Category: Health

National Dentist’s Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

National Dentist’s Day falls annually on March 6th. It was established as a way to show appreciation and thanks to dentists, dental hygienists, and nurses. It’s also a way to bring awareness to dentistry so that people will know more about how to care for their teeth. It also encourages people who may have avoided going to the dentist to come in for a checkup. Here are some tips to help keep your teeth healthy:

1. Brush teeth for two minutes, twice per day. 

2. Floss daily!

3. Visit a dentist twice per year if possible. 

4. Eat a balanced diet and limit eating and drinking between meals to reduce corrosion. 

Easy Flow Chair Yoga in Lake DeFuniak

Debbie Roney Smith on

Amy Meyer of the Lake DeFuniak Yoga Studio is hosting an Easy Flow Chair Yoga. This particular chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that can be done while sitting. Additionally, some poses can be done while standing and using a chair for support. This form of chair yoga can improve flexibility, concentration, strength, reduce pain, reduce stress, reduce joint pain, and improve 

mood.

Yoga with Puppies

Debbie Roney Smith on

Friends Of The Escambia County Animal Shelter and the Yoga Alliance are coming together to host a Yoga with Puppies event tomorrow! Although the in-person class is full (and therefore the ability to cuddle with puppies is no longer available for this date), the online class is open to one and all!

This is a gentle yoga class led by Kim Corley, RYT. Kim is certified through the Yoga Alliance. All levels of experience are welcome. The online event will be live-streamed for a suggested donation of $15, although the stream is free. Visit the Facebook event page HERE to participate in the live stream on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CST. 

Invasive Plant Removal

Debbie Roney Smith on

Eager to find an event that allows you to volunteer, learn, and get outdoors all in one fell swoop? Check out the upcoming Invasive Plant Species Removal event in Tallahassee! Hosted by UF/IFAS Leon County Extension, this educational experience will occur on Saturday, January 16th from 9 a.m. CST to 11 a.m. CST (although you are welcome to leave early as needed). This cool morning event will teach you how to identify and efficiently remove invasive plant species such as camphor, coral ardisia, and more!

Coral Ardisia

Participants must wear masks during the entire event, although it will be held entirely outside and social distancing will be a natural part of spreading out to cover the work area. Please meet by 9 a.m. at Gil Waters Reserve at Lake Munson. This is a lake that drains into Ames Sink and then makes its way to Wakulla Springs. By participating in this invasive species removal, you are helping native plants and animals thrive as well as improving water quality! Children and families are welcome; please bring gloves, water, buckets, and removal tools if you have them. 

National Cuddle Up Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National Cuddle Up Day! Since January typically has some of the coldest days of the year, this annual event is a great way to stay warm and reap the various health benefits of cuddling. Whether you are cuddling up to a human companion or a pet, there are numerous benefits! Check them out below, and then get to cuddling up on this cozy winter day:

  • Cuddling releases oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that makes us feel good emotionally AND helps reduce pain. Additionally, it helps reduce the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, stress, and anxiety.
  • Cuddling is a great tool for conveying positive physical touch. Physical touch is incredibly important for communicating trust, commitment, safety, and reassurance. 
  • Cuddling also releases dopamine, a hormone that can improve memory and focus. 

National Call a Friend Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Although it has only been a tradition in recent years, National Call a Friend Day is a beloved celebration held annually. National Call a Friend Day was created to bridge the communication gap between friends who have been out of touch. Did you know that sending a text message overtook making phone calls as the most popular medium of communication for people under the age of 50yrs old in 2014? That means that those 56yrs old and under have likely been spending the last SIX years imagining the voices of friends, family, and work acquaintances in their heads. Yet oral communication is a vital component of self-care and community wellness; talking with friends and family can increase the release of dopamine, aka the feel-good neurotransmitter, which will make you feel more relaxed and happy. So call up someone you care about and catch up today in the spirit of National Call a Friend Day!  

National Stress Awareness Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

National Stress Awareness Day is run by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), and is held annually on November 4th. 

So what exactly is stress? Stress is your body’s reaction to pressure from a certain situation or event. It can be a physical, mental, or emotional reaction. It can be incredibly debilitating to deal with any kind of stress on a regular basis. The goal of this annual day of awareness is to raise awareness of stress, its impact, reduce stigma, and promote the importance of well-being and stress reduction for individuals and organizations.

