The month of May brings a lot more than flowers. Last week, May 12- 18, was Women’s Health Week. May is also National Health Awareness & Observances Month. So, what does this mean? You don’t have to run out and join a health club or an aerobics class.
The month’s awareness and observances includes—
Anxiety Disorders Screening, Stress Management, Mental Illness, Arthritis, Chronic Pain, Osteoporosis, Asthma & Allergy, Lung Disease, Better Hearing, Speech, Vision and Sleep, Insomnia , Brain Tumor, Managing Fatigue, Depression, Clean Air, Correct Posture, How to Meditate, Digestive Diseases, Keeping Breasts Healthy, Incontinence, Constipation, Diarrhea, Crohn’s Disease, Healthy Eating for Seniors, First Aid, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, Melanoma, Dementia, Caregiving, Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Occupational Safety & Health, Schizophrenia Awareness, Beat the Bulge, Suicide Awareness, Stroke, Stuttering Awareness, Trauma Awareness, Menopause, Take Care of Your Bones, HIV Vaccine Awareness, Hepatitis Awareness, Tinnitus Awareness, High Blood Pressure and World “No Tobacco” Day (May 31).
What a list! I know the month is almost over but, after seeing “Keeping Breasts Healthy” and hearing Angelina Jolie’s story (double mastectomy to lessen her chances of developing breast cancer), I decided to use the remaining days of May to explore some of the areas that I haven’t paid much attention to like better sleep and taking care of my bones.
There are also things on this list that I had not given much thought to, but a look is crucial as I move forward. Today I will look at “Navigating the Healthcare Maze” and I’m declaring tomorrow my very own Hug Holiday. Hugs are very beneficial to good health. When hugged, levels of the stress hormone cortisol decrease in women, as does their blood pressure!
What will you explore during National Health Awareness & Observances Month?
Valora Starr is director for discipleship and she oversees Women of the ELCA’s health initiative, Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls. Today’s photo was taken at the Run, Walk & Roll during the Eighth Triennial Gathering in July, 2011. Not only were participants getting good exercising in, but there were plenty of hugs too!