A systematic review of diabetes self-care interventions for older, African The public health epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents: …
TotalWellness
Volume XVI, Number 11
BECOMING A TOTAL PERSON
November 2008
Knowing the Types of Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes: x Type 1 diabetes usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults With this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the bodys immune system has attacked and destroyed them x Type 2 diabetes the most common form of diabetes This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells dont use insulin properly In time, however, the body loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes x Gestational diabetes Some women develop gestational diabetes during the late stages of pregnancy Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, a woman who has had it is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin
Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, wwwdiabetesniddknihgov
Diabetes: A 24/7 Managing Process
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id you
know there are 236 million children and adults in the United States who have diabetes? According to the American Diabetes Association ADA, an estimated 179 million of these have been diagnosed with diabetes, and about 57 million people are unaware that they have the disease Diabetes is a disease in which the body doesnt produce or properly use insulin Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food v Express your feelings both positive into energy needed for daily life The and negative ones Turn to others to cause of diabetes continues to be a myshelp you through the hard times tery, although both genetics and environ- v Take it one day at a time but live your mental factors such as obesity and lack of life You will feel more confident exercise appear to play roles about the daily tasks of diabetes care Common symptoms of someone with as time goes by diabetes include: Frequent urination v Find ways to relieve your stress of Excessive thirst Extreme hunger Undealing with diabetes Consider these usual weight loss Increased fatigue suggestions: Exercise to elevate your Irritability Blurry vision mood and help relax tense muscles Here are some
tips for coping with Write your thoughts on paper to help diabetes 24/7 from the ADA: make your problems seem more manv Learn about diabetes Visit your local ageable Practice relaxation exercises American Diabetes Association, talk like yoga, deep breathing, or tensing with your doctor, or read books or and relaxing one muscle at a time articles from reliable sources Distract yourself with an evening v Share your condition and needs with out, rent a video, or get lost in a good family and friends Ask them for their book Get a massage Meditate or support and encouragement in helping pray to take care of your mental and you manage your disease spiritual areas of life v Talk to other people who have diabe- Could you have diabetes and not know it? Take this tes You may benefit from participat- test at http://wwwdiabetesorg/risk-testjsp and see http://wwwdiabetesorg/risk-testjsp, your doctor for an evaluation if you have concerns ing in a diabetes support group
Source: American Diabetes Association, wwwdiabetesorg
Printed on recycled paper - 10 Post-Consumer Fiber
financial and home
The Where of Retirement Planning
When it comes to planning for retirement, you hear a lot about the
how But another issue that deserves careful planning is the where the place where you will spend your retirement years If you have a choice of where to live after retirement, its important to think through your decision very carefully There are three big donts when it comes to the decision about where to live after retirement: x Dont act out of emotion The same mentality that tempts people on vacation to buy into a time-share condo theyll probably never use causes many retirees to rush to a decision Its called impulse and should be avoided x Dont make a hasty decision Making quick decisions about anything will get you in trouble most of the time; you cant really trust your feelings The feeling you get when visiting friends in Florida may make their lives seem idyllic And perhaps life is ideal for them in Florida But that doesnt mean the southern climate will suit your temperament Take at least one year after retiring before you make any relocation decisions x Dont think you can escape from the real world The pace in most retirement communities is decidedly slower than in most other areas Usually time is counted on a daily basis rather than hourly For many people this suits their
personalities and they adapt well But for many new retirees this can often seem like stepping into a geriatric care center Youll find that people living in retirement communities have the same problems as everyone else If you havent retired, you need to give some careful consideration to where you intend to spend your retirement years As you have the opportunity to travel and talk with others, ask some questions pertinent to your future decision What is the weather like? What about utility rates? What about hospital accessibility and rates? What about the availability of geriatric physicians? What about real estate taxes? What about income taxes? What about personal property taxes? What about the crime rate? A negative response on any two or more of these issues should cause you to reevaluate that area as your retirement location
