Wellness Wednesday

"But lurking behind every summer was a fall just waiting to happen.” -- Aaron Dries
 

How do you prepare to get back into the routine of the school year? These 6 tips can help you: How to Get Back Into The Working Mode. You can tweak these ideas to fit your job assignment.

Here's a little something comical to prepare you for The 5 Stages of End of Summer Break.

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.

Here is a Public Service Announcement created by the Consumer Product Safety Commission which runs for just a minute and is perfect for sharing with family members: Don't Be a Dummy: Firework Safety.

Incidents involving fireworks are not limited to July 4th. Other key findings on injuries in the month surrounding the July 4th holiday in 2022:

• Adults 25 to 44 years of age experienced about 36 percent of the estimated injuries, and children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 28 percent of the estimated injuries.
   
• Where known, the fireworks types with the highest estimated emergency department-treated injuries in 2022 were firecrackers (1,300) followed by sparklers (600).
• Burns were the most frequently estimated type of injury, making up 38% of all emergency department-treated fireworks injuries.

June is the month the Alzheimer's Association wants to bring highlight Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness. It has published a list of 10 Healthy Habits for your Brain.

Here are 10 Early Signs and Symptons of Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Strokes do not discriminate...it can happen to anyone.--Linda Steuer

Start a fitness club to help prevent a stroke. A fitness club is a great way to destress, have fun with your friends, family and colleagues and help in staying healthy. 

Click here for information on 7 Ways to Prevent a Stroke.

Have you scheduled your colonoscopy? Do you know someone who needs to do theirs? Today's activity on our March 2024 Solidarity Calendar is to raise awareness for this simple, yet important and potentially life-saving, procedure. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Here is a 3 minute video from the Cleveland Clinic that explains the basics of a colonoscopy: 6 Reasons to Get a Colonoscopy. 

Calm and Strong Heart #OurHearts are healthier when we take time to relax in healthy ways. Breathe deeply, exhale slowly, and visualize something lovely, like a favorite walking trail, plant, or picture. --National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

April is Move More Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association. What is happening in Michigan? Click this link to find out: Move More Month in Michigan.

Be aware of these heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest symptoms: https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-attack-and-stroke-symptoms

A part of self-care is taking part in community events. Here is a short article that gives us reasons how participating in a social event is positive for your mental health: Why Celebrating is Good for You.

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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.

Never underestimate the power of a random compliment. To a stranger, it‘ll make their day. To your partner, it‘ll increase affection in your relationship. To your child/student, it‘ll raise their self-esteem. Compliments don’t need to be excessive & exaggerated. Simple and honest works. -- Ustaz Mizi Wahid

Today is National Compliment Day. Take a moment to see why it's a great mental health strategy to give and receive compliments: National Compliment Day is January 24.