Wellness Wednesday

Technological advancements make life easier but they can come at a cost. Every day it seems as if a data breach story hits the news. As individuals and families use more technology, there is a lot at stake when it comes to protecting ourselves online. 

Here is a booklet that addresses identity theft: Identity Theft Booklet from FTC.

If you are the victim of identity theft, use this resource to start your recovery plan: https://www.identitytheft.gov/.

Have computer security programs running and regularly updated to look for the latest threats. Install anti-virus software to protect against malware (malicious software) that can steal information such as account numbers and passwords, and use a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your computer.

Be smart about where and how you connect to the internet for banking or other communications involving sensitive personal information. Public Wi-Fi networks and computers in public places such as libraries or hotel business centers can be risky if they don’t have up-to-date security software.

Ignore unsolicited emails asking you to open an attachment or click on a link if you don’t know who sent it or why. Cybercriminals are good at creating fake emails that look legitimate, but can install malware. Your best bet is to either ignore unsolicited requests to open attachments or files or to independently verify that the supposed source actually sent the email to you by making contact using a published email address or telephone number.

Be suspicious if someone contacts you unexpectedly online and asks for your personal information. A safe strategy is to ignore unsolicited requests for information, no matter how legitimate they appear, especially if they ask for information such as a Social Security number, bank account numbers and passwords.

Use the most secure process you can when logging into financial accounts. Create “strong” passwords that could be easy for you to remember and difficult for others to guess.  The National Institute of Standards and Technology has suggested passwords that are at least 12 characters in length and include multiple character sets, such as a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and keyboard symbols. A good example is “1Banana+1Pineapple.” Change passwords  regularly, and try not to use the same passwords or PINs (personal identification numbers) for several accounts.

Be discreet when using social networking sites. Criminals comb those sites looking for information such as someone’s place of birth, mother’s maiden name or a pet’s name, in case those details can help them guess or reset passwords for online accounts or figure out answers to security questions that some sites use.

Be careful when using smartphones and tablets. Don’t leave your mobile device unattended and use a device password or other method to control access if it’s stolen or lost.

It's time for Staying Safe, Staying Covered which refers to protecting your property, whether you are a homeowner or a renter. Do you have the insurance coverage needed to prepare for the potential impact of severe weather conditions? Make sure that you have the right insurance in place now so that this can help you recover when severe weather hits.

Severe weather is especially common during rapid temperature swings in the spring warmup. These changing conditions can create dangerous weather patterns that significantly increase the potential for damaging severe weather, such as high winds, hail, or tornadoes.

Review your insurance coverage. Verify that you have appropriate coverage with your insurance company and discuss any coverage needs. Make sure you are financially comfortable with the amount of your deductible and know how it applies to an insurance claim. Though many types of storm damage are covered by homeowners and renters insurance, flood damage is typically not covered unless you have purchased flood insurance. Water and sewer back-up is also not automatically covered under a homeowners or renters policy.

Reminder that all important documents listed below should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box, with a relative, or digitally online. Be sure to let a family member or another trusted adult know where these documents are located.

• Take inventory. Create a detailed list of personal possessions with photographs of each room on the property, and a thorough list of other valuables not seen in the photographs.
• Secure important documents. Store copies of all insurance policy declaration pages and insurance cards in a secure place.
• Protect your finances. Make sure to have a financial plan for paying an insurance policy’s deductible to help avoid severe financial strain in the aftermath of a disaster. A deductible is a certain amount of money that must be paid out-of-pocket before the insurance company will pay a claim after a loss.
• Gather emergency contacts. Make a list of important phone numbers including family members,  and insurance companies.

If your property is damaged, you should:

• Report the claim. Contact your insurance company's claims hotline and/or agent and have your policy number(s) ready as well as other relevant information easily available. To make the claims process even easier, use this Insurance Claims Tracking Sheet which has been prepared by the State of Michigan's Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
• Prevent further loss. Take steps to protect the property to avoid further loss but do not make permanent repairs until the insurance company has inspected the damage. Be sure to keep receipts for any purchases of supplies that are needed to protect the property.
• Document the loss. Take pictures or videos of the damaged items and do not get rid of the items until instructed to do so by the insurance company.
• Protect yourself from fraud. After a storm, fraudsters claiming to be adjusters, contractors, and other service providers often go door-to-door claiming to offer services, like debris cleanup or building repairs. In these scams, the work may not be completed, may be completed with poor-quality materials or shoddy workmanship, or you may be significantly overcharged for the work. Always contact your insurer before hiring a contractor, verify the credentials and licensure of these individuals, be present in the home when damage is inspected or repaired, and never sign a contract for work without understanding it first. Also keep in mind that insurance adjusters work for and are paid by insurance companies, and you should not be asked to pay them for their services. To report a scam or price gouging, contact Michigan's Attorney General at 877-765-8388 or online for further information.

