Category: National Observance Days

National Florida Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National Florida Day, an annual event held on January 25th that recognizes Florida as the 27th state to join the United States of America. Some quick history facts on the founding of the state:

  • Florida is home to the oldest established city in the country; St. Augustine is over 400yrs old and still maintains a large portion of its original colonial architecture and streets. 
  • After the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1763, control of the territory now known as Florida was returned to Spain.
  • Present-day Florida borders came through 1) the Louisianna Purchase of 1803 and 2) an 1812 transaction that merged West Florida with the Mississippi Territory in order to stop a local uprising. 

National Handwriting Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today, January 23rd is National Handwriting Day! It was established in 1977 by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association to promote the consumption of pens, pencils, and writing paper. The date chosen is significant because it is the birthday of John Hancock, the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. Celebrate this annual event by putting a writing utensil to a writing medium: 

  • Journal
  • Send a handwritten letter to a friend or family member
  • Write a short story or poem
  • Try calligraphy
  • Write a love note for someone you care about

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is an annual event occurring on January 10th that encourages consumers to keep up with scheduled maintenance and improve the energy usage of their homes. Did you know that Florida’s energy prices are on the high side for the United States? Florida residents pay an average monthly electricity bill of $126.44 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That’s 13% higher than the national average of $111.67(source). If you’re looking to lower your energy bill, consider some of the ideas and suggestions below:

  • Check seals on windows, doors, and appliances; a bad seal allows energy to seep out.
  • Fix leaky ductwork.
  • Adjust your fridge and freezer temperature; set the fridge to 38 degrees and the freezer to 0-5 degrees. These temperatures keep your food fresh without stressing out your fridge. 
  • Take shorter showers; did you know that taking just two minutes off your shower time can cut your water usage by five gallons?!
  • Replace your showerhead; choose a water-efficient alternative to reduce your water usage by up to 2,700 gallons per year. Look for a WaterSense label(certified to meet efficiency criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency). 
  • Don’t wash clothes in hot water; use either cold or eco-warm (if your machine has the option).
  • Fix leaky faucets.
  • Adjust the temperature on your water heater; most water heaters have a standard-setting of 140 degrees. Lowering it to 120 degrees can reduce water heating costs by up to 10%!
  • Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
  • Ask your utility providers about discounted rates.
  • Swap out your lightbulbs; save up to $75/year by swapping out the bulbs in your most-used light fixtures with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs that bear the Energy Star label.
  • Install dimmer switches.
  • Use smart power strips.
  • Give your thermostat a nudge; set your thermostat back 10-15 degrees when you’re asleep/away from home. Hate changing the thermostat? Consider a programmable thermostat to do the work for you. 
  • Do an energy audit; this allows utility providers to identify additional ways to reduce your energy usage.

 

Dry Winter Skin? Today is the Day for You!

Debbie Roney Smith on

National Winter Skin Relief Day is an annual event that encourages individuals to consider how their skin is handling the harsh winter weather. Created by the makers of CeraVe Skincare, it is celebrated on January 8th and works to bring awareness to all the extra attention winter skin needs to stay healthy. Winter weather is indicative of dropping temperatures and moisture in the air decreasing. When moisture is lower, skin tends to suffer. Especially with wind chill! So how can you help protect, heal, and pamper your skin?

  • Avoid the temptation to take long, hot showers; heat strips skin of its natural oils and causes inflammation. This inflammation causes skin cells to swell up, and they then dry loose and poorly, leading to cracks in the skin. Take lukewarm showers instead; you get the warmth you cherish without causing damage to your delicate skin. 
  • Avoid harsh cleaners and DON’T scrub! Harsh cleansers mess with the pH balance of your skin, further drying it out. Scrubbing can cause additional surface damage, and irritate your skin if you’re particularly sensitive. Instead, use cleansers that are all-natural or at least contain a minimum amount of harsh chemicals like perfume (often labeled as ‘parfum’). Allow the natural lather of bar soaps like oatmeal or tea tree (amongst MANY others) to do the work so you don’t scrub your skin raw.
  • Post-shower, allow your skin to air dry if possible, or pat your skin dry with a soft towel. DON’T rub or scrub the towel over yourself; it will cause more irritation and inflammation. Post-drying is also the best time to put on moisturizer or lotion; be sure to keep the bathroom door closed so the humidity produced by your warm shower doesn’t escape.
  • When dressing for winter weather, wear layers! The layer against your skin should be made of natural fibers like flannel or cotton. This will keep your skin from being irritated by the rubbing of multiple layers, and assist with wicking away any sweat to keep from breaking out in heat rash or other skin irritations. Layers not touching your skin should be heat-trapping or more effective against cold weather.

Looking for a low-cost DIY recipe that will take care of your skin regardless of location? Try the recipe below to make a natural Epsom salt body butter:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coconut oil or shea butter
  • 2 tsp Epsom salt
  • 1 – 3 drops essential oil of your choice (not required)

Directions:

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Apply a thin layer to your skin by massaging in circular motions. Be sure to store the remainder in an airtight container! 

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. 

Happy New Year

Debbie Roney Smith on

Happy New Year to you and yours! The celebration of a new year is a wonderful time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. It is the perfect opportunity to encourage a fresh start for yourself in whatever way you need or want; you can start trying to eat healthier, spend more time with family and friends, schedule more volunteer activities, and more! The new year is a chance to reinvigorate yourself, your enthusiasm, and your goals for the future. Wishing you all the best in this new year, 2021!!!

New Year’s Eve

Debbie Roney Smith on

New Year’s Eve, celebrated annually on December 31st, historically marks the final day of the Gregorian calendar year. The Gregorian calendar is based on the solar year and replaced the ancient Roman calendar that was based on the lunar cycle of the moon. Ever wonder where on Earth you need to be to experience midnight before anyone else? The clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve on the Pacific island nations of Tonga, Samoa, and Kiribati first. Swiftly behind the three island nations, New Zealand,  Australia, Japan, and South Korea are the next countries to enjoy the new year.

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!  

Merry Christmas!

Debbie Roney Smith on

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate, and an equally joyous day to those who don’t! Do you know how fast Santa Claus would need to travel to drop presents off for every child in the world? Well…

…according to Arnold Pompos of Purdue University, Santa would have to travel a total of 160,000,000km(farther than the Earth to the Sun!) to visit the approximately 200 million children in the world. Father Christmas would need to travel at a speed of 4,705,882km/h. While this is far slower than the speed of light, it would still be more than fast enough to vaporize Kris Kringle via air resistance. Luckily, St. Nick has a magical sleigh and a team of highly-skilled reindeer to help him out! 

Christmas Eve-ntful Facts!

Debbie Roney Smith on
Saint Nicholas Church, Austria

Today is Christmas Eve! Take a look at these three fun facts about the night before Christmas:

  1. The traditional Christmas carol “Silent Night” was first performed in the Austrian village of Oberndorf on Christmas Eve in 1818. It was performed for the public at a midnight mass in the Saint Nicholas parish church.
  2. You might already know that the astronauts on the Apollo 8 mission of 1969 were the first humans to orbit the Moon but did you know that it was broadcasted live on Christmas Eve?! 
  3. Celebrating Christmas Eve has been a tradition almost as long as the Christmas holiday itself. This is historically linked to the history of Christian public worship beginning at sunset with the ringing of bells; therefore, a celebration of Christmas would begin, literally, on the Eve of Christmas. Also, jingle-bells!