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 National Wear Red Day - February 4
Help spread the word that the little choices women make every day are the ones that matter most.
The stairs or the elevator? Baked or fried? Too many women die each year because they don't know heart disease is their No. 1 killer. Share the facts that heart disease is largely preventable and even the small, personal choices women make can help them live, not die. Our Hearts. Our Choice.
For more information visit www.hearttruth.gov; www.womenheart.org and www.goredforwomen.org
Heart Month
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, about 700,000 Americans have an initial heart attack and another 500,000 have a recurrent heart attack each year. According to a CDC report, almost half of the cardiac deaths in 1999 occurred before emergency services and hospital treatment could be administered. It is important to recognize the signs of a heart attack and to act immediately by calling 9-1-1. A person's chances of surviving a heart attack are increased if emergency treatment is given to the victim as soon as possible. The major symptoms of a heart attack are:
* Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back * Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint * Chest pain or discomfort * Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder * Shortness of breath
Some of the less obvious symptoms include: * Pounding heart beats or feeling extra heart beats * Upper abdominal pain * Nausea, vomiting or severe indigestion * Sweating for no apparent reason * Dizziness with weakness * Sudden extreme fatigue * Panic with feeling of impending doom
A note about women's milder symptoms - About a third of women experience no chest pain at all when having a heart attack and 71% of women report flu-like symptoms for two weeks to a month prior to having more acute chest discomfort or severe shortness of breath. These milder symptoms are under-reported to emergency room staff.
For more information visit www.americanheart.org and www.cdc.org
National Condom Awareness Day - February 14
National Condom Month
February 14 is not only Valentine's Day but National Condom Awareness Day.
If you look at it rationally, it makes sense to connect condoms and romance. If condoms were regularly used, the number of unintended, surprised or mistimed pregnancies would be greatly reduced. Just as importantly, condoms are the best way to prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases.
Why A National Condom Day? Approximately 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted disease (STD) are contracted every year in the United States: about half among young people 15-24 years of age. The best way to prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections is through abstinence or to be in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for STDs.
For more information visit www.ashastd.org and www.bacchusgamma.org
 Random Acts of Kindness Week - February 14-20
www.actsofkindness.org
"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blink can see" ~ Mark Twain
"Spread love everywhere you go; First of all in your own house...let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in our eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness."
~ Mother Teresa
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around "~ Leo R. Buscaglia
"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, own own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." ~ Dalai Lama
Looking for ideas to launch kindness initiatives in your workplace?
Collect goodies for children to donate to city service workers (e.g., police, firefighters, animal shelter).
Send floral arrangements to senior centers, nursing homes, police station, hospitals, etc. near your office.
Collect goods throughout RAK Week (or during the whole year) for a food bank or shelter.
Give coupons for discounted or free goods to schools to use as incentives for their kindness programs.
If your office has a RAK Week committee, put out a memo to your staff asking for volunteers to help plan and implement the next campaign.
Donate a percentage of your revenue for one day to a group in need.
Donate flowers to a meal delivery program.
Take up a collection to purchase items needed by a nonprofit organization.
Plant a Kindness Tree or Garden on the office grounds. Ask the mayor to give a brief presentation at the dedication.
Organize a blood drive dedicated to Random Acts of Kindness.
Sponsor a Random Acts of Kindness mascot to circulate, distributing gifts and suggestions for acts of kindness.
Hand out suggestions for random acts of kindness to each customer or client, and offer a nominal discount in exchange for their pledge to do an act of kindness.
Give away the first $10 of purchases on a given day or pick a couple of days during RAK Week to do this.
Set up free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for your employees
Recognize employees for their RAK
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week - February 20-26
The aim of NEDAwareness Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses - not choices - and it's important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.
This year, NEDA asked everyone to do just one thing to help raise awareness and provide accurate information about eating disorders. NEDAwareness Week participants can choose from a huge range of ways to contribute: Distribute info pamphlets and put up posters, write one letter for Media Watchdogs, register as a Volunteer Speaker or host a Volunteer Speaker, post information on Facebook or arrange interactive and educational activities such as a meditation and yoga event, panel discussions, fashion shows, body fairs, movie screenings, art exhibits and more. As an official NEDAwareness Week participant you can be involved in any way that works with your schedule, resources, community, and interests. These events and activities attract public media attention - on local, national and international levels.
