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Observed Wellness Days
October
The transition to the shorter and busier days of fall can be a challenge. To help ease the change, below are 6 Autumn Wellness Tips to get you ready for the colder months and keep your mental (and physical!) health in check!
- Start taking a Vitamin D supplement. We get most of our Vitamin D from the sun, so our intake decreases when the weather is colder since we spend most of our time inside during the fall/winter seasons. If you find you are not getting outside much, a Vitamin D supplement can boost your mood and immune system!
2. Take some time to yourself. Autumn and winter are the Earth’s way of telling us to slow down. Start a journal or track your moods to get more in touch with how your feeling.
3. Get your flu shot and yearly check-up – Thank You WHFD!
4. Boost your immune system. You can do this by drinking plenty of water, washing your hands often to prevent sickness, and eating nutritious foods.
5. Get yourself ready for Daylight Savings Time. Go to bed earlier when you can, especially the week before the clocks change. Longer periods of darkness = longer periods of sleep! Don’t forget to change any manual clocks (like an alarm clock!)
6. Be kind to yourself. The holidays can cause weight gain, the shorter days can cause low mood, and the flu season can cause sickness. Listen to your body and give it what it needs, and don’t beat yourself up! Try reframing negative thoughts into positive ones.
Past Observed Wellness Days
March
Baby Sleep Day – March 1
Bone Marrow Failure Awareness Week – March 1 – 7
National Sleep Awareness Week – March 1 – 7
World Birth Defects Day March 3
Lymphedema Awareness Day – March 6
International Women’s Day – March 8
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week – March 8 – 14
Patient Safety Awareness Week – March 9
World Kidney Day – March 12
Brain Awareness Week – March 15 – 21
National Poison Prevention Week – March 15 – 21
World Brain Tumor Week – March 16 – 22
World Oral Health Day – March 20
World Down Syndrome Day – March 21
Diabetes Alert Day – March 24
World Tuberculosis Day – March 24
Doctors’ Day March – 30
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week March – 30 – April 5
Other Notable Dates in March
First Day of Spring – March 19
Employee Appreciation Day – March 6
Daylight Savings Time (set your clocks forward 1 hour) – March 8
Plant a Flower Day – March 12
Learn about Butterflies Day – March 14
Waffle Day – March 15
Saint Patrick’s Day – March 17
Take a Walk in the Park Day – March 30
February
Observed: February 01, 2020 - February 11
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is observed each year during February 7–14 to promote awareness and education about congenital heart defects (CHDs). CHDs affect approximately one in 100 births every year in the United States and are the most common type of birth defect (1,2). Heart defects are conditions that persons live with throughout their lives; an estimated 1 million children and 1.4 million adults in the United States were living with a CHD in 2010.
Observed February 14th
February 14th is National Donor Day, which aims to raise awareness of the lifesaving benefits of organ, eye and tissue donation while reminding of the importance of discussing the topic with your loved ones. We encourage you to use National Donor Day to discuss organ, eye and tissue donation with those closest to you
Observed: February 17, 2020 - February 21
Send an email, text or call a co-worker – kindness goes a long way!
January
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. Although relatively small, the thyroid gland plays a huge role in our body, influencing the function of many of the body’s most essential organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin.
https://www.thyroid.org/january-thyroid-awareness/
National Glaucoma Awareness Month is an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease. Currently, more than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase.
Observed: January 19, 2020 - January 31
National Healthy Weight Week has been observed for 7 days starting the
3rd Sunday in January since 1994.
December
Observed: December 01, 2019 - December 31
National Handwashing Week is observed the first week in December and is dedicated to helping people remain healthy one hand wash at a time. Practicing good hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections.
Observed: December 01, 2019 - December 07
CDC established National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) in 2005 to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.
Observed: December 01, 2019
World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.
November
Observed: November, 2019
National Diabetes Month is sponsored by the American Diabetic Association (ADA) with a vision for a life free of diabetes and its consequences. It is observed in November. The ADA also sponsors a “Diabetes Alert Day” on the fourth Tuesday in March to raise awareness about the serious problems diabetes can cause and encourages you to take the Diabetes Risk Test.
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is leading a joint effort among a consortium of a non-profit lung cancer patient advocacy organizations and individuals. This effort is designed to produce a coordinated, harmonized public awareness campaign for Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) in November 2018.
Raising pancreatic cancer awareness can be done as an individual or group all year long, but it is especially important during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November. It is a time of the year when we have the most voices speaking about out pancreatic cancer. Learn more about ways you can participate so you can help us raise awareness and funds during November.
President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in 1983. At the time, fewer than 2 million Americans had Alzheimer’s; today, the number of people with the disease has soared to nearly 5.4 million. Get involved this month, and help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, which occurs every November, was established to honor the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s, through advocacy for a cure, awareness and education.
https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/november-is-alzheimers-awareness-month/
October
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. Breast cancer awareness month is a yearly campaign that intend to educate people about the importance of early screening, test and more. This campaign starts on October 1st and ends on October 31st every year.
