Winter is well on its way and it is important to be prepared for the accompanying frigid temperatures, snow, and ice. Here are a few tips to make sure you are ready to stay safe and healthy through the threats winter presents.

First, wear clothing appropriate for the outdoor weather, such as a well-insulated, wind-resistant coat or jacket. Wear warm layers of inner clothing so you can add and remove layers as needed for the weather. Wear hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, and waterproof boots for added warmth and protection from the weather.

A recent ad informs viewers of a hand signal that can be used to alert others that they may need assistance because they are in a domestic violence situation. While the signal has yet to be adopted widely, this ad serves as a reminder that these circumstances continue to affect individuals and families globally and that we all must be vigilant to what is happening around us and with those we know.

At the start of the 2020-21 school year, we see displays of face masks alongside the traditional school supplies of notebooks, pens and pencils. Whether your student is a preschooler or college student, it is quite likely going back to school looks at least a little different this year.

Immunizations work by training our body to fight against infectious diseases. Vaccines are made using a weak form of the virus or bacteria that causes the disease, toxins created by microorganisms, or protein products made in a lab. Vaccines are administered to help the body develop antibodies against a specific illness. After being vaccinated, the person’s new antibodies can practice fighting the disease. In the future, the trained antibodies will protect the vaccinated person when they come in contact with the illness.

Summer is here again and with it comes extra factors to consider for your health particularly when spending time out in the sun and heat!

April is alcohol awareness month. We may be exposed to pleasant advertisements and messages for alcoholic drinks, so it is important to remember the risks associated with alcohol use. If you are of legal drinking age and choose to drink, please drink responsibly.

When you were a young child, did you ever have a hard time getting others to listen to you or wanting your voice to be heard around the dinner table or at a family party? Have you ever tried making a point at a gathering or meeting only to be talked over? There are many instances where you might have wanted your voice to be heard and struggled to accomplish this. Perhaps it felt that you did not matter or that you did not count. Well, as you may know, every ten years we are asked to be counted. The US Census is trying to count everyone who lives in the United States because we all matter.

Few would disagree we are experiencing unprecedented times. Stress levels are high as we adjust to working remotely, disruptions in regular schedules, challenges in securing daily essentials and uncertainty as to what comes next.

There has been extensive media coverage on the coronavirus these last few weeks and it has caused great concern globally. It was previously referred to as 2019 novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV, however, the official name announced by the World Health Organization is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated COVID-19. Like other respiratory illnesses, common COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Follow these general recommendations to prevent the spread of this and other respiratory viruses.

Have you been staying up late to catch up on your favorite shows or social media? Perhaps, your busy schedule has pushed your bedtime back later than you would like. After all, many of us are juggling work, social and philanthropic activities, and adding on our loved one’s schedules to the mix, well, the hours in the day never seem to be enough! Unfortunately, as you may already know, what gets shortchanged is our night’s rest. Getting the recommended amount of sleep nightly is a struggle that many of us constantly face.