Wellness Wednesday

A bit of mathematical trivia to kick off 2025: a short video explains Mathematical Patterns for the Year 2025

Have you made a New Year's Resolution? Are you looking for a "fresh start"?  Do you have goals you would like to achieve? Here are a few tips to help you build momentum and ensure this is your best year ever!  We have also included ideas from ​Share My Lesson ​to assist: SML New Year Resolutions​.​

​1.  Set reasonable and specific goals. The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. When establishing your goals, be selective. It’s better to move one thing forward a mile than ten things forward an inch.

2.  Create a plan. Once you’ve set your goal(s), work backwards so that you know exactly what you need to do to get where you want to go.

3.   List new skills you’ll need.  Take note of what you’ll need to learn this year and develop a strategy for mastering these skills.

4. Be sure your goals are measurable. What gets measured gets done. Keep track of your success and reward yourself along the way.

5.   Talk about your goals. Tell friends, family members, and trusted colleagues about your plans so that they can support you.

6.   Make course corrections if necessary. If you find yourself heading in the wrong direction, don’t hesitate to course correct. Goals are not carved in stone. It’s okay to adjust your goals as you go.

7.   If things aren’t going according to plan, ask for help. There’s no shame in admitting that you need assistance.

8.   Avoid repeating past failures. Doing things, the same way, when you didn’t get the results, you are seeking won’t change the outcome. Instead, take a different approach.

9.   Schedule time for yourself. Place time on your calendar where you can get away and be free from distraction.

10. Balance work and play. In most cases, our jobs and work take priority over many other things in our life. Work isn’t going anywhere. The greatest wealth you can build is discretionary time. Think about this and then say yes to doing something you love!

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.

Do not disregard basic safety rules when it comes to firing up the grill. Here are 2 short safety videos from the National Fire Protection Agency when it comes to using the barbecue grill. There are also some safety facts and resources: Grilling Safety Facts & Resources.

President Bill Clinton signed a proclamation in 1994 declaring a week be set aside for Men's Health Week for the following reasons:

• Despite the advances in medical technology and research, men continue to live an average of 7 years less than women
• Likelihood that a man will develop prostate cancer is 1 in 11
• Number of men contracting prostate cancer will reach over 120,000 in 1993, with an expected one-third of the cases to die from the disease
• Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men aged 15-34, and when detected early, has an 87 percent survival rate
• Number of men contracting lung disease will reach over 100,000 in 1993, with an expected 85 percent of the cases to die from the disease
• Number of cases of colon cancer among men will reach over 80,000 in 1993; with nearly one-third of the cases to die from the disease
• Death rate for prostate cancer has grown at almost twice the death rate of breast cancer in the last five years
• African-American men in the United States have the highest incidence in the world of cancer of the prostate
• Men are seven times as likely as women to be arrested for drunk driving and three times as likely to be alcoholics
• Women visit the doctor 150 percent as often as men enabling them to detect health problems in their early stages
• Significant numbers of male related health problems such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and colon cancer, could be detected and treated if men’s awareness of these problems was more pervasive
• Educating both the public and health care providers about the importance of early detection of male health problems will result in reducing rates of mortality for these diseases
• Appropriate use of tests such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) exams, blood pressure screens, cholesterol screens, etc., in conjunction with clinical examination and self-testing for problems such as testicular cancer can result in the detection of many of these problems in their early stages and increases in the survival rates to nearly 100 percent
• Many men are reluctant to visit their health center or physician for regular screening examinations of male related problems for a variety of reasons including fear, lack of information, and cost factors
• Men who are educated about the value that preventive health can play in prolonging their lifespan and their role as a productive family member will be more likely to participate in health screenings

📣📣📣📣    Where should men start? Here is a 2 minute video that has a health screening schedule for men ages 20 and older: Men's Health: Where Should You Start?

It can be hard to celebrate and be festive during the holidays if there has been a loss, so we hope these tips will help:  Grief Loss During the Holidays.

