Wellness Wednesday

Just a few decades ago, little was known about cancer, and when someone was diagnosed with the disease, their chance for survival was slim. Today, however, we know much more including how to diagnose it earlier, treat it more effectively and, most importantly, help prevent it from occurring in the first place. --Dr. Matthew Gall

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) diagnosed in men in the United States. Furthermore, it’s the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer, in the United States. Click here to read more: What is Prostate Cancer?

More than 108,000 women in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with a gynecological cancer in 2024. Furthermore, about 32,000 will die from one. Each gynecological cancer has different signs and symptoms, as well as different risk factors. As with most cancer, the risk of developing a gynecologic cancer increases with age. Click here to read fact sheets about the 4 types of gynecological cancer: What is Gynecological Cancer?

"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.

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.

Trauma creates change you don't choose. Healing creates change you do choose.--Michele Rosenthal

This week we are informing you of a FREE benefit that is a part of your DFT membership. The details of a trauma counseling program are outlined in the flyer. If you are not signed up as a member of AFT National, scan codes and emails can be found on the members benefits tab so you can create an account. This account will allow you to access all AFT benefits offered to you as a dues-paying member, not just the trauma counseling program. To see all the benefits of being an AFT member, check out this link on our website. Go to the membership tab, then drop down to member benefits: https://dft231.mi.aft.org/member-benefits.

Winter Mental Wellness Tips

• Start each day with a gentle morning routine
• Have some daily quiet time (limit social media scrolling)
• Keep a winter gratitude journal

For Your Physical Needs in Winter

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule
• Drink water throughout the day
• Moisturize from head to toes with a rich body lotion
• Wear soft, warm, comfortable winter clothing

Winter Nutrition Tips

• Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables into your meals (like root vegetables, winter squash, and dark leafy greens)
• Enjoy soups, stews and roasted veggies
• Enjoy comfort treats like healthy banana bread or hot chocolate
• Drink a variety of herbal teas for their health benefits and cozy warmth

Your Home Environment in Winter

• Let in as much winter sun and natural light during the day
• Create a comfy corner with extra soft blankets and pillows for reading and watching your favorite TV shows
• Use a humidifier to combat dry indoor air
• Create a calming ambiance with soft lighting and inviting scented candles or essential oils

Here is a list of other ideas that are appropriate for this season and can help you beat those winter blues.

1. Create a vision board for your goals and dreams
2. Use a meditation app  to relax and meditate to winter sounds
3. Reach out to a friend or loved one
4. Start an indoor herb garden
5. Learn a new hobby like cross-stitching or knitting
6. Have fun with crossword and/or jigsaw puzzles or adult coloring books
7. Create a winter playlist with your favorite songs
8. Enjoy a themed movie marathon or a foreign film
9. Practice indoor photography
10. Clean and rearrange your vanity or makeup collection for a fresh start
11. Do a digital detox and put social media aside for a day
12. Do a home workout or a gentle yoga flow
13. Take a long, hot, luxurious bubble bath with essential oils
14. Apply a hydrating face and/or foot mask
15. Do a winter facial skincare routine
16. Give yourself a dedicated hand and foot massage
17. Practice breathing exercises
18. Buy yourself some flowers
19. Plan a winter road trip to a scenic spot
20. Go on a winter adventure hike or a walk in a nearby park
21. Try ice skating, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing
22. Visit local winter festivals or indoor farmers' markets
23. Go stargazing or watch the northern lights on a clear winter night
24. Go on a winter run
25. Go sledding, tobogganing or tubing at a local hill
26. Try winter birdwatching
27. Go on a winter photography walk
28. Write winter-inspired poetry
29. Sign up for an online course
30. Try watercolor art or calligraphy
31. Practice a foreign language through films and online magazines
32. Add winter décor touches to your home or make a winter wreath
33. Learn how to play a musical instrument
34. Make DIY winter-scented candles or soaps
35. Visit a local museum, an art gallery or the library
36. Attend a winter concert or live music event
37. Visit an historical site
38. Plan and create a fancy dinner or go to a fancy restaurant

On this National Day of Service and Remembrance, we must ensure that darkness is no match for the light we shine by engaging in acts of service and charity.--Barack Obama

It’s been more than two decades since 9/11. Honor and commemorate the sacrifices made that day by remembering the heroes, armed forces, first responders, and countless others’ acts of service to defend our nation’s freedom. 

On the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, people of all ages and backgrounds are invited to participate in community service projects to honor the lives and service of those we lost on September 11. Cross divides, differences, and ideologies to serve with neighbors and strangers alike to build important bridges in your communities.

The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance is a chance to help others in tribute to those killed and injured on September 11, 2001, first responders, and the countless others who serve to defend the nation’s freedom at home and around the globe.

Find a community service project near where you live or work.

Summer and the outdoors go hand in hand. However you need to watch out for sun exposure.
Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide: Watch this 2 minute video: Iconic 5 Word Phrase From Australia. (In the US, you can check the UV Index at EPA UV Index.)

Are people of color at risk for skin cancer?  Yes, The Facts About People of Color & Skin Cancer Risk. 

Awareness is the first step to making a difference. --slogan used for National Cancer Awareness Day 2023

February is National Cancer Prevention Month which focuses on the things we can control to lessen our odds of developing cancer.

• Regular exercise
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating healthy foods
• Quitting or never starting smoking
• Limiting alcohol use

Don't forget about routine checkups, treating or preventing other health conditions, and knowing your risk factors. We can't stop every form of cancer yet, but we do have the tools to decrease our risk factors.

More information can be found here: Cancer Prevention Information. We have also included their 30-day checklist.

Spice a dish with love and it pleases every palate.--Platius

Use these tips to add flavor to your holiday cooking and get nutritional value at the same time: Spice It Up!

Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder are serious, life-threatening conditions that affect people and their families every day.

Did you know that in the United States, approximately 30 million Americans will suffer from some type of eating disorder in their lifetime, which has the highest death rate of any mental illness? Yet, only one-third of individuals suffering do so in silence and choose to never receive treatment. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be challenging to receive an accurate diagnosis of an eating disorder. This is because the symptoms that occur do not always present themselves the same. These deadly diseases don’t discriminate, and therefore, sufferers could be of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and have any body type.

For more in-depth information, please check out this PowerPoint which lists 9 truths about eating disorders, along with warning signs, symptoms, health consequences and resources.

Eating Disorders 101 PowerPoint