To learn more or download free resources visit www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Love Your Pet Day - February 20
Love Your Pet Day is day to pamper your pet. People just love their pets, and today is an easy excuse to spend time with them, and to give them special treats. Whether its a dog, a cat, a fish, a pet snake, or your pet rock......give them lots of love and attention today.
If you don't have a pet, maybe today is the day to adopt a pet. Take a trip to your local Humane Society, and bring home an animal that needs you. It will make you both feel good.
National Cancer Prevention Month
www.aicr.org, www.preventcancer.org and www.cancer.org
February is National Cancer Prevention Month and while most everyone focuses on diet, and quitting smoking as the core ways to prevent cancer - they are forgetting another pillar of prevention. Reducing exposure to carcinogens in our everyday environments.
Hundreds of carcinogenic chemicals have been identified and unfortunately, they are commonly found in our water, air, food and the products we use everyday. Here are some ways to help you reduce your exposure to them.
1. Reduce exposure to carcinogens in plastics used for storing and serving food. Avoid microwaving food in plastic or putting plastics in the dishwasher, because heat may cause chemicals to leach out. Opt for safer plastics - those marked with triangle with the numbers 1, 2, 4, or 5 inside, generally on the bottom of containers. The plastics to avoid are those numbered 3, 6, and 7 unless they are also marked BPA-free.
 2. Eat healthy - opt for more whole foods and less foods high in animal fats. Read food nutrition labels.
3. Instead of using toxic pesticides, prevent pests by keeping a clean home. Prevent weeds by using mulch and maintaining a healthy lawn. If you do have a problem, opt for non-toxic methods before reaching for chemicals.
4. Detoxify your beauty routine, personal care products contain a long list of suspect chemicals. Reduce how much you use and to use the Skin Deep database to find the safest products at www.cosmeticdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=/index.php. You can also print pocket guides by visiting http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/pocket_guides/.
5. Use gentle non toxic cleaners such as castile soap or regular and water - these have been shown to keep hands and surfaces as free of bacteria as antibacterial soaps do. Opt for simple kitchen ingredients for basic cleaning, like vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda - to learn more visit www.webmd.com/health-ehome-9/green-cleaning.
National Children's Dental Health Month
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Whether you're a member of the dental team, a teacher or a parent, the ADA has free online resources that can help you with oral health presentations, ideas for the classroom and coloring and activity sheets that can be used as handouts. To learn more visit www.ada.org
Wise Health Consumer Month www.healthylife.com
The event was established by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine to give more visibility to the importance of medical self-care and wise consumer programs. The aim of the program is to encourage people to carefully choose medical professionals, insurance, food, health products and healthy lifestyles.
10 Tips for Being a Wise Health Care Consumer
1. Take the time to carefully select a doctor or health care provider. Ask friends or relatives for recommendations. Investigate whether or not the doctor participates with your health insurance plan.
2. Prepare for visits to your health care provider by compiling lists of questions or concerns you wish to discuss during your appointment. By making the most of the time you have, you can avoid unnecessary calls and repeat visits.
3. Ask questions about medications you are prescribed. Understand why you are taking it and how it should be taken. Finish all medications, even if you are feeling better.
4. Keep a checklist of all medications you are taking and share this list with your health care provider. This is especially important if you are seeing more than one doctor.
5. Be aware of routine medical tests and examinations, and the recommended times to have them. You may be able to avoid unnecessary and expensive tests.
6. Use home medical tests when available. They are less costly and can be used without a visit to the doctor.
7. Keep a well stocked home pharmacy with commonly used medicinal items. This can help you deal with common problems and save costly trips to the doctor or emergency room.
8. Understand your health insurance plan. A list of basic questions about what is covered and knowing the answers to these questions can save time and money,
9. Take care of your mental health as well as you would your physical health. States of emotional upset can interfere with daily living routines, and can ultimately affect you physical well being.
10. Keep a list of health agencies handy as a reference. Most are available by phone, fax or email and can serve as a resource for free information and support.
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