Wellness Wednesday

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”  — World Health Organization

The World Health Organization’s definition of health highlights the holistic nature of wellness. It’s not just about being free from illness but encompasses a range of physical, mental, and social factors that contribute to our overall wellness.

Here is an Emotional Wellness Toolkit, provided by the National Institutes of Health, that features 6 strategies for improving your emotional health. Click the Emotional Wellness Toolkit to get started.

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

Many of us are providing caregiver services to family and friends. This can be a daunting task. We want to make you aware of a new publication that can provide valuable information to caregivers and their families.  Connect Senior Resource Guide is a booklet courtesy of Ageways, a nonprofit organization that serves as the Area Agency on Aging for a six-county region that includes Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties.

Although the resource guide does not include Wayne County, the guide has useful articles and guides for

• caregiving from a distance
• figuring out how to get around if you’re no longer driving,
• making your home injury-proof,
• finding the right in-home aide

For Wayne County families, caregivers can find the phone numbers of resources available at The Senior Alliance. The phone number for Wayne County's Area of Aging Agency is 734-722-2830.

Download a copy of Connect Senior Resource Guide: Connect Senior Resource Guide.

If you are a caregiver, here are some tips:

Practice the following to reduce your stress:

National Audiology Awareness Month is an annual designation observed in October. This time of year is prime for stimulating our senses: smelling pumpkin spice,  tasting apple cider, seeing the leaves turning colors, and feeling the weather as it changes. How about what we hear? Although it's something many of us take for granted, our ability to hear and listen is one of the senses we rely on the most.

           The thing about hearing loss is that no one can see it. --actress Marion Ross

We live in a noisy world, so get those ears checked!

Listen as these professionals explain in this 1:15 clip about How Audiologists Can Help Video.

• Sensorineural Hearing Loss
• Hidden Hearing Loss
• Non-Syndromic Genetic Hearing Loss
• Syndromic Genetic Hearing Loss
• Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss  
• Auditory Process Disorders
• Ototoxicity
• Symptoms such as Tinnitus (ringing in the ear), Vertigo, and Dizziness

Here is a deeper analysis of why providing this mental health, safety, and awareness information to employees is necessary : Supporting Employees With Mental Health.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. #BThe1To take the five action steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal. These are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention: Read here about The 5 Steps which are:

1. Ask
2. Be There
3. Help Keep Them Safe
4. Help Them Connect
5. Follow Up

Listen to this short video as this college student from Canada offers insights on his suicidal thoughts and asking for help: You Are Not Alone

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. 

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.

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!