The state of Michigan doesn't require renters insurance by law. However, your landlord might make it a condition of your lease specifically because it’s important to them that you have liability insurance. Even if it’s not required, it’s highly recommended.

• Your landlord's insurance is for the building, not your stuff. Any damage to your personal property due to fire, theft, etc. is your financial responsibility unless you have a renters insurance policy.
• Your “landlord’s responsibility” is limited. Yes, a landlord is responsible for fixing structural damage like a broken pipe. But, if that broken pipe destroys your belongings, and you don’t have renters insurance coverage it’s solely on you to replace your stuff.
• When determining the amount of renters insurance you may need, think about the value of your belongings. This number can add up quickly. Determine your amount of coverage by creating an inventory of the things you own or store in your residence. This will help you assess the value and determine how much coverage you need. Make sure to read into your policy to determine whether your coverage is actual cash value, which takes depreciation into account, or replacement cost coverage, which replaces your items at their retail price of today.

The state of Michigan encourages consumers to first attempt to resolve any claim disputes directly with their insurance company. If a resolution cannot be reached, contact the Department of Insurance and Financial Services at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or submit a complaint online at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.

We want to bring your attention to a service provided by AFT National: https://www.aft.org/health-hub.

Here are the topics that are covered in the Health Hub:

AFT also hosts many webinars that are health-related. To access these webinars, go to this link: Share My Lesson Wellness Webinars. You can scroll through the webinars that have previously been aired, go to register, and then the webinar will come through as an "On Demand". There are over 40 different topics under the category of Wellness Webinars.

Also, check out lesson plans that are available under the category "Wellness" on Share My Lesson: Lesson Planning for Wellness at Share My Lesson. With over 50,000 entries, you're sure to find a few that are of interest to you.

There has been much talk of measles in the news. Here is the latest information from the US Department of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html.)  They will be updating this page every Friday.

• Early Stage: 4-7 days: fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and Koplik's spots (small white spots inside the mouth)
• Rash Stags: (3-7 days): A red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body
• Other Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, headache, muscle ache

Treatment:

Why is there more measles activity now?

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. This was due to a very high percentage of people receiving the safe and effective measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In recent years, however

• U.S. MMR coverage among kindergarteners is now below the 95% coverage target—much lower in some communities—and is decreasing.
• Global measles activity is increasing, meaning more chances of an unvaccinated person infected with measles abroad returning to the United States.

It's time to take a look at your surroundings. More than 90 percent of the time, poisonings happen in people’s homes with the majority  occurring in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. The best places for a CO detector are near bedrooms and close to furnaces.

Household products and chemicals

• Household cleaners and disinfectants can make you sick when not used properly. Always follow the instructions on the product label to ensure safe and effective use.
• Bleach is especially toxic and should not be mixed with anything other than water. Do not use bleach on any food products.
• Keep all household cleaners, laundry products, antifreeze and potentially poisonous substances in locked cabinets or out of the reach of children.
• Keep products in their original containers.
• Do not use food containers (such as cups or bottles) to store household cleaners and other chemicals or products.
• Never mix household or chemical products together. Doing so can create a dangerous gas.

Art supplies

• Some art products are mixtures of chemicals. Make sure children use art products safely by reading and following directions.
• Do not eat or drink while using art products.
• Wash skin after contact with art products.
• Clean equipment. Wipe tables, desks, and counters.
• Keep art products in their original containers.

Food

• Never use commercial cleaning products on food or food packaging.
• Wash your hands and work surfaces before, during, and after preparing food.
• Store food at the proper temperatures. Refrigerated foods should not be left out at temperatures above 40 degrees F (5 degrees C).
• Use clean utensils for cooking and serving.

Outdoors

• Know what poisonous snakes and poisonous plants are in the area where you will be and wear proper attire when hiking outdoors.
• Check the label on any insect repellent. Be aware that most contain DEET, which can be poisonous in large quantities.

