Wellness Wednesday

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. 

One thing is certain! Our jobs in education carry a lot of stress. April is designated as Stress Awareness Month so here are some tips we have for you. 

What is stress? Watch this 2:30 minute video that explains: Managing Stress: Brainsmart.

Utilize these tips which can be found from the National Institutes of Health. Click here: Steps to Manage Stress and Build Resilience for more information.

1. Recognize and counter signs of stress.
2. Take time for yourself.
3. Try new routines.
4. Stay in touch with family, friends and groups as well as make new friends.
5. See problems through a different lens by "reframing".
6. Seek help with problems and/or talk to a profession

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

Drinking water is essential to a healthy lifestyle. --Stephen Curry

Here is why water is a key factor in self-care: Drinking Water is Part of Good Mental Health Care.  To learn more about this initiative from the United Nations, scroll down on the page from Share My Lesson: World Water Day.

We are stronger together when we hydrate ourselves.

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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Governor Proclamation on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developmental disabilities are defined as impairments in physical, learning, language or behavior areas and include

• Autism spectrum disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Learning or intellectual disabilities
• Hearing loss
• Vision impairment
• Other developmental delays

This is a nationwide event to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and address the barriers that those with disabilities face. Inclusion is necessary since about 15% of the world’s population lives with a disability. We need to understand the relationship between the way people function and how they participate in society and making sure everybody has the same opportunities in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities.

More information about what how you can participate can be found here: National Disability Awareness Month.

We are in a profession that has much stress. Here's why it is important to destress: Destressing at the End of the Day.

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.

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.

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.--Jim Rodin

We all have our reasons for avoiding a checkup or self-check. We're too busy. We don't want to know the truth.  It slipped our minds. It costs too much money. National Self Check Month is a way to concern ourselves with early detection and preventative resources to guide us through healthcare-related fears and concerns.

Even if you are proactive, someone in your life may not be. This is an opportunity for you to sit down with someone to share your concerns and offer ways to better health.

A list of proactive resources and tools can be found on Self Chec.