Wellness Wednesday

The holidays can be a stressful time. Today, our message is twofold: first, a short video with tips for enjoying this time of the year.

How to Make the Holidays More Enjoyable

“Holidays are times spent with our loved ones.” This has been imprinted on our psyche from a young age. Holidays mark the passage of time in our lives. They are part of the milestones we share with each other and generally represent time spent with family. But since holidays are for being with those we love the most, how does one cope when a loved one has died? For many this is the hardest part of grieving.

We offer these 3 C's to cope: 

Choose.  During the holidays it is easy to drift into activities that increase our pain. But we have choices. We can decide what activities we wish to participate in, who we want to be with and what we want to do.

Communicate.  It is important that we discuss our choices with others, especially those who are affected by them. They have needs as well. Their ways of dealing with grief may be different.

Compromise.  There is no right or wrong way to grieve. When we communicate, we may find that our feelings and needs and the very ways that we cope will differ. We need to find space for compromise.

We Remember Them

At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.

At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We remember them.

At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.

At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them.

At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We remember them.

At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We remember them.

As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength; We remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart; We remember them.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We remember them.

When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.

When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We remember them.

For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.

— Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer

The holidays are a busy time. They can demand extra attention for cooking, cleaning, party planning, hosting, and talking with family members we might not always agree with. It's no wonder that stress during the holidays is common. By learning to reduce this stress, you might find that you enjoy the holidays more.

• Share holiday tasks.

Let everyone help with shopping, cooking, cleaning, and event planning. If you really dislike doing dishes, help with cooking instead. Sharing tasks lets everyone be part of making the holidays special.

• Reflect together.

Before you say goodbye, gather everyone to reflect. Go around the room. Let everyone share their favorite part of the holiday and what wasn't so great. Brainstorm ways to make the "not so great" things more enjoyable next time.

• Have realistic expectations.

No holiday gathering is perfect. Don't let something like forgetting to defrost the turkey ruin the day. Be flexible, and let it become another holiday memory. View these experiences as chances to practice being resilient.

• Keep up your healthy habits.

Staying healthy is your best defense against holiday stress. You can stay hydrated by bringing a water bottle with you to refill. Try eating a healthy snack before a party. If you don't show up hungry, you'll be less likely to fill up on sweets.

• Practice gratitude.

Having gratitude means saying thank-you for what's good in your life. There are many ways you can practice gratitude. Remember the ways—good and bad—that others show you that they care. Choose to be positive. Before meals, give thanks to those who grew it and cooked it. Give thanks even if that person was you.

• Take time to unwind.

You might try taking deep breaths or going for a walk. Maybe you need time to yourself after being with family. Even a little break can make a big difference to reduce stress.

• Make time for joy.

This could be baking, playing games, or volunteering in your community. Maybe take a plate of cookies to a neighbor. Do what feels right for you.

• Get professional help if you need it.

The holidays can be a big event. Stress leading up to them is common. Talking to a friend or family member may help. But you may also want to see a counselor as this person can help you change the way you handle stress.

Key Facts:

• Washing hands prevents illnesses and spread of infections to others.
• People often get sick when they make contact with germs from feces on their hands.
• ​About 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world.  Handwashing with soap could protect about 1 out of every 3 young children who get sick with diarrhea, and almost 1 out of 5 young children with respiratory infections like pneumonia.
• Handwashing helps battle the rise in antibiotic resistance​.
• Your hands should be as dry as possible after handwashing​. Germs can be transferred more easily to and from wet hands.

Do I really need to wash my hands for 20 seconds?

How does handwashing with soap and water remove germs and chemicals?

Will touching bathroom door handles make my hands dirty again after I wash them?

Here are some tips for you:

1. Don't "Save Up" for Dinner: Do yourself a favor and eat leading up to the meal. Taking care of yourself is nourishing your body when it is hungry. Saving up will cause you to scarf down food and feel bloated.

2. Know How to Respond to Diet Talk: If someone is discussing how many calories are in this casserole or pie or how fat they will feel after the dinner, visualize how you might respond or leave the conversation. There is no need to join the food guilt party.

3. Take Your Time and Savor: Not just the food, but the people with whom you are sharing the meal. The food is what brought you together,

4. Schedule Your Exercise and/or Movement: It may be less than usual but because it is a holiday weekend does not mean we stop taking care of ourselves. We move our body because we know how good it is for our health.

5. Hydrate: Sip your water early and often. Keep your water bottle nearby and check in with yourself every few hours on thirst and water intake.

6. Make Time for Yourself: Yes, this will be a fun and busy week, but find time for just yourself.

7. Don't Stress Over One Meal: Thanksgiving is one day and one meal, but look at the week as a whole. Have nourishing food in the kitchen for meals and snacks and eat without fear!

8. Enjoy and Be Grateful: That's what this holiday is all about, right?

Click here:  American Lung Association Learn About COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. This chronic lung disease causes air flow limitation (less air in and out of the airways) and breathing-related symptoms. It’s most common in older adults, but you can take action to look after your lung health at any age. There is no cure, but there are ways to manage and treat COPD.