Batteries

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Make sure all devices in your home that use button batteries are secure.
• Do not leave batteries out where they can be mistaken for medicine or pills.
• Do not put batteries near the mouth.
• Dispose of button batteries safely and quickly.

Medicines

Never share prescription medicines. If you are taking more than one drug at a time, check with your health care provider, pharmacist, or call the toll-free Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222), to find out more about possible drug interactions.

February is National American Heart Month and its focus on reducing the risk factors of heart disease.

1. High blood pressure. Millions of people in the United States have high blood pressure, and millions of them are as young as 40 or 50.
2. High cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity are all conditions that can increase your risk for heart disease. Work on eating healthy and getting some physical activity a few times a week.
3. Smoking cigarettes. Over 35 million adults in America are smokers.  If you’re a smoker, do your best to quit or cut down.

Even small changes help make a difference. Reduce the amount of fast food. Eat more greens. Take the stairs. Walk the kids to school. Go outside and play with the kids or walk the dog. Walking is one of the healthiest and safest activities we can do for ourselves.

Sign up for these tips: 100 Ways in 100 Days to Better Health.

Winter is coming to an end which signals a great time to take advantage of the benefits a new season can bring to motivate  change. Habits of any kind, but especially healthy ones, always take a little more intention, a sprinkle more accountability, and some environmental factors to really stick.

Spring brings warmer temperatures, longer days, and the gentle reemergence of natural beauty. Whereas winter can feel like a season for hibernation, springtime fosters a return of energy and motivation. We’re also well past the chaos of the winter holidays. There is less temptation in the spring as well—we haven’t yet hit the summer season of barbecues, pool parties, and family vacations.

However, spring can affect mental health. One of the major reasons people may feel more depressed and anxious in the springtime is simply because of change. For some people, change feels like an exciting opportunity, while others may feel an intense instability in their lives.

Springtime is also associated with major life events, like graduations or weddings. These special occasions are often associated with big parties, social events, and family interactions, which may trigger intense feelings of anxiety. Memories of these events may also produce feelings of deep nostalgia or melancholy, potentially triggering depressive thoughts.

Other factors may be physiological. Many people experience spring allergies, where our immune systems are working twice as hard to feel twice as crumby for days on end. Our bodies and our minds might feel helplessly depleted during the height of hay fever. Hormones, specifically melatonin, might also contribute to mood changes in the springtime.

Here are some tips that can help:

Make walking part of your daily routine

With spring upon us, getting into the habit of reaching your daily step goal feels more manageable: it’s typically pretty temperate out, it can be easy to find buddies to join you, and the daylight hours are adequate.

Prioritize a consistent bedtime routine

We’ve moved past the change to daylight savings time and days are getting longer. It can be tempting to let your bedtime inch later and later, but prioritizing sleep is important for both your physical and mental health. Stick to a set bedtime and start to train yourself to be getting those 7+ hours of sleep each night.

Pick up a new hobby

Many of us don’t know how to engage in actual leisure time, which can be a protective factor against burnout, anxiety, depression, and so much more. Spring can be the ideal time to try out an outdoor activity like biking or hiking. If indoor activities are more your speed, reading, crafting, or puzzles are just a few options. Take a stroll through a craft store and see what catches your eye! Try out a few things. And remember: you don’t have to be good at whatever you choose, you just have to enjoy it!

Cook at home

A lot of people don’t really like cooking.  It can feel daunting and time-consuming. But this can be a time to practice the art of cooking. It also increases the likelihood that you are eating nutrient-dense foods (which is fantastic for your mental health), saving money (less financial stress is a big win), and picking up a new hobby. Farmer’s markets return and the produce section of the grocery store has more in-season fruits and vegetables. Start small: grab a cookbook or check out a new food blog.

Find a routine

Try to find at least one consistent activity during the week to look forward to. This could look like Monday evening walks with your dog, a self-care activity mid-week, or a Saturday lunch with friends.

Chronic Disease Day spreads awareness to educate and advocate for people who live with a chronic health conditions. Many, but not all, chronic diseases can be prevented simply by practicing self-care. Improving and practicing a healthy lifestyle can likely reduce getting a chronic disease.

A chronic disease is a condition that lasts longer than one year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Seven out of 10 people suffer from a form of chronic disease.

What can you do to prevent getting a chronic disease?