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/more-ways-acs-helps-you-stay-well.html
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.
https://nrcdv.org/dvam/DVAM-history
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of more than 350,000 people each year. Anyone can experience Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), including infants, children, teens, young adults and people in their 30s and 40s who have no sign of heart disease, as well as more mature adults.
http://www.stopcardiacarrest.org/
September
September is Baby Safety Month, sponsored annually by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This year, JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of properly using straps on all juvenile products. The fact is, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for all young children. Every day in the U.S., approximately 8,000 children are treated in the emergency room for fall-related injuries.
http://www.iafcs.org/webcomponents/articles/events.asp?id=28
September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it if it is high. National Cholesterol Education Month is also a good time to learn about lipid profiles and about food and lifestyle choices that help you reach personal cholesterol goals. Below you will find some information about cholesterol and a summary of CDC programs that address cholesterol across the country.
https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_education_month.htm
World Alzheimer’s Month is the international campaign by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) every September to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia. World Alzheimer’s Month was launched in 2012. World Alzheimer’s Day is on 21 September each year. 2 out of every 3 people globally believe there is little or no understanding of dementia in their countries. The impact of World Alzheimer’s Month is growing, but the stigmatisation and misinformation that surrounds dementia remains a global problem that requires global action.
August
Observed: August 15, 2019
https://healthcenterweek.org/healthcare-for-the-homeless/
Observed During: August, 2019
Observed: August 18, 2019
https://healthcenterweek.org/childrens-health/
Observed: August 30, 2019
July
Observed: July 5 - July 11, 2019
Observed During: July, 2019
Observed During: July, 2020
Observed: July 28, 2020
http://www.worldhepatitisday.org/
June
Observed During: June, 2019
https://www.AlzheimersLocator.com/Dementia_Care
Observed During: June, 2019
Observed: June 07, 2020 - June 13
Observed: June 27, 2019
Observed During: June, 2020
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
Observed: June 13, 2020
https://www.nrpa.org/events/family-fitness-day
May
http://www.physicalfitness.org/
High Blood Pressure Awareness
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/publications-and-resources
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may
https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw
https://bikeleague.org/content/bike-month-dates-events-0
http://www.who.int/campaigns/no-tobacco-day/2018/event/en/
April
https://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/
https://www.preventblindness.org/womens-eye-health-and-safety-awareness-month
March
National Save Your Vision Month designates the month of March to promote eye health. This year, the American Optometric Association is promoting awareness around digital eyestrain and the importance of receiving regular, comprehensive eye exams from a doctor of optometry. The AOA’s campaign will focus specifically on blue light’s impact on overall health. According to 2016 AOA Eye-Q survey data, the average American spends seven hours per day using digital devices. Overexposure to blue light due to smartphones, tablets and other technology use for extended periods of time can cause vision damage, sleep problems and more. By analyzing data, research and trends, this campaign will provide tips on preventing digital eye strain while at home or work.
National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
Held the fourth Tuesday of March each year, American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a day to sound the alarm about the prevalence of type 2 diabetes by asking everyone to take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test. The free, anonymous risk test only takes a minute to complete. By answering questions such as “Do you have a family history of diabetes?” and “Are you physically active?” you can learn if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes in 60 seconds.
Observed: March 17, 2019 - March 24
National Poison Prevention Week raises awareness of poison prevention nationwide during the third full week of March every year. The week is an opportunity to highlight the dangers of poisonings for people of all ages and promote community involvement in poisoning prevention.
World Kidney Day is a global awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys. www.worldkidneyday.org/
Observed: March 30, 2019
National Doctors’ Day is held every year on March 30th in the United States. It is a day to celebrate the contribution of physicians who serve our country by caring for its’ citizens. The first Doctor’s Day observance was March 30, 1933 in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day to honor physicians. This first observance included the mailing greeting cards and placing flowers on graves of deceased doctors. On March 30, 1958, a Resolution Commemorating Doctors’ Day was adopted by the United States House of Representatives. In 1990, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish a national Doctor’s Day.
February
Observed: February 07, 2019 - February 11
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is observed each year during February 7–14 to promote awareness and education about congenital heart defects (CHDs). CHDs affect approximately one in 100 births every year in the United States and are the most common type of birth defect (1,2). Heart defects are conditions that persons live with throughout their lives; an estimated 1 million children and 1.4 million adults in the United States were living with a CHD in 2010 (3). CDC’s website, Stories: Living with Heart Defects, includes personal stories by persons affected by CHDs (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/stories/heartdefects.html).
Observed: February 14, 2019
February 14th is National Donor Day, which aims to raise awareness of the lifesaving benefits of organ, eye and tissue donation while reminding of the importance of discussing the topic with your loved ones. We encourage you to use National Donor Day to discuss organ, eye and tissue donation with those closest to you.
Today, nearly 120,000 patients are on the waiting list to receive a lifesaving organ transplant, and countless others are in need of cornea, tissue, bone marrow, blood, and platelet donation.
National Donor Day observance was originally designated in 1998 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers to raise awareness for organ, eye, tissue, marrow, platelet and blood donation.
https://www.randomactsofkindness.org
Observed: February 17, 2019 - February 23
Random Acts of Kindness Week takes place this year from February 11th - 17th, 2019. It’s a time when people can show the world that there’s a lot of good people out there who not only care about people, but like them too!