April is Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to learning healthy ways to manage stress. Everyone experiences stress, the most common experiences become a mental or emotional strain.

Continuous stress can have negative effects on your body. When placed in a stressful situation, stress hormones enter the bloodstream, leading to an increase in blood pressure and glucose levels. Learning positive ways to cope with stress can go a long way to living a healthy and positive life. 

Here are some ideas to help cope with stress

• Create healthy routines such as regular physical activity and getting plenty of sleep
• Discuss your issues with a confidant
• Recognize when it’s time to get professional help

This April we proudly recognize National Autism Month! Let’s celebrate the resilience of those with autism & applaud their unique talents! Let’s create better awareness by informing and encouraging communities to celebrate differences, and become more inclusive of individuals with autism. 

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech & nonverbal communication. It is reported that approximately 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with ASD. 

Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development including, improving learning, communication, and social skills, as well as underlying cerebral development. Many children affected by autism also benefit from other interventions such as speech and occupational therapy.

Through the use of therapeutic everyday activities, occupational therapy treats the physical and developmental ailments that impact the ability to perform day-to-day tasks. April is Occupational Therapy Month celebrates the holistic and custom approach to making independence possible. 

Occupational Therapists have studied the movements to make a safe transition and improve weakened muscles. Through their expertise, they help their patients overcome daily performance obstacles such as eating and bathing through repetitive tasks. 

When long-term wear of joints and muscles requires rehabilitation, these medical professionals provide the necessary excises to get us back into our daily routine. We wish them a very Happy Occupational Therapy Month!

Brain injuries are fall-related damage to the brain through impact to the head or penetration of sharp objects. National Brain Injury Awareness Month raises awareness of the significant cause of brain injuries and eliminates the stigma for those with brain injuries. 

There are two types of brain injuries; Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) are associated with pressure on the brain. It could come from tumors or neurological illnesses caused by strokes. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are caused by external forces, such as a hard impact to the head causes the brain to move inside the skull.

Brain injuries are an issue that affects older people, as they have a higher chance of fall-related injuries. Learning the signs of a head injury and when to seek medical attention can mean the difference between mild and severe injuries. 

It’s also important to remember to eliminate the stigma of having a brain injury. People are not their injuries.

Celebrated annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day commemorates the historic journey all women have embarked to accomplish. In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell, MD became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. According to the United States Census, women now hold more than 75% of healthcare jobs.

We are proud and grateful for the strong and courageous women in our lives, our workplaces, and our communities. Thank you for always safeguarding our health, and for all the amazing work done for the healthcare industry. Happy International Women’s Day!

March is Social Work Month, a time that recognizes the dedication and empathy social workers deliver while providing services to those in need. Social workers provide support to people of all backgrounds, in our communities. They guide us through the obstacles and help lift us out of the potholes.

Social workers provide a voice for equal rights for the weakest of us and connect us to resources when we are in need. They touch millions of lives each day and it is likely a social worker at some time will assist you, a family member, or a friend.

Social workers continue to work on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, helping patients get the health care they need and helping loved ones overcome grief and loss. Take some time out this month to recognize social workers and the great things they do.

More than 650,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, according to the CDC. It is the leading cause of death for American men and women. We observe American Heart Month in February to remind everyone about the risks factors of heart disease and how to keep your heart healthy.

While high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and tobacco use are key risk factors for heart disease there are other medical conditions and lifestyles that can put you at higher risk of heart disease:

• Diabetes
• Not Enough Physical Activity
• Excessive Alcohol Intake

Take time this month to learn about the many ways you can keep your heart healthy. We have listed a few healthy ways that you can start today:

• Get 7-8 hours of quality Sleep
• Eat a Healthy Diet
• Physical Activity
• Monitor your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

You don’t have to make big changes at once, small steps will get you where you want to go.

Tinnitus, commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears” affects 15 – 20 percent of people. Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury, or a problem with the circulatory system.

Tinnitus Awareness Week is observed during the first full week of February to educate others on the symptoms and how it affects people.

February marks Black History Month, a time to honor achievements by Black Americans and their role in US history. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness to recognize the legacy of scholars and medical practitioners. Black Health and Wellness not only includes one’s physical body but also emotional and mental health.

This month, we celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and encourage the community to reflect on our nation’s history and the many contributions of Black Americans.