865-2166 to ask about scheduling a diagnostic hearing evaluation with Dr. Brindley today.