Larry Burkett 1939-2003, a well-known author, teacher, and radio personality, was co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries, whose daily radio broadcasts are heard on more than 1,000 stations in the US Larrys bestselling books include The Coming Economic Earthquake, What Ever Happened to the American Dream? and Victory Over Debt
Burning a Wood Fire
Safely
oodburning fireplaces can provide a warm and cozy addition to a relaxing home However, its important to remember basic safety tips to prevent fires and keep your family safe: v Have the chimney inspected annually, and cleaned if necessary, by a professional v Install both a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your home v Have a fire extinguisher is available in your home v Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of furniture, books, newspapers, and other potentially flammable materials Keeping items two feet away is a good rule to follow v Avoid burning garbage, rolled newspapers, charcoal, or plastic in the fireplace v Never use gasoline or any liquid accelerant to help start a fire in your fireplace v Always keep small children and pets away from the fireplace v Dont close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning v Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house To light a fire safely, remember these tips: Clean out ashes from previous fires Open the damper Use a fireplace grate Keep glass doors open during the fire Use fireplace tools to tend the fire Build a safe fire by not overloading it with wood
Always close the firescreen when in use
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Source: Hearth, Patio Barbecue Association, wwwhpbaorg
Have a Clean Home for the Holidays
Wash all bedding in hot water Vacuum all carpets and clean all floor surfaces Disinfect all light switches, door knobs, and countertops by wiping them with an antibacterial cleaner Clean out the refrigerator and throw out old leftovers Wipe down the shelves and compartments Sort through your pantry and throw away items that are past their expiration date Clean all light fixtures Remove cobwebs from corners in your rooms Wipe down all baseboards and windowsills Clean and dust all ceiling fans
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physical
Winter Workout Ideas
Snow, rain, ice, cloudy skies, and cold days can all put a damper on your outdoor workouts during the winter Therefore, its time to think outside the box and get creative with your workouts Here are a few creative ideas for winter workouts: v Build muscle strength Lift weights in your own home with simple dumbbells, a small exercise bench, or a stability ball v Pop a DVD or video into your player and workout to the beat of an aerobic program Check out the exercise video section at your local department or electronics
store and see what a variety of choices you have Spend 30 minutes to an hour each day at home exercising v Take a stab at skiing If you like skiing and live near the slopes, buy a season pass and make downhill or crosscountry skiing a part of your exercise routine v Twirl around the ice rink Ice skating is great way to burn calories and have fun at the same time Find a local outdoor rink and do some high energy laps v Join a gym Choose one that is conveniently located and offers exercise classes that appeal to you Make sure they have the latest equipment and offer assistance with trainers on staff v Walk around the mall The mall offers a safe indoor walking track during the winter months v Take a walk up and down the stairs at the office v Use exercise equipment thats sitting immobile around your home Walk on your treadmill or ride your exercise bike
Hydrate Your Body
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What to Wear for Workouts
q Go for comfort shorts, jogging pants, t-shirts, or workout sets Choose clothes that dont chafe, ride up, slide down, or show more than you want q Choose the right shoes for your type exercise such as a running, cross training, or walking shoe Make sure the shoe fits properly and
doesnt hurt your feet q Select clothes and shoes that have reflective material on them so if youre out at night, people can see you q Choose clothes that fit the activity youre participating in q In cold months, if youre outside, layer your clothes Then, you can shed layers if you get hot during the workout Wear ear muffs and gloves if its chilly
ne of the most common health problems that many people suffer from can easily be remedied Its called dehydration Over three-fourths of the population are chronic victims because they fail to drink adequate amounts of water for their bodys health needs Symptoms may come in the form of headaches, dry skin, depression, fatigue, constipation, hunger, stiff joints, and loss of sleep, as well as many other complications The issue is that most people treat the symptom with medication instead of providing the body with what it needs and wants good old-fashioned water Did you know that our bodies are made up of 65-70 percent water? If we deprive ourselves of this vital life-support system, our bodies will literally start shutting down organ by organ This can start happening if your body loses as little as 20 percent of its normal water content
