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National Stroke Awareness Month
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is cut off; without this flow of oxygen, brain cells begin to die within minutes. There are two types of strokes- Ischemic and Hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes are the most common kind and occur when a blood vessel taking blood to the brain gets plugged due to fatty deposits in the arteries or irregular heartbeat. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or leaks. This type of stroke is generally due to uncontrolled high blood pressure, or taking... Read More
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Stress Awareness Month
April is National Stress Awareness Month! While small levels of stress can be helpful in motivating you to complete a task on time, too much stress can be detrimental to your health. If you are currently suffering from low energy, headaches, upset stomach, chest pains, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, or frequent colds, you may be suffering from stress. Symptoms of stress can also present in more unique ways, such as an increased sweet tooth, eczema, or adult acne. Often times, stress increases inflammation and leads to breakouts. It is also important to consider the source of your stress, whether it be... Read More
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National Professional Social Work Month
March is National Professional Social Work Month! Social workers are trained to help with a wide range of situations and assist individuals in many different facets of their lives. There are three main types of social workers: macro social workers, direct- service social workers, and clinical social workers. Macro social workers generally work at the policy level, assisting with designing public policies and regulations at the federal, state, or local level. Macro social workers are usually the leaders of community agencies or non-profit outreach organizations. Direct- service social workers typically act as advocates for their patients in working with government... Read More
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Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
In the US, one in ten teens experience dating violence from a boyfriend or girlfriend each year. February has been designated as Teen Dating Violence Awareness month in order to bring attention to a growing problem throughout the country. Teen dating violence includes physical, psychological, or sexual abuse, and most teens do not openly ask for help or seek guidance from adults. There are many warning signs that a teen is in an abusive relationship, but the most common are: extreme mood swings, isolation, physical harm, bad grades, and sexual activity. Teens who are involved in abusive relationships are far... Read More
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National Poverty Month
For some, January is a month to work on upholding New Year’s Resolutions and set goals. While setting goals and working towards them, it is also important to remember that January is also National Poverty Awareness Month. Poverty is defined as lacking a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions, and the poverty line is generally determined by the federal government based on the current cost of living, inflation, and the consumer price index. There are currently over 46 million Americans living below the poverty level, and most Americans are expected to spend at least one year... Read More
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History of the Ugly Holiday Sweater
As the holiday season gets into full swing, there is one trend that seems to gain more and more popularity each year- the ugly sweater. If you live, work, or go to school with others, chances are you have attended at least one ugly holiday sweater party this year already. As we rush out to buy these ugly sweaters (or materials to make your own!), it begs the question of where this tradition came from in the first place! We did a little digging, and found the history of the ugly holiday sweater. The ugly holiday sweater first made its... Read More
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National Gratitude Month
As everyone starts to gear up for Thanksgiving, don’t forget that the whole month of November is National Gratitude Month! Gratitude is more than simply saying “thank you,”- it’s also a great way to shift your focus from the negative to the positive by showing appreciation for the people and things in your life. According to Psychology Today, gratitude improves your physical and psychological health, improves self-esteem, increases mental strength, and enhances empathy while reducing aggression. Studies also show that grateful people sleep better at night. There are so many simple ways that you can practice gratitude, and they only... Read More
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Domestic Awareness Month
October is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring attention to the different forms of abuse in relationships. Domestic violence is generally defined as behavior in a relationship that is used to gain or maintain power over an intimate partner. Forms of domestic abuse include emotional, physical, sexual and verbal attacks. Every nine seconds in the United States a woman is assaulted or beaten, and up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence each year. Women are not the only victims of domestic violence- men account for 15% of reported cases. There is a myriad of... Read More
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National Self Care Month
As the school year gets into full swing and schedules start to overflow, it is important to remember that September is National Self Care Month! Since we tend to take care of others before ourselves, it is important to make time for yourself each day. There are small steps you can take to better self-care this month, such as: switching up your routine and taking a new route to work, unplugging for an hour, crossing off that lingering item on your to-do list, or going for a walk on your lunch break. One exercise that is great for the mind,... Read More
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Family Fun Month
As everyone gears up for the new school year, it is important to remember that August is also Family Fun Month! Planning fun, simple family activities for the month can help ease the back to school blues, and give kids something to look forward to once their homework is done. Some easy weeknight ideas include going out for ice cream, taking a family bike ride, cooking meals together, or having a karaoke night. Regular family dinners are a great way to spend time together and save money; studies by Columbia University show that kids who eat dinner with their parents... Read More