• Eat a healthy diet. Eating the proper amount of fruits, veggies, grains, dairy and protein plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy weight. Limiting sugar and starch intake prevents obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
• Exercise. Increasing physical activity not only promotes physical health, it also helps balance mental health.
• Routine medical check-ups. Visiting your doctor regularly is important so there's early detection to address medical problems and finding a plan of action.
• Know your family medical history. Having a complete medical history of your family will help your doctor determine possible health problems you may develop.
• Rest. Getting adequate rest is a factor in how your body reacts to "life." Stress, depression and anxiety cause serious health problems, too.

Economically, chronic diseases have a significant impact financially in the United States. Because people with chronic disease illnesses live long lives, the cost to treat these illnesses becomes extremely expensive over the years.

Why does chronic disease cost so much?

• Patients require long-term treatment plans.
• People who suffer from chronic disease wait until "it's too late" to seek proper care.
• Personal health insurance lack policy guidelines to cover some chronic disease.
• Lack of education to prevent chronic disease is available.
• Preventative measures are not addressed by health care providers, leading to patients unable to address pre-existing based on medical history.

“If you’re not staying on top of your money, you’re putting your financial well-being at risk.” – Suze Orman

The beginning of a new calendar year is a great time to look at your financial wellness. Here are many ideas you can use to examine your financial situation: 25 Tips to Improve Your Financial Wellness

We are stronger together when we study our finances.

The importance of maintaining good eye health can be overlooked. March is National Save Your Vision Month  which serves as a reminder to prioritize the health of our eyes and maintain a clear and bright outlook on life. This annual observance is dedicated to promoting the significance of regular eye check-ups, understanding the risks of digital eye strain, and adopting habits that ensure optimal eye health.

1. Stop Staring

A record number of people of all ages are spending many of the hours each day looking at a computer, tablet or phone.  Limit your digital eye strain by adopting the 20/20/20 rule developed by the American Optometric Association. Take a break from your screen every 20 minutes, focusing on something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

2. Make-Over Your Make-Up

Eye make-up should be routinely replaced. Mascara and liquid liners should be used no more than 3 months, eye shadows and pencil liners no more than one year. Try and look for make-up that is free of metallic and harsh ingredients such as parabens and aluminum. Avoid water-proof eye make-up if you are a contact lens wearer. Use extreme caution when using eye-lash extensions, as they are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration because of the ingredients in glue that can potentially harm your vision.

3. Quit the Spit

85% of Americans are not properly cleaning or storing their contact lenses. Be sure to only use a high-quality solution to cleanse your contact lenses, and not your saliva or tap water.

4. Eat the Rainbow

Key nutrients in leafy greens, berries, beets, citrus and even certain fish (high in Omega 3s) are important for healthy vision. A balanced diet of colorful fruits and veggies, eggs and fish is incredibly beneficial in maintaining all areas of your health.

5. Work it Out

Running or walking can reduce the risk of age-related cataracts, glaucoma and reduce your risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD). Since many eye diseases are related to high-blood pressure and diabetes, a well-rounded week with physical activities and a healthy diet can help alleviate progression of the diseases.

6. Drink Up

Staying hydrated is important for the health of your eye. Dehydration reduces the lubrication of your eye, which can make eye-strain and dry-eye even more uncomfortable. Dehydration can even cause blurred vision and headaches. Drink green tea as it has Vitamins A and C, lutein and zeaxanthin which are known as ” the eye vitamins”.

7. Ditch the Smokes

Smoking has been linked to notable increased risk for Glaucoma, Cataracts, AMD and diabetic retinopathy. Smokers are also twice as likely to develop Uveitis, an inflammation of the uvea that can lead to vision loss. Smoke also exacerbates dry-eye conditions.

8. Cover Up

When the days are longer and the sun is shining, don’t forget to protect your eyes with 100% UV blocking glasses. Donning a hat is also an extra layer of protection. Just like sunscreen protects your skin, these protect your eyes from light damaging rays. Remember to wear those glasses while driving in the sun!  Protective eye wear is key in reducing sports-related eye injuries. Even in your garage, protective goggles can reduce the risk of airborne particles from woodworking or other projects entering your eyes.

9. Get to your Eye Doctor

Annual exams go well beyond just having blurry vision. They can detect serious health concerns.

10. Don’t forget the Kids

Often parents don’t take their children in for a comprehensive eye exam because they are being substituted for school offered vision screenings. Vision screenings can alert parents to a possible issue but be sure to get your children in for a comprehensive eye exam with a ophthalmologist or optometrist.