Now, I dont want you to justify all liquids as hydrators because some liquids, such as caffeinated coffee or sodas, are actually dehydrators and take away from your water count So if you must drink caffeine, consider refueling the body with an extra glass of water for every caffeinated drink that you consume If you prefer flavored water, you may add a slice of lemon or lime Most of us tend to drink more water in the summertime; since that is the season we tend to be most active During this time hotter temperatures occur, and we tend to sweat more In actuality, its just as important to drink ample amounts of water in the winter Just because its not hot out and youre not working up a sweat doesnt mean that you dont need water One way to help you remember to drink more water is to always carry a bottle of water with you in the car, at the office, etc make it a habit You should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water For example, if you weighed 150 pounds, you should drink at least 75 ounces a little more than a half-gallon a day Believe me, your body will thank you over and over again as water is the single most critical factor to health and well-being
Wendie
Pett is a mother and fitness expert, the author of Every Womans Guide to Personal Power and co-author of The Miracle Seven She trains people individually and conducts seminars to corporate groups to help teach others how to maximize their wellness through the balance of mind, body, and spirit For more information on Wendie visit wwwwendiepettcom
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career
Building Positive Relationships
By Paul J Meyer
Rejuvenate with Rest Time
To do great work, one must be very idle as well as very industrious Samuel Butler People need to work, but they also need to rest Great days are the result of fulfilling, satisfying work and renewing rest Rest is a mental and physical recess from the stress of work and obligations Rest is not only sleep but also time spent in solitude, in play, in the company of nurturing friends, and each of these is critical to a balanced life We live in a frenzied, fastpaced world We are overwhelmed, plagued with too much to do and not enough time to do it There never seems to be time to escape to a quiet oasis of peace and solitude Take some time to rest, to think, to regroup, to rest your body and your spirit
Julie Alexander is a professional speaker who works with
organizations that want to boost morale and people who want great days on and off the job She is the author of Great Days: 50 Ways to Add Energy, Enthusiasm, Enjoyment to Your Life and Make Life Count 50 Ways to Great Days For more information, visit wwwJulieAlexandercom
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nowing the technical aspects of your profession is the basic requirement to be successful, but knowing how to get along with people and build relationships with them can dramatically enhance your overall productivity People in the workplace portray a vast array of personality traits, and there are many different effective personality types Use these basic guidelines to build positive relationships with all kinds of people: x Communicate fully and effectively with your clients Good communication skills form the backbone of relationship building Make an effort to fully understand your clients needs Design a plan of action to meet specific client needs If your service or product cannot completely satisfy their needs, refer them to someone whose service or product can x Show genuine personal interest and concern Be concerned about your clients as human beings and they will have confidence in your ability to meet
their needs Make sure your interest is genuine and that your words as well as your actions reflect sincere interest Infuse your interest and concern with natural cheerfulness and enthusiasm x Show appreciation to your clients Remember their names and spell them correctly in all correspondence Always listen attentively to your clients especially when you ask them questions When your clients call, return their calls promptly Better yet, try to anticipate questions your clients may have, and call them before they call you x Use communication technology effectively Communications technology, including telephones, E-mails, faxes, and notes, can enhance your communication with clients, but do not allow it to dehumanize them Always consider the nature of the communication required with your clients, and then choose the method most suited for your goal Will a telephone call, E-mail, or face-to-face meeting best serve your purpose? When your attitudes and actions reflect genuine interest and concern for your clients, they begin to view you as the key to accomplishing their goals Strive to develop your relationship skills and increase your success
Paul J Meyer is a successful entrepreneur
and author of personal and professional improvement programs, courses, and books, including his latest book, Forgiveness The Ultimate Miracle For more information, wwwpauljmeyercom visit his website at wwwpauljmeyercom
The Other Side of Multi-Tasking
Not long ago, workers were proud that they could multitask and talk on the phone and read email at the same time But is not paying full attention the best thing to do? In his book, The Myth of Multitasking: How Doing it All Gets Nothing Done, author Dave Crenshaw says technology has evolved, but the brain has not It still does one thing at a time, rapidly switching back and forth Each switch makes it less-effective at both tasks When people work on two things at once, 
they often have to retrace their steps in order to correct mistakes No time saved there
InSync Moment Celebrate Mistakes
Mistakes are invaluable lessons in life The next time you make one, respond this way: Admit you made the mistake Look for the lesson thats embedded in the mistake Make a plan so you wont make the same mistake again Celebrate what youve learned about yourself
Susan Pilgrim, PhD, author of Living InSync Contact her at 1-877-InSync 1-877-467-9627 or at
spilgrim@transbaynet
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health and wellness
Stay Healthy this Winter
q Drink water often Indoor heat can be dehydrating q Wash your hands often, especially if you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, and after touching sick people q Start meals with chicken soup It has disease fighting chemicals, and you eat less of the main course too q Increase your immunity by eating squash, carrots, or pumpkin, which the USDA says will increase your immune-cell count by a third q Do moderate exercise Doctors say those who do seem to have fewer colds q Get enough sleep Maintain your routine Dont eat heavy food or drink alcohol for a few hours before bed
Get Your Shot to Prevent the Flu
Though October is the recommended month for flu shots, November and even December can provide protection too January is the peak month for influenza, but cases continue to appear as late as May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Each year, up to 35,000 Americans die from the flu and its complications Getting a flu shot significantly reduces the risk of being infected Everyone who wants to avoid one to two weeks of misery should get a shot Children under age five and adults with chronic
medical conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis or heart disease are at high risk for complications Immunization is especially important for them and for people who work in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics
The Basics About Seizures
Seizures occur because of a sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain Seizures can be accompanied by unusual sensations, uncontrollable muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness Most seizures last from 30 seconds to two minutes and usually dont cause lasting harm However, its a medical emergency if seizures last longer than five minutes or if a person has many seizures Seizures can be triggered by: medications low blood sugar high fevers head injuries accidental poisoning a drug overdose People who have recurring seizures due to a brain disorder have epilepsy According to the Epilepsy Foundation, heres what to do if someone has a seizure around you: Remain calm Protect the person from injury by removing harmful objects close by and cushioning their head Time the seizure with your watch Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewelery Dont try to keep the person from moving or shaking Aid breathing by gently turning
them onto one side or loosening ties or anything around the neck Be calmly reassuring Stay with the person until recovery is complete Avoid giving the person anything to eat or drink until theyre fully recovered Call for help if the person has never had a seizure or it lasts longer than five minutes
Sources: US National Library of Medicine at http://wwwnlmnihgov/ medlineplus/seizureshtml, KidsHealth at http://kidshealthorg/parent/ firstaid_safe/emergencies/seizurehtml, and the Epilepsy Foundation at http:// wwwepilepsyfoundationorg/about/firstaid/
Choose to Quit for Life
n spite of all health warnings, more than a quarter of Americans still smoke cigarettes or cigars If youre among them and you want to quit, jump onboard with others who are going to choose to quit on November 20 as part of the The Great American Smokeout Quitting smoking isnt easy It takes commitment and strong willpower But it can be done According to the American Cancer Society ACS, nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products is a highly addictive drug as addictive as heroin or cocaine Over time, a person becomes physically and emotionally addicted to, or dependent on, nicotine Studies have shown that
smokers must deal with both the physical and psychological dependence to be successful at quitting and staying quit The key to success in kicking the habit is to create a personal quit plan There is no one right way to quit, but there are some key elements in quitting with success These 4 factors are key: making the decision to quit setting a quit date and choosing a quit plan dealing with withdrawal staying quit maintenance
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For tips and advice on how to quit, visit http://wwwcancerorg/docroot/subsite/greatamericans/Smokeoutasp http://wwwcancerorg/docroot/subsite/greatamericans/Smokeoutasp
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mental
oure swamped at work, the car just gave out, and you volunteered to make the Thanksgiving turkey and all the sides yeah, it seemed like no big deal at the time But before you tear your hair out or take your frustrations out on those around you take a deep breath, and let it out slowly In fact, try it right now Ah, doesnt that feel better Its just one technique thatll help take the edge off Here are some other ways to keep stress from getting the best of you: x Pinpoint your sources Screaming kids, a slavedriving boss, or a long commute are just some of the things that can
drive you crazy Or it could be a larger issue that you havent dealt with Regardless of whats eating at you, identifying the culprit is the first step in giving stress the boot x Pay attention to the present When your mind wanders to problems from the past or things that could go wrong in the future focus on the moment You can do this by concentrating on your breathing, your emotions, and what your body is feeling Lie down and close your eyes Focus on the natural flow of your breath as air fills your lungs and leaves your lungs Think about your feet, heels, and ankles, and then your knees, thighs, and pelvis Continue working your way up your body, finishing with your throat, jaw, tongue, face, and brow x Mind your health That means eating healthfully, exercising daily make sure to get in a 30-minute walk, and getting adequate sleep When youre sleep deprived, your body produces more stress hormones, making you vulnerable to harmful stress effects x Be positive Its normal to behave in ways that were accustomed to when dealing with negative emotions For example, when someone makes us angry, we tend to lash out Unfortunately, this usually makes things worse A better approach might be
to do the opposite Case in point: If your colleagues are complaining, dont get your dander up Try to see things from their vantage point x Loosen up Learning to relax your muscles can relieve physical stress in your body Start by tensing and relaxing your feet and toes, and move your way up your body to each muscle group: legs, stomach, back, neck, arms, face, and head And breathe
Your Road Map to Calm
How You Can Fight SAD
Often referred to as cabin fever and the winter blues, seasonal affective disorder SAD affects millions of people each year, especially those who live in northern climates SAD is a physical disorder triggered by reduced exposure to light that causes a biochemical imbalance in the brain People with mild to moderate cases of SAD begin to notice the symptoms in the fall Here are some things they can do to get a more upbeat outlook: q Get outside for 30 minutes a day Go out at mid-day when you can q Doctors at emedicinehealthcom recommend taking a multivitamin that includes magnesium, B complex and minerals They suggest avoiding caffeine and practicing stress management q Walk or participate in aerobic exercises to improve mood and strength People with more
serious cases of SAD say the deep winter is hardest to handle They sleep more but still feel tired They may gain weight and feel irritable or depressed There are treatments for SAD In light therapy, patients sit under a special lamp called a light box or wear a visor outfitted with a bulb for a prescribed period of time each day Dawn light stimulators are easy to use and create a sunrise-like atmosphere in the morning Some doctors also prescribe antidepressants for the condition
Note: Seasonal mood changes should be taken seriously and discussed with a doctor If not treated, they can become more serious in years to come
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Coping with Traumatic Events
Most people have been through a stressful event in their life However, when an event, or series of events, causes a lot of stress, its referred to as a traumatic event Traumatic events can range from sudden death of a loved one in an auto accident, flooding and devastation of your home, or attacks in a community where numerous lives are lost such as the events of September 11 People experiencing the stress of a traumatic event often experience: feelings of fear, grief and depression physical and behavioral responses such as nausea,
dizziness, and changes in appetite and sleep pattern withdrawal from daily activities The responses to a traumatic event can last for weeks or months before people start to feel normal again
For more information on how to cope with traumatic evetns, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://wwwbtcdcgov/masscasualties/ copingpubasp
For more tried-and-true stress busters, visit the RealAge Soothe Stress Center at http://wwwrealagecom//ct/soothe-stress/ http://wwwrealagecom//ct/soothe-stress/
By Michael F Roizen, MD, author of RealAge: Are You as Young as You Can Be? and The RealAge Diet: Make Yourself Young with What You Eat Roizen, an internist and anesthesiologist, has been listed for the last 13 years in The Best Doctors in America, published by Woodward/White For more information on RealAge, visit wwwRealAgecom wwwRealAgecom
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Avoid Overindulging at the Big Feast
Its the holiday season, a time to eat, drink, and be merry But with a strategy of your own, you could avoid having to loosen your belt mid-way through the meal These commonsense tips may help you: x Eat before you leave home so you wont overload your plate because you feel starved x Watch the
alcohol Its high-calorie and impairs judgment The more you drink, the more youll eat x Check the table or buffet line to determine what you really like and what you can skip Focus on fruits and vegetables, unless the vegetables are swimming in cheese Look for good foods that arent high in fat Skip the bread so you have more room for the good stuff x For baked potatoes and sweet potatoes, avoid the butter, cheese, and bacon Look for low-fat sour cream or yogurt choices x When youre finally ready to eat, start with the fruits and vegetables Eat slowly Be sociable Visit while you eat so you wont just be shoveling in the food x When it comes to dessert, take the smallest piece If you must sample two desserts, just take a few bites of each x After dinner, take a walk and invite family members to go with you Its fun, burns a few calories, and helps to relieve a full feeling
nutrition Holiday Cooking the Healthy Way
ood is often the focal point during holidays so its important to make good choices for your healths sake Here are several tips on how you can cook healthily this holiday season: v Use skim milk, nonfat plain yogurt, skim-milk cheese, lowfat or nonfat cottage cheese, and light
cream cheese instead of the higher-fat dairy products v Eat more fish and white meats and fewer red meats If you eat red meats, buy lean and trim them well, before and after cooking Cook them in a way that diminishes fat, such as grilling or broiling on a rack v Remove skin from poultry before cooking, and you can cut the fat by 50 percent v Use cooking sprays and nonstick skillets that enable you to brown meats without grease Sauté ingredients in stocks and broths rather than fats and oils v Adapt a recipe that says to baste with butter by basting with tomato or lemon juice, white wine Worcest-
F
ershire, or stock v Use monounsaturated oils such as canola or olive oil for salads or cooking v Substitute nonfat plain yogurt, nonfat sour cream, or blended until smooth low-fat cottage cheese or skim milk ricotta in recipes calling for sour cream or mayonnaise These products also make a great topping for baked potatoes, especially sprinkled with chives or grated Parmesan v Skim the fat off of soup stocks, meat drippings, and sauces Refrigerate and remove the hardened surface layer of fat before reheating v Steam or microwave vegetables v Use pureed cooked vegetables, such as carrots,
potatoes, or peppers, to thicken soups and stews instead of creams or egg yolks v Choose natural appetizers such as a vegetable platter or fruit kabob Add raisins, dried cranberries, and pretzel sticks to a bowl for nibbling v Substitute half the fat in a recipe with applesauce
Makes 6 servings
WARM PEARS IN RASPBERRY SAUCE
1/2 cup seedless raspberry all-fruit spread 1 cup apple juice 2 tsp grated lemon peel 2 Tbsp lemon juice 3 firm bosc pears, peeled and cut into quarters
Each serving contains: 84 calories, 0 g protein, 0 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 21 g carbohydrates, 16 mg sodium Calories from fat: 0 percent
Pamela Smith is a Registered Dietitian and nationally known radio and TV host For more information, call 1-800-8964010 or visit her website at wwwpamsmithcom Her book, The Energy Edge, gives power points to have energy for life
Mix all ingredients except pears in a 10-inch skillet Add pears Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low Simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, spooning juice mixture over pears, and turning every 10 minutes until pears are tender Serve warm or chilled
From Pamela Smiths Eat Well, Live Well Visit wwwpamsmithcom for more information
clip and
keep
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family
Vice Presidents
Connections Count
Enjoy Your Family Time
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ADAMS AGNEW ARTHUR BURR BUSH CHENEY COLFAX CURTIS DALLAS DAWES FILLMORE
FORD GARNER GERRY GORE HAMLIN HENDRICKS HOBART JOHNSON KING MARSHALL MONDALE
MORTON NIXON QUAYLE ROOSEVELT SHERMAN STEVENSON TRUMAN TYLER WHEELER WILSON
Is there a topic you want us to write about? Call us 1-800-815-2323 E-mail us rpublish@rpublishcom
This newsletter is published monthly by Rutherford Publishing, PO Box 8853, Waco, Texas 76714, 1-800-815-2323 Website: wwwrpublishcom Copyright 2008 Rutherford Publishing All rights reserved Material may not be reproduced in whole or part in any form without the written permission of the publisher Subscription price 12 issues, 25 per year in US Publisher: Ronnie Marroquin Managing Editor: Kimberly Denman Illustrations by RMS Graphics National Accounts: Jean Harms Editorial Advisory Board: Bill Anderson, PhD, and Richard Jackson, MD, FABFP, and Pamela Smith, RD This newsletter is not intended to provide medical advice on personal wellness matters, which should be obtained directly from your physician ISSN 1072-4788
ccording to the Alliance for Children and Families, children live
better lives when their families are strong and are connected in their schools and communities Here are several tips on how your family can participate in National Family Week activities this month and throughout the year: q Meet and get to know the people who live in your neighborhood q Plan a neighborhood picnic or supper with games and activities for everyone q Select an issue that can improve your community, such as repairing a local park Work with local officials to effect change q Write a thank-you note to someone in the community who helps your family q Volunteer with a nonprofit organization on projects that benefit your community Participate in these activities as a family q Plan a family supper with your childrens fellow classmates q Write a thank-you note to a helpful teacher or faculty member at your
q
q q
q
q
childs school or college Hold a family night in your home featuring interactive games, food, and other fun activities Meet and get to know your childs friends and parents at school Schedule time to enjoy fun family activities Put all of your obligations out of your mind, relax, and have a good time If your job allows, take a long lunch once a month and treat
your child and yourself to lunch together Have fun with your kids in a playful, creative, and imaginative way Dont make competition a requirement in every activity
For more information on National Family Week, visit wwwnationalfamilyweekorg
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