Today we are providing several links so it can help you in understanding COPD.

• Protect Your Lungs Fact Sheet
• Are You At Risk Fact Sheet?
• Living Better With COPD
• COPD and Vaccines, What You Should Know

Fraud is everywhere. Staying up to date on the latest scams can help you protect yourself and your loved ones. One source of information is from AARP: AARP Fraud Watch Network. They offer several free webinars for tips to help you spot, avoid and report common scams, including romance, gift cards, Medicare and more cons.

Another source of information is from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We usually feature short videos on Wellness Wednesday but this one at 17 minutes but is worth the time: CFPB Helping Patrons Spot and Avoid Fraud.

Today we are sharing information that was presented to our retirees at their chapter meeting in October. This information comes from The Alzheimer's Association, which has a local chapter in southeast Michigan.

Metro Detroit Office - Chapter Headquarters

25200 Telegraph Rd., Suite 100
Southfield, MI 48033
248.351.0280
Open: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

You can also seek help by calling 800.272.3900, email helplinegmc@alz.org, or visit their website https://www.alz.org/gmc.

Worldwide, 55 million people are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. 6 million live in the United States.  Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a group of symptoms.

There are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's and this 45 second video names them: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's & Dementia.

The following tips are for everyone!

National Audiology Awareness Month is an annual designation observed in October. This time of year is prime for stimulating our senses: smelling pumpkin spice,  tasting apple cider, seeing the leaves turning colors, and feeling the weather as it changes. How about what we hear? Although it's something many of us take for granted, our ability to hear and listen is one of the senses we rely on the most.

           The thing about hearing loss is that no one can see it. --actress Marion Ross

We live in a noisy world, so get those ears checked!

Listen as these professionals explain in this 1:15 clip about How Audiologists Can Help Video.

• Sensorineural Hearing Loss
• Hidden Hearing Loss
• Non-Syndromic Genetic Hearing Loss
• Syndromic Genetic Hearing Loss
• Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss  
• Auditory Process Disorders
• Ototoxicity
• Symptoms such as Tinnitus (ringing in the ear), Vertigo, and Dizziness

We are offering safety tips so everyone can enjoy this celebration, whether you are going to a place to celebrate, going door-to-door for trick-or-treating or attending a community wide event.

Safety Tips for Drivers

• #1: Be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians.
• #2: Slow down and scan the road. Remember: Slower speeds save lives.
• #3: Watch for young trick-or-treaters in unexpected places. Children may be unaware of traffic and dart into the street unexpectedly.
• #4: If you see a drunk driver, contact law enforcement.
• #5 Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away, especially in inclement weather
• #6 Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• #7 Eliminate any distractions inside your vehicle so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

• #8: Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
• #9: Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating.
• #10: When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

• #11: Before festivities begin, create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely and prevent walking alone.
• #12: Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
• #13: If possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

Safety Tips for Attendees of Halloween Parties

• #14: Before drinking, choose a designated driver, or schedule a ridesharing, ride-hailing or taxi service.
• #15: If you drink, do not drive for any reason. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability.

Safety Tips for Hosts

• #16: Be responsible and take action to make sure guests get home safely.
• #17: Prepare to call taxis rideshares, provide sleeping accommodations, or — if you’re sober — drive guests home yourself.
• #18: Collect car keys from guests who are drinking.
• #19 Provide non-alcoholic beverage options.

Let's take the precautionary steps to prevent dangerous and life-threatening fires.  According to the National Fire Prevention Association, the winter months see an increase in home fires, deaths and injuries. These are the months when we turn on the heat to keep our homes warm.

• Make sure your heating source is well maintained. Whether it's a fireplace, wood stove, a furnace or electric heat, check the equipment before using or have them serviced.
• Don't store items near your heating source. Boxes, clothes, and other fuels may ignite if they are close.
• Make sure draperies and furniture and other combustible items are kept far enough away from a heating source.

3 Common Causes of Fire

1. Kitchen - It's important to not leave burners or grills unattended. Make sure to use proper equipment and to keep dish towels, clothing and other items away from heating elements and open flame. Keep pets secured away from the kitchen, especially when you're not home. They can inadvertently turn on burners.
2. Candles - Never leave a burning candle unattended. As an alternative, use battery-operated candles for ambiance.
3. Smoking - Unattended cigarettes or overly full ashtrays start fires. Curious children might play with matches or lighters. Keep them well out of their reach.

More National Fire Prevention Month tips

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE LOCATED AT HOME AND WORK?
Get a fire extinguisher and make sure it's not outdated. Most fire extinguishers have an expiration date. Place one on each floor of the house and work location and in garages, too.  The National Safety Council recommends this acronym, PASS, to remember the steps of how to use a fire extinguisher.

Have an escape plan. We practice fire drills at school but practice them with your family and make sure everyone knows where to go depending on where the fire is in the home. Have at least two ways to get out of the house, too. Set a meeting place for everyone.

In the event of a fire, do not try to salvage items before leaving. Personal effects can be replaced, but lives cannot. Instead, keep valuable documents in a fireproof box for recovery later.