Looking for more information? Try this site to begin your search: CLICK HERE!

Trick-or-Treat: Safety Tips

Debbie Roney Smith on

Amidst the current pandemic, many cities and towns are canceling Halloween celebrations. If you’re in an area that is allowing festivities and feel comfortable being out-and-about, follow the suggestions listed below to keep you, your family, and your community safe during celebrations:

  • The safest way to handle Halloween festivities falls in line with the best practices for COVID-19 — wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash hands often.
  • No loose candy; only sealed packages of sweets so that each piece of candy is individually wrapped.
  • Avoid indoor and/or close-quarters events like house parties, haunted houses, school dances, and even hayrides.
  • Consider holding a trick-or-treating event at home for your kids; create a scavenger hunt around the yard, lead them from bedroom-to-bedroom, watch movies, or carve pumpkins. 

Torreya in Bloom

Debbie Roney Smith on
Photo provided by local, @noahs.notions

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Need to get out of the house or wear the kids down? Consider visiting the gorgeously-blooming Torreya State Park in Bristol! Only $3 per vehicle for park entry, there are multiple trails open now, the canoe/kayak launch spot is open, picnicking areas are open, AND the weather this weekend is supposed to be in the mid-80s with a pleasant blend of cloud coverage and wind.

Photo provided by local, @noahs.notions

Open from 8 AM to sunset, Torreya State Park is also home to the historic Gregory House. Tours are offered at 10 AM on weekdays and 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM on weekends and state holidays. Masks mandatory while indoors. To get more information on the park before visiting, click HERE to visit their website!

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

5 Things Happening on the 25th

Debbie Roney Smith on

1. Heritage Day

Previously known in South Africa as Shaka Day, a day commemorating the Zulu King of Shaka who united clans to for the Zulu nation. Since 1955. South Africans have celebrated the renamed Heritage Day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many different cultures that make up their nation. Often called the ‘‘Rainbow Nation,’’ South Africa’s cultural roots are rich, vibrant, and incredibly diverse cultures. Want to celebrate and better understand this beautiful smorgasboard of cultures? Read up on South Africa’s history; research it’s cultural past, explore the intense political history, the racial injustices, the complex languages, and their culture in general. 

2. National Comic Book Day

National Comic Book Day honors the art, artists, and the stories of comic books. Fans, collectors, readers, writers, and artists come together to celebrate this generational, cultural crossing genre. Comic books has grown as a genre to include full-length books, graphic novels, comic strips, manga, comic collections, and digital comics. Additionally, comic books have inspired countless movie adaptations – the Marvel Cinematic Universe would not exist if comics didn’t. Celebrate by discovering new comic books, reading old favorites, sharing your passion with those in your life, watching television shows/movies based on comics, or look for online celebrations you can join. 

3. National Cooking Day

A day meant to encourage and inspire people to discover something new and enjoyable in the kitchen. Learn a new skill by preparing something new and delicious for yourself or loved ones. National Cooking Day is a day for passing on recipes, making fulfilling meals, experimenting with new recipes, baking with loved ones, throwing social-distancing-safe potlucks, hosting meals, or maybe just whipping up your favorite comfort foods to enjoy in your pjs on the couch. Connect with friends and family or practice some filling self-care this holiday!

4. National Daughters Day

A special day created to celebrate and cherish daughters. While there is a National Sons & Daughters Day, this event is a response to the growing awareness of the inherent struggles womens go through in society. From the very beginning, society viewed women as inferior to men, limiting their potential due to male privilege dominated at the time. This is an opprotunity to learn and discuss gender discrimination and inequity. Help your daughter grow into a well-rounded, emotionally fulfilled woman by celebrating them today. Explore this parental blog about teaching kids about gender equality and this education blog to learn more!

5. Sport Purple for Platelets Day

Supports those suffering from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a disease that causes excessive bleeding, bruising and fatigue due to low levels of platelets (those are the cells that enable blood to clot). Unfortunately, ITP is widely unheard of and not much is known about the hows and whys of the disease. It was one of the first autoimmune disorders discovered, proving that a human body’s tissue could be attacked by its own antibodies. Despite this groundbreaking contribution, research into ITP never gained significant financial traction. The Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA) sponsors Sport Purple for Platelets Day in order to raise awareness and funds for those suffering and for research. So sport purple today to show your support for this life-shortening disease!