Can a sudden shift in the weather trigger certain illnesses? Absolutely. In fact, climate change is one of the environmental risk factors most doctors consider when assessing their patients for certain conditions.

Recently Channel 4 in Detroit did a news story of what illnesses are going around in metro Detroit counties: What’s Going Around: viral illnesses, pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, asthma & allergies

Changes in weather can challenge our immune system and musculoskeletal system because our bodies get used to a certain climate, and when those things change suddenly, our body has to try to adapt. Unfortunately, sometimes our bodies have a difficult time adjusting, which can trigger an illness.

Here are six health conditions that a sudden change in the weather can trigger:

1. Infections and illnesses of the upper respiratory tract

Not dressing for the weather, whether it be too many layers or not enough, can affect the body's immune response and possibly trigger an upper respiratory infection.

When temperatures are fluctuating, doctors recommend dressing in light layers to add or shed depending on the weather.

2. Chronic sinus and throat issues

Heating and air systems struggle to keep up with fluctuating temperatures, and rapidly alternating heating and cooling systems can dehumidify air.

Dehumidified air filled with pollen, dust, mold and mildew is a perfect storm for severe and chronic sinus and throat issues. So it’s important to change heating and air filters every six months.

A humidifier can also help to add moisture to the air.

3. Seasonal asthma and bronchitis triggered by cold air

Cold air can trigger seasonal asthma or bronchitis. People who have these conditions should be prepared to use an inhaler seasonally to avoid severe and chronic coughing episodes.

There is a physiological response to cold air that can cause your airways to close down and tighten up if you have asthma, which can be dangerous if not treated.

4. Seasonal allergies from pollen

Plants get just as confused as people do with the changing weather patterns, which means flowers bloom early and release pollen, which can aggravate people with seasonal allergies.

5. Cold and flu outbreaks

As the weather temporarily improves, it is common for families, co-workers, and school children to gather for group activities. If one person is sick with a cold or the flu, you may see a minor “outbreak” of illness following those gatherings.

Doctors say hand hygiene and cleaning shared spaces can help control the spread of infections.

These foods can help you recover from the flu: What to Eat and Avoid to Recover From the Flu.

6. Muscle and joint injuries

When the weather warms up, people are eager to head outdoors. But being extremely active on muscles and joints that have been hibernating during the cold winter months can lead to injuries.

A good rule to remember before jumping into those fun physical activities is to start low and go slow, at least initially.

​Unroll the mat, unroll the mind, unroll your worries.​
 

Yoga is popular for a good reason: there are some scientific based benefits of yoga

1. short article from John Hopkins: 9 benefits of yoga​
2. short article from Healthline: 16 benefits of yoga​
3. video from Medical Centric: 3 minute video of yoga benefits

“The opportunity to step away from everything and take a break is something that shouldn’t be squandered.” – Harper Reed

A major upside of teaching is the summer break - and we can utilize that time to reduce stress, increase our health and change some unhealthy habits we might have gained all while having some fun. This will first mean de-stressing yourself and here are some tips:

1. Wake up and take a walk first thing in the morning. Studies show that getting some sunlight first thing in the morning helps us maintain a good circadian rhythm and will increase sleep habits and reduce stress.

2. Read a book that has nothing to do with your teaching subject. Fiction can be great for this, and will help tap back into your creative side and get your mind going first thing in the morning.

3. Give gratitude every day. Recall our Wellness Wednesday about keeping a gratitude journal (https://dft231.mi.aft.org/resources/gratitude-journal-wellness-wednesday-november-8-2023)

4. Meditate, watch this one minute video that lists the benefits of doing this simple activity: 5 Amazing Benefits of Meditation

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.

When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living." --Tecumseh

Thanksgiving Day will be here soon and it's time to get ready: Preparing Your Holiday Turkey Safely

We have also included this 2 minute video which has tips for Thanksgiving food safety:  Thanksgiving Food Safety