Health Observances

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month®

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. About 90% of skin cancer cases are caused from the sun’s ultraviolet light and are largely preventable. Just 15 minutes of exposure to the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin. Although sunshine and summertime go hand-in-hand, protect your skin from harmful UV rays this summer by taking extra precautions.  

• Using SPF 15 or higher, apply one ounce of sunscreen, about the volume of a golf ball.
• Sunscreen can lose potency when exposed to heat or light. If an expiration date can’t be found, toss it out and buy a new bottle.
• Cover up exposed areas with a wide-brimmed hat or sun protective clothing.
• Protect your eyes from glare by choosing sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays.
• Avoid peak hours, as the most harmful rays are between 10am and 4pm.

Monthly head-to-toe skin exams can help identify any unusual changes or new growths on the skin. When found early, skin cancer is nearly always curable. During a self-examination, check for changes in color, shape, size, border, or texture. Other warning signs include a mole or spot appearing after the age of 21, or growths larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser. Spots or sores that don’t heal within 3 weeks should also be brought to a doctor’s attention.

May is Employee Health and Fitness Month!      

Employers everywhere are recognizing the benefit of healthy employees.  It’s no secret that healthier employees are happier, more productive, and log fewer sick days.

Throughout the month of May, Sterling Wellness Solutions will be participating in Employee Health and Fitness Month by posting each staff member’s favorite health or wellness tip on our Facebook page. ‘Like’ our page on Facebook to follow our Employee Health and Fitness campaign and learn the secret health habits practiced by our team of experts.

We encourage you to take advantage of this health observation month by taking simple steps toward health and fitness in the workplace. Consider stretching breaks before or after meetings, walking meetings, or lunchtime physical activity opportunities. If you or your employer would like help organizing a lunchtime walk, educational presentation, or stretching class, let us know!

Just as a smile is contagious, humor is infectious. In this modern plugged-in era, bad news, natural disasters, and health fears can send our minds into a tailspin. This April, as we celebrate National Humor Month, practice focusing on the positive aspects in life and fostering an environment of a light-hearted mood.

Humor can strengthen relationships, relieve anxiety and depression, and improve immune function. Surround yourself with those who have a good sense of humor. You can’t stay mad at someone who makes you laugh. Children in particular have an innocent perspective and contagious smile.

Using humor can help overcome obstacles that once appeared undesirable. To find the silver lining, learn to discover irony and humor in situations, don’t take yourself too seriously, and surround yourself with pictures, keepsakes, or images that evoke fun memories.

Every March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spotlights National Nutrition Month®. This year celebrates the 40th annual campaign of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

This year’s theme, “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day,” encourages personalized healthy eating styles. Personal food preferences, lifestyle, cultural, and ethnic traditions all impact individual food choices. Because nutrition isn’t a one-size-fits-all message, emphasis is placed on making healthy choices that work for you.

If you are interested in hosting a National Nutrition Month® event at your workplace, download a toolkit here. For additional tools and resources, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at EatRight.org.

 Nearly one third of those who have high blood pressure aren’t aware of it. Often times, there are no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. If left untreated for long periods of time, hypertension can lead to heart disease, an increased risk for stroke, and even kidney failure. Although high blood pressure is often hereditary, there are many lifestyle factors that can improve or prevent hypertension:

• Eat a heart healthy diet- Include potassium and fiber, and drink plenty of water.
• Aerobic exercise- Aim for at least 30 minutes daily.
• Quit smoking- Or try cutting back if you aren’t ready to quit.
• Limit alcohol- One drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men.
• Limit salt- Aim for less than 1,500 mg of sodium a day.
• Reduce stress- Take breaks, enjoy leisure activities, and practice stress management techniques.

Hypertension can occur at a blood pressure level over 140/90. For more information on hypertension, visit The American Heart Association.

American Heart Month kicked off the first Friday of the month with National Wear Red Day. Sterling Wellness Solutions showed their support in the fight against heart disease, the #1 killer in America. Every February, the American Heart Association along with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, raise awareness and support through their Go Red campaign.  

In the 10 years since the campaign started, the movement has increased awareness of cardiovascular disease, reduced deaths from heart disease, and spurred funding for research and prevention education.

For additional tools and resources about heart health, visit the American Heart Association. If your workplace would like to join the challenge, help paint America red by uploading your own photo to the America Goes Red Challenge.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world after diabetes. This eye disease can come in many forms, and all are likely to lead to vision loss and potential blindness. Although babies can be born with glaucoma, it is most common in the elderly and African American populations. Medication and surgery can slow the loss of vision, but taking care of your peepers will keep your eyesight healthy. Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays, don’t smoke, and always wear eye protection for sports and other potentially dangerous activities.

Diagnosing glaucoma is the first step to saving your eyesight. Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 2-3 years, or more frequently if you have a family history of cataracts or glaucoma. Visit the Glaucoma Research Foundation to assess your risk and learn more about prevention and treatment.

A new year often brings resolutions to frequent the gym, get fit, or lose weight.  Make sure you are properly outfitted for your sport to prevent injuries and maximize your workout. 

Shoes- Use only shoes specific to your sport and replace shoes before you feel knee or foot pain. Experts recommend replacing running shoes every 300-400 miles.

Safety gear- Helmets, pads, and high visibility reflective gear are essential to keep you from getting sidelined.

Equipment- Maximizing a workout may require a pedometer, heart rate monitor, or motivating music. Reaching goals may be easier with an online app or progress chart.

Clothes- If exercising in cooler outdoor temps, aim to dress for weather 20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature. Indoors or out, always layer and choose clothes that allow your skin to breathe.

If you are shopping around for new workout gear, visit SparkPeople‘s top 6 things to look for. Take care of your fitness equipment and it will take care of you!

It’s time to go pink. This October, we celebrate 26 years of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  We want to take this opportunity to remind all women to perform a self breast exam every month starting in their 20′s and get a clinical breast exam every 3 years until the age of 39. A yearly mammogram and clinical breast exam is recommended for all women over the age of 40. While genetics, gender, and race all affect your risks for breast cancer, lifestyle factors can too. Exercising as little as 4 hours a week and eating a plant-based diet has been shown to reduce risk. Limit alcohol and smoking, and manage stress levels. Talk to your Wellness Contact about designating one day in October as a Pink Day to help raise awareness for this disease. Find more information from The National Breast Cancer Foundation and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

You can also help raise awareness by participating in a local Race for the Cure. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series is the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer ever created. Find a race near you!

Family Health Month is a reminder for families to take a look at hereditary conditions, genetic diseases, and other health habits that may get passed down from generation to generation. It’s important to understand your risk for certain diseases and conditions, and knowing the health history of your blood-line relatives may save your life.

The saying “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is especially true when it comes to hereditary conditions. It is important to communicate health risks to generations below you. Consider drafting a family health tree and noting the cause of death, chronic disease, or any other important medical information of previous generations. Use this printable family health tree worksheet from the American Heart Association as a guide.

Prevention and early treatment are necessary for chronic diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Take time to evaluate the overall risks of your family and discuss lifestyle changes that could lower your